Many people confuse combination skin with oily skin, yet they represent two distinct skin types, each with its own characteristics and requirements. Differentiating between them is the first step in designing an effective skincare routine. How can you identify combination skin versus oily skin? Let’s explore a few practical tips together.
How can I determine whether my skin is combination or oily?
Summary
Published on August 11, 2025, updated on September 24, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading
Themes:
What are the defining characteristics of oily skin?
Oily skin is primarily characterized by an excessive production of sebum. Composed of a mixture of various lipids, sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands and serves to protect and hydrate the skin. Along with sweat, sebum forms the hydrolipidic film, a semi-aqueous, semi-greasy protective veil on the surface of the epidermis. However, although sebum is essential for the skin, excessive secretion leads to shiny areas, especially on the forehead, nose, and chin—namely, the T-zone. This surplus can cause dilation and blockage of skin pores, ultimately resulting in imperfections, such as open or closed comedones, even causing inflammatory lesions such as papules or pustules.
The oily skin is partly explained by genetic and hormonal factors, but can also be exacerbated by certain environmental factors, such as stress, an imbalanced diet, or the use of unsuitable cosmetic products that can stimulate sebum synthesis. That said, in most cases, oily skin results from excessive androgen production—male hormones that stimulate sebum synthesis—or from a hypersensitivity of the sebaceous glands to their action. Moreover, although oily skin is often perceived as thick and resilient, it can also suffer from a water imbalance: the abundant lipid film does not replace the water essential for maintaining the stratum corneum’s balance. It is therefore entirely possible to have dehydrated skin and oily at the same time.
A oily skin requires a gentle, balanced routine aimed at combating excessive sebum production without compromising its skin barrier.
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What are the specific characteristics of combination skin?
Quite ambivalent, combination skin combines areas prone to oiliness with others that are drier or more normal. Most often, the T-zone is characterized by sebum overproduction leading to shine, enlarged pores, and sometimes localized blemishes. In contrast, the cheeks and temples display a completely different profile, with lower lipid production, a finer texture, and occasional signs of dryness. This duality of combination skin reflects an imbalance in sebaceous gland activity across facial regions, influenced by hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors.
Biologically, this uneven distribution of sebum can be explained by the variable density of sebaceous glands depending on the areas : they are more numerous and active in the T-zone, while less prominent on the cheeks. This disparity can be exacerbated by climate, lifestyle, or the use of inappropriate skincare products. Combination skin is undoubtedly the most challenging skin type to care for, as it reacts differently across its areas.
A combination skin requires treatments able to counteract excess sebum in the T-zone while preserving, or even restoring, hydration in the drier areas of the face.
Combination skin versus oily skin: how can you differentiate?
17%
Of French individuals report having combination skin.
17%
Of French individuals report having oily skin.
The essential difference between combination skin and oily skin lies in the distribution of sebum : oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum production across the entire face, whereas combination skin displays it only in the T-zone.
To distinguish between combination and oily skin, closely monitor your skin’s appearance and sensations throughout the day. Oily skin tends to shine evenly, with visible pores across the entire face. Combination skin, on the other hand, exhibits two distinct characteristics: localized shine and dilated pores on the forehead, nose, and chin, while other areas may feel softer and even uncomfortable due to a lack of lipids. A good test is to cleanse your face, wait one hour without applying any skincare product, then observe where the shine appears. If your face only shines in the T-zone, you probably have combination skin. However, if you notice an overall sheen, your skin is likely oily.
| Criterion | Oily skin | Combination skin |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution of sebum | Excess across the entire facial surface | Excess limited to the T-zone |
| Skin appearance | Generalized brightness | Localized shine in the T-zone |
| Pores | Dilated pores across the entire face | Predominantly dilated pores in the T-zone |
| Imperfections | Imperfections that can affect the entire face | Imperfections primarily localized in the T-zone |
| Skincare routine | Purifying yet gentle care for the entire face | Different treatments for each zone (purifying for the T-zone, nourishing for the dry areas) |
The differences between oily skin and combination skin.
Sources
YOUN S. W. & al. Regional and seasonal variations in facial sebum secretions: A proposal for the definition of combination skin type. Skin Research and Technology (2005).
MAIBACH H. I. & al. Oily skin: An overview. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2012).
RICHARD M. A. & al. La peau des Français. Analyse des caractéristiques de notre peau à partir de l’étude Objectifs Peau. Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie (2017).
