L'Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic for combination skin
Glycerin
Niacinamide
CaffeineAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, niacinamide helps regulate oil production while glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide essential hydration to plump your skin.
- The formula offers general skincare benefits that support oily shine and combination skin, though it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your primary concern.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
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 32.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this moisturizer for its ability to instantly refresh and wake up tired-looking skin without leaving a greasy residue. It excels at hydrating and soothing razor burn, although effectiveness in reducing visible dark circles is mixed.
Highlights
Non-greasy, fast absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs fast with no shine”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “leaves no residue”
- “perfect matte finish”
Effective hydration Often Mentioned
- “skin feels hydrated all day”
- “stops the tight feeling”
- “softens rough patches”
- “great for dry winter skin”
Refreshing, energizing Often Mentioned
- “instant fresh feeling”
- “wakes up my face”
- “cooling sensation”
- “skin looks brighter”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells fresh and citrusy”
- “nice masculine scent”
- “clean smell”
- “invigorating fragrance”
Soothes post-shave Sometimes Noted
- “stops razor burn”
- “calms redness immediately”
- “soothing after shaving”
- “no stinging on cuts”
Dark circles Sometimes Noted
- “didn't help dark circles”
- “eyes still look tired”
- “no change in bags”
- “dark circles remain”
Price/value Rarely Noted
- “bottle is too small”
- “expensive for the amount”
- “pricey without sale”
- “runs out quickly”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused redness”
- “stung my eyes”
- “broke me out”
- “burning sensation”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “too watery”
- “feels a bit sticky”
- “too thick for oily skin”
- “leaves a film”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.co.uk, boots.com, superdrug.com, loreal-paris.co.uk, idealo.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
How well does L'Oréal Hydra Energetic work for combination skin?
This moisturizing treatment works for combination skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your primary concern. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation and helps keep your skin hydrated and smooth. A moisturizing treatment for combination skin needs balancing ingredients that control oily shine while providing essential hydration without feeling heavy.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid make this cream a good fit by helping control oily shine while providing essential hydration. A moisturizing treatment for this skin type needs targeted brightening ingredients and a well-balanced formula that delivers moisture without excess oil.
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 Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Apply this moisturizing treatment as the third step in your morning routine after cleansing and a hydrating toner, and as the final step in your evening routine. It helps keep your skin soft and balanced, though combination skin also needs targeted ingredients to fully address your primary concerns.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the cream after your retinol treatment to help soothe your skin and keep it hydrated. This routine is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula includes gentle, calming ingredients.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment daily to help keep your combination skin hydrated and soft. Twice-daily application is unlikely to cause irritation and helps improve overall skin texture and moisture.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because it has a very low risk of irritation and includes soothing ingredients. To best care for combination skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid alongside oil-balancing ingredients like niacinamide.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment safely on your body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin around your eyes. Body skin is generally thicker and less delicate, while the eye area requires specialized care designed for its unique sensitivity.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
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, 2017The 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 post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.