Dry, flaky, oily, but also sometimes completely normal – yes, I am talking about my skin these past few months.

Between staying indoors for most of the day working, to wearing a mask when out and about, as well as no doubt not sleeping enough and maybe even not eating as clean as I normally do, this latest lockdown had really taken a toll on my skin. Being someone who never once before would suffer breakouts, not even in my teens, I found these pesky cheek- and chin spots hard to deal with, but also struggled with the fact that my skin actually felt tight and dry most of the time, and not oily or greasy. A friend who is a dermatologist told me my skin sounded as if it needed a good detox, and recommended I try some products for combination skin for a while – as that is exactly what my complexion issues sounded like, according to her. Something which was probably a result of the past year's many changes to routines, lifestyle and general life. Being a big fan of natural and clean skincare, I was delighted to discover that Trilogy, one of my very favourite brands, had recently brought out a new balancing skincare range for combination skin – and set about trying the products out to see would it make a difference to my skin. According to my dermatologist friends, combination skin is typically characterised by a complexion that is oily in some areas and dry in others. The nose, chin and forehead (a.k.a. the T-zone) are usually shiny and prone to breakouts, while areas such as the cheeks, jawline and temples can feel tight and dry. Large pores and a propensity for blackheads and blemishes can also be common characteristics of combination skin, although I had not really experienced these myself. One of the most important things to keep in mind, my friend said, was to avoid harsh or very drying products to try to combat my breakouts, as this would only encourage skin to produce more oil in the T-zone. while drying out already parched areas.

Luckily, in a bid to cater to women with combination skin, Trilogy has developed an entire range of products. This new range consists of a four-step balancing routine all working to equalise oiliness and dryness. The lightweight solutions are designed to help soften and soothe dry skin barriers, while also reducing excess oil output in more oil-prone areas such as the T-Zone. All products are fragrance-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free and vegan friendly.

Here are the products I tried – and loved: Trilogy’s Clarifying Cleansing Gel Cleansing the key to keeping skin healthy and radiant, but it’s important to find a cleanser with a gentle, balancing formulation to avoid drying out the complexion and leading to further oiliness on those problem areas. Avoid any cleansers formulated with chemicals like sulfates or alcohol or those formulated with comedogenic ingredients, as these can block pores and increase oiliness and breakouts. Trilogy’s Purifying Cleansing Toner Trilogy’s Purifying Cleansing Toner is a non-drying second-step cleansing toner that helps clarify, reduce shine and remove impurities. I loved how it felt gentle, even on those days when my skin felt particularly right and sensitive. This mildly astringent toner gently works to remove excess oils without stripping the skin. Trilogy Hemphip Balancing Oil