I Have Textbook Combination Skin, and These Are the Only Moisturizers I'll Use

Pros: Glorious texture, lightweight yet deeply hydrates, refillable packaging

Cons: Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: 5 weight of hyaluronic acid, 3 plum extracts, polyglutamic acid, ice willowherb

Consistency: Gel-cream

No lie, I've gone through four jars of this Plum Plump Moisturizer. If you've ever tried Glow Recipe's Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum (which earned a spot in our deeper-than-deep HA review), then you know how deeply hydrating the franchise is with five weights of hyaluronic acid. This moisturizer has a similar makeup, but the gel-cream texture is truly out of this world. It's incredibly bouncy and light, and that's exactly how it makes my skin feel.

Customer review: "By far my favorite moisturizer!! I got it in the mini size and will definitely repurchase in the big version. It has a faint fruity smell and makes my skin feel soft after using."

Pros: Great for aging skin concerns, brightens and hydrates skin

Cons: Contains natural fragrance

Key ingredients: Sacha inchi oil, blue gentian, edelweiss extract

Consistency: Light cream

Board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD, co-founder of LM Medical, calls this moisturizer "a great lightweight, fast-absorbing option." It's marketed as a day cream, but if you have combination skin prone to oiliness, you can totally use it at night too. The light, creamy consistency feels airy on the skin yet softens with nourishing plant oils and brightens with antioxidant-rich extracts.

Customer review: "Love the light texture and it smells fresh like leaves in the forest, just love it, my skin stays moist all day long."

Pros: Has a mattifying texture that's great for daytime

Cons: Might be too lightweight and mattifying if you struggle with dryness

Key ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, thermal spring water

Consistency: Light cream

"Light, loose, and oil-free [with] no fragrance or dyes," Rabach says of this sensitive skin approved moisturizer. It contains La Roche-Posay's signature thermal spring water, which is especially healing for any type of skin inflammation—acne, lingering sunburns, eczema flare-ups, etc.

Customer review: "Literally saved my skin barrier and did not break me out! Love that it's fragrance-free and that it comes in a pump bottle! Consistency is thin and is absorbed quickly. Simple and safe ingredients yet effective! My new holy grail!"

Pros: Fragrance- and oil-free, makes skin appear bright and plump, nongreasy

Cons: Dries down super quickly

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe bioferment, vitamin C, vitamin E, glycerin

Consistency: Gel-cream

Says Rabach, "[The] gel consistency is good for combination skin because it moisturizes but doesn't overpower the oily parts of your skin." It also features aloe, which is arguably the most naturally hydrating ingredient out there. This special aloe gets fermented to supercharge its nutrients even further, then it's paired with aloe water and caffeine, which trigger skin's own rehydration system. In short, this is one deeply hydrating gel-cream.

Customer review: "Clinique Moisture Surge is my favorite moisturizer of of the many I have tried. I have rosacea and very sensitive skin. This beautiful pink gel like moisturizer is absolutely perfect. It absorbs into the skin giving it a feeling of relief and cooling. Light and refreshing."

Pros: Fragrance-free, makes skin feel incredibly soft, great for winter months when you need even more moisture

Cons: It's on the slightly richer side and might feel too heavy

Key ingredients: 8-peptide blend, ghostberry, ceramides

Consistency: Cream

Here's another moisturizer I used 'til the very last drop. It's a bit heavier than your average gel-cream, so I'd suggest using it in the cooler months if you have true combination skin. Trust me—it's a dream. My skin drank up every last bit, so much so that I was scraping the sides of the jar. Board-certified dermatologist Margarita Lolis, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group agrees, noting that "[it's] a great restorative barrier-repair cream with ceramides and peptides that help to replenish hydration and help relax the appearance of wrinkles."

Customer review: "Got this as a sample and I absolutely love it. I wake up still so hydrated and that's rare for me. Can't wait to buy it now! (Never had I gotten a sample and loved it enough to buy!!)"

Pros: Fragrance-free, features an airless pump that dispenses the perfect amount of product

Cons: Dries down a bit sticky

Key ingredients: Zinc PCA, niacinamide, Barrier Lipid Complex

Consistency: Gel-cream

My acne has come back with a vengeance this summer. I seriously haven't had a breakout this bad since my middle school days. Of course, I ventured over to board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, at Idriss Dermatology to see what I could do about my complexion concerns, and he recommended I use Skinfix's gel-cream both morning and night, and it completely healed my skin.

"It's great for oily, acne-prone skin. It also has zinc PCA, which can reduce oil production," he says. Niacinamide is known for balancing oil production, so I shouldn't be surprised by how quickly it helped smooth my blemish-prone complexion. This is my new summer moisturizer when clogged pores become my main concern—no doubt about it.

Customer review: "I have tried over 50 different gel moisturizers—they either leave me greasy, aren't hydrating enough, or contain irritants like fragrance. This gel cream is absolute perfection! I can wear it all day without feeling oily and it never breaks me out. I can't recommend it enough!"

Pros: Cooling, lightweight, and breathable, feels soothing upon application

Cons: Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin

Consistency: Gel-cream

Both Rabach and Lolis call out Neutrogena's budget-friendly formula. "[It] uses hyaluronic acid to pull moisture into the skin and is gel based," says Lolis. It has a lightweight, airy feel yet plumps skin with precious moisture. It also has a slight cooling sensation when you apply, which feels lovely on any inflamed, irritated areas.

Customer review: "As someone who has super sensitive skin, I've tried multiple high-end and low-end brands, but THIS moisturizer is better than anything I've tried! It's super lightweight and feels very hydrating and cool when applied. My skin used to be dry and flaky, and this is the only product that has fixed that issue. Has not irritated my skin at all and I've been using it for over a year. Highly, highly recommend!"

Pros: Great for sagging and fine lines, has mattifying properties

Cons: may be too lightweight and serum-like if you're looking for a denser formula

Key ingredients: TFC8 technology, rice bran oil, Australian lemon myrtle extract

Consistency: Light cream

"I also like Augustinus Bader's The Light Cream, which is a perfectly hydrating and lightweight moisturizer that keeps the skin hydrated without clogging the pores," adds Kim. "It's a fantastic moisturizer for people with combination skin throughout the year."

If you've been hesitant to try the brand's cult-favorite moisturizer (famously dubbed The Cream) in fear of it being too heavy on your combination skin, this mattifying version will surely suit your fancy. Yes, it's pricey, but it also contains the brand's patented TFC8 technology, which boosts your skin's natural renewal process. Translation? It's worth the pretty penny.

Customer review: "The Rich Cream was too much for my oily skin. The Cream was good but still too much for my skin especially in the summer. I was hoping the AB line would come out with something just a little different for oily/blemish prone skin. This one is it.

"It moisturizes lightly, which is what I need and will be great during the warmer months. Under makeup my skin looks amazing. It's so hard to find a moisturizer that doesn't make me break out. I've tried so many (from The Ordinary to La Mer) that if I added them up it would amount to way more than this bottle. This is good if you can swing it. I'm definitely keeping this one in my arsenal."

Pros: Has an immediate tightening effect, softens wrinkles, gentle enough for sensitive skin

Cons: may be too thick if you're looking for something super light

Key ingredients: Peptides, glucosamine

Consistency: Cream

I've waxed poetic about this moisturizer before, but I won't quit until everyone I know has it in their arsenal. It's life-changing. It tightens the skin upon application thanks to special neuropeptides many swear have a Botox-like effect, and it has the most glorious texture—like cashmere on skin. It's a bit thicker than your average gel or water cream, but I'm prone to clogged pores and have no issues with the denser formula. If you're looking for a thicker night cream or a moisturizer to use come winter, stop your search. This is it.

Customer review: "I have been using this every day for about a month. It's a lightweight moisturizer that applies evenly and smoothly. It has a nice creamy texture. This moisturizer absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue. I have dry skin and this is moisturizing. My skin feels hydrated all day. I have noticed a difference in my fine lines and wrinkles. They are less noticeable. My skin feels tighter and smoother. I highly recommend this moisturizer."

Pros: Fragrance-free, unbelievable texture, gently brightens skin and prevents breakouts

Cons: A bit thicker than other options

Key ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, niacinamide, snow mushroom

Consistency: Cream

As someone who deals with very stubborn dark spots post-breakout that are often more frustrating than the breakouts themselves, I love gentle brightening creams I can use daily to prevent those pesky marks. Let me tell you—nothing has worked better than Eadem's Cloud Cushion. I've gone through three jars of the stuff, and I will forever come back for more! It features peptides and niacinamide to gently even skin tone without ever bleaching the surface and prevents new breakouts from making their appearance. Plus, it has a whipped consistency that's softer than an actual cloud. My combination skin can't get enough.

Customer review: "Impressive, this texture is amazing. It's light but does what a rich moisturizer would do: It hydrates and feels so good on my skin, almost like it hugs my face. I'm def going to start using this. The ingredients are awesome also. Snow mushroom, too. A must have."

Pros: Deeply hydrates yet doesn't feel greasy, a little goes a long way, naturally balances oil production

Cons: Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Wild rose, leopard lily, signature Hadasei-3 complex

Consistency: Gel-cream

I distinctly remember the first time I tried Tatcha's cult-favorite Water Cream. It was the middle of summer, and I was amazed by the burst of hydration it supplied my skin without making it feel greasy whatsoever. Some light creams merely sit on top of your skin and provide a slick film (it's one of my major beauty pet peeves), but not this pick. With wild rose, leopard lily, and a trio of Japanese superfoods, it deeply nourishes my complexion while balancing oil production. Other WWW editors agree!

Customer review: "This is the most lightweight yet refreshing texture to moisturizer I have ever tried. As you spread it over your face, it literally feels like it's dissolving into water. I have normal to dry skin and I feel like this is hydrating for me, though much thinner than the Dewy Cream. I like using this in the summer."