The 9 Best Moisturizers to Keep Combination Skin Hydrated and Balanced

Best Overall

Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion

4.8

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The texture of this product is one of the many things we love so much about it. A unique water-gel cream, it’s super fresh and cooling—as if tiny water droplets were bursting across your face. It's slightly more hydrating than a traditional water cream, yet not quite as rich as a traditional cream. The formula is full of hyaluronic acid and Japanese marine algae (from the Blue Zone of Okinawa), meaning it delivers soothing moisture without shine. It's also packed with amino acids and vitamins to help improve skin elasticity and increase moisture. Expect plump, balanced skin with a subtle dewy finish.

Price at time of publish: $65

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Japanese marine algae | Skin Type: Balanced, oily, combination, dry, sensitive | Size: 1.7 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

5

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Thanks to hyaluronic acid (a molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water), this lotion is super lightweight and moisturizing. It's one of our favorites because it's gentle, non-greasy, hydrating, and generally just really efficient at calming and balancing combo skin. It's also great for applying on the body, making it a versatile choice at an affordable price.

Price at time of publish: $11

Active Ingredients: Ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II), hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination | Size: 8, 12, or 16 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel

4.2

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Thank you, Neutrogena, for providing us with drugstore skincare that still feels luxurious. This moisturizer is like a tall drink of water for the skin thanks to high levels of hyaluronic acid, a molecule that can draw water into the superficial layers of the skin. The fresh, water-gel consistency is great under makeup, too. If you're looking for something incredibly lightweight to wear during humid months or sweaty workouts (without compromising on moisture), this is the one for you.

Price at time of publish: $30

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Balanced, oily, combination | Size: 1.7 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Mature Skin

Augustinus Bader The Cream

4.2

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When Hailey Beiber, Victoria Beckham, and Lili Reinhart all confess their love for a single product, you know there must be something special about it. Augustinus Bader’s The Cream contains a signature trigger factor complex: a combination of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins, and synthesized molecules to activate the body’s stem cells. The result is skin that’s smoother, stronger, and more youthful in appearance. But the super light texture means it won’t exacerbate shine. Yep, it seems you can have it all.

Price at time of publish: $180

Active Ingredients: TFC8, vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin B5 (panthenol), hydrolyzed rice protein, aloe vera juice, shea butter | Skin Type: Combination, oily, acne-prone | Size: 1 ounce | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Blemish-Prone Skin

Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream

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This moisturizer is a great option for anyone with combination skin, but especially recommend it for those dealing with breakouts. The lightweight, gel texture feels refreshing and moisturizing on the skin, and we appreciate that, unlike some other gel moisturizers that don't seem to keep the face feeling balanced for long, this one provides long-lasting hydration. The formula contains niacinamide to help even tone and control oil, as well as an antimicrobial peptide that helps to balance the skin's microbiome to keep it looking and feeling healthy. Plus, it's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and comes in hygienic packaging.

Price at time of publish: $48

Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, antimicrobial peptide | Skin Type: Dry, combination, balanced, oily | Size: 1.7 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Minimizing Pores

Tatcha The Water Cream

5

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This stuff is legendary in the world of skincare, and for good reason. The oil-free gel-cream is formulated with Japanese botanicals, like wild rose which helps to reduce the appearance of pores, and Tatcha’s hadasei-3 blend of algae, green tea, and fermented rice. The texture is incredibly weightless and fresh-feeling, so it feels lightweight but soothing and hydrating when you apply it. The gold applicator wand and luxe packaging is a nice touch, too.

Price at time of publish: $70

Active Ingredients: Japanese wild rose, Japanese leopard lily, Hadasei-3 Complex | Skin Type: Combination, oily | Size: 0.34 or 1.7 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Redness

Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

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Simple but effective, this light gel formula from Aveeno contains oat extract, which is proven to reduce redness, calm the skin, and restore healthy barrier function. There’s also glycerin (a humectant) and panthenol to help increase moisture levels. But what we love is the texture—light, and cooling, it glides onto the skin effortlessly, delivering fresh hydration that doesn’t exacerbate shine. 

Price at time of publish: $28

Active Ingredients: Prebiotic Triple Oat Complex, glycerin, panthenol | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive, combination | Size: 1.7 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Plumping

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Rich Barrier Moisturizer

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If you're looking for a combination skin-friendly moisturizer with plumping benefits, look no further than this option from Peter Thomas Roth. It has a rich but somehow still water-like texture that instantly replenishes the skin with much-needed moisture thanks to the inclusion of a hyaluronic acid complex in the formula. It also contains a special moisture barrier boosting complex which helps to increase the look of the skin's thickness, thus creating a more plumped appearance. It's worth noting that some people with oily skin find this moisturizer to be a bit thick, so we recommend using this one at night if you're prone to oiliness.

Price at time of publish: $58

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid complex, moisture barrier boosting complex | Skin Type: Dry, combination, balanced | Size: 1.7 ounces | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No