Hands up all combo skin babes! We see you, we feel you, and we know just how tricky it can be to find the perfect skincare and makeup routine to accommodate your complexion, which never seems to know what it wants!

When you have a combination or combination-oily complexion, finding the right skincare and makeup for sensitive skin can be tricky. Why? Not all sensitive skincare products are created equal – and not all products are formulated to suit every skin type. A fussy oily complexion will need a very different approach to dry, sensitive skin, for example – so what are you meant to do when you’re battling both sides of the coin? And what’s the best approach to sensitive skin that’s oily in some patches, and dry in others? When your complexion needs hydration… but is overly prone to breakouts?

Let’s take a look at how to deal with a sensitive combo complexion and highlight the best makeup for oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin that also happens to be dry in places.

What is sensitive combination-oily skin?

While some people have oily skin and others have a perpetually dry complexion, combination-oily skinned folks tend to be dealing with both problems at the time. This can mean tending to dry-skin issues like flakiness, itching and irritation in some areas of the face while simultaneously coping with excessive oiliness and its related dramas, such as breakouts and acne. The oily areas are typically the T zone (that is, the forehead, nose and chin), while the cheeks, jawline and hairline tend towards dryness.

Throw skin sensitivity into the mix, and it can be tricky to find the right makeup and skincare to keep that complexion calm, happy and glowing. Luckily, we’re here to help!

What causes combination-oily skin?

Sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but your combination-oily skin is likely down to your DNA, for the most part. But there are factors, such as the climate you’re in and the skincare and makeup products you use, which can exacerbate both the dryness and the slick patches, and may cause irritation and reactions.

Using products that contain harsh ingredients can bother even the least sensitive skin, leading to breakouts in the T zone and rough, dry, flaky patches on the other parts of the face – throw sensitive skin dramas into the mix, and you have a recipe for trouble. That’s why using the right skincare and makeup for sensitive skin is so important when you have a combination complexion.

Caring for sensitive combination skin

Choosing the right skincare is the first step in creating a smooth base for makeup, and it’s as much about what not to do as which products to use. When you’re dealing with sensitive combination skin, start with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser formulated for sensitive skin. If your combination skin is very oily, try a gel wash; for a drier combination complexion, try a milk cleanser.

Be sure to cleanse daily in order to clear away debris, dirt and excess sebum that can cause breakouts, but be careful not to over-cleanse, as doing so can prompt the skin to increase oil production, making your face even slicker and inviting pimples to the party. No more than twice a day, people!

Moisturiser is a must-have for combination-oily skin too – and no, moisturising will not make your skin oilier. In fact, moisturising regularly can help keep oil at bay – if you choose the right non-oily moisturiser. Pick a hydrator that is lightweight, nourishing and designed for sensitive skin to hydrate without ramping up sebum production.

The best makeup for oily sensitive skin

When it comes to the best makeup for sensitive, oily skin and combination skin, there are a few things to keep in mind. First up, always cleanse and moisturise before you apply makeup. Prepping your base is half the battle! Next, apply a good primer. Be sure to use a product created for sensitive skin and targeted to your skin concerns (eg. oily, dry, combination). The best makeup primer for oily sensitive skin and combination sensitive skin will be one that’s free from fragrance and alcohol (which can be irritating). To control shine in the T-zone and give a silky, smooth canvas, choose a primer with pore-refining benefits or an oil-free formulation.

Once you’ve aced your base, it’s time to move on to foundation, and for combination-oily skin, buildable formulas are your best friend. They allow you to customise your coverage on the different parts of your face according to the level of dryness.

No matter your skin concern, the best foundation for sensitive skin is one that is gentle on your delicate complexion. Innoxa’s range of dermatologically tested formulations are free from common irritants, like fragrance and alcohol, and designed to nurture, nourish and support sensitive skin.

The best makeup for oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin

In addition to being totally temperamental and indecisive, combination skin is often prone to acne outbreaks. However, you want to watch out for products targeting acne when you have a sensitive combination complexion, as the common ingredients found in many anti-acne products can be very drying and trigger a reaction in sensitive skin.

When you’re looking for the best foundation for acne-prone skin that is both oily and dry in patches, look for a non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn’t clog pores), oil-free or lightweight formulation with a satin-matte coverage. Our picks? The highly buildable Satin Sheen Foundation and the Lift & Firm Foundation, which is oil-free but still ultra-hydrating so as not to exacerbate dry patches.

The best makeup for sensitive eyes

Whether your skin is combination, dry or oily, all eyes need a little extra TLC via specially designed makeup for sensitive eyes. Try Innoxa’s Dark Circle Undereye Concealer, which is fragrance- and oil-free but still hydrating for the delicate under eye area, and all of our mascaras, which are ophthalmologist tested to take care of sensitive eyes.