Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream for combination skin
6-Butterlipid Complex
Zinc Gluconate
Copper Gluconate
Squalane
Ceramides
Average
- 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
- Offers moderate moisturizing and barrier repair for your combination skin, as Glycerin, Shea Butter, and Ceramides provide hydration and conditioning without exacerbating oiliness.
- The formula supports general skin health and hydration, which can be beneficial for managing oily shine, though it does not offer targeted oil control.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsThis rich cream is highly effective for dry, mature, or compromised skin, providing deep, long-lasting moisture and barrier repair, often noted as a winter savior. Users with oily or acne-prone skin, however, frequently report experiencing congestion and breakouts due to its heavy, occlusive texture.
Highlights
Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “healed dry patches overnight”
- “skin feels quenched all day”
- “saved my skin this winter”
- “no more flaking”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “buttery and rich”
- “feels like a protective layer”
- “thick but absorbs well”
- “glides on smoothly”
Hygienic packaging Sometimes Noted
- “love the push pump”
- “sanitary and easy”
- “dispenses perfect flower shape”
- “no waste packaging”
Soothing repair Sometimes Noted
- “soothed retinol burn”
- “reduced redness immediately”
- “restored my barrier”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “broke me out immediately”
- “caused whiteheads overnight”
- “clogged my pores”
- “too heavy for acne-prone skin”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive for the size”
- “pricey for a moisturizer”
- “not worth the money”
- “finished too quickly”
Greasy finish Rarely Noted
- “feels like vaseline”
- “too greasy for day use”
- “sat on top of skin”
- “made me look oily”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like old sunscreen”
- “weird chemical scent”
- “unpleasant natural smell”
- “smells like plastic”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, spacenk.com, ulta.com, drunkelephant.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bora Barrier Repair Cream work for combination skin?
This cream works moderately well for combination skin by delivering hydration and barrier support through glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides without making your face overly oily. Because it lacks targeted oil control, a moisturizer for this skin type needs balanced hydrators and lightweight soothing ingredients to manage shine while keeping dry zones comfortable.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides make this cream a good fit because they hydrate and condition your skin without making oily areas worse. To work best for combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that target hydration and brightness while helping to reduce oily shine without any risk of irritation.
What does 6-Butterlipid Complex do for combination skin?
6-Butterlipid Complex is unlikely to be a good fit for combination skin because it tends to be too heavy and can clog pores in oil-prone areas. A product of this type for combination skin needs lightweight hydrators and balancing ingredients that moisturize dry zones without making the rest of the face greasy.
What does Zinc Gluconate do for combination skin?
Zinc Gluconate is a good fit for combination skin because it helps calm redness and manage breakouts while supporting skin health. This type of skin needs gentle oil-balancing ingredients and soothing elements to keep areas clear and comfortable.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cream goes in the morning and evening routine as the moisturizer step, applied after your cleanser and toner. It provides hydration and conditioning without exacerbating oiliness, though a product of this type for combination skin also needs targeted oil control ingredients.
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, and applying it after your retinol treatment helps calm the skin and keeps dryness at bay. Combination skin needs a moisturizer that balances hydration with lightweight ingredients that do not clog pores or add extra oil.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this cream twice daily as part of your morning and evening routine to keep your skin hydrated and supported. Daily application helps improve skin moisture and barrier function.
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 irritate combination skin, but reviewers report that it may cause breakouts. Combination skin needs a product of this type that offers lightweight hydration and balancing ingredients to manage oily shine without heavy oils.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cream around your eyes and on your body to keep those areas hydrated and comfortable. This type of product needs rich hydrators like glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides, along with lightweight plant oils and soothing minerals, to nourish thinner or drier skin without feeling heavy.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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, 2017Application of Body Lotion for 5 weeks on cosmetic dry skin improved barrier properties, increased levels of cholesterol, ceramides, and long-chain fatty acids, increased beneficial skin bacteria, and enhanced microbiome functional potential compared to baseline.
Scientific Reports, 2022A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Beta-Sitosterol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Oleic Acid, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glucosyl Ceramide, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Alpha-Glucan, Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Pca, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sorbitan Isostearate, Astaxanthin Extract, Quercetin, Astaxanthin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Eop, Dextrin, Palmitic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lactate, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
How does it fit your skin?
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