The secret to having youthful skin lies in keeping it soft and supple. As you figure out your daily skincare routine, having a good moisturizer is a must. This can be challenging for those with combination skin, as this skin type calls for moisturizers that can address both the oily and dry or normal areas of your face. How do you figure out what works best for you?
With the many options available out there, let us help you figure out the best one for your combination skin! We have a buying guide, tips, and a FAQ section with comments from dermatologist, Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz, plus mybest's product recommendations.
Quick List - Top Moisturizers for Combination Skin
Kiehl's
Glacial Glycoprotein Moisturizer for Pore-Refining and Hydrating Benefits
CeraVe
Hydrating Daily Moisturizer with Broad-Spectrum SPF 30
Clinique
A Moisturizer That Replenishes Your Skin's Oil-Water Balance
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
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Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
Using a hydrating but non-greasy moisturizer specifically formulated for combination skin is crucial. This type of moisturizer hydrates the dry patches of your face without making oily areas greasy, resulting in a healthy, balanced complexion.
Moisturizers are a must regardless of skin type!
Instead of using two different moisturizers, you can opt for a hybrid product like a gel cream. This type of moisturizer can control oil, prevent breakouts, plus moisturize and brighten skin. However, remember that testing which approach will work best on your skin is still advisable.
There are no strict guidelines when dealing with combination skin, as it may take some trial and error to find the right combination of products for your skin. To be guided on how you can get started with choosing, read our buying guide below!
If you have combination skin, a gel-based or water-based moisturizer is recommended. These types of moisturizers are lightweight and non-greasy, so they can hydrate the dry spots of your skin without adding oiliness to the areas that are already oily.
But if they aren't hydrating enough to address the dry patches of your face, you might need to use a thicker cream moisturizer to hydrate them. Using the cream sparingly on dry areas can provide the necessary moisture without aggravating the oiliness of other parts of your face.
Gel or water-based moisturizers make great options for those with combination skin types. It's hydrating for the dry areas and generally lightweight and tolerable for oily areas. If your dry areas are still not adequately moisturized, you can always follow up the gel/water-based moisturizer with a cream-based moisturizer on the dry spots only!
To make sure that the moisturizer you'll get will address all the needs of your combination skin type, there are ingredients you can look for and avoid. Learn more below.
When choosing a moisturizer for combination skin, it is ideal to look for hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin, niacinamide, squalene, and ceramides. These ingredients can hydrate your face without clogging your pores or causing excess oil production.
Avoid heavy oils or highly comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter, as these can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts, especially on the oily areas of your skin.
Also, beware of products with synthetic fragrances, alcohol, and other harsh chemicals like SLS, as these can dry out the skin, or worse cause irritations, if you have sensitive skin.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), as with fragrance, is dose-dependent and formulation-dependent when it comes to causing a reaction. Remember, sulfate-free products do not necessarily mean they are more gentle!
Experts recommend a minimum of SPF 30 to get 97% protection from harmful sun rays. With that said, consider incorporating a moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher into your daily skincare routine for healthy, youthful-looking skin. Choosing an all-in-one product that combines moisturizer and sunscreen can simplify your skincare routine.
The moisturizing components help prevent dryness and maintain skin elasticity. Meanwhile, the high SPF rating gives protection against UVA and UVB rays, preventing skin cancer, premature aging, and other sun damage.
Remember, SPF is your BFF! So moisturizers with SPF are always a great option. Make sure to check how much SPF is incorporated into your moisturizer. You need at least an SPF of 30 in order to have adequate sun protection!
You can also use moisturizers with SPF as an add-on to your sunscreen. In general, people tend to apply less than the recommended amount of moisturizer with SPF compared to sunscreen as a standalone product to achieve adequate sun protection.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Size | Oil-Free | Gel or Water-Based | Non-Comedogenic | Hydrating Ingredients | SPF | |||||
1 | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel | ![]() | Hydrating Gel for Long-Lasting, Lightweight Moisture | 50 ml | Yes | Yes | Hyaluronic Acid, Natural Moisturizing Factors, Amino Acids | None | ||
2 | Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream | ![]() | Glacial Glycoprotein Moisturizer for Pore-Refining and Hydrating Benefits | 50 ml | Yes | Yes | Glacial Glycoprotein, Imperata Cylindrica, Antarticine | None | ||
3 | CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen | ![]() | Hydrating Daily Moisturizer with Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 | 89ml | Yes | No | Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide | Yes | ||
4 | Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel | ![]() | A Moisturizer That Replenishes Your Skin's Oil-Water Balance | 125 ml | Yes | Yes | unknown | Natural Moisturizing Factors, Barley Extract, Sunflower Seeds, Cucumber Extracts | None | |
5 | Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Creme | ![]() | A Gel Cream That Hydrates and Exfoliates the Skin for a Radiant Glow | 40 ml | Yes | Yes | unknown | Apple Seed Extract, Vitamin E | None | |
6 | Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer | ![]() | Lightweight, Non-Greasy, and Has SPF 15 for Extra Sun Protection | 118 ml | Yes | No | unknown | Glycerin | Yes | |
7 | Tatcha The Water Cream | ![]() | A Refreshing Gel Cream That Minimizes Your Pores | 50 ml | Yes | Yes | unknown | Wild Rose, Green Tea, Algae, Fermented Rice | None | |
8 | Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré | ![]() | A Moisturizer That Combines the Functions of Primer and Makeup Remover | 75 ml | No | No | unknown | Vitamins, Fatty Acids | None | |
9 | Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer | ![]() | Soothing Gel Moisturizer for Sensitive, Dry Skin | 48 ml | Yes | Yes | unknown | Feverfew, Prebiotic Oats | None |
Size | 50 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Hydrating Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid, Natural Moisturizing Factors, Amino Acids |
SPF | None |
Reviews mention:
Many users highlight the cooling effect of the moisturizer, making it perfect for our climate. They love that it’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t irritate their skin. One user even mentioned that it helped dry up their acne.
Size | 50 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Hydrating Ingredients | Glacial Glycoprotein, Imperata Cylindrica, Antarticine |
SPF | None |
Size | 89ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | No |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Hydrating Ingredients | Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide |
SPF | Yes |
This dermatologist-developed face moisturizer from Clinique is a must-have for those with oily or combination skin types. It is formulated with natural moisturizing factors (NMF) to replenish the skin's oil-water balance for a healthy and balanced complexion. Since it's lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin, it won't feel heavy even on the oily areas of your face.
It also has barley, sunflower seed, and cucumber extracts, which provide antioxidant protection, soothing effects, and calming properties. Many users love this product because of its ability to provide oil-free hydration to their combination skin. They noticed that it made their skin smooth, glowy, and supple after regular use.
Size | 125 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | unknown |
Hydrating Ingredients | Natural Moisturizing Factors, Barley Extract, Sunflower Seeds, Cucumber Extracts |
SPF | None |
This quick-absorbing day cream will work wonders for combination skin types. With salicylic acid, it balances skin moisture and smoothens its texture. It also locks in moisture and protects against damage, as it's enriched with apple seed extract and vitamin E. The best thing is that it does all that without leaving a greasy finish!
Moreover, this lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer gently exfoliates, giving your skin a radiant glow. For this reason, many users love it and use it as a part of their makeup prep. They also like it only has a light fragrance.
Size | 40 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | unknown |
Hydrating Ingredients | Apple Seed Extract, Vitamin E |
SPF | None |
Cetaphil is a well-known skincare brand for those with sensitive skin with its gentle and safe products. The Daily Facial Moisturizer is part of its lineup and has a hydrating formula that is lightweight and non-greasy. It also has SPF 15, which can help protect you against sunburn and premature skin aging while helping your skin regain moisture.
Cetaphil's formula is non-irritating, paraben-free, and fragrance-free; your skin will definitely love this moisturizer! Hundreds of customers can vouch for this product, saying that it got rid of their dry patches and helped their skin look healthier. They also like that it dries fast upon absorption, perfect for the hot weather in the Philippines.
Size | 118 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | No |
Non-Comedogenic | unknown |
Hydrating Ingredients | Glycerin |
SPF | Yes |
This skincare product is well-known and highly regarded for its exceptional qualities. Formulated with Japanese botanicals, like wild rose, and a blend of green tea, algae, and fermented rice, this oil-free gel cream minimizes the appearance of pores and restores youthful radiance. It also has a Japanese Leopard Lily that helps control oil production and clarifies the skin.
Users have expressed their satisfaction with this moisturizer, praising its transformative effects on the skin. With regular use, they have noticed visible pore size reduction and improved skin radiance and hydration. Additionally, the moisturizer has a refreshing cooling effect, making it an ideal choice for humid climates like the Philippines.
Size | 50 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | unknown |
Hydrating Ingredients | Wild Rose, Green Tea, Algae, Fermented Rice |
SPF | None |
Let's be honest; committing to a daily 10-step skincare routine can be pretty daunting; that's why discovering a product that can simplify the process is a great find. This moisturizer is one of the products with multiple uses and is highly regarded by makeup artists for its versatility. Packed with vitamins and fatty acids, it effectively moisturizes and repairs the skin.
This multitasking moisturizer is a holy grail for makeup artists, as it can also be used as a primer, creating a smooth, supple base for makeup application. While the cream's consistency is quite rich, it feels gentle on your skin. It is also non-comedogenic, so it won't clog the oily areas of your skin, too!
Size | 75 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | No |
Gel or Water-Based | No |
Non-Comedogenic | unknown |
Hydrating Ingredients | Vitamins, Fatty Acids |
SPF | None |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users find it gentle and effective in calming sensitive, dry skin while delivering lasting moisture. Many appreciate its lightweight feel that absorbs quickly and doesn’t clog pores. Some note visible improvements in skin texture and reduced redness with regular use.
Size | 48 ml |
---|---|
Oil-Free | Yes |
Gel or Water-Based | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | unknown |
Hydrating Ingredients | Feverfew, Prebiotic Oats |
SPF | None |
Moisturizers are key, even for those with combination skin. Look for a gel or a lotion, as this is typically lightweight and absorbs quickly. Select products with ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, linoleic acid, and sorbitol.
Also, listen to your skin! Remember, the ideal moisturizer for your skin is one that makes your skin feel good and one that you actually apply.
Having combination skin is unlike having dry or oily skin where there are more specific products available. To make the most out of your skincare product and for the ultimate pampering of your skin, Dr. Katrina answers some of the most asked questions about having combination skin!
Remember, when it comes to the 'combination' skin type, there are no hard-and-fast rules. This is the skin type that generally is more in need of experimentation, even if it is by trial and error.
As much as it would be great to find one product that can shuffle between both parameters, remember these two things:
Cleanse, tone, and moisturize. These are the three basic steps in taking care of your skin. If you are looking for other products to complete your daily skincare routine, why not check out the links below?
Editor: R. Umlas
Re-editor: Anna Aquino
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Neutrogena|Hydro Boost Water Gel
No. 2: Kiehl's |Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
No. 3: CeraVe|AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen
No. 4: Clinique|Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
No. 5: Bioderma|Hydrabio Gel Creme
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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