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Folks with a combination skin type have a struggle of their own. They have a little bit of both worlds – oily and dry. This makes taking care of their skin nothing less than complicated. Take this for example: Skimping on hydration can make the skin dry while going overboard with a moisturiser can make it oily. No one wants either. Clearly, it’s all about balance. But how does one achieve it? Well, simply lean on moisturisers that deliver optimal hydration without making your skin feel greasy or tight.
Before we list the best moisturisers for combination skin, let’s first help you confirm your skin type, learn all about the ingredients you need, and know how to pick the best moisturiser for your skin.
Identifying Combination Skin
Your skin type will never be the same throughout your life. It can transform over time due to factors like hormones, age, health issues, environmental aggressors, or seasonal changes. This means that just because your skin type was oily the last time you checked, it needn’t remain the same. In fact, a research study confirms that facial sebum secretions can differ based on regional and seasonal variations.
Here’s a little checklist of definitive indicators that will help confirm if you have combination skin:
- Your skin is oily in certain areas and dry in others. You have an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) while your eyelids and cheeks are dry.
- In summer, your skin gets oilier and in winter your skin gets drier. You have to deal with occasional breakouts as well as dry patches.
- The pores on your skin are noticeable and appear comparatively larger.
- You have a dry and flaky scalp or in other words, dandruff.
Ingredients To Look For
Balancing moisture levels is key for combination skin. It’s all about hydrating the skin without excess oiliness and controlling sebum production with over-drying – sounds complicated? Well, here are some ingredients that cater to these concerns and will help you find the right balance.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Moisture is key for the dry areas of combination skin and there’s no better way to provide this hydration than hyaluronic acid. It provides deep nourishment without the thick, heavy feeling of creams and also helps retain moisture in parched skin.
- Niacinamide:
- Hyaluronic Acid: This skincare hero helps regulate the production of oil, minimises enlarged pores, and soothes inflamed skin – could you ask for more? Well, niacinamide (Vitamin B3) also helps build essential proteins in the skin so you can achieve that youthful glow.
- Salicylic Acid: Know as a chemical exfoliator, salicylic acid removes dead skin cells by dissolving them, which is gentle as compared to grainy scrubs. Using the exfoliant will help you achieve smooth skin without drying it out.
- Aloe Vera: The most natural form of lightweight hydration, Aloe Vera not only moisturises but also soothes and calms the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties help fight acne build-up and is perfect for combination skin.
- Ceramides: The fats of lipids in your skin cells known as ceramides make up 30% to 40% of your outer skin layer. Using moisturisers with ceramides helps add this skin barrier to lock in moisture and protects against pollution and other factors, as per a study.
- Glycerin: If you wish for supple skin that looks fresh and hydrated 24x7, glycerin is a must-have. It helps draw moisture into the skin without clogging the pores – a boon for combination skin types.
- Green Tea Extract: This antioxidant-rich ingredient helps reduce inflammation by soothing the skin and preventing damage from environmental stressors.
- Retinol: Vitamin A is key for cellular development, making retinol a must-have for its anti-ageing properties. A lightweight retinol night cream is good for combination skin type, as it doesn’t add heaviness or oiliness.
How To Choose Moisturisers For Combination Skin
Now that we know how to identify your skin type and know all the beneficial ingredients for dry skin, here are some additional tips to consider before landing on the right product for your needs.
- Non-comedogenic: This is the magic word you’re looking for – on packing for most products, not just moisturisers. All non-comedogenic means is that the product will not clog the pores, which is an essential factor to consider for the oily areas of the skin. Clogged pores can trigger excess sebum production, making them appear larger. Using lightweight products helps combat this concern.
- Check for key ingredients: When looking at ingredients, opt for a product with multiple ingredients that target your different concerns. It’s simple logic – a combination of ingredients for combination skin! You can also look for ingredients that target other issues you may have such as Vitamin C for dark spots and rice water for brightening dull skin.
- Hypoallergenic: Avoid flare-ups and inflammation by opting for hypoallergenic moisturisers. It is also recommended that you patch moisturisers, which helps ensure you don’t have reactions.
Best Moisturisers For Combination Skin
1. Ponds Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E
Inside this little blue container: whipped cream enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E both of which are top contenders when it comes to hydration. The Ponds Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser works as the best face moisturiser for combination skin because it delivers a non-sticky result thanks to its oil-free gel texture. This lightweight formula promises to stay on for 24 hours while giving your face a lit-from-within, dewy look. P.S. It doubles as a smooth makeup primer.
2. Simple Daily Skin Detox Ultra Light Liquid Moisturiser
If cream-based moisturisers are not your jam, opt for the Simple Daily Skin Detox Ultra Light Liquid Moisturiser. Infused with thyme, zinc, and witch hazel extracts, this gel-based moisturiser for combination skin will feel like micro drops of water bursting all over your skin. The result? Hydrated skin that lasts for 24 hours without any greasy finish. This mattifying moisturiser also works as a detoxifier to clear your complexion of spots and excess oil sans any added dryness.
3. Lotus Herbal Nutramoist Skin Renewal Daily Moisturising Creme Spf-25
What’s better than a moisturiser? An SPF-infused moisturiser. Lotus Herbal Nutramoist Skin Renewal Daily Moisturising Creme Spf-25 provides long-lasting hydration while protecting skin from UV rays-induced damage. Replete with the goodness of Cherry, Plum extracts and Alpha Hydroxile fruit acids, it rejuvenates dull skin and leaves it smooth and soft. The best part? You will smell like a tropical paradise on your way to plump and balanced skin.
4. Nivea Aloe Vera Body Lotion
The trusted Aloe Vera is one miracle ingredient that needs no introduction. Nivea Aloe Vera Body Lotion solely relies on the hydrating powers of Aloe Vera which quickly melts into the skin leaving behind a refreshing feeling. Its non-greasy formula soothes dry and irritated skin to pave the way for comfortable and hydrated skin. Oh, and we love how this whipped cream glides effortlessly to coddle dehydrated skin and provides 48-hour moisturisation.
5. Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream Mini Moisturizer
We get it – you need a moisturiser that does its job well enough so you don’t have to keep reapplying and can get on with your busy life. The Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream Mini Moisturizer equipped with Active HydraMesh Technology, locks in moisture for 48 hours. This moisture can be accredited to the team effort of vitamin E, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid which distribute hydration throughout the skin. It also helps reduce transepidermal water loss which means those 8 glasses of water you drink every day will actually start to show on your complexion.
6. Pilgrim Squalane Glow Moisturizer with Niacinamide & Vitamin C
Scouting the market for an ultra-hydrating blend? Grab the Pilgrim Squalane Glow Moisturizer with Niacinamide & Vitamin C from Nykaa STAT. The MVP of the mix, squalane, adeptly locks moisture into the skin, making it look soft and supple on the outside. Replete with Niacinamide, the jack of all trades (vis-a-vis skincare), this nourishing concoct also helps curb the excess production of oil by the sebaceous gland – the ideal offering for folks with combination skin.
7. Perenne Moisturisation Cream
You can’t go wrong with this water-based moisturiser for combination skin. Infused with fruit water, Perenne Moisturisation Cream is light in texture and quickly soaks into your skin to give it a soft and dewy feel. Kiwi and grapefruit extracts deeply hydrate the skin to make dry patches a thing of the past. Oh, and its innovative and natural formula won’t give you a reason to worry about clogged pores or breakouts. Plus, thanks to chamomile extracts, soothing inflamed skin gets easier too.
8. Biotique Morning Nectar Nourish & Hydrate Moisturizer
When three naturally hydrating ingredients come together to coddle your skin, you know you can trust the formula. pimples can be a whole new task. Biotique Morning Nectar Nourish & Hydrate Moisturizer, the ultimate moisture boost for combination skin includes nectar (to nourish), aloe vera (to slow ageing), and fenugreek seeds (to replenish lost moisture). This ayurvedic blend sinks into the skin to recreate a smoother complexion without exacerbating shine.
9. Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow Face Cream
Enriched with vitamin C, turmeric, and niacinamide, Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow Face Cream fights free radical damage, boosts collagen and skin luminosity, and curtails hyperpigmentation. The lightweight and non-greasy formula is ideal for combination skin types and is free of toxins and other harmful chemicals. Take an adequate amount and generously apply it over your face and neck until absorbed.
10. The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream
This fast-absorbing formula lends up to 48 hours of moisturisation, boasting bio-fermented hyaluronic acid, shea butter, aloe vera, wheat germ oil, and vitamin E. The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream locks in optimal epidermal hydration to make your skin feel ultra-smooth and supple. Apply religiously after cleansing and toning your skin in the morning and at night.
11. Dr. Sheth's Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil-Free Moisturizer
A coin-sized amount of this weightless formulation is enough to drive away your dry skin woes. Formulated with Ashwagandha extracts, vitamin C complex, and ceramide complex, Dr. Sheth's Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil-Free Moisturizer strengthens and revives your epidermal barrier while fading pigmentation and soothing irritating skin. Ideal for all skin types, this non-sticky formula is a must-have for those whose skin undergoes seasonal changes.
12. Plum 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Daily Brightening Gel Cream
Get oil-free hydration without the sticky feel with the Plum 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Daily Brightening Gel Cream. While niacinamide helps you achieve smooth and plump skin, rice water helps brighten the skin and prevents sun damage. The gel-based formula also leaves a matte finish, making it perfect for daily use.
FAQs On Best Moisturiser For Combination Skin
- We are all aware of this but it is in moments of weakness (for example: an irresistible scent) that we end up choosing products that can do more harm than good to sensitive skin. Ensure you always pick products that are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, soap-free and don’t contain any sketchy ingredients like parabens, etc.
- Harsh exfoliation is a definite no-no. Opt for mild exfoliators that will gently remove dead skin cells without disrupting your skin’s protective barrier.
- Pay attention to individual triggers that cause your skin to go crazy with bumps or rashes. Whether it’s the recently purchased perfume or simply extreme sun exposure, once you recognise the reason, take measures to avoid it.
- Make it a habit to perform a patch test on a small area of your skin before you go ahead and apply the product regularly. For example, if you are trying a new moisturiser, apply it on your skin and wait until 48 hours to see if your skin reacts.
- Thanks to your genes, you can’t really alter the sensitivity levels of your skin. It is what it is. However, poor diet plays a major role in further increasing skin sensitivity or causing adverse reactions. Ensure you stay hydrated with 8 glasses of water daily and consume fresh juices and fruits to improve gut health and thus, skin health.
- Consider switching to scent-free facial wipes instead of using harsh cotton towels to rub your face when outdoors. The facial wipes would be a lot gentler on the skin and won’t cause as much friction.
- Skip alcohol-based toners. What’s the alternative, you ask? Rose water works effectively as a natural toner too.
How To Choose Moisturisers For Combination Skin
Avoiding reactions and irritations is the number one priority when picking a face wash for sensitive skin. Opt for pH-balanced formulas that are free from irritants like alcohol, sulfates, paraments, and fragrances. It is also preferable to pick products formulated or recommended by dermatologists. Further, looking at hydrating formulas will help retain the moisturise of your skin and reduce irritation caused by dryness. Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic face wash are less likely to clog pores and trigger allergic reactions and are often recommended for sensitive skin.
Best Moisturisers For Combination Skin
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How do you moisturise combination skin?
When choosing good moisturisers for combination skin, the key is to go for products with mattifying ingredients and an oil-free base. This means salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin among others. If you are looking for a natural way to hydrate the skin, apply aloe vera gel for best results.
Nykaa Recommends: Plum Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer, Lakme 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel
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How do I know I have combination skin?
If your skin texture is not consistent throughout, which means you have at least 2 different textures, you have a combination skin type. This could mean an oily T-zone and dry skin on the rest of your face.
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What is the best skin care for combination skin?
- Since combination skin type includes characteristics of both oil and dry skin types, it’s wiser to care differently for the oilier and drier areas. This means avoiding using the same product for the oily zones and the dry areas.
- Being precise in your application is key: opt for mattifying ingredients when tending to oily areas to keep excessive oiliness in check. Similarly, opt for essential oils and other emollients when tending to dry patches.
- Ensure you stay away from harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin. Stick to alcohol-free and fragrance-free products if you don’t want to deal with sudden breakouts or dryness.
- Exfoliating regularly will help eliminate accumulated dirt and impurities from the skin’s surface and will eventually make pores appear tighter and smaller. Opt for gentle exfoliants which won’t dry out your skin.
- Looking for a way to nix mid-day shine? Slip in a couple of blotting papers in your tote bag and simply dab them on the oily zones to absorb excess oil. This works as a great temporary fix.
- Don’t forget to use a moisturiser even on the oily areas of your face. You can invest in an oil-free moisturiser to prevent additional slickness in the oily parts.
- As cliché as it sounds, drinking eight glasses of water a day will help you with two things: preventing flaky skin and preventing the production of excess oil. So, more hydration means better-looking skin and fewer skin troubles to fix.
