PoreWise
中文

Skin concern

Combination skin

Primary source

Combination skin: skin that is oily in some areas (usually the T-zone) and normal or dry in others (usually the cheeks). It is a descriptive category used in cosmetic skin typing. The strongest evidence comes from a 2022 human trial: In a split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study of 15 volunteers, a grapeseed-oil nanoemulgel applied for 12 weeks significantly reduced facial sebum production and fine and large pores while significantly increasing skin moisture content and elasticity versus placebo (all p<0.05). 2 ingredients have evidence for Combination skin: Grape seed oil, Salicylic Acid.

2022 · 15 volunteers · half-face placebo-controlled · sebum, pore size, hydration, elasticity · PMID 35713012. 2025 · 42 people · salicylic acid gel · sebum, hydration, TEWL, acne grade · PMID 40682377. 2026 · 55 women with oily skin · cheek and T-zone sebum, hydration and pH · PMID 41715896.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Combination skin is one category within skin-type classification systems: an oily T-zone with normal-to-dry cheeks, alongside normal, dry and oily as descriptive skin types.” — Roberts, Dermatol Clin 2009 (PMID 19850202).

Skin type classification systems old and new Dermatologic Clinics (Roberts WE)

The Effect of Microneedling Mesotherapy, Chemical Exfoliation and Combination Therapy on Selected Skin Parameters and Cutibacterium acnes Colonization in Women With Oily Skin Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Ciozda A, et al.)

Ingredients at a glance

2022 · 15 people · healthy volunteers · PMID 35713012

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
Grape seed oil Skin effect Human trial Low 2022
— Other Human trial Low 2026
Salicylic Acid Skin effect Human trial Very low 2025

Studies and results

  1. 1 Grape seed oil Skin effect
    Effects of a grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin: A split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study

    In a split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study of 15 volunteers, a grapeseed-oil nanoemulgel applied for 12 weeks significantly reduced facial sebum production and fine and large pores while significantly increasing skin moisture content and elasticity versus placebo (all p<0.05).

    Human trial · 2022 · 15 people · healthy volunteers · Facial sebum, pore appearance, skin moisture and elasticity over 12 weeks. · Very small sample; measurements were taken on the cheeks/half-face.

    PMID 35713012

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Effects of a grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin: A split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study
  2. 2 Salicylic Acid Skin effect
    Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study

    In a 21-day prospective study of 42 people with mild-to-moderate acne and oily or combination skin, a salicylic-acid-containing gel used twice daily was associated with a 23.65% fall in sebum, a 40.5% rise in skin hydration, a 49.26% fall in transepidermal water loss and a 23.81% improvement in acne grade (all P < 0.05 except IGA P < 0.001).

    Human trial · 2025 · 42 people · people (37 women, 5 men) with mild-to-moderate acne and oily or combination skin, mean age 25.9 · Sebum, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss and acne grade over 21 days in people with oily or combination skin. · One centre, 21 days, 37 of 42 participants were women, and the research group was affiliated with the product maker.

    PMID 40682377

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • Grape seed oil Human trial · 2022

    Very small sample; measurements were taken on the cheeks/half-face.

  • ev-combination-zone-measurement Human trial · 2026

    The treatments were in-clinic microneedling and chemical peeling. All 55 participants had oily skin.

  • Salicylic Acid Human trial · 2025

    One centre, 21 days, 37 of 42 participants were women, and the research group was affiliated with the product maker.

Products with a basis for this

12 products · 10% Azelaic Acid Booster · Acne Control Cleanser · 2022 · 15 people · healthy volunteers · PMID 35713012

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Other
    The Effect of Microneedling Mesotherapy, Chemical Exfoliation and Combination Therapy on Selected Skin Parameters and Cutibacterium acnes Colonization in Women With Oily Skin

    In a randomized study of 55 women with oily skin, sebum, hydration and pH were measured separately on the cheeks and in the T-zone before and after six in-clinic sessions. Microneedling lowered T-zone sebum after all six sessions, mandelic-acid peeling lowered it mainly on the cheeks, and the combined protocol lowered it in both areas.

    Human trial · 2026 · 55 people · women aged 18-47 with oily skin · Separate cheek and T-zone readings of sebum, hydration and pH across six in-clinic sessions. · The treatments were in-clinic microneedling and chemical peeling. All 55 participants had oily skin.

    PMID 41715896

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The Effect of Microneedling Mesotherapy, Chemical Exfoliation and Combination Therapy on Selected Skin Parameters and Cutibacterium acnes Colonization in Women With Oily Skin

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Combination skin?
Ingredients with evidence for Combination skin: Grape seed oil, Salicylic Acid.
How many people were studied?
3 findings · 2022 · 15 people · healthy volunteers · PMID 35713012
What can I use for Combination skin?
Grape seed oil, Salicylic Acid · 2022 · 15 people · healthy volunteers · PMID 35713012

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines