Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer for combination skin
Glycerin
Cetearyl Alcohol
Caution
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for combination skin; the moisturizers alongside 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
- Offers moderate moisturizing for your combination skin due to glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen, which hydrate and plump, but lacks specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine.
- The formula provides basic hydration suitable for combination skin, though it does not offer targeted solutions for excess oil on your T-zone.
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 4.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with aging and dry skin frequently praise this moisturizer for its lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly while providing noticeable hydration and a plumping effect. The inclusion of Bakuchiol and peptides is well-received for smoothing fine lines. A minority of users with acne-prone skin reported breakouts, and some found the scent unpleasant.
Highlights
Lightweight & Non-Greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “not heavy”
- “leaves no residue”
- “silky texture”
- “great for summer”
Hydrating & Plumping Often Mentioned
- “skin looks plumper”
- “noticeably softer”
- “glowy finish”
- “restored bounce”
- “smooths fine lines”
Gentle Alternative Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “gentle retinol alternative”
- “didn't burn”
- “calming feel”
Makeup Compatibility Sometimes Noted
- “works well under makeup”
- “no pilling”
- “smooth canvas”
- “primer-like finish”
- “doesn't slide off”
Insufficient moisture Rarely Noted
- “not rich enough”
- “need to layer”
- “dry patches remained”
- “too light for winter”
- “disappeared too fast”
Packaging/Value Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “bottle feels empty”
- “hard to gauge amount”
- “expensive for size”
- “runs out quickly”
Scent issues Rarely Noted
- “smells like sunscreen”
- “weird chemical smell”
- “unpleasant odor”
- “strong scent”
- “smells off”
Skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused breakouts”
- “clogged pores”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “burning sensation”
- “skin turned red”
Sources: lovi.care, neutrogena.com, target.com, ult.com, walmart.com, hometesterclub.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer for combination skin?
This moisturizer offers moderate hydration for combination skin using glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen, but it lacks specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine. Combination skin needs a product that provides effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients to reduce oily shine without irritation, along with soothing agents and antioxidants.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for combination skin?
This cream is a poor fit for your combination skin because it offers only basic hydration and lacks specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine. A moisturizing treatment for combination skin needs effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients, soothing agents, and antioxidants to reduce oily shine and manage multiple concerns without irritation.
What does Water do for combination skin?
Water helps keep combination skin hydrated, though a product of this type needs additional barrier-protecting ingredients like ceramides or petrolatum to lock in that moisture and support overall skin health.
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
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cream goes in the morning routine after a hydrating toner and before sunscreen, and in the evening routine as the final step after a treatment. It offers moderate moisture for combination skin using glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen, but because it lacks ingredients to manage oily shine, a product of this type for this skin needs oil-balancing ingredients and targeted solutions for the T-zone.
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 retinol first and following with the moisturizer. This combination helps keep your skin soft while managing dryness, though combination skin needs extra ingredients to balance oily shine.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily, in the morning and evening, as part of your routine. Daily application helps improve skin hydration and keeps the skin soft and smooth, though combination skin also needs targeted ingredients to balance oily shine.
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 cause breakouts, but it may feel a bit heavy on oily areas since it lacks specialized ingredients to balance shine. Combination skin needs a lightweight, oil-balancing moisturizer with ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help control excess oil on the T-zone.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is generally safe to use on the body, but the thin skin around the eyes requires extra care because it is among the thinnest areas on the body. While the formula provides basic moisture, this type of skin often benefits from specialized eye treatments with lightweight hydrators and soothing botanicals to avoid irritation.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Hydroxypropyl Phosphate Starch, Steareth-10, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Petrolatum, Chlorphenesin
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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