Shine on your forehead and nose, but tightness on your cheeks: if your skin seems to have two personalities, it is probably combination skin. This most common skin type needs a routine that purifies the T-zone without drying out the rest of the face. The good news is that the right habits and suitable skincare can restore clear, mattified, comfortable skin. Here is how to recognise it, which routine to adopt and our tips for caring for it every day.
How can I recognise combination skin?
Combination skin has several characteristics. It tends to be oily on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), while the rest of the face is normal or even dry and prone to redness. Excess sebum production on the T-zone leads to shine and blemishes. Enlarged pores, blackheads and spots appear when certain skin bacteria multiply. Dead cells build up, clog pores and accentuate unevenness, making the skin look duller.
Does this sound like you? It would not be surprising: this is the most common skin type! Teenagers and adults, men and women alike can have combination skin prone to blemishes. To find out more, read our article Which beauty routine is right for blemish-prone skin?
Which routine should you adopt?
To care for combination skin, choose products tailored to its characteristics. They should improve skin quality on the T-zone while keeping the whole face comfortable. To meet these needs, our laboratory specially formulated the Zinc Power range with Zinc [PCA] and lychee extract. These products target all types of blemishes and related concerns (spots, blackheads, enlarged pores, blemish marks and shine), for purified, radiant combination skin.
Step 1: cleanse gently
Start your routine with the Purifying Cleansing Gel. Enriched with Zinc [PCA] and lychee extract, it cleanses deeply without drying the skin. Its fine, watermelon-and-mint-scented foam leaves skin texture refined. Blemishes are visibly reduced and excess sebum is eliminated for 100% of users⁽¹⁾.
Step 2: Purify with the lotion
The Purifying Anti-Blemish Lotion completes cleansing and prepares your skin for skincare. It targets blemishes and shine, and tightens pores.
Step 3: Correct with serum
The Anti-Blemish Serum hydrates and mattifies acne-prone combination skin. It reduces blemishes and their marks, and tightens pores for a more even complexion. Its light, non-greasy texture melts into the skin, making every application a gentle moment of care.
Step 4: moisturise and mattify
The final step in your routine, the Pore-Minimising Mattifying Fluid, instantly hydrates the skin. It reduces pores, limits excess sebum and fights blemishes. Its light texture absorbs quickly, leaving skin mattified. Prefer a different texture? Consult our guide How do I choose my day cream?
The SOS step: Stop Boutons
Has a spot appeared at the worst possible moment? The new Zinc Power Stop Boutons deposits an invisible “patch” on the spot to make it less visible in as little as 4 hours⁽²⁾. Concentrated with Zinc [PCA], succinic acid and niacinamide, this targeted treatment reduces the size and redness of spots and fades their marks. Apply morning and evening using its Micro Patch brush: in the morning after your day cream and before make-up, and in the evening as the final step of your routine.
Gelée Nettoyante Purifiante Original price was: 17,30 €.8,65 €Current price is: 8,65 €.50% offView product
Sérum anti-imperfections anti-boutons Original price was: 32,90 €.16,45 €Current price is: 16,45 €.50% offView product
Fluide Matifiant Réducteur De Pores Original price was: 23,00 €.11,50 €Current price is: 11,50 €.50% offView product
Stop Boutons Original price was: 13,90 €.6,95 €Current price is: 6,95 €.50% offView product
Our ready-to-use Zinc Power routines
Want to adopt all the right habits at once? Our routines bring together essential Zinc Power products according to your needs.
The complete anti-blemish routine
The Zinc Power Anti-Blemish Routine brings together the range’s four full-size products: Cleansing Gel, Lotion, Serum and Mattifying Fluid. It is ideal for establishing a complete combination skin routine, morning and evening.
The clear skin routine with Stop Boutons
Want quick results on spots? The Clear Skin Routine combines Purifying Cleansing Gel, Anti-Blemish Serum and the new Stop Boutons in a pouch. This trio cleanses, corrects and targets spots for clear, even skin.
The travel routine, to discover the range
Want to try the range before committing, or keep up your routine on holiday? My Anti-Blemish Travel Routine brings together the four Zinc Power products in mini sizes, in a pouch made from recycled materials. With this routine, blemishes are reduced for 86% of users⁽⁸⁾. Discover all our travel sizes.
Routine Anti-imperfections, Zinc Power Original price was: 69,00 €.34,50 €Current price is: 34,50 €.50% offView product
Routine peau nette Original price was: 50,00 €.25,00 €Current price is: 25,00 €.50% offView product
Ma routine de voyage anti-boutons, Zinc Power Original price was: 20,00 €.10,00 €Current price is: 10,00 €.50% offView product
Our tips to complete your combination skin ritual
Do not skip make-up removal
This advice applies to all skin types, especially combination skin. It needs thorough cleansing, particularly to remove make-up that can clog pores. Choose gentle Very Rose make-up removers with rose floral water. Cleansing milk, micellar water or oil: there is a make-up remover to suit you!
Pay attention to your diet
A balanced diet rich in antioxidants contributes to skin well-being. Choose fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans…), seeds (flax, sunflower, pumpkin…) and whole grains.
Boost your daily skincare in winter
Combination skin can become more sensitive in winter, and intense cold can increase tightness on the cheeks. Use a creamier skincare texture to nourish your skin and restore comfort, especially in the evening. For skin lacking nourishment and hydration, add one pump of Huile Prodigieuse® to your Pore-Minimising Mattifying Fluid in the palm of your hand.
Choose light make-up
For make-up, favour light, non-comedogenic textures such as NUXE Moisturising Tinted BB Cream. Available in Light or Dark shades, it evens the complexion and provides 24-hour hydration with buildable coverage. For an immediate healthy glow, add a few touches of Poudre Éclat Prodigieux®, which is also non-comedogenic. Discover all our complexion and make-up products. Our tip: wash your make-up tools with soap or shampoo once a week.
Caring for combination skin means finding the right balance: purifying the T-zone while keeping the cheeks comfortable. A four-step routine with the Zinc Power range (cleanse, purify, correct and mattify) helps refine skin texture and limit blemishes day after day. For an unexpected spot, Stop Boutons provides fast, targeted action. Complete your routine with thorough make-up removal and light make-up for a fresh, radiant, shine-free complexion.
* Makeup
* User test - 32 volunteers - % satisfaction immediately after application.
