by C. J. Carpenter

Created on: November 14, 2008

To develop the right skin care regimen for your skin, it's important to determine if you have normal, dry, oily, or a combination skin type. Look at yourself in the mirror. If you find that your forehead and nose are oily while your cheeks are normal to dry, then you have combination skin.

So, how should you care for combination skin? It's best to treat the dry and oily areas on your face differently. There's a basic skin care routine that everyone should use, but products will vary depending on your skin type. The routine should be repeated twice daily. Here's a routine for those of you with combination skin which includes some secret homemade concoctions sure to keep your skin smooth and clear.

1. Cleanse skin thoroughly. If you have an oily t-zone, (forehead and nose) choose a mild cleanser that is free of harsh soap or detergents. The ideal product should not contain alcohol but will have an oil production reducing agent, such as salicylic acid. Remember to only use the salicylic acid on the T-zone, or it will further dry out the dry skin. Use a mild facial scrub once or twice a week to exfoliate dead skin and remove dirt from your pores. Try using natural products that you probably already have in your kitchen to exfoliate. Mix half cup of vanilla yogurt, 1 tsp. of cornmeal and tsp.of salt for an all- natural defoliant. You can also find a wide selection of cleansers and facial scrubs in the beauty care aisle or cosmetic counter at discount and department stores.

2. After cleansing skin, apply a moisturizer on your skin. The moisturizer for your t-zone needs to be oil-free to reduce chance of break-outs. Buy a lotion that is specifically designed for combination skin or use an oil-free moisturizer on the center of your face and a normal/dry on the rest of your face. Make sure your moisturizer contains at least 15 SPF for protection against the sun.

3. Treat your skin with a facial mask at least once a week to tighten pores and remove dirt lodged in pores. Try an egg white from the refrigerator for an inexpensive yet effective mask. Wash after egg white has set on your face 10 minutes and you will immediately see that the pores in your skin are tighter and your skin is glowing!

4. If you wear make-up choose an oil free, hypoallergenic product that won't add more oil on your t-zone.

The skin care products that you choose are important, but nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle play a significant role in having beautiful skin. Make sure that you are drinking more than six glasses of water per day. Eat vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and don't forget you're your full amount of 7-8 hrs. of sleep. Beauty starts from the inside out.

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