LEVEL 1
Skin Types & Combination Skin
"My forehead and nose are oily, but my cheeks and mouth area are dry" — if you can't quite figure out your skin type and don't know what products to use, you might have "combination skin."
In fact, many Japanese women are said to have combination skin. Using products for dry skin makes the T-zone greasy, while products for oily skin make the cheeks feel tight. Trying to care for the entire face with a single product is inherently unreasonable for combination skin.
Combination skin refers to a skin condition where the balance of oil production and moisture levels differs by facial zone. While skin is generally categorized into four types — dry, oily, normal, and combination — in reality, most people have some degree of combination skin. Especially after 30, the decrease in moisture due to aging combined with changes in oil production from stress and hormonal balance can intensify combination skin tendencies.
The T-zone (the T-shaped area from the forehead to the nose) is the area where sebaceous glands are most densely concentrated on the face. The forehead alone is said to have about 2 to 3 times as many sebaceous glands as the cheeks. This inevitably leads to more oil production and shine. Moreover, over-washing to remove oil can signal the skin that it "needs more," triggering even more oil production — a vicious cycle. The key with T-zone shine is not to strip away too much oil, but to control it moderately.
The U-zone (the U-shaped area from the cheeks to the chin) has fewer sebaceous glands than the T-zone, making it structurally prone to dryness. Additionally, the cheeks have a large surface area exposed to the air, making them directly vulnerable to winter dryness and air conditioning. As ceramides and NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor) decrease with age, U-zone dryness becomes even more pronounced. The tendency for wrinkles around the mouth and eyes is largely related to dryness in this area.
The most important thing in combination skin care is the mindset of "don't treat the entire face the same way". Use a light gel-type moisturizer for the T-zone and a richer cream for the U-zone. Even if you use the same toner, simply adjusting the amount of moisturizer or cream by zone can make a big difference. The same applies to cleansing — wash the T-zone thoroughly with foam, but keep it gentle and brief on the U-zone. It may seem "tedious," but once you get used to it, it's only a 1–2 minute difference.
First, try leaving your face bare for 5 to 10 minutes after washing. If a light sheen of oil appears on the T-zone while the U-zone feels tight, you likely have combination skin. Building the habit of observing your skin "zone by zone" rather than "as a whole face" — that is the first step to managing combination skin well. Skin is not a single canvas but a collection of zones, each with its own character. By tailoring your care to each zone's personality, your overall facial balance will improve.
