Skincare

Best moisturisers for combination skin, tested and reviewed

02/06/2024

Ah, the joy of having combination skin. Possibly one of the hardest skin types to navigate, it’s not always easy to seek out products that’ll successfully balance oiliness while also addressing (and quenching) the dry patches you have.

Some might say it’s impossible, but we beg to differ: finding the best moisturisers for combination skin really doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may seem on the surface. And while, it may feel like it’s something that’s only ever associated with teenagers, combination skin jan occur in pretty much anybody of any age, at any time in life, so you’re in good company.

Sound familiar? If you’re nodding along then chances are you’ll need a moisturiser that’s been formulated specifically for combination skin – and we’re here to help make finding the one perfect for you super easy.

The best moisturisers for combination skin at a glance:

Best Moisturiser For Combination Skin Overall: Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream, £13.50 Boots
Best Mattifying Moisturiser For Combination Skin: Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid, £25, Cult Beauty
Best Moisturiser For Sensitive/Combination Skin: Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, £16.50, Boots
Best Dermatologist-Recommended Moisturiser For Combination Skin: Aveeno Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser, £11.59, Boots

Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream

£13.50 AT BOOTS

Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid

£25 AT CULT BEAUTY

£25 AT CAUDALIE

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser

£16.50 AT BOOTS

£13.65 AT AMAZON

Aveeno Face Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser

£11.59 AT BOOTS

£13.99 AT AMAZON

Meet the experts:

Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research at Medik8.
Dr Yuliya Krasnaya, Dermatologist and Medical Director at Evolution Aesthetic Clinic.
Dr Catriona Maybury, Medical Lead at Dermatica.

How we test moisturisers for combination skin:

GLAMOUR’s editors who have combination skin themselves endeavour to test as many of the moisturisers for combination skin that land on the GLAMOUR beauty desk as they can. They do so for a period of at least a month, assessing the texture, value for money and whether the packaging is recyclable. The products featured in this edit really deliver on promised results. Find out more about how we test.

How do I know if I have combination skin?

Of course, the biggest question is this: how do you know if your skin actually falls somewhere in the middle, rather than just being straight up dry or straight up oily? We asked Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research at Medik8, to explain.

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“Combination skin is characterised by areas of oily skin – typically in the T-zone area – as well as other areas of dry/normal skin,” he says. “Pore size is typically smaller in combination skin types, too, and interestingly, the product you use can exacerbate areas of either oiliness or dryness, so that’s why it’s important to select the right products in the right formulations.”

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Should I moisturise if I have combination skin?

If you have oiliness in your skin it would be fair to wonder if it’s even worth using moisturiser, but the answer, according to the experts, is yes. “It’s important to moisturise combination skin to maintain good skin health,” insists Dr Catriona Maybury, Medical Lead at Dermatica. “When the dry areas become too dry, the body’s natural response is to promote further oil production that can adversely affect the oilier areas of the skin. Therefore, using combination skin appropriate moisturiser, particularly over the dry areas, will help to balance the hydration of your skin overall. Additionally, moisturisers often contain other nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to your skin,” she adds.

“By choosing the right textures and ingredients, you can effectively moisturise combination skin without upsetting its delicate balance,” agrees Dr Yuliya Krasnaya, Dermatologist and Medical Director at Evolution Aesthetic Clinic.

What textures work best for combination skin?

The key to finding a moisturiser that can work across both oily and dry skin is to get the texture right. “The best textures for combination skin are lightweight and non-greasy formulations,” explains Dr Yuliya. “Gel-based moisturisers are often recommended as they provide hydration without feeling heavy or clogging pores in oily areas. They absorb quickly into the skin, making them suitable for oily or acne-prone zones while still offering adequate moisture for drier patches,” she says.

It can be a good idea to choose oil-free formulas, plus, be tactical about where you apply your moisturiser. “Adjusting the amount of moisturiser [you use] by applying less over the oily zones and more over the drier zones would be helpful,” says Dr Catriona.

What ingredients should I watch out for if I have combination skin?

When choosing a moisturiser for combination skin, it’s important to watch out for certain ingredients. “Avoid heavy, occlusive ingredients such as mineral oil or petrolatum, as they can be too rich for oily areas and may lead to breakouts,” says Dr Yulia. Meanwhile, “alcohol-based products can strip the skin of moisture, causing dryness and potentially exacerbating oil production in response,” she adds.

“Instead, opt for moisturisers with non-comedogenic formulations that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts,” says Dr Yulia. “Non-comedogenic ingredients are key for optimal hydration while minimising the risk of breakouts,” agrees Dr Catriona, so it’s a term to watch out for on the packaging. As for the ingredients your skin will love, we’ve listed some top-hitters below.

Niacinamide: “Niacinamide improves skin hydration and helps to regulate sebum production with the added benefit of reducing skin inflammation induced by excessive dryness,” says Dr Catriona.
Hyaluronic acid: “Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin without adding excess oil,” says Dr Yulia.
Squalene: “Squalene (derived from plants) forms a lightweight moisturiser that does not clog pores,” says Dr Catriona.
Glycerin and ceramides: Both “are other useful moisture locking ingredients that promote hydration,” says Dr Catriona.

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Scroll to shop our full edit of the best moisturisers for combination skin in 2024.

1. Best moisturiser for combination skin overallVersed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream, £13.50 BootsWhy we love it: Satisfyingly lightweight with a gel-like texture, this moisturiser absorbs instantly and works to instantly hydrate without leaving any residue on skin. It’s packed with sodium hyaluronate, a humectant that helps draw moisture and retain moisture, along with hydrating aloe vera life juice and green tea, a natural antioxidant that soothes and calms inflammation.Save when you shop for the best moisturisers for combination skin with these Boots discount codes.£13.50 AT BOOTS
2. Best gel-cream moisturiser for combination skinBioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream, £18, Sephora UKWhy we love it: A brand known and loved for its micellar water, Bioderma actually has a whole lesser-known range of hardworking, affordable products in its line-up – including this gel cream. Alongside its hydrating properties, it also helps smooth skin texture without being greasy while providing a slightly glowy finish (but don’t worry, it won’t ever be mistaken for excess oil).£18 AT SEPHORA £19.50 AT AMAZON
3. Best mattifying moisturiser for combination skinCaudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid, £25, Cult BeautyWhy we love it: A cream that works to intensely moisturise skin without leaving any oily or greasy residue, it’s formulated with a powerful blend of naturally-derived ingredients that promise to mattify the skin and improve its overall texture without stripping it of much-needed moisture.£25 AT CULT BEAUTY £25 AT CAUDALIE
4. Best under makeup moisturiser for combination skinGlossier Priming Moisturiser Balance, £26, GlossierWhy we love it: If you’re yet to try any skincare from Glossier, make this your first port of call. A moisturising, shine-controlling, pore-refining wonder product, it’ll hydrate and balance skin with a blend of marine extract, niacinamide and willow bark extract – but the best part is that it’s not drying and neither will it leave a flat, powdery finish like some similar products can.£26 AT GLOSSIER