To get your combination skin as pampered as can be, we’ve selected the very best skincare products for combination skin, though it just so happens a lot of them will work for other skin types as well. Whether it’s time to cleanse or moisturize your skin or pamper it with that perfect serum, here you have the best combination skin products that really work wonders!
1. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Cleansing isn’t something you should have to think too hard about when you have combination skin. You need a simple cleanser that’ll take off all the bad stuff and leave on all the good stuff while keeping your skin feeling good. This gel cleanser is it, with a perfectly balanced pH, a touch of yeast extract to keep the skin fortified, lots of hydrators, and even some tea tree oil to prevent breakouts. You can buy it from Ulta.
2. CeraVe PM Face Moisturizer for Nighttime Use
A great moisturizer for combination skin doesn’t have to be ridiculously expensive. This cream is perfectly formulated with some actives that are particularly suited to combination skin. Niacinamide is one of those because it helps control oil production while simultaneously preventing transepidermal water loss. Oh, and it also gives some antioxidant protection! This cream also includes skin-identical ceramides and loads of humectants. It is available at Ulta.
3. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
Beta-hydroxy acid, better known as salicylic acid, is my favorite go-to exfoliant, and those with combination skin can benefit from it the most. This chemical exfoliant is normally recommended for oily skin, although it’s actually gentle enough to also work for those with dry skin and anyone in the middle. It removes dead skin build-up to allow moisturizers to penetrate, but it is also especially good for unclogging pores. This toner-like formula also includes green tea extract to protect and calm the skin and butylene glycol to hydrate. Get it at Nordstrom!
4. Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
This is another great option for chemical exfoliation for those with combination skin, especially for those who are looking for more targeted age prevention. These pads include both glycolic and salicylic acid, for very thorough exfoliation, along with skin-smoothing vitamin A and a whole collection of soothing extracts. They are wonderful for treating any skin texture issues as well as for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Buy them from Sephora!
5. Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Emergency Spot Fix
Sometimes it seems like those with combination skin are even more prone to acne than those with oily skin, especially on particular parts of the face. Spot treatments are the best way to treat randomly dispersed bouts of acne, and this benzoyl peroxide one from Dermalogica is one of the best. 5% BP annihilates the acne bacteria, licorice root extract prevents any post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from following the healed breakouts, and green tea helps prevent any irritation. You can buy it from SkinStore.
6. Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
This gel-cream moisturizer from Clinique is a perfect treat for combination skin. It is nourishing and hydrating enough for the dry parts but is not even a little greasy so it won’t cause any trouble for your oily parts. It contains soothing, nourishing urea and green tea extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and occlusive dimethicone. The formula is anti-aging as well, with peptides and caffeine providing a lifting effect. Find it at Nordstrom!
7. Peach & Lily Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream
Don’t let the creamy texture fool you, this is the perfect moisturizer whether your combination skin leans towards dry or oily. It is chock-full of antioxidants that stave off free-radical damage to help keep the skin looking youthful, from some very diverse sources including matcha green tea, adenosine, and niacinamide, which happens to be my favorite ingredient for combination skin. It is sold at Ulta.
8. Biossance Squalane + Micronutrient Fine Mist
This lovely face mist has a few things going for it, like the fact that it contains hyaluronic acid at multiple weights for better penetration, and its essential fatty acid and squalane blend that makes it richer and more moisturizing than your average toner or essence. It is the exact blend of light and nourishing to boost the moisturization of combination skin without weighing it down. Pick it up at Sephora!
9. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 60
No matter your skin type, sunscreen is non-negotiable, so I’m happy to say that if you have combination skin you will love this sunscreen as part of your skincare routine. It sinks in quickly, lightly moisturizes, and gives a semi-matte finish to the skin. If your skin is leaning towards oily, you can use it over a hydrating serum or essence, but if its leaning towards dry, layer it on top of your moisturizer. Order it online from Dermstore!
10. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid
Almost every skincare routine can benefit from hydrating toners and essences, but for those with combination skin, it can be especially useful since moisturizers alone can’t do the trick without also making the oily parts of the skin greasy. This unique essence loads the skin up with skin-identical ceramides and cholesterol, which you’ll be hard-pressed to find in a non-greasy formula. It also contains betaine and panthenol to hydrate, and a wide range of plant and fruit extracts to give antioxidant protection. It is available at Sephora.
11. DERMAdoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E
This is a serum I’ll probably never stop recommending because it is one of the best all-around protective, anti-aging, and skin-brightening products. It contains a very stabilized blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, along with some hydrating ingredients. It’s one of the most balanced ways for those with combination skin to achieve softer skin and to stave off extrinsic aging. It is available at Dermstore.
12. Oh K! Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Sheet Mask
Made with niacinamide and gotu kola (a.k.a. centella asiatica), this mask might be the most perfect sheet mask for those with combination skin. It simultaneously hydrates with hyaluronic acid while also controlling oil production with niacinamide. The centella asiatica adds a wonderfully soothing touch, and the overall effect is healthy, plumped skin that feels as balanced as can be. The mask itself is made of a gel that adheres to the skin with ease. You can get it at Ulta.
13. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
This sulfate-free facial cleanser totally deserves the cult following it has. It removes every last speck of makeup or sunscreen without stripping the skin or leaving behind a residue. It is made with all skin types in mind, so it will be great for every part of your combination skin. Oh, and the biggest bonus? It’s gentle enough for the eye area! Pick it up at Nordstrom!
14. Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+
I think this wonderful facial oil blend would actually work for all skin types, but that’s actually why it’ll also be so wonderful for those with combination skin. Its composition is rich and nourishing enough to boost the moisturization of the dry parts of the face, but it is not so heavy as to clog pores or feel greasy over the oilier parts. It contains rosehip seed oil, which is one of the most anti-aging and skin-smoothing botanical oils around, along with antioxidant-rich tomato and cranberry seed oils. Use it alone, or mix it with your moisturizer! Find it at Ulta!
15. OleHenriksen Hygge HydraClay Detox Mask
The average clay mask will be too drying for the dry parts of your face if you have combination skin. Thankfully, this is no average clay mask! The Detox Mask combines the pore-cleansing effects of kaolin clay with the moisturizing benefits of 5 different botanical oils as well as hydrating glycerin. This mask leaves the skin feeling clean, glowing and as soft as can be. Keep in mind that it doesn’t always work for those with sensitive skin. It is available at Sephora.
Photos via @elle_ferguson, Sephora, Nordstrom