Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream for combination skin
Kinetin
Zeatin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Ascorbic Acid
Hydrolyzed ElastinAverage
- AverageCombination 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your combination skin, as kinetin and panthenol provide excellent hydration and enhance barrier resilience, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
- While the product offers general skincare benefits like hydration with aloe barbadensis leaf juice, these are mostly supportive and irrelevant for your main goal of managing oily shine.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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 200+ reviewsWhile many report visible improvements in skin texture and fine lines, some users find the price point too high and have experienced significant frustration with the airless pump packaging.
Highlights
Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “hydrating for super-dry skin”
- “long lasting hydration”
- “leaves skin hydrated”
- “plump and well-hydrated”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “non-greasy feel”
- “velvety texture”
- “light like water”
Soothing & calming Often Mentioned
- “reduces redness”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “calms irritation”
- “hypoallergenic”
Anti-aging benefits Sometimes Noted
- “skin younger looking”
- “improves fine lines”
- “skin feels radiant”
- “restores youthful look”
Faulty packaging Sometimes Noted
- “pump does not work”
- “bottle design is a scam”
- “wasted product”
- “impossible to open”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “not worth the money”
- “overrated”
- “pricey for the amount”
Acne/Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke out with acne”
- “caused small bumps”
- “not ideal for acne”
- “clogged pores”
Texture dislike Rarely Noted
- “too thick”
- “did not like texture”
- “feels heavy”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, walmart.com, obagi.com, dermstreet.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream work for combination skin?
Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream works as an average fit for combination skin, offering good moisture and barrier support while lacking ingredients needed to control oil on oily areas. A product of this type needs effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients that reduce oily shine without irritation, along with nourishing peptides and natural moisturizing factors.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Annals of Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Kinetin and panthenol make this cream a good fit by providing solid hydration and strengthening the skin barrier. Because it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on oily areas, a product of this type needs effective brightening and balancing ingredients, multiple peptides, and natural moisturizing factors to manage oily shine while keeping skin soft.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Annals of Dermatology, 2017
What does Kinetin do for combination skin?
Kinetin helps balance combination skin by improving moisture, smoothing rough texture, and softening the look of fine lines and uneven tone. It is generally well tolerated and unlikely to cause irritation while supporting a smoother, more even skin feel.
Annals of Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007
What does Zeatin do for combination skin?
Zeatin helps keep combination skin looking smooth and supports a healthy feel by fighting everyday cell stress. It is unlikely to cause heavy buildup, though a product of this type for combination skin also needs lightweight moisture to balance dry and oily areas.
Rejuvenation Research, 2005International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2009
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cream goes as the moisturizer step in your morning and evening routines. It is unlikely to irritate your skin, but a product for combination skin also needs targeted ingredients for oil control on oily areas.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Annals of Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the treatment first and then following with this moisturizer to help keep your skin calm and hydrated. Combination skin needs a product that provides lightweight hydration while containing ingredients that specifically help balance oil and shine.
How often should I use this cream?
Use this moisturizing treatment twice a day to keep your combination skin soft and well-hydrated. Regular application helps maintain moisture and smooth out texture while staying gentle on your skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Annals of Dermatology, 2017
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause breakouts for your combination skin since it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients, and shopper complaints about acne are low. A product for this skin type needs balancing ingredients to manage oily shine while providing moisture.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cream around the eyes and on your body, as it has a very safe profile and is unlikely to cause irritation. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, applying a gentle, hydrating treatment there helps keep the area soft without irritation.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Kinetin treatment increased involucrin and keratin 1 mRNA expression in HaCaT cells and improved skin moisture and transepidermal water loss while decreasing skin texture roughness in subjects using kinetin-containing cream compared to baseline.
Annals of Dermatology, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical combination of kinetin and niacinamide exerts synergistic anti-aging effects with significant reductions in spot, pore, wrinkle, and evenness counts, alongside increased hydration and decreased erythema in Taiwanese subjects compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007Cosmetic formulations containing a liposomal dispersion of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, alpha-lipoic acid, and kinetin provided photoprotection against UV damage in hairless mouse skin and enhanced stratum corneum and deeper layer skin moisture in human volunteers after four weeks of daily applications.
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2012Topical 0.1% kinetin cream applied twice daily for 12 weeks resulted in slight but statistically significant improvements in overall skin condition, texture, color, and wrinkles among 100 Thai subjects with facial photo-damage compared to baseline.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2015Pretreatment with trans-Zeatin significantly inhibits UVB-induced MMP-1 expression, c-Jun activation, and MAPK phosphorylation in cultured human skin fibroblasts compared to UVB irradiation alone.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2009Long-term treatment with zeatin in human skin fibroblasts undergoing aging in vitro prevented cell enlargement, reduced intracellular debris, prevented actin polymerization, and enhanced stress tolerance without increasing maximum proliferative capacity.
Rejuvenation Research, 2005Trans-Zeatin treatment attenuates ultraviolet-induced aquaporin-3 loss, delayed wound healing, and decreased water permeability in cultured human skin keratinocytes through the inhibition of MEK/ERK activation.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2010A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical application of a 0.1% copper-zinc malonate-containing cream significantly enhanced elastin biosynthesis and induced elastic fibre regeneration in photoaged facial skin of 21 female patients after 6 weeks of treatment compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009A betaine-based deep eutectic solvent successfully enhanced the transdermal delivery of elastin peptide, which improved skin barrier repair, reduced melanin secretion and deposition, and stimulated the secretion of procollagen I and elastin.
Biomaterials Advances, 2024Bioactive recombinant humanized elastin (RHE) gel effectively restores skin elasticity, reverses UV-induced damage and oxidative stress, and promotes extracellular matrix remodeling in zebrafish and aged mice models compared to commercial vitamin E and recombinant humanized collagen gels.
Materials Today. Bio, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Peg-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Stearyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Phenoxyethanol, Laureth-23, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kinetin, Zeatin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium Edta, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Water-Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrochloric Acid
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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