Skincare for combination skin isn’t complicated at all!
Liah Yoo’s Bare Basics Skincare Routine is a great place to start. It includes only the absolute essentials that everyone will be needing to cleanse, balance, and protect their skin for the rest of their lives.
Liah’s routine includes only 4 steps:
- First cleanser
- Facial wash
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
DISCLAIMERS
This guide is for Filipino beginners with combination skin. Other skin concerns were not considered.
Some of the recommended products are available only in the Philippines. The currency is Philippine peso.
The prices are as of August 2020.
⚠️ Your experience may vary. ⚠️ It has worked for some but it might not work for you.
THE BASIC SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Morning Routine
Facial wash > Moisturizer > Sunscreen
Night Routine
First cleanser > Facial wash > Moisturizer
FIRST CLEANSER & FACIAL WASH
NOT in bar form. The alkaline solution (lye or sodium hydroxide) used in making bar soaps irritates the naturally acidic protective film of the skin, the acid mantle. Also why you shouldn’t wash your body with a bar soap!
If water-based, pH should be 7.0 or lower. pH 5.5 is the ideal for face washes. If oil-based, nevermind. Coz oils don’t have a pH!
NO sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Aka sodium laurilsulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate. A widely used cleaning ingredient, SLS is very harsh and sensitizes the skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) too.
NO alcohol if you’re sensitive skin. Meaning: No ethanol or ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol. Especially NOT in the first 6 ingredients of a product which contribute the most effect on your skin.
NO cooling sensation. Usually from ingredients: menthol, mint, or eucalyptus. The tingling effect actually upsets the skin, and the “cumulative damage will end up causing more problems.”
No need for salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid. (1) Some acids should be at pH 3-4 to effectively work versus pH ~5.5 of an ideal cleanser. (2) Plus, they’re in contact with the skin so briefly that they don’t have much effect.
If you need salicylic aid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid in your skincare, use a leave-on, toner- or serum-type product instead to achieve desired results effectively.
Do you have extreme combination skin?
Are the sides of your face dry, tight, and scaly while your T-zone is very oily? You have extreme combination skin—and your face cleanser may be the culprit.
Harsh cleansers dry out and irritate the skin. Switching to a gentle pH-balanced, sulfate-free face wash can help restore your skin’s natural balance.
How’d you know if you found the right cleanser?
The right cleanser won’t give you a tight, squeaky feeling after use. A harsh cleanser will cause irritation and dry, flaky patches especially around the corners of your nose, mouth, and eyebrows where you are most sensitive.
PRO TIP: An oil-based first cleanser and a water-based second cleanser (facial wash) make the most popular double-cleansing combo.
Is double-cleansing necessary?
YES, if you wear waterproof makeup and/or sunscreen and/or you’re regularly exposed to fumes, dirt, and pollution. 
Recommended First Cleansers
Pond’s Cleansing Balm
Php 399 for 44ml, Php 649 for 100 ml
Biore Cleansing Oil
Php 349 for 150 ml
Human Nature Gentle Cleansing Oil
Php 225 for 95 ml
*You may also opt for micellar water but know that the need for cotton balls / pads (and perhaps more product) may end up costing you more in the long run.
PRO TIP: Save more when you shop online using Shopback. Get up to 60% cashback on Lazada, Shopee, Watsons, Uniqlo, Zalora, and more. Sign up with my referral link to get a FREE Php 100 welcome gift.
Recommended Facial Washes
Belo Skin Hydrating Whitening Face Wash
Php 150 for 100ml
Human Nature Nourishing Facial Wash
Php 80 for 50ml, Php 200 for 200ml
Read my review
Hyalure Soap Free Skin Cleanser
Php 310 for 250ml
Exclusive online: Lazada, Shopee
More options: 11 Best Drugstore Facial Washes in the Philippines
MOISTURIZER
Combination and oily skin have very much similar moisturizing needs. Go for moisturizers that are great for oily skin:
Gel type or watery. This type of moisturizer is lightweight, non-greasy, and easily absorbed by the skin. Common product keywords to look for: ‘hydrating’ and ‘water’.
NO alcohol if you’re sensitive skin. No ethanol or ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.
Oil-free, especially for daytime use. No mineral oil, liquid paraffin / paraffinum liquidum, plant oils, squalene, and lanolin.
NO cooling sensation. Usually from ingredients: menthol, mint, or eucalyptus. They sensitize the skin, and the “cumulative damage will end up causing more problems.” Antioxidants are not required but a great plus!
Is moisturizing necessary?
YES. When you cleanse your face, no matter how gentle your cleanser is, you are also removing moisture that your skin needs. It’s important to replace it to keep your skin healthy. 
Recommended Moisturizers
Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer
Php 250 for 100 ml
iWhite Korea Aqua Moisturizer (blue)
Php 22 for 6 ml, Php 195 for 50 ml, Php 280 for 8 0ml
Read my review
iWhite Korea Aqua Moisturizer Glow (pink)
Php 25 for 6 ml, Php 205 for 50 ml
Read my review
More options: 7 Best Drugstore Moisturizers For Oily, Acne-prone Skin
Moisturizing extreme combination skin
If certain areas of your face feel very dry while your T-zone is oily, do this:
Moisturize different parts of your face differently.
Use a lightweight, gel moisturizer on your T-zone and a thicker, oil-containing moisturizer on dry parts.
Look into your facial wash. It could be a harsh cleanser that’s causing your dryness. Scroll up for product recommendations.
SUNSCREEN
Must be “broad spectrum”. That means it has UVA and UVB protection. These harmful UV rays induce hyperpigmentation and cause premature aging of the skin.
SPF 30 or higher. SPF 30 blocks around 97% of UVB radiation. SPF 50 blocks 97%—just a minimal difference. But people generally don’t apply enough sunscreen and get only 1/3 of the labeled value, so the higher the better.
NO alcohol if you’re sensitive skin. No ethanol or ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol. Antioxidants are not required but a great plus!
Should you wear sunscreen every day?
YES. Sunscreen protects you from UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are “present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass”. 
Recommended Sunscreens
Innisfree Intensive Triple Care Sunscreen
Php 610 for 50 ml (Althea)
Belo Sun Expert Tinted Sunscreen
Php 450 for 50 ml
Celeteque Sun Care Matte Moisturizer
Php 230 for 50 ml
PRO TIP: Save more when you shop online using Shopback. Get up to 60% cashback on Lazada, Shopee, Watsons, Uniqlo, Zalora, and more. Sign up with my referral link to get a FREE Php 100 welcome gift.
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READ NEXT: 13 Best Grocery & Drugstore Skin Care Products in the Philippines (Oily, Normal, Combination Skin)
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