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Just a couple of years back, I was applying a clay mask to my face. I'd spotted it on Instagram, judged it by its cover (some pretty packaging) and bought it for myself. But within a few hours, as my cheeks glistened because of a sebaceous (or oil gland) overdrive, my forehead flaked like a croissant.
And the paradox that is my face, I realised that my skin type was combination—but reversed. If you’re confused, imagine the usual oily-T-zone-but-dry-cheeks dynamic, flipped. And it’s more common than you’d think, with Redditors in niche skincare threads swapping stories under hashtags like #ReverseComboSkin and #SkincareConfessions.
Here’s the kicker. Reverse combination skin is rising (no one gave me the memo) and it’s a tricky landscape of conflicting needs—moisturise, mattify, soothe, whatnot.
In my attempt to curate the ultimate 10-step skincare ritual in 2020 (hello, quarantine hobbies), I committed the sin of over-layering acids and slathering every trending serum du jour. Dr Monica Jacob, a dermatologist with a pulse on skincare trends, explains the skin type. “It’s getting common nowadays because of an overuse of products and our skin not getting balanced. People are using over-the-counter products, which is leading to sensitivity and oil production. Combining too many DIYs with these products plays a part as well," she tells me.
Translation: our Instagram-scrolling, skincare-hacking generation may be doing more harm than good, one mismatched product at a time. TikTok’s beloved “slugging” and “skin salads” (mixing multiple active ingredients) might work for some, but for someone like me, whose skin type is reverse combination + sensitive, it’s like some skincare roulette.
One of the reasons for reverse combination skin may be an unbalanced lipid barrier. Typically, oily zones emerge in areas with more sebaceous glands (your T-zone). But when over-exfoliation or harsh cleansers strip the skin, these areas can become dehydrated. Meanwhile, other regions overcompensate with excess sebum, leaving you with a two-faced problem (literally).
Therefore, treating the concern requires targeted care. Dr Jacob’s insights align with this. "One shouldn't ideally use the same product in these different areas," she says. "You need to use a different moisturiser for oily and dry zones." Skipping universal solutions, give your cheeks some gel-based hydration and the T-zone some heavier creams.
DIY masks and multi-step routines have infiltrated our lives through Pinterest boards and Instagram reels. But dermatologists now warn against playing kitchen chemist. According to experts, less is more—particularly for sensitive, combination skin types.
Even trending routines like the “reverse skincare” approach (applying toner last) may not deliver long-term benefits and might irritate sensitive skin.
The same goes for 10-step routines, which are officially out in 2024, replaced by targeted multi-use products.
Scrolling through Reddit’s r/SkincareAddiction, I discovered others, too, are navigating the dilemma. One user hilariously coined the term 'Cheek Oil Spill', describing her oily cheeks as “their own ecosystem.” Another shared how clay masks gave her forehead a parched, Sahara look. The sense of community made me realise that this actually isn’t a quirk—it’s a misunderstood skin type.
Instagram hashtags like #BalancedSkin are turning the tide towards simplified regimens. Meanwhile, experts are advocating for personalised skincare over viral hacks.
After some trial (and plenty of error), here’s the routine that I think might be working for me. First things first, I cleanse gently and avoid drying cleansers. Favourite ingredient would be hyaluronic acid. Then, on days I'm feeling ambitious, I use dual toners—a soothing one for the dry T-zone patches and a mattifying formula for the cheeks. For those who know how to spot-treat like a pro (I don't, but this is what a dermat asked me to do), dab a non-comedogenic moisturiser for cheek blemishes and for the flakiness on the forehead and nose, a dollop of ceramide cream may work wonders. In the end, I always apply sunscreen—a broad-spectrum silicone gel that keeps everything in check.
And if you ask me what life is like after understanding my skin type better, I'd say, calmer—both for my face and the wallet. I’ve ditched the frenzy of new launches and stuck to a humble, effective lineup of products.
To anyone else tackling the same rebellion, you’re not alone. While the glass skin and dewy cheeks garner millions of hashtags online, we’ve got our T-zone deserts to tame. But with patience, the right products and a few cheeky social media threads, we'll find balance again.
In my attempt to curate the ultimate 10-step skincare ritual in 2020 (hello, quarantine hobbies), I committed the sin of over-layering acids and slathering every trending serum du jour. Dr Monica Jacob, a dermatologist with a pulse on skincare trends, explains the skin type. “It’s getting common nowadays because of an overuse of products and our skin not getting balanced. People are using over-the-counter products, which is leading to sensitivity and oil production. Combining too many DIYs with these products plays a part as well," she tells me.
Translation: our Instagram-scrolling, skincare-hacking generation may be doing more harm than good, one mismatched product at a time. TikTok’s beloved “slugging” and “skin salads” (mixing multiple active ingredients) might work for some, but for someone like me, whose skin type is reverse combination + sensitive, it’s like some skincare roulette.
One of the reasons for reverse combination skin may be an unbalanced lipid barrier. Typically, oily zones emerge in areas with more sebaceous glands (your T-zone). But when over-exfoliation or harsh cleansers strip the skin, these areas can become dehydrated. Meanwhile, other regions overcompensate with excess sebum, leaving you with a two-faced problem (literally).
Therefore, treating the concern requires targeted care. Dr Jacob’s insights align with this. "One shouldn't ideally use the same product in these different areas," she says. "You need to use a different moisturiser for oily and dry zones." Skipping universal solutions, give your cheeks some gel-based hydration and the T-zone some heavier creams.
DIY masks and multi-step routines have infiltrated our lives through Pinterest boards and Instagram reels. But dermatologists now warn against playing kitchen chemist. According to experts, less is more—particularly for sensitive, combination skin types.
Even trending routines like the “reverse skincare” approach (applying toner last) may not deliver long-term benefits and might irritate sensitive skin.
The same goes for 10-step routines, which are officially out in 2024, replaced by targeted multi-use products.
Scrolling through Reddit’s r/SkincareAddiction, I discovered others, too, are navigating the dilemma. One user hilariously coined the term 'Cheek Oil Spill', describing her oily cheeks as “their own ecosystem.” Another shared how clay masks gave her forehead a parched, Sahara look. The sense of community made me realise that this actually isn’t a quirk—it’s a misunderstood skin type.
Instagram hashtags like #BalancedSkin are turning the tide towards simplified regimens. Meanwhile, experts are advocating for personalised skincare over viral hacks.
After some trial (and plenty of error), here’s the routine that I think might be working for me. First things first, I cleanse gently and avoid drying cleansers. Favourite ingredient would be hyaluronic acid. Then, on days I'm feeling ambitious, I use dual toners—a soothing one for the dry T-zone patches and a mattifying formula for the cheeks. For those who know how to spot-treat like a pro (I don't, but this is what a dermat asked me to do), dab a non-comedogenic moisturiser for cheek blemishes and for the flakiness on the forehead and nose, a dollop of ceramide cream may work wonders. In the end, I always apply sunscreen—a broad-spectrum silicone gel that keeps everything in check.
And if you ask me what life is like after understanding my skin type better, I'd say, calmer—both for my face and the wallet. I’ve ditched the frenzy of new launches and stuck to a humble, effective lineup of products.
To anyone else tackling the same rebellion, you’re not alone. While the glass skin and dewy cheeks garner millions of hashtags online, we’ve got our T-zone deserts to tame. But with patience, the right products and a few cheeky social media threads, we'll find balance again.
In my attempt to curate the ultimate 10-step skincare ritual in 2020 (hello, quarantine hobbies), I committed the sin of over-layering acids and slathering every trending serum du jour. Dr Monica Jacob, a dermatologist with a pulse on skincare trends, explains the skin type. “It’s getting common nowadays because of an overuse of products and our skin not getting balanced. People are using over-the-counter products, which is leading to sensitivity and oil production. Combining too many DIYs with these products plays a part as well," she tells me.
Translation: our Instagram-scrolling, skincare-hacking generation may be doing more harm than good, one mismatched product at a time. TikTok’s beloved “slugging” and “skin salads” (mixing multiple active ingredients) might work for some, but for someone like me, whose skin type is reverse combination + sensitive, it’s like some skincare roulette.
One of the reasons for reverse combination skin may be an unbalanced lipid barrier. Typically, oily zones emerge in areas with more sebaceous glands (your T-zone). But when over-exfoliation or harsh cleansers strip the skin, these areas can become dehydrated. Meanwhile, other regions overcompensate with excess sebum, leaving you with a two-faced problem (literally).
Therefore, treating the concern requires targeted care. Dr Jacob’s insights align with this. "One shouldn't ideally use the same product in these different areas," she says. "You need to use a different moisturiser for oily and dry zones." Skipping universal solutions, give your cheeks some gel-based hydration and the T-zone some heavier creams.
DIY masks and multi-step routines have infiltrated our lives through Pinterest boards and Instagram reels. But dermatologists now warn against playing kitchen chemist. According to experts, less is more—particularly for sensitive, combination skin types.
Even trending routines like the “reverse skincare” approach (applying toner last) may not deliver long-term benefits and might irritate sensitive skin.
The same goes for 10-step routines, which are officially out in 2024, replaced by targeted multi-use products.
Scrolling through Reddit’s r/SkincareAddiction, I discovered others, too, are navigating the dilemma. One user hilariously coined the term 'Cheek Oil Spill', describing her oily cheeks as “their own ecosystem.” Another shared how clay masks gave her forehead a parched, Sahara look. The sense of community made me realise that this actually isn’t a quirk—it’s a misunderstood skin type.
Instagram hashtags like #BalancedSkin are turning the tide towards simplified regimens. Meanwhile, experts are advocating for personalised skincare over viral hacks.
After some trial (and plenty of error), here’s the routine that I think might be working for me. First things first, I cleanse gently and avoid drying cleansers. Favourite ingredient would be hyaluronic acid. Then, on days I'm feeling ambitious, I use dual toners—a soothing one for the dry T-zone patches and a mattifying formula for the cheeks. For those who know how to spot-treat like a pro (I don't, but this is what a dermat asked me to do), dab a non-comedogenic moisturiser for cheek blemishes and for the flakiness on the forehead and nose, a dollop of ceramide cream may work wonders. In the end, I always apply sunscreen—a broad-spectrum silicone gel that keeps everything in check.
And if you ask me what life is like after understanding my skin type better, I'd say, calmer—both for my face and the wallet. I’ve ditched the frenzy of new launches and stuck to a humble, effective lineup of products.
To anyone else tackling the same rebellion, you’re not alone. While the glass skin and dewy cheeks garner millions of hashtags online, we’ve got our T-zone deserts to tame. But with patience, the right products and a few cheeky social media threads, we'll find balance again.
