The Best Korean Skin Care Routine For Combination Skin

Do you think your skin is a mystery? Does it look dry and flaky in certain areas and oily in others? No, you haven’t invented a new skin type or are cursed with a spell. This is just combination skin! It’s easy to assume that balancing a skin type that has different skin concerns is an uphill battle. It's difficult to take care of combination skin, especially since there are rarely any products made for this skin type. To take care of combination skin, we at Quench bring you a gentle yet effective range of products that work quite well for normal to combination skin. Here we break down elaborate skincare routines to give you a customized Korean skincare routine plan that works wonders for breakouts, blackheads, pores and dry cheek. Quench Korean skincare range is made in Korea but the products are thoughtfully formulated keeping in mind Indian skin concerns. Come let's fix combination skin worries with some tender love!

Before that, let's find out what exactly is combination skin

Combination Skin - What Exactly Is It

Say dry skin and you can picture lackluster, flaky, patchy, cracked skin. Imagine oily skin and you can visualize shiny, greasy skin that is prone to breakouts. Combination skin, typically, has a mix of dry and oily areas on different parts of the face.

Remember, combination skin is only oily at the t-zone. It feels normal to dry around the jawline, hairline and cheeks. If your cheeks tend to shine, then you have oily skin. Combination skin means extra shine, enlarged pores, and imperfections only on the T-zone. On the other hand, oily skin has excess oil on the entire face with no dry areas. 

Combination skin is just like a region that experiences extreme weather conditions. On some days you might see irritation, dry patches, redness and on others, your skin might display clogged pores, blackheads and blotchy skin. Skin’s pH is measured from 1-14. 7 is neutral, anything above 7 is alkaline and anything below 7 is acidic. Your skin's optimal pH is 5.5. Balancing this pH level is the key to taking care of your combination skin.

How to Know If You Have Combination Skin

Confused? No need to be bamboozled for we know what you need to know next. If you are unsure about whether you really have a combination skin type or not, check out the following signs.

You have combination skin if:

• Your t-zone tends to be shiny and oily
• Your pores are visible, skin tone is uneven and you have blemishes
• Your cheeks are dry and sometimes even feel dehydrated
• Winter makes your skin drier and summer makes it oily

A Simple Korean Skincare Routine for Combination Skin 

Now that you know that your skin only answers to the phrase ‘combination’, it’s time to give it some TLC. While basic skin CTM routine should be something you should look at, make sure the products you select do not over dry or make your skin super greasy. You will need skincare that restores the balance between dry and oily areas of your face. This is possible with the best of Korean skin care by Quench Botanics that targets combination skin well and tackles all skin concerns that tag along. Here’s a simplified K-beauty routine to help you maintain and flaunt combination skin.

1. Cleanse with a gentle face wash or cleanser 

Get the first step right and your skin will thank you. Combination skin needs a cleanser that removes impurities, debris and makeup without leaving skin feeling tight or dry. That might seem like a tall order to fill. But here’s where water-based face cleansers or face washes come handy. Water-based cleansers rinse away the excess oil and sebum your skin produces. They target water-soluble particles and get rid of them quickly.

It’s vital to use the right face wash for combination skin. For daily use, here’s a 2-in-1 lightweight, oil-based cleanser that removes all traces of dirt, long-wear makeup and impurities. With the Mon Cherry Brightening Foam Cleanser, you no longer need to use two cleansers. It contains skin-rejuvenating cherry blossom, grapefruit and pearl extracts that purify and nourish skin delivering a healthy, hydrated glow. The citric acid in this gentle formula exfoliates, unclogs pores and helps you achieve a smoother, brighter complexion.

Have a full face of makeup that needs to come off with ease? Another cleanser for combination skin is our Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm, which is packed with wonderful ingredients. This balm contains the goodness of refreshing cherry blossom, grapefruit and pearl extracts that purify and replenish the skin. It has salicylic acid gently exfoliates, unclogs pores and helps clear complexion as well as neem leaf extracts and antioxidant rich moringa seed oil that prevent moisture loss, hydrate and protect skin. It’s a great match for dull, sensitive and combination skin and is ideal for dehydrated skin.

Read Here: Oil-Based Cleanser Vs. Water-Based Cleanser: Which One Is Right For You?

2. Add a hydrating mist with skin toning benefits

Now that you have gotten rid of the impurities on your skin, it’s time to replenish the lost moisture. It’s just like drinking an energy drink to refuel your body post workout. You certainly don’t want to miss this hydration train. A face mist is packed with soothing, hydrating ingredients. Some even have oil-control, pore minimizing and brightening benefits! Sounds like a combination skin’s dream come true, right? 

Pick a facial mist that refreshes and smoothes your skin while removing any leftover residue. Like our Mama Cica Rejuvenating Face Mist contains niacinamide that regulates oil production, brightens and tightens pores. Or non-greasy Mon Cherry Brightening Face Mist that hydrates, protects and gives your complexion a boost of moisture. 

Read Here: Here’s Why You Need A Face Mist In Your Skincare Routine 

3. Try a skin soothing facial essence 

Don’t let the term essence confuse you. An essence actually comes after toning in the beloved Korean skincare routine and helps to hydrate and prep skin for the rest of your routine. While you would swipe your face with a toner soaked cotton, essences are best ‘pressed’ into the skin with your hands. Korean essences typically contain an active ingredient and it is an integral part of the routine as it is meant to soothe the skin, accelerate natural cell turnover which in turn encourages a smoother, brighter, healthier complexion. 

Quench’s Mon Cherry Intense Brightening Essence is an intensely hydrating, radiance-boosting facial essence that preps, hydrates and brightens skin. This essence protects your skin from the harmful damage caused by sun and other pollutants. It has a lightweight, refreshing formula that delivers a boost of moisture and glow. Pick this to lighten spots, blemishes and replenish your skin. It is suitable for all skin types.

4. Exfoliate once or twice a week

Should you or should you not exfoliate if you have combination skin? The answer is yes, but with care. An AHA or BHA exfoliant that gently but effectively does the work is the right choice. Exfoliating combination skin helps unclog pores and get rid of excess oil and sebum. It also gets rid of dry patches.

So what suits combination skin along with all other skin types? It’s our pre-soaked Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads packed with glycolic acid, a gentle AHA. It gently tackles skin concerns like hormonal acne, open pores, blemishes and breakouts. Most importantly, it dissolves dirt, dead skin cells and sebum that has accumulated in pores.

Read Here: How To Use Exfoliating Peel Pads For Brighter, Smoother And Glowing Skin

5. Moisturize regularly

If you think you can skip moisturization because you have combination skin then you are in for a surprise. No one should skip the holy grail of skin care, not even oily skin beauties. A light, non-oily, non-greasy moisturizer should be on your skincare routine list. Pick one that won’t add extra greasiness to your t-zone. Moisturizing will not only take care of the dry areas of your face, but also provide adequate hydration to the oily parts without making them shine. So choose the right moisturizer for combination skin to keep it healthy.

And one Quench product hits this target bang on - the super-light Mon Cherry Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel. It has a unique gel-to-water texture that absorbs quickly and keeps skin fresh, hydrated and smooth. The formula effectively penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and does not leave a greasy residue.

6. Protect with SPF

What’s one non-negotiable skin care product? It’s SPF, of course! No skin type is exempt from applying sunscreen. This step is crucial to prevent premature ageing and keep your skin protected against sun damage. For combination skin, first add a layer of nourishing serum and then top it off with a light, matte finish sunscreen. Experts suggest that you use an SPF that is 30+++ or higher. And make sure it’s broad-spectrum for maximum protection.

Taking care of combination skin does not mean you compromise a healthy glow. Try these tips and flaunt your gorgeous skin without a worry.