When it comes to skincare, understanding your skin type is essential to choosing the right products—whether it’s a cleanser, toner, cream, serum, or mask—and building an effective routine. Among the various skin types, combination to oily skin is one of the most common, but also one of the most complex to care for... especially without Pâte Grise, the iconic blemish-control range trusted since 1920.

Oily skin is primarily defined by an imbalance in sebum production. Sebum is a natural substance produced by the sebaceous glands to protect and hydrate the skin. However, excessive sebum production creates an environment that encourages the growth of unwanted bacteria, leading to blemishes such as breakouts, enlarged pores, and blackheads.

Combination skin, on the other hand, is a mix of skin types—typically oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), where sebum production is higher, and normal on other areas like the cheeks, where the skin remains more balanced.

Depending on the season or hormonal cycles, people with combination skin may experience fluctuations—ranging from oily to dry periods. These shifts reflect an imbalance in how the epidermis functions, which can be managed with skincare specifically formulated for this skin type.