Combination skin can be easily characterized by dry cheeks and an oily t-zone - forehead, nose, and chin. This is because the sebaceous glands are over-active in the t-zone and the rest of the face is relatively dehydrated. As such, the cheeks feel dry and tight after washing. Also, the t-zone is prone to the development of several blackheads, whiteheads, acne breakouts, and blemishes, due to the prevalence of large skin pores in this area. Many people develop this combination skin as a result of both, internal and external factors, such as stress, anxiety, physical health, lack of exercise, improper diet, environment, and one's overall lifestyle. However, taking care of it is not such a difficult task, once you know what to do. It can easily be combated, and leave you with healthy, glowing skin. As mentioned before, you need to follow a routine that will take care of dry skin and oily skin, separately. Adopting this approach is essential, because if you undertake treatment only for oily skin it will leave the dry patches drier, and if you undertake treatment for dry skin, it will further enhance the oily zones. Take a look at these special skin care tips for combination skin. Cleansing Though it is important to follow an overall cleansing routine, the oily zone requires thorough cleansing. This is because it is more prone to dirt accumulation and breakouts. Use a gentle face wash to clean the skin, but massage it in thoroughly on the oily zone, before washing, to get rid of the dirt, and also the excess oils that are produced in that zone. Also, oily skin requires a comparatively rigorous skin exfoliation procedure. Scrub the oily areas more than you would over the dry areas. There are also several cleansers available that serve the purpose of cleansing both skin types. Toning The t-zone requires more toning in order to control the shiny texture that is created as a result of combination skin. When you begin toning, begin with the t-zone and then move onto the dry zones. This way, lesser amount of toner is used on the dry skin. If your skin has makeup over it, first cleanse your skin with a makeup remover, and then follow the toning procedure. You may also use a tissue paper to rid your skin of the excess oil, before toning. Sometimes, using two different types of toners on combination skin will help. A strong toner for the oily zone, and a mild one for the dry skin, is an effective skin care tip. Avoid the use of toners with alcohol as these will cause the dry areas to dehydrate further. Moisturizing It is common knowledge that dry skin requires more moisturizing than oily skin. Thus, while using one, ensure that you massage the moisturizer completely onto the dry skin, and in this case, lesser attention can be paid to the t-zone. Use a non-greasy moisturizer for the t-zone, while one specifically for dry skin can be used on the dry areas. Facial Masks Different types of face masks are available for different skin types. It is better if you use a homemade facial mask to take care of combination skin. You will require a hydrating facial mask for dry skin, and one that can control oily skin for the t-zone. In extreme cases, you can also use two different facial masks to take care of the different skin types. Combination skin types needn't necessarily comprise only of an oily t-zone and dry cheeks. In some cases, the cheeks and nose are oily and the rest of the face is dry. The only way to take care of it is to identify these zones with the help of a blotting paper, and follow the above mentioned methods to attain flawless, glowing skin.