Best Cleanser for Combination Skin Type

The best cleanser for combination skin type is a face wash that targets at both the oily t-zone and the rest of the drier areas of the face. Combination skin has excess oil on the forehead, nose and chin areas while the cheeks and jaw areas are dry. So the best face cleanser for such mixed combination skin is one that does not exacerbate the sebum production, nor strip away the skin’s natural oils.

Best Cleanser for Combination Skin (mixed skin pH)

The best cleanser for combination skin has to prioritise balancing the mixed skin pH a combo skin has. It is tricky to find the best facial cleanser for combination skin type because the pH values differ at different parts of the face. Combination skin type already has pH imbalance as a whole. Even worse, the oily areas are acidic, while the drier areas are alkaline. The optimal pH-balanced normal skin is at 5.5. One way is to use different types of face wash and cleansers on different areas of the face to target at the respective problems. But for a more hassle-free combination skin care regiment, using a mild cream-to-foam facial cleanser would be the perfect solution.

Cleanser for Combination Skin Care Routine

A cream-to-foam cleanser is a good face wash for combination skin as the first step of the skin care routine to balance out the skin’s pH as mentioned. It is a hydrating cleanser that eliminates sebum and residue for combination skin type. Foam cleansers have foaming action that can remove grease, dirt and other impurities. The foaming formulation contain surface active agents can break down the excess oil molecules from our skin.

Cream cleansers are gentle on even sensitive skin and preserves the moisture and barrier function for dry skin. At the same time the cream formula continues to nourish and soften the drier parts of the face with the emollient properties the lotion-like texture it leaves behind after rinsing.

Hydrating Cream Foaming Cleanser for Combination Skin: What To Look For

Therefore, a cream-to-foam formula works best as a cleanser for combination skin as it suits and benefits both oily and dry skin types. It is however best to pick a gentle, milder face cleanser for combination skin. This includes looking out for features such as fragrance-free or mildly-scented, non-comedogenic, water-based, etc.

Best Mild Cleanser for Combination Skin and Large Pores

The best mild cleanser for combination skin is a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and a water-based one. Fragrances are often made from essential oils or synthetic ingredients. Most fragrance oils are not non-comedogenic, meaning that they can enlarge pores and clog them to develop blackheads. The t-zone areas are most acne-prone, so it is best to avoid cleansers that are heavily scented for combination skin to prevent breakouts. Synthetic fragrances contain chemical compounds that can irritate dry and sensitive skin. Since there is a chance that combination skin types can react adversely to both of these, it is best to stick with a mildly-scented cleanser for non-sensitive skin, and fragrance-free cleansers for sensitive combination skin.

Water-based Cleanser for Combination Skin

Water-based cleansers are best as daily cleansers for combination skin not only because of the hydrating content, but their aqueous consistencies are less harsh on the skin. Most skincare uses purified or distilled water in their product formulations. These types of water are also called ‘soft waters’ because they have been removed off mineral ions that can strip the skin of its natural moisture. It is also easier to rinse off dirt and grime off our skin because softer water provides more slip.

One way to tell if the cleanser is water-based is to check if water is listed as the first ingredient on the list. It is also considered as a water-based cleanser if the face wash contains at least 60% water.

Foaming Face Wash for Combination Skin: The Mechanics

Although such foaming face wash for combination skin transforms from a cream to foam texture, the surfactants (surface active agents) of the foam are in fact amphiphilic molecules, meaning they attract both oil and water molecules. The way this works is that they have the lipid-loving component that can remove oil-soluble sebum, makeup, and bacteria, while the water-loving component can dissolve dirt, sweat and dead skin cells. Such principle of solubilization reduces skin surface tension and is well tolerated by even sensitive skin. Quite similarly to how micelle spheres work in micellar water, the gentle foaming cleansers works best for combination skin because of the way the foam is structured, and how the cleaning mechanisms work.

You may watch my video below to understand how micellar molecules work in cleansing from the 8:06 mark. Note that in this video I spoke against using micellar water for dehydrated skin (lacks water), and not for dry skin (lacks oil).

The Best Cleanser Routine for Combination Skin

The best cleanser routine for combination skin is dual-action process because cream-to-foam face washes are dual natured. Massage the cream-to-foam facial wash dry on the drier cheek and jaw areas for about 1 minute. The cream texture is non-sudsy, as it provides a moisturising balmy consistency without drying these areas further.

Then add a little water, bit by bit, into a foam lather, as you work upwards to your oilier T-zone, i.e. temples, forehead, nose and chin. Now focus on your t-zone area and massage the foam in circular motions, your palms avoiding contact on the skin where possible. This way you allow the surfactants in the foaming action to do its work without manipulation. I’ve explained this at the 11:00 mark in my above video.

Best Foaming Face Wash for Combination Skin: The Smaller the bubbles, the Better!

The best foaming face wash for combination skin will form a lather of smaller bubbles. A good quality foaming cleanser should produce smaller bubbles that induce a lower surface tension with the skin, so there is less friction within the foam. This prevents irritation to the skin and allows the cleanser to spread more easily. The reduced surface tension also allows the foam to engage the skin’s surface better, hence the cleansing agents are able to entrap the debris, oil and other impurities on the skin more effectively, thus giving a more thorough cleanser routine after rinsing away.

Smaller foaming bubbles also mean better capillary action, and acting agents are able to penetrate better into pores and reach deeper into the skin. Here’s another video (watch from the 3:50 mark) if you want to know how to identify better quality skincare by the way they foam and sizzle.