Ultimate AM & PM Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

Combination skin is characterized by having both oily and dry areas on the face. If you have combination skin, you know how challenging it can be to balance the two extremes. This is why a skin care routine that caters to your unique needs is crucial.

It’s not enough to wash your face with soap and water and call it a day. You need products that help regulate oil production, prevent breakouts, and hydrate dry patches.

Establishing a consistent skincare routine is the best way to achieve healthy skin. A routine that includes key steps such as cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and protecting with SPF in the AM can make all the difference in achieving optimal results.

The Concept of AM and PM Skincare Routines

Many people underestimate the importance of caring for their skin in the morning and at night. Here’s why: Your skin behaves differently during the daytime than it does at night. 

During the day, your skin experiences constant exposure to environmental factors such as UV rays from sunlight or pollution from cars passing by on the street. On top of that, your makeup can clog pores which contribute to more oiliness on areas that are already prone to shine while drying out other parts like cheeks causing flakiness or irritation. 

That’s why it’s essential to have an AM skincare routine that protects against these external aggressors while keeping oil production under control.

On the other hand, our bodies repair themselves during sleep at night, including our largest organ- our Skin! 

This is why an effective nighttime regimen can work wonders for repairing damage caused throughout the day while nourishing your complexion. Hence, you wake up with soft, supple, glowing skin!

Stay tuned as we dive into each step of AM and PM Skincare Routine for Combination Skin Types. 

The AM Skincare Routine

Your morning skincare should be focused on hydration and protection. Here are some skincare steps to consider:

Step 1: Cleansing: Start Your Day Off With a Gentle Cleanser

Cleansing is an essential step in any skincare routine, especially for combination skin types. Using a gentle cleanser in the morning helps to remove excess oil and impurities that have built up overnight. 

However, choosing the right type of cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils is essential. Avoid harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, which can cause irritation and dryness. 

Look for gentle ingredients like glycerin or aloe vera that will soothe and hydrate your skin. If you are prone to breakouts, consider incorporating salicylic acid into your morning routine, as it can help unclog pores. 

Step 2: Toning: Balance Your Skin’s pH Levels

Toners are often overlooked in skincare routines, but they play an essential role in balancing the skin’s pH levels after cleansing. Combination skin types should look for toners with gentle and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or rose water. 

Avoid toners with alcohol as they can be too harsh on the skin and cause irritation or dryness. Witch hazel is another ingredient to avoid as it is too astringent for combination skin types. 

Step 3: Serum: Say Good Morning to Hydration and Protection

Serums are an excellent addition to any morning skincare routine because they provide hydration while protecting against environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. Serums with hyaluronic acid are highly recommended because they provide intense hydration without clogging pores. 

Vitamin C is another excellent ingredient to look out for in serums since it can brighten dull complexions while providing anti-aging benefits.

Pro Tips: Apply your serum after toning but before moisturizing so that it can fully penetrate the skin. 

Step 4: Moisturizer with SPF: Protect Your Skin from UV Rays

The final step in your morning skincare routine should be a moisturizer with SPF. This is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging and even skin cancer. However, not all moisturizers with SPF are created equal. 

For combination skin types, look for oil-free or lightweight formulas that won’t leave a greasy residue. You might also want to avoid moisturizers with fragrances or essential oils as they irritate sensitive skin. 

The PM Skincare Routine

Don’t be fooled into thinking that your skin is squeaky clean just because you don’t have makeup on. Throughout the day, your skin collects impurities like dirt, oil, and pollutants that can clog pores and cause breakouts. That’s why it’s important to double cleanse in the evening. 

Step 1: Double Cleansing

Double cleansing involves using two types of cleansers to ensure a clean slate for your skin. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down any makeup or excess sebum on the surface of your skin.

Then follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser to remove any remaining impurities and leave your skin feeling fresh. 

Now, some might argue that double cleansing is too time-consuming or unnecessary, but trust me when I say that it can make a world of difference for those with combination skin.

Not only will it leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated before bed, but it will also help prevent breakouts and keep your complexion looking bright and even. 

Step 2: Exfoliation

In addition to double cleansing in the evening, incorporating exfoliation into your PM skincare routine can help further remove dead skin cells and unclog pores for clearer-looking skin.

But be careful not to overdo it – harsh exfoliants can damage the delicate barrier of combination skin.

Aim for gentle chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) a few times a week instead of rough physical scrubs that can irritate. 

Conclusion

Your AM and PM skincare routines are crucial to achieving healthy-looking combination skin.

Use gentle products specific to your needs, like oil-based cleansers followed by foaming ones in the evenings and gentle exfoliants a few times a week. You can keep your skin feeling refreshed and looking clear. 

It’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is unique. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and routines until you find what works best.