The Balancing Act
A Skincare Guide for Combination Skin in Your 20s
For everyone navigating congestion, oiliness, and dry patches.
Your skin is not confused. It’s complex. It’s trying to tell you something.
Combination skin is like a duet between two distinct rhythms: an oily T-zone prone to congestion, and drier outter areas, often sensitive areas that plead for nourishment. In your 20s, this contrast can feel amplified—especially when breakouts, dehydration, and dullness crash the party.
But with the right approach, combination skin can transform. And no, it doesn’t require a 10-step routine or a cabinet full of actives.
It starts with understanding, and re-establishing balance.
The Hidden Pattern of Combination Skin
Most of us start with a good thing—glowy, hydrated skin. But over time, especially when using mismatched products, that harmony breaks down.
Combination skin often reacts badly to heavy creams (hello, congestion) or lightweight gels (cue the flaking). And when things go awry—breakouts, barrier damage, dullness—our instinct is to add more:
more acids, more scrubs, more steps.
But the path to clarity isn’t more—it’s less
For healthy skin, you only really need two things:
Deep Hydration
Hydrating Toners or Essences
Hydration is not just about drinking water. Your skin needs water on it and in it. Look for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, balanced with niacinamide to regulate oil production and soothe redness.
A Protective Barrier
Gel Creams or Lightweight Moisturizers
this type of formula is your skin’s best friend. It delivers water with a kiss of oil, striking the right balance between hydration and nourishment is vital.
That’s it. From here, we build—not overload.
Step 1
Reset The Barrier
Your skin barrier may be in need of rescue. Here's your route back to resilience:
Step 2
Review Your Actives
Yes, actives can be transformative—but only when your skin is ready. If you have an impaired barrier you may want to consider pause or review your actives for a period of time.
Step 3
The Right Moisturiser
Finding the perfect moisturiser for combination skin can take a little exploration. Most will thrive with either a lightweight gel cream or a light moisturiser—the difference lies in the emollients they contain.
Gel creams tend to rely on synthetic or refined oils, creating an ultra-light texture ideal for balanced hydration. In contrast, light moisturisers often incorporate unrefined oils, offering a slightly richer feel with added nourishment.
If your dry areas need just a touch of moisture, a gel cream may be enough. But if they’re craving more comfort, a light moisturiser will offer the replenishment they need. Below, I’ve listed four beautiful options to guide your choice.
| Product Name | Price | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 50mL | $72 | Light Gel Cream | Using a blend of synthetic emollients and light weight refined oils to form a lightweight gel cream. |
| Mecca Cosmetica Gel Cream with Squalane 50mL | $55 | Light Gel Cream | Formulation Comprable to Kiehl's. |
| Leitin's Face Hydrator 100mL | $59 | Light Moisturiser | Using a blend of cold pressed oils, that retain vital fatty acids and vitamin content for a more nourishing |
| Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator | $89 | Light Moisturiser | Formulation Comprable to Kiehl's. |
Step 4
The Routine Using Leitin Products
Combination skin needs harmony—a careful balance between clarity and comfort, oil control and hydration. Each product in this routine has been chosen to gently guide the skin toward equilibrium without overwhelming it. Whether you’re managing an oily T-zone, flaking around the chin, or dullness through the cheeks, these essentials work together to restore rhythm and radiance to your skin.
Gel Cleanser
Gentle Cleanser
View CleanserThis gel-based cleanser is the perfect first step for combination skin. It gently removes excess oil from the T-zone while respecting the delicate, drier areas around the cheeks and chin. Formulated with 10% humectants to cleanse without disrupting your skin’s natural lipid barrier, it sets the tone for a balanced, refreshed complexion—morning and night.
Perfect Toner
Hydration & Balance
View TonerDesigned specifically with combination skin in mind, the Perfect Toner blends 2% Hyaluronic Acid Complex for hydration with 4% Niacinamide to refine pores and regulate oil. It’s essentially three products in one: a toner, hydrating serum, and oil-balancing treatment. Lightweight yet deeply effective, it smooths and rehydrates without tipping the skin off balance.
Face Hydrator
Light Weight Moisturiser
View HydratorThis ultra-lightweight moisturiser is crafted to quench drier areas while remaining breathable for oily-prone regions. Enriched with skin-loving oils and water-binding ingredients, it delivers hydration without heaviness. The perfect final step to seal in your routine and ensure your skin feels soft, smooth, and supported all day.
AHA Serum
Gentle Exfoliation
View AHA SerumFormulated with sensitive combination skin in mind, this AHA serum gently exfoliates to promote even skin tone and texture while helping to clear congestion. Unlike physical scrubs, it works on a cellular level to dissolve dead skin and unclog pores—especially in the T-zone—without disrupting dry or delicate areas.
Morning Skincare Routine
Start your day with intention. A well-structured morning skincare routine not only prepares your skin for the day ahead but supports long-term barrier health and radiance. Each step—cleanse, treat, hydrate, and protect—has a purpose. Follow this simple sequence to restore balance, boost glow, and face the day with confidence.
Cleanse
Step 1
Vitamin C
Step 2
Hydrating Toner
Step 3
Face Cream
Step 5
Evening Skincare Routine
As the day winds down, your routine should focus on cleansing away impurities, replenishing moisture, and supporting overnight repair.
Cleanse
Step 1
AHA Serum
Step 2
Hydrating Toner
Step 3
Face Cream
Step 5
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Does this routine help with congestion?
Yes—cleansing twice daily helps to remove excess sebum, which, if left on the skin, can oxidise and contribute to clogged pores. This simple step supports a clearer complexion by reducing buildup. Pairing this with a gentle AHA will help slough away dead skin cells, further preventing congestion and breakouts from forming. It’s a gentle rhythm of cleansing and renewal that keeps your skin breathing freely.
2.
Should I be using a retinol?
Retinol isn’t a must-have in your 20s—unless you’re addressing specific concerns like persistent acne, pigmentation, or texture that benefit from increased cell turnover. If your skin barrier is compromised or feeling sensitive, it’s best to pause retinol use and focus on repair first. Healthy skin is always the priority. If you are using a retinol apply it in the evening after cleansing.
3.
How often should I use an AHA
AHAs are gentle chemical exfoliants that work by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, promoting a smooth and even skin texture. But like all active ingredients, balance is key. Because every skin type has its own tolerance, start slowly—1 to 3 times per week—adjusting based on how your skin responds.
4.
How should I apply Vitamin C & AHA
Our Vitamin C serum is formulated at a gentle pH of 6.5, while the AHA serum sits at a more active pH of 3—both designed to deliver results without compromising the skin barrier. After cleansing, apply either serum and allow it to fully absorb. Follow with your toner to gently restore your skin’s natural pH of around 5, creating the perfect canvas for hydration.
Press the toner directly into the skin, allowing it to sink in. While your skin is still slightly damp, apply your moisturiser—this helps to seal in hydration and improves product absorption, leaving your skin balanced, replenished, and ready for the day.
Apply the toner directly to the skin and rub in.
Apply your moisturiser whilst the skin is still damp to allow the moisturiser to buffer into the toner maximising absorbtion.