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While all skin types present their own challenges, combination skin is arguably the most difficult to manage. Combination skin means you’ve got both oily and dry spots on different areas of your face, so some products that counteract oiliness and acne (which typically occurs on your T-zone) can further parch preexisting dry spots. But anything too rich will feel heavy on oilier skin and potentially make acne even worse. This means folks looking to moisturize combination skin need to find a product with the perfect balance — or, according to a few dermatologists we spoke to, multiple products to achieve that balance. “I suggest treating dry areas with an emollient-rich moisturizer, while treating oily areas with a moisturizer that contains acne-fighting ingredients,” explains Dr. Hope Mitchell of Mitchell Dermatology, who says this will ensure that specific parts of your skin get the treatment they need.
But other derms we talked to say an all-in-one moisturizer may be a better choice for those who want to keep things simple, and pointed us to a handful that they say can simultaneously treat patches of oily and dry skin without worsening either. Their recommended moisturizers below include several all-in-one products, for anyone who’d prefer a less-is-more approach. But we’ve also included a handful of moisturizers the experts specifically recommend for treating dry patches and oily spots, for those who’d rather mix and match.
What we’re looking for
Texture
The consistency of a moisturizer can range from thin, watery gels to thick, heavy creams. While dry skin takes well to heavier moisturizers that are thicker and more hydrating, those same moisturizers may lead to clogged pores and increased greasiness for oily skin, which tends to benefit from more lightweight formulas. This distinction is what makes it a little harder for those with combination skin to find a single moisturizer that can address both concerns, but also allows for greater flexibility when experimenting with what works for you, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carmen Castilla.
Active ingredients
People with combination skin should seek out formulations that are noncomedogenic and oil-free, so as not to exacerbate acne or oily spots. However, they’ll also need ingredients that are ultranourishing and hydrating to soothe dry areas. We looked for moisturizers that contain emollients such as ceramides, which trap and lock in moisture, and humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which draw water to the skin’s surface.
Price
Moisturizers are available at just about every price point, whether you’re looking for an ultraluxe option or a wallet-friendly drugstore option. We’ve noted the cost per ounce for each moisturizer below, so you can decide which product will best align with your budget.
Best moisturizer for combination skin overall
Texture: Gel-Cream | Active ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $13/ounce)
Longtime Strategist readers will know this is one of our best-selling products. It has been recommended for almost every skin-care concern: oily, dry, mature, sunburnt, acne-prone — and now, combination. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost moisturizer is endorsed by seven different dermatologists we talked to, including Dr. Caroline Robinson, the CEO and founder of Tone Dermatology, who called out its “lightweight yet hydrating” formula, which contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to attract water to the skin throughout its layers. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, adds that this moisturizer is “a hard-to-beat cult favorite for its accessibility and price point.”
Dr. Ope Ofodile, a co-owner of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta, notes that because the formula is oil-free, it won’t affect any oilier patches of skin. For this reason, Ofodile says it’s great on its own for combination skin. But she notes that, due to its oil-free nature, it can also be used with another moisturizer made to treat oily skin.
Best (less-expensive) moisturizer for combination skin overall
Texture: Lotion | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide | Price: 3 ounces (Approx. $5/ounce)
Dr. Oma Agbai, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UC Davis, is one of the derms who thinks using two (or more) moisturizers to treat combination skin isn’t always practical. She suggests applying “more of a cream-based moisturizer to the dry areas and, if necessary, sparingly apply that same moisturizer to areas that tend to be oily.” In choosing an all-in-one product to moisturize combination skin, Ofodile recommends starting with an oil-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer that can address dry skin “without causing additional oil production,” which describes this CeraVe lotion to a tee. It has an oil-free formula that won’t worsen skin’s oily patches and, as Agbai explains, is cream-based with non-occlusive ingredients that won’t clog pores. The formula also includes broad-spectrum SPF to provide extra protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Best moisturizers for sensitive combination skin
Texture: Lotion | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Price: 3 ounces ($4/ounce)
For another lightweight, effective, all-in-one cream-based moisturizer (but without SPF), Agbai likes Cetaphil. It’s available at most drugstores and specifically formulated for combination skin, delivering just enough hydration thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid. But it’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic, so it shouldn’t exacerbate any oily spots or cause any irritation.
Texture: Lotion | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, glycerin | Price: 3 ounces ($4/ounce)
People with sensitive skin will appreciate that Vanicream’s facial moisturizer is free of potential irritants such as dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick says it’s “very gentle but not too greasy. It won’t clog pores, but it does the job moisturizing and minimizing dryness.”
Texture: Gel | Active ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide | Price: 2.5 ounces (Approx. $9/ounce)
“La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane line is excellent for sensitive skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus. “It’s fragrance-free and doesn’t contain anything irritating.” She recommends this oil-free mattifying version that’s specifically formulated for oily and combination skin, because it has a light gel texture that won’t leave skin feeling greasy. It also contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide and ceramides to support the skin barrier, as well as the brand’s signature soothing thermal spring water.
Best moisturizers for acne-prone combination skin
Texture: Lotion | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, willow bark extract | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $26/ounce)
When it comes to moisturizers for acne-prone combination skin, “you don’t want something too heavy, but you also want something moisturizing because a lot of the acne treatments are irritating to the skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky. She likes EltaMD’s AM Restore Therapy moisturizer, which contains willow bark to exfoliate the skin very gently. “It’s like the natural salicylic acid,” she explains. Additional ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help draw in moisture and support suppleness.
Texture: Cream | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, urea complex | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $88/ounce)
Ofodile calls this SkinBetter moisturizer “a great option for patients with significant dryness who remain acne-prone,” promising that it delivers “truly heavy hydration without the weight.” It’s definitely on the pricier side, but many experts swear by the brand; this and a sister moisturizer have been recommended to us before as some of the best for mature skin and dry skin. Dr. Garshick adds that it’s easy to use on the neck and chest as well as the face, and according to those who’ve told us about it, a little goes a long way.
Best moisturizers for patches of dry skin
Texture: Serum | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Price: 1 ounce ($20/ounce)
As Dr. Hartman explains, many people with more severe fluctuations between dry and oily skin find it helpful to use products with different consistencies on different areas of their face. If that sounds like you, he says this Vichy serum is a particularly good moisturizer for dry spots, describing it as “a cool drink of water for the skin.” It contains hyaluronic acid and minerals that “correct inflammation and dehydration,” so the product will quench and plump dry skin without causing any additional oil to build up. It’s branded as a serum thanks to its liquid-y consistency, but Hartman says you can use it as you would a moisturizer.
Texture: Gel | Active ingredients: Prebiotic oat, feverfew | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $9/ounce)
While this Aveeno gel moisturizer can work as an all-in-one product because of its lightweight nature, Dr. Mitchell thinks its ingredients are best suited for drier skin. They include prebiotic oat and feverfew, two things she says will “help to calm, soothe, and hydrate dry, sensitive, or irritated skin.”
Best moisturizers for patches of oily skin
Texture: Lotion | Active ingredients: Avocado extract, African yellow wood bark extract | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $29/ounce)
Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose says this Murad moisturizer is especially suited for application to oily spots thanks to its mattifying agents that help “balance and control the oil production” and reduce the look of pores. As an added benefit, the formula also includes SPF, though Dr. Murphy-Rose does recommend layering additional sun protection on top.
Texture: Gel-Cream | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, marine algae | Price: 2 ounces (Approx. $33/ounce)
This oil-free moisturizer is ideal for oily skin because it’s “soothing and cooling and chock-full of hyaluronic acid to deliver moisture without too much shine,” says Dr. Hartman. He describes its unique texture as “somewhere between a gel and a cream.” It’s a tad pricier than a drugstore moisturizer, but he assures you need only apply it minimally to get results.
Our experts
• Dr. Oma Agbai, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UC Davis
• Dr. Carmen Castilla, dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group
• Dr. Marisa Garshick, dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
• Dr. Corey L. Hartman, dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology
• Dr. Rebecca Marcus, dermatologist and founder of Maei MD
• Dr. Hope Mitchell, dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology
• Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery NY
• Dr. Ope Ofodile, dermatologist and co-owner of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta
• Dr. Caroline Robinson, dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology
• Dr. Claire Wolinsky, cosmetic dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology
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