Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel for combination skin
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Dimethicone
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractAverage
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- This product offers excellent hydration for your combination skin, with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate providing significant plumping and moisturizing effects. While beneficial for general skin health, these ingredients do not specifically target oily shine.
- The formula is well-suited for combination skin due to dimethicone and glycerin, which offer emollient and humectant actions respectively, balancing moisture levels.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Saccharomyces Lysate Extract and Laminaria Digitata Extract.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 10.0k+ reviewsThis oil-free gel is a highly-rated favorite for oily and combination skin, appreciated for its very lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that hydrates without feeling heavy or clogging pores. It also performs well as a base for makeup. However, a significant number of users with dry skin or in colder climates find it not moisturizing enough, and a small number report breakouts or reactions.
Highlights
Lightweight absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “sinks in instantly”
- “feels like nothing on”
- “no sticky residue”
- “disappears into skin”
- “light refreshing texture”
Controls oil Often Mentioned
- “keeps me matte”
- “balances my oily T-zone”
- “doesn't make me greasy”
- “great for summer humidity”
- “oil-free hydration”
Good under makeup Often Mentioned
- “perfect primer base”
- “foundation glides on”
- “doesn't pill”
- “smooth canvas”
- “makeup stays put”
Not moisturizing enough Often Mentioned
- “skin felt tight”
- “need a second layer”
- “dry patches remained”
- “not for winter”
- “hydration disappears quickly”
Non-irritating formula Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't sting”
- “fragrance-free”
- “safe for sensitive skin”
- “calms redness”
- “gentle on acne”
Pricey for basics Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for what it is”
- “paying for the brand”
- “basic ingredients”
- “overpriced mineral oil”
- “drugstore dupes are better”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “caused a rash”
- “bad reaction”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like plastic”
- “chemical odor”
- “weird rubber smell”
- “stinks despite no fragrance”
- “smells medicinal”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.com, amazon.com, clinique.com, makeupalley.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel work for combination skin?
This moisturizer works well for combination skin by balancing moisture levels and providing hydration without causing irritation, though other products fit this skin type better because they specifically target oily shine. Combination skin of this type needs ingredients that reduce excess oil while still delivering deep moisture and brightening benefits.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and dimethicone make this moisturizer a good fit by balancing moisture levels and hydrating dry areas without adding heavy oils. However, because it does not target oily shine, combination skin needs a product that also manages oil control and brightness.
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
In a routine for combination skin, this moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner in the morning and after your treatment step at night. To work better for this skin type, a product needs added ingredients that specifically target and control oily shine.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the retinol first and following it with this moisturizer to help keep your combination skin comfortable. Combination skin needs a lightweight moisturizer with oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help manage shine.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps keep your skin balanced and properly hydrated.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to cause breakouts for your combination skin, as complaints about clogged pores are low and the formula has an excellent safety profile. To fully support combination skin without breakouts, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators paired with ingredients that help balance oily shine.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body because it is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation. However, because combination skin needs a product that also targets oily shine, this type of skin needs ingredients that help control excess oil and lightweight balancing components.
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022A novel anti-aging serum containing acetyl hexapeptide-8, dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, gluconolactone, niacinamide, and laminaria extract significantly increased anti-aging biomarkers and improved static and dynamic wrinkles as well as skin quality in clinical studies.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007Externally applied substances such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice extracts, dimethicone, petrolatum, and paraffin wax treat skin disease resulting from damage to the skin barrier.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2012A skincare regimen containing Macrocystis pyrifera ferment consisting of a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer decreases the visible effects of inflammation and aging while promoting healing and improving patient satisfaction.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing creams decrease visible inflammation and signs of aging while enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Aqueous extracts from Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica exhibited antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2, and topical formulations significantly reduced the severity and duration of HSV-1 skin lesions in an animal model compared to mock treatment and acyclovir.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract Extrait Dorge Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake Sunflower Seedcake, Caffeine, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysilicone-11, Silica, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Oleth-10, Lactobacillus Ferment, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Red 4 Ci 14700, Ci 15985
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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