I Have Textbook Combination Skin, and These Are the Only Moisturizers I'll Use

Jamie testing moisturizers for combination skin.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Discovering the best skincare and makeup products for combination skin is always a tricky feat, but in my opinion, selecting a moisturizer is probably the most confusing quest. I have textbook combination skin—shiny on the T-zone and dry and tight everywhere else—and it's taken me years to land on a moisturizer that deeply hydrates drier patches and won't clog my pores or feel too heavy.

It's a real Goldilocks scenario, which is why I've decided to share the face creams I've found success with over the years. I also compiled picks from trusted derms who treat combination skin every single day, so hopefully, you won't have to experience as much trial and error to find a stellar formula. Keep scrolling. For combination skin, these moisturizers below are truly the best of the best.

The Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin, Listed

  1. Best Overall: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Refillable Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
  2. Best Day Cream: Weleda Rejuvenating Day Cream
  3. Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide Protective Moisturizer
  4. Best Brightening: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
  5. Best Night Cream: Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer
  6. Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Skin Barrier+ Pore Refining Refillable Gel Cream
  7. Best Budget: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Face Gel
  8. Best Splurge: Augustinus Bader The Light Cream
  9. Best for Mature Skin: BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer
  10. Best for Dark Spots: Eadem Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer
  11. Best for Oiliness: Tatcha The Water Cream

The Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin of 2024

Best Overall: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer

Jamie testing moisturizers for combination skin.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Day Cream: Weleda Rejuvenating Day Cream

Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide Protective Moisturizer

Best Brightening: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Best Night Cream: Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Skin Barrier+ Pore Refining Gel Cream

Jamie testing moisturizers for combination skin.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Budget: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Face Gel

Best Splurge: Augustinus Bader The Light Cream

Jamie testing moisturizers for combination skin.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Mature Skin: BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer

Best for Dark Spots: Eadem Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer

Best for Oiliness: Tatcha The Water Cream

What to Look For

In terms of star ingredients, Lolis recommends seeking out hyaluronic acid ("a great hydrator"), niacinamide ("helps balance oil production and reduce inflammation"), and ceramides ("very effective for restoring the skin barrier, which is very important for dry areas"). If you typically deal with breakouts, she says you can also look for salicylic acid in your moisturizers, as the ingredient can help unclog pores. "Glycerin is also a good hydrating ingredient that pulls water into the skin," adds Rabach.

On the flip side, both derms recommend avoiding heavy oils—think coconut and mineral oil. Shea butter can sometimes be an issue for those with easily clogged pores, so you might want to watch out for that emollient. "Additionally, alcohol and fragrances can dry the skin and cause irritation," says Lolis.

According to Kim, the most important factor to consider in a moisturizer for combination skin is the texture, not the ingredients list. "You want to use a simple formula that's hydrating and lightweight," he says. Lolis agrees, favoring gel-creams that offer breathable textures. "A gel-based or water-based moisturizer works well, as it hydrates without feeling too heavy or greasy," she says. "Rich, occlusive moisturizers lead to breakouts and do not provide enough hydration."

Cassandra Cadwell taking a selfie with glowing skin.

(Image credit: @cassandra.cadwell)

FAQ

What type of moisturizer is best for combination skin?

"The best type of moisturizer for combination skin is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with both hydrating and balancing properties," says Lolis. Look for gel-creams and water-based creams over rich, occlusive balms.

What do dermatologists recommend for combination skin?

Derms recommend starting with a gentle, nonstripping cleanser morning and night, followed by a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer.

You can fold in a hydrating or brightening serum if you please ("Look for products that are labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic," says Lolis), but you should always top off your daytime routine with SPF. "Also, enzymatically exfoliate your skin once a week with gentle AHAs, like lactic acid [or] mandelic acid, to clear your pores and soften fine lines," suggests Kim.

Which moisturizers do dermatologists recommend?

Rabach, Kim, and Lolis all recommend gel- and water-based moisturizers that are noncomedogenic (aka don't clog pores) and feel lightweight on the skin. They give Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel, Skinfix's Skin Barrier+ Pore Refining Refillable Gel Cream, Weleda's Rejuvenating Day Cream, and Alpyn Beauty's Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer their stamps of approval.

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Jamie Schneider
Senior Beauty Editor

Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. She has a penchant for trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative skincare launches to celebrity profiles, and her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Coveteur, and more. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and she's been there ever since. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves exploring vintage boutiques, reading mystery books (bonus points for an unexpected twist), and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn.