How to choose a cleanser for combination skin

What counts as combination skin?

Combination skin usually has an oily forehead, nose and chin, together called the T zone, with normal or dry cheeks. To check the pattern, wash your face, pat dry and wait an hour. Press a tissue against each area and look for oily residue. A tissue can help identify the oily areas, without requiring a bathroom shelf full of diagnostic equipment.2

Which cleanser should you choose?

Look for a gentle cleanser without abrasive particles or alcohol. Soap free synthetic detergent cleansers, also called syndets, cause less dryness and are less likely to irritate sensitive skin than ordinary soap. Cleansers use surfactants, ingredients that loosen oil and dirt so water can rinse them away.23

Expensive and inexpensive cleansers can have similar ingredients, so the receipt is not an ingredient list. Compare the formula and how your skin feels after washing rather than choosing by price alone.2

How to wash combination skin

1. 1Wet your face with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, which can dry your skin.
2. 2Apply cleanser gently with your fingertips. Do not use a washcloth, mesh sponge or scrub to work it into your skin.
3. 3Rinse with lukewarm water. Scrubbing does not improve the wash and can irritate your skin.
4. 4Pat dry gently with a soft towel rather than rubbing.
5. 5Apply moisturizer if your skin is dry or itchy. Apply it while your skin is still slightly damp to help lock in moisture, and be gentle around your eyes.

How often should you use cleanser?

Most people with combination skin can wash morning and night. Also wash as soon as possible after heavy sweating, especially after wearing a hat or helmet. If your skin leans dry or sensitive, try water alone in the morning and cleanser at night. If you only cleanse once a day, make it the evening wash.35

There is no universal rule that cleanser must stay on your face for 60 seconds. Washing time depends on your skin and the cleanser, particularly if it contains acne ingredients. Cleansing removes accumulated dirt and oil during the wash; a mandatory minute is not a qualification your cleanser has to earn. Washing in the shower counts too, so you do not need a separate sink wash afterwards.5

Does combination skin need double cleansing?

No. One thorough wash with a gentle cleanser is enough for most people. Double cleansing is useful for removing makeup, especially waterproof makeup or waterproof sunscreen. The first cleanser breaks down oil based residue; the second removes water soluble dirt and sweat. Removing makeup with micellar water before your usual gentle cleanser is another option.15

1. 1Gently massage an oil cleanser or cleansing balm into your skin to loosen makeup and sunscreen residue.
2. 2Rinse with lukewarm water and leave your face damp.
3. 3Apply your gentle water based cleanser, massage gently, rinse and pat dry.

Oil based cleansers can cause breakouts on acne prone skin, particularly when used alone. Repeated washing can also cause dryness and irritation and damage the skin barrier, the outer layer that helps retain moisture. Do not add a second wash just because your forehead is oily.1

What if you also use acne treatments?

Be cautious about adding an acne cleanser when you already use acne products that stay on your skin. Too much treatment can cause excessive dryness and irritation. A gentle cleanser is the more cautious choice alongside those treatments. If you have acne, look for products labelled oil free and noncomedogenic, meaning formulated to avoid clogging pores; some cleanser formulas can still cause clogged pore breakouts.2

What if your cheeks feel tight or sting?

Tightness, flaking, roughness and itching are signs of dryness. If washing leaves your skin dry or irritated, change to a gentler cleanser and adjust your moisturizer. Cleansing removes some natural oils as well as dirt, so washing more often can make dryness worse. Stinging during or just after cleansing is also common in sensitive skin.245

Get medical advice if dryness and itching persist despite changes to your routine, keep you awake, or lead to open cuts or sores from scratching. Itching without a visible rash is another reason to contact a clinician.4

Can cleansing wipes replace face wash?

Keep wipes for occasions when you cannot reach a sink, such as after sport. They are not a good everyday replacement: their preservatives can be harsh, and the rubbing needed to remove residue can damage the skin barrier.5