Combination and oily skin share a need that isn't always taken into account: they need hydration just as much as any other skin type. Excess sebum doesn't mean the skin is well hydrated — it means the lipid barrier is overworking, often in response to a weakened skin barrier or overly aggressive products. When a routine attacks shine with drying agents, the skin responds by producing even more oil. The goal of a good routine for combination and oily skin isn't to eliminate sebum, but to balance it without drying out, purify without irritating and hydrate without clogging pores. In this article you'll find a complete routine, with products designed for this skin type, that you can adapt both to daily care at home and to professional in-cabin treatment.
What defines combination and oily skin
Before choosing any product, it helps to understand what's happening in the skin.
Oily skin produces sebum excessively across the whole face. Pores are visible, the skin can shine throughout the day and it's more prone to imperfections, blackheads and clogging.
Combination skin combines a T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) with an oily tendency and cheeks that are more balanced or even slightly drier. It's the most common skin type and the one that causes the most confusion when choosing products, because there's no single texture that solves every area of the face.
In both cases, the most common mistakes are the same:
- Using cleansers that are too astringent and throw off the pH.
- Avoiding hydration for fear of adding more oil.
- Exfoliating too often, which irritates the skin and triggers sebum production.
- Overloading the skin with unnecessary layers of product.
A well-structured routine for combination and oily skin should cleanse gently, treat with the right actives and hydrate with lightweight textures.
Morning routine for combination and oily skin
The morning routine has a clear goal: cleanse away the night, prepare the ground for the day's actives and protect the skin before heading out. It doesn't need to be long, but it does need to be consistent.
Cleansing: the first step that makes the difference
Starting the morning with proper cleansing removes the excess sebum built up overnight and clears away the residue of treatment products. For combination and oily skin, the ideal is a formula that cleanses deeply without disrupting the skin's balance.
The Kefus Micellar Facial Cleansing Gel is an especially suitable option for this skin type. Its lightweight texture cleanses effectively without irritating or drying out. It leaves the skin soft, fresh and ready to absorb the serum that follows. It's suitable for morning and evening use, and works well on skin with excess sebum as well as acne-prone skin.
Treatment: a serum for daily hydration
After cleansing, the skin is ready to receive the active treatment. In the morning, the goal is to provide deep hydration without adding weight or shine.
The Kefus Hyaluronic System Serum is the go-to daily treatment for combination and oily skin. Formulated with triple hyaluronic acid for multi-layer action, it works at different depths of the skin to achieve intensive, long-lasting hydration. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, doesn't clog pores and helps improve elasticity and reduce fine lines from the very first applications. It's the serum to use every morning without exception.
When you want an extra boost of radiance, you can occasionally alternate it with the Kefus Proteoglycans Niacinamide Facial Ampoules. Proteoglycans retain water and hydrate deeply, while niacinamide helps reduce the look of visible pores, even out tone and minimise redness. A particularly interesting combination for days when the skin needs some extra attention.
Hydration and sun protection
The cream completes the morning routine, sealing in hydration and preparing the skin for the day.
The Kefus Naturfiller Youth Routine Cream has a light, creamy texture with low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, vegetable waxes, shea butter, panthenol and vitamin E. It hydrates without a greasy feel, reinforces the skin barrier and helps prevent the first signs of ageing. It's suitable for both combination and oily skin, thanks to its fast absorption and comfortable finish.
After the cream, applying an SPF 50 sunscreen is essential. Kefus doesn't currently offer its own sunscreen, so we recommend choosing one with a matte or fluid finish, specially formulated for oily-prone skin, that won't clog pores or create shine during the day.
Professional in-cabin routine for combination and oily skin
If you complement your home care with professional treatment sessions, these are the Kefus products designed specifically for in-cabin use.
The Kefus Triple Hyaluronic Acid Vials combine three forms of hyaluronic acid with niacinamide and panthenol to provide intensive hydration, a firming effect and immediate radiance. Their high concentration makes them ideal for use alongside facial devices such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, roller or dermapen, enhancing active-ingredient penetration and treatment results.
The Kefus Pink Clay Mask is an excellent option to include in the cabin session. Unlike green clay, which has a more purifying and intense effect, pink clay acts more gently, improving the skin's firmness while calming and balancing it. It's applied in a thin layer over clean skin and removed with plenty of water. Ideal for finishing the session and leaving the skin cared for, even and with good texture.
Evening routine for combination and oily skin
Night is when the skin enters repair mode. Actives absorb better, cell renewal kicks in and treatments with retinol or exfoliants have more room to work without the interference of sunlight. For combination and oily skin, the night routine combines double cleansing (if there's makeup), alternating treatment and a cream that nourishes without saturating.
Pre-cleansing makeup removal (if you're wearing makeup)
If you use makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, the first step is to remove them before your usual cleanse.
For the face, the Kefus Biphasic Micellar Facial Makeup Remover Water combines the effectiveness of a makeup remover with the gentleness of a biphasic formula that leaves no greasy finish. It dissolves long-wear and waterproof makeup, including foundation, blush and sunscreen. It's applied with a cotton pad and needs no rinsing.
If you wear eye makeup and need a specific product for that area, the Kefus Biphasic Eye and Lip Makeup Remover instantly removes waterproof makeup, including the most stubborn mascara. Its formula with Dexpanthenol also has calming and restructuring properties for the lashes.
As an alternative to classic micellar water, the Kefus Biphasic Micellar Foam is a rinse-off cleansing foam that removes makeup, tones and cleanses in a single step, without leaving the skin dry or greasy. Especially convenient for nights when you want to simplify your cleansing ritual.
Cleansing
After makeup removal, cleanse again with the Kefus Micellar Facial Cleansing Gel to make sure the skin is completely clean before applying the night treatment. This double step ensures that the following actives can penetrate properly.
Alternating night treatment: retinol and hydration
The key to a good night routine for combination and oily skin is to alternate actives depending on the night of the week, without overloading the skin or mixing ingredients that compete with each other.
The Kefus Retinol System Serum is formulated with HPR (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate), a next-generation retinoid that acts directly on the retinoic acid receptors with high efficacy and a lower risk of irritation than conventional retinol. It stimulates cell renewal, improves texture, refines pores and helps even out skin tone over the long term.
It should be introduced gradually:
- First weeks: 2 or 3 nights a week.
- Once the skin adapts: 4 or 5 nights a week.
The nights when you don't use retinol are the nights for rest and hydration. The Kefus Hyaluronic System Serum fills that role perfectly, providing deep hydration and keeping the skin barrier in good condition. Never apply the exfoliating peeling on the same night as retinol: both work on skin renewal, and combining them can cause irritation, redness and sensitivity.
After the night serum, always finish with the Kefus Naturfiller Youth Routine Cream, which nourishes, seals in hydration and gives the skin comfort during the resting hours.
Weekly exfoliation: once or twice a week
Exfoliation is an essential step in the routine for combination and oily skin, but it should be done with care. Too often, and it irritates and unbalances the skin; at the right frequency, it keeps pores clean, improves texture and helps treatment actives penetrate better.
The Kefus Exfoliating Peeling has biodegradable, gentle-action granules, specially formulated for skin with clogged pores, excess sebum, uneven texture and imperfections. It removes dead cells without irritating, leaving the skin smoother, more even and ready to absorb the treatments that follow.
Some guidelines for using it well:
- Apply once or twice a week, never more.
- Always use it on a different night from retinol.
- Massage gently over the damp face and rinse with plenty of water.
- Always finish with the moisturiser to keep the skin comfortable.
The clay mask: the in-cabin extra you can also do at home
The Kefus Pink Clay Mask isn't only a professional-use product. You can include it in your weekly home routine as a balancing treatment. Applied once a week, over clean, dry skin, it works on excess sebum, improves firmness and leaves the complexion looking more even and cared for. Remove it with plenty of water and finish with your usual cream.
Remember that, as with retinol and the peeling, it's best to avoid combining it with exfoliation on the same day. Ideally, each intensive treatment should have its own space in the week so the skin can benefit from them without becoming overloaded.
A routine that cares without punishing
Combination and oily skin doesn't need aggressive products or complicated routines. It needs gentle cleansing, well-alternated actives, light hydration and daily protection. When you give it what it really needs, excess sebum stabilises, pores look finer, texture improves and the skin looks more balanced and radiant over time.
All the products in this routine are formulated by Kefus in our own laboratory with ingredients of natural origin, designed to be effective without resorting to aggressive formulas. You can find them at kefus.com and combine them according to your own rhythm and your skin's needs at any given moment.
