Combination skin has got to be one of the trickiest skin types to deal with. Composing of an oily T-zone and dryer areas in your cheeks, finding the right moisturizer that can accommodate two different skin concerns is usually a chore. You want one that is hydrating enough to keep the dry patches away but also sheer enough to prevent your forehead, nose, and chin from looking like an oily mess at the end of the day. But does such a moisturizer actually exists? You bet the answer is yes. More and more skincare companies, particularly Korean brands, have realized this common issue among consumers. Coupled with advancements in product formulations, there have been a series of moisturizer launches in recent years that are specifically focused on combination skin types.
So, to help you decide on the right moisturizer that you should add to your routine, we have reviewed the 15 best Korean moisturizers. You will be delighted to learn that these failsafe products have been proven time and time again for their effectiveness in combating combination skin concerns. Look forward to baby-soft, radiant, healthy complexion with one of these moisturizers.
Buying Guide: Korean Moisturizers for Combination Skin
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel
One of the leading Korean brands in the industry, Dr. Jart+ has once again wowed its fans with this refreshing gel-cream that is fortified with AquaMinerals to boost your skin’s moisture-retaining capabilities. This balances the internal moisture levels in your skin that are key to coping with dry patches. Furthermore, the moisturizer contains Belgium hot spring water and natural barrier complex aids to clean out your pores and has antibacterial properties to keep acne away. As this cream is also free from parabens and sulfates, it is suitable for combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types.
Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream
A cheaper alternative is this cream that leverages on the deep sea’s hydration as it consists of 30 different marine plant extracts to deliver long-lasting 24-hour moisture to your skin. Its Aqua Sherbet Network System works by forming a protective film over your skin to prevent moisture loss. The gel-like texture sinks in quickly without leaving a heavy, occlusive feeling on the oilier areas of your face. Users loved the end result of using this cream as it leaves their skin feeling baby-soft with a dewy glow.
belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
This oil-free gel cream is a time-proven remedy for combination skin type. It is infused with a blend of skin-nourishing apothecary herbs that minimizes large pores and improves your skin’s firmness. Moreover, this cream has been innovatively designed to burst and release ample moisture upon application so that your skin drinks up the hydration it needs. The gel does look a little wet when you first apply to your skin, but it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. Do note that a little of the cream goes a long way, so one tub of this will last you quite a while.
Etude House SoonJung 10 Free Free Moist Emulsion
This ultra lightweight moisturizer is perfect for those dealing with combination and sensitive skin. It contains Madecassoside, also known as Gota Kola, an active ingredient derived from the medicinal plant, Centella Asiatica. As such, it has powerful skin-healing abilities to speed up the recovery process of active acne that often appear on the oilier T-zone area. It also controls inflammation and redness pretty well. To combat the dry areas in your cheeks, you will be happy to hear that this moisturizer has skin-hydrating Panthenol that reduces moisture loss and promotes a smoother texture.
Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
A cooling and refreshing gel moisturizer that will be your go-to product during hot summer days. Its light texture sinks in completely into your skin to keep redness and irritation at bay. The hydrating Aloe Vera in it balances your skin’s moisture levels so that you can say goodbye to dry and dull-looking skin. With an infusion of Chamomile Flower Extract, this gel also soothes your skin and calms down angry cysts quickly. Try this if you have combination skin that is prone to bouts of acne from time to time.
Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
This soothing moisturizer is enriched with Birch Sap to detox and hydrate your skin while resolving inflammation. This is why it has become a trending key ingredient in numerous Korean skincare products lately due to its superb skin-nourishing abilities. The liquid-like texture goes on smoothly to keep your skin happy and hydrated throughout the day. As this moisturizer is oil-free, it does not clog pores and leaves no greasy residue behind. As such, if you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, and are looking for a light moisturizer to layer under your makeup, this is the perfect fit for you.
Erborian Bamboo Creme Frappee
Erborian’s moisturizer sounds like a creamy concoction waiting to be devoured. In fact, its physical appearance of a whipped, frosty texture does remind you of the froth on top of your favorite caffeinated beverage. But instead of caffeine, this moisturizer is chock full of Bamboo sap and fiber, which replenishes your skin’s moisture to keep it hydrated throughout the day. Being antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory, Bamboo sap helps your skin fight free radicals that can cause hyperpigmentation and skin damage. The gel-like texture also leaves a refreshing, slightly tingling sensation when applied to the skin.
Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream
This water-based gel cream is the lighter version of the brand’s Moisture Cream. Formulated with Hydro Ion Mineral Water, it intensely hydrates your skin to resolve dry patches without exacerbating the oilier areas on your face. Moreover, this lightweight cream is designed not to clog pores while controlling excess sebum, making it ideal for those dealing with acne breakouts. It also plumps up your skin and leaves it feeling soft and silky.
Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Lotion
The brand’s Balancing line of products is specially catered for those with combination skin. This lotion is enriched with Jeju Green Tea extracts to hydrate your skin without breaking you out. In fact, users have found that consistent use of this lotion has helped to combat their acne and regulate sebum production. Its sheer texture absorbs into the skin well so that you don’t have to deal with the sticky or greasy feeling reminiscent of heavier cream types. As the runny liquid glides over your skin easily, only a pea-sized amount is needed for each application.
Acwell Aqua Clinity Cream
An oil-free moisturizer that contains Centella Asiatica to promote collagen synthesis which aids in rapid wound healing. Given that most combination skin types tend to suffer from acne and hyperpigmentation issues that are caused by an oil buildup in the T-zone, this moisturizer will help to keep troubled skin symptoms away. Additionally, this cream is enriched with Puritox Jin, a Korean medicinal herb that purifies and tightens up the pores for a more refined look. Sensitive skin users will also be glad to know that this cream is free from parabens, artificial dyes, and mineral oil, thereby reducing the likelihood of skin irritations.
The Face Shop Chia Seed Watery Lotion
Chia Seeds have been a trending superfood lately. Hence it is no wonder that The Face Shop has incorporated this star ingredient into an intensely hydrating lotion to keep your skin’s moisture levels in check. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Chia Seeds replenish your skin’s natural hydration and fights early signs of aging for a radiant and smooth complexion. The anti-inflammatory properties of this key ingredient have also been noticed by users as they noticed a vast improvement in their acne troubles after using the lotion.
Blithe Crystal Iceplant Pressed Serum
This innovative moisturizer comes in the form of a pressed serum, in which the dense and jelly-like texture melts effortlessly into a serum-like liquid for easy spreadability on your face. The refreshing serum sinks into your skin within seconds and leaves behind a cooling sensation, courtesy of the 63% of Iceplant Extract in its ingredient list. Besides providing lasting hydration to fence off dryness and dullness, the gel-like cream also minimizes large pores and regulates oiliness for a more balanced complexion.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Another cult favorite from Korea’s leading brand is this deeply hydrating Ceramidin Cream. Ceramides have long been well-known for naturally occurring within our skin layers. As such, this cream leverages on a 5-cera complex that targets moisture loss from your skin and strengthens the protective barriers for healthier skin. The soothing formulation also resolves dryness effectively and alleviates itchiness, roughness, and tightness so that your skin feels comfortable all day.
Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream
Infused with 100% Organic Damask Rose, this lush gel cream seeks to soothe and clarify your skin so that it looks its best. Rose water is great at detoxifying dirt and oil from clogged pores to prevent acne formation and has anti-inflammatory abilities to clear up redness for a more even-toned complexion. The light rose scent also seeks to relax your senses whenever you apply this on your face.
Despite its opposing skin concerns of oily and dry areas, combination skin definitely require daily moisturizing to keep the sebum production in check. Using one of these moisturizers that are designed to target both dryness and oiliness will bring you a step closer to healthy and flawless-looking skin.
How to Deal With Combination Skin
Combination skin can be due to various factors such as genetics, seasonal changes, and stress. Whatever the case may be, finding out how to combat the problems of combination skin will make your life a lot easier, and your skin a lot happier.
Skincare Tips for Combination Skin
Moisturizing is indeed one of the best things you can do to keep your combination skin in check. Since we have already provided you with a list of the best moisturizers for your skin type, we will delve into other skincare aspects that are beneficial for combination skin, which you might not be aware of yet:
- Clay Mask Once a Week: clay masking is an effective way for drawing out all the impurities embedded in your skin to unclog your pores and remove dead skin cells. To help your combination skin benefit from clay mask, try to focus more on the T-zone area as most of the oil-producing glands are concentrated here which is why you often see enlarged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads on your forehead and nose.
- Choose Sunscreens With Zinc Oxide: like any other skin type, combination skin also needs sun protection. The trick is to find one that is not too oily or end up drying out your skin. Sunscreens containing Zinc Oxide will give you a mattifying effect while locking in your skin’s moisture to prevent dryness.
- AHAs & BHAs: exfoliating is key for combination skin to remove a buildup of oil and dirt caused by excess sebum production. Chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs are perfect for the job. One big plus is that they also slough off the dead cells on dry skin patches to eradicate dullness, and reveal a brighter complexion.
Try incorporating these simple but highly effective skincare tips into your routine for a few weeks, and watch your skin transform into its best self yet.
Wrap Up
In summary, while combination skin can be one of the most difficult skin types to deal with, this does not mean you should give up yet. Instead, choose the right skincare products such as using a moisturizer that hydrates without being too oily in order to counterbalance the contradictory symptoms of this skin type so that your skin stays happy and healthy.