The 9 Best Moisturizers to Keep Combination Skin Hydrated and Balanced

Finding the right moisturizer is difficult at the best of times, but it gets even more difficult with combination skin.

You need a formula that’s hydrating but not greasy, lightweight and comfortable—one that balances and purifies your complexion, leaving it soft, healthy and radiant.

The best formulas for combination skin mimic the skin’s own makeup and natural hydration system. 1

“Combination skin is prone to shine in the T-zone, but lacks moisture elsewhere, so a lightweight, water-based moisturizer is essential to restore balance to your complexion,” says aesthetician and skin expert Melanie Grant.

“I typically recommend liquids, gels and lotions because they provide essential moisture to the skin without causing excessive shine.”

We thoroughly researched the best moisturizers for combination skin and evaluated the top-rated formulas based on their active ingredients, texture, feel and specific skin concerns.

We considered moisturizers with and without SPF, as well as how quickly the cream absorbs into the skin. In addition to extensive research, we considered a few products our editors swear by.

After considering multiple options and consulting with aestheticians, we decided on this one.

Keep reading to learn more about the best moisturizers for combination skin.

Best Overall Review: Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Acid Marine Oil-Free Moisturizing Cushion

The texture of this product is one of the many reasons we love it so much. The unique hydrogel cream is super refreshing and cooling — like little water droplets splashing onto your face.

It delivers more moisture than regular water creams, but without being as rich. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and Japanese seaweed (from the Okinawa Blue Zone), the formula delivers soothing moisture without leaving a shine.

It also contains amino acids and vitamins to improve skin elasticity and increase moisture levels. Expect plump, balanced skin and soft, hydrated skin.

Best Price Range: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

This lotion is incredibly lightweight and hydrating, thanks to the presence of hyaluronic acid, a molecule that can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

This is one of our favorite lotions because it’s gentle, non-greasy, hydrating, and especially soothing and balancing combination skin. It’s also great for personal care, making it an affordable and versatile option.

Best drugstore recommendation: Neutrogena Hydra-Smooth Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Gel

Thanks, Neutrogena, this drugstore skincare product still feels luxurious today. This moisturizer is like pouring a big glass of water over your skin, thanks to its high levels of hyaluronic acid, a molecule that draws moisture into the skin’s surface layers.

The refreshing hydrogel texture is also perfect for makeup. If you’re looking for something super lightweight for the humid months or sweaty workouts (without compromising on hydration), this cream is for you.

Best for mature skin: Augustinus Bader Cream

When Hailey Bieber, Victoria Beckham, and Lili Reinhart profess their love for a product, you know it’s gotta be something special. Augustinus Bader’s The Cream contains a unique Trigger Factor Complex:

a combination of natural amino acids, high-quality vitamins, and synthetic molecules that activate the body’s own stem cells. 4 The result is smoother, stronger, and more youthful-looking skin. The super-light texture doesn’t enhance radiance, however. Yes, it seems like you have it all.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Repair Gel-Cream

This moisturizer is a great option for those with combination skin, and is especially recommended for those with blemishes. The lightweight gel texture leaves skin feeling refreshed and moisturized.

We love that this cream provides long-lasting hydration, unlike other gel moisturizers that don’t balance the feel of the skin for long periods of time.

The formula contains niacinamide to even out skin tone and control sebum production, as well as antimicrobial peptides to balance the skin’s microbiome for a healthier look and feel. It’s also fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and comes in hygienic packaging.

Best for Minimizing Pores: Tatcha Water Cream

This cream is legendary in the skincare world—and for good reason. This oil-free gel-cream contains Japanese botanical extracts like wild rose, which refines pores, and Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 blend, which contains algae, green tea, and fermented rice.

The texture is incredibly light and fresh, and it feels weightless when applied while soothing and hydrating at the same time. The gold applicator and luxurious packaging are also a nice detail.

Best for Relieving Redness: Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

This lightweight gel from Aveeno has a simple yet effective formula. It contains oat extract, which has been shown to reduce redness, soothe the skin, and restore its barrier function.

5 Glycerin (a humectant) and panthenol also help regulate moisture. Particularly noteworthy is its light, cooling texture, which spreads easily onto the skin and provides refreshing moisture without adding shine.

Plumping: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Rich Barrier Moisturizer

If you’re looking for a moisturizer that’s suitable for combination skin and has a plumping effect, look no further than this one from Peter Thomas Roth. Its rich, watery texture instantly provides the skin with much-needed moisture, thanks to the hyaluronic acid complex.

The special moisture barrier-boosting complex helps thicken the skin layer, making it appear plumper. Some people with oily skin may find this moisturizer a little heavy. So if you have oily skin, we recommend using it at night.

Best Refill: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

If you’re looking for a refillable moisturizer for extra long-lasting wear, this is a great choice. It has a super hydrating formula with a rich, gel-like texture that feels almost like a cream – a little unusual, but the best.

It applies easily and instantly hydrates dehydrated skin, leaving it looking radiant and feeling moisturized. When it runs out, you can simply buy a refill container and pour it into the can. Not only is this sustainable, but it also saves you money.

Final Verdict

There are many effective moisturizers for combination skin. Our top pick is Dr. Dennis Gross’s Hyaluronic Acid Marine Oil-Free Moisturizing Pads. Its pleasant texture absorbs quickly and effectively plumps the skin with hyaluronic acid and algae.

A cheaper alternative is CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, a drugstore product with nourishing ceramides.

What to look for in a moisturizer for combination skin

Moisturizers

Grant recommends choosing a moisturizer with humectants because they bind water to the skin and increase skin hydration without triggering excess sebum production. “Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and panthenol are all great,” Grant explains.

Aveeno Calm + Restore Oatmeal Gel Moisturizer is a great drugstore option that contains glycerin, a popular humectant.

On the other hand, she recommends avoiding heavier occlusives like shea butter, lanolin, coconut oil, and mineral oil, as they’re too heavy and can promote sebum production, which can clog the skin.

Light Textures

For this reason, Grant recommends a lightweight gel or liquid moisturizer for combination skin. “Nourishing creams, balms, and butters are better suited for extremely dry skin.”

While most of the moisturizers on this list are lightweight, if you’re looking for a product that feels virtually weightless on the skin, we recommend Neutrogena Hydra-Smooth Hydrating Hydro-Gel.

FAQ

What are the benefits of moisturizer for combination skin?

“It’s a common misconception that oily skin—or even combination skin—is depleted of moisture,” Grant explains. “The right moisturizer should regenerate and balance the skin, improving its texture, radiance, and clarity.”

When you forgo moisturizing, dry areas get even drier, while areas prone to over-shine look messy and produce more oil—a lose-lose situation. That’s why a lightweight, yet effective moisturizer is essential for combination skin.

However, if you have oily skin, you should opt for a high-quality or commercially available moisturizer for oily skin.

How often should combination skin use a moisturizer?

Grant explains that moisturizer for combination skin should be applied morning and night as the last step in your skincare routine (except for sunscreen during the day). To optimize your morning skincare routine, choose a moisturizer with SPF.

This is how we researched and tested

To come up with this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products in this category, evaluating their key features (such as ingredients, color palettes, and designs) as well as reviews from customers and other reliable sources.

Our team also put their experiences testing the products into their own lives.