An Easy Korean Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

Combination skin may be most common skin type but it’s also the hardest to cater to. How do you find the right products for your skin when different parts of your face have different requirements?

Products targeted at oily skin may work in your T-zone but cause dryness around your temples and jawline. And skincare that’s dry skin friendly might look amazing when first applied… but not when the oil starts to peek through.

Luckily, Korean skincare has you covered.

Many K-beauty brands take a preventative approach to skincare, meaning they try to address skin concerns before any damage is done. A lot of the time this means using soothing, barrier-strengthening products rather than potent exfoliants, even if your skin is on the oily side!

When dealing with combination skin, the idea is that your Korean skincare routine should be gentle but also able to deal with pesky skin concerns like blackheads and breakouts.

You want to strike the perfect balance between hydrating the skin and targeting those pesky problem areas. Here’s how to do it…

What is combination skin?

Combination skin, as you may have guessed from the name, is a combination of two different skin types, usually dry and oily.

Someone who has combination skin may find that their T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) becomes particularly shiny throughout the day, while other areas of their face, such as their cheeks, jawline and eyes, are dry and flaky.

Combination skin types may also suffer with skin concerns that are characteristic of oily skin, like enlarged pores and breakouts.

Morning routine for combination skin

Step 1: Water-based cleanser

I recommend starting your morning skincare routine with a gentle foaming cleanser. Since you’ve got a semi-clean slate (i.e. you’re not wearing sunscreen or makeup), a single cleanse is enough – save the double cleanse for your evening skincare routine!

I like the Isntree Onion Newpair Cleansing Foam which contains soothing ingredients like Heartleaf and Panthenol for those sensitive, irritated areas, as well as lauric acid for those acne-prone zones.

Step 2: Toner

When it comes to choosing a toner for your combination skin, you may be tempted to pick something astringent that’s going to temporarily tighten the skin and remove excess oil.

Personally, I think hydration is the way to go. So I’d choose something that’s going to balance the skin rather than strip it!

Don’t avoid exfoliating acids entirely – AHAs, BHAs and PHAs can be beneficial when used in moderation. Instead, use acid toners as a weekly or bi-weekly treatment and stick to hydrating toners for everyday use.

If you can’t choose between an essence or a toner, go for something like the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner which condenses both steps of your Korean skincare routine into one.

Step 3: Ampoule

If your skin feels hydrated enough after applying your toner, you can skip this step. But I love going in with an ampoule at this point to really lock in moisture.

The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule is light and water-like so it hydrates without feeling oily or sticky.

Step 4: Eye cream

Combination skin types may find that their eye area gets quite dry… though not all do!

If you’re someone who does suffer with dryness around the eyes, pick something that’s formulated specifically for delicate skin, like TIA’M’s Vita A Bakuchiol Firming Eye Cream.

This contains bakuchiol as a gentle alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol is also safe for daytime wear, so that’s a huge plus!

Step 5: Moisturiser

A lightweight gel moisturiser is a must for combination skin. You want something that’s going to hydrate the dry areas of your face without smothering the oily parts.

The Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream does a great job of this. It contains Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid which seal in moisture, and niacinamide which regulates sebum production.

Step 6: Sunscreen

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, it’ll come as no surprise that the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Sun Serum is my top sunscreen pick for combination skin.

I have nothing bad to say about it. It’s moisturising but not heavy or oily. It leaves no white cast and it doesn’t sting my eyes. Most importantly, it doesn’t cause breakouts!

Evening routine for combination skin

Step 1: Oil-based cleanser

Many people with combination or oily skin tend to steer clear of oil cleansers (usually for fear that they’ll cause breakouts), but actually cleansing oils and balms can be used by all skin types.

Sure, if you have acne-prone skin you might want to avoid specific ingredients that you know irritate your skin. But since you’re washing the oil off, the risk of breaking out should be pretty low.

If you’re a cleansing balm gal, give the Heimish All Clean Balm a go. It effortlessly removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. If you’re more of an oil person, Anua’s Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is an excellent choice for shiny, blackhead-prone skin.

Step 2: Water-based cleanser

With a gentle foaming cleanser, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use the same one both morning and night.

If you want to switch it up though, the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Cleanser provides a thorough yet non-stripping cleanse. It’s mildly acidic, so as not to throw the skin’s pH level out of kilter.

Step 3: Toner

Again, feel free to use the same toner you used in the morning here… but also be aware that you don’t have to!

Since you’re not applying makeup over the top, you can afford to be a bit more generous with the amount of product you apply. You can opt for thicker, more viscous skincare products too.

Step 4: Essence

COSRX’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a non-negotiable in my PM skincare routine. It doesn’t dry down quickly enough for me to use it in the morning, but it works perfectly at night.

It’s a game-changer for dry, damaged skin, providing instant relief from irritation and a quick moisture boost.

Step 5: Eye cream

Sensitive eyes should opt for an eye cream that’s rich and soothing, like the TIA’M one I mentioned previously. For skin that’s a little more hardy, the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum is a great nighttime option.

The combination of ginseng and retinal fights fine lines and brightens the skin. Just make sure to patch test this if you’re not a regular retinol/retinal user.

Step 6: Moisturiser

And finally, to complete this skincare routine for combination skin, we’re back to moisturisers.

I like something that’s creamy and hydrating, but still feels light. The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Cream ticks all these boxes. It absorbs nicely into the skin and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy.

If your skin is particularly dry, you can go in with a thicker face cream to help strengthen your moisture barrier overnight.

I hope this has helped you build your own Korean skincare routine for combination skin. You don’t necessarily have to use these exact products, but they’re a good starting point if you’re not sure where to begin.

Try them out and let me know what you think!