Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance for combination skin
Bioreplenish Complex
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Np
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Average
- 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 sodium hyaluronate and ceramide np provide excellent hydration and barrier support, but lack specialized ingredients for managing oily shine.
- The formula provides general hydration benefits, but does not contain ingredients specifically targeting the reduction of excess oil.
- 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
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsThis moisturizer is highly recommended for dry to very dry skin, providing significant and lasting hydration that improves skin texture and reduces fine lines. Based on a very large amount of data, this should be definitely taken into account. While users appreciate its rich yet non-greasy feel and gentle formulation, some individuals with oily or acne-prone skin find it too heavy, and a few have noted concerns about the price and scent.
Highlights
Intense hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels hydrated”
- “relieves dry skin”
- “moisture stays all day”
Good texture Often Mentioned
- “creamy without being greasy”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight for a rich cream”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “expensive”
- “pricy”
- “wish it were cheaper”
Efficient use Sometimes Noted
- “a little goes a long way”
- “tube lasts months”
Improves skin Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels soft”
- “plumper and glowing”
- “smooths fine lines”
Soothing and gentle Sometimes Noted
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “no irritation”
- “calming”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused pimples”
- “breakouts”
- “not for acne-prone skin”
Packaging complaints Rarely Noted
- “small bottle”
- “hard to get last bit out”
Reformulation issues Rarely Noted
- “prefer old formula”
- “new formula not as good”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “clinical smell”
- “unappealing fragrance”
- “weird scent”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, sephora.co.uk, influenster.com, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Intensive Moisture Balance work for combination skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for your combination skin by offering solid hydration and barrier support, though it lacks specialized ingredients to manage oily shine. A product for this skin needs effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients that reduce oily shine while keeping the skin balanced and calm.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Sodium hyaluronate and ceramide NP make this cream a good fit by providing great hydration and barrier support. To work best for combination skin, a moisturizer of this type also needs ingredients that manage oily shine and brighten the skin.
What does Bioreplenish Complex do for combination skin?
Bioreplenish Complex helps balance combination skin by delivering lightweight moisture to dry areas while keeping oily zones feeling fresh and smooth. This blend supports your skin barrier so it stays calm and comfortable without feeling heavy.
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 cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner in the morning and after your treatment step at night. It helps keep your skin soft and smooth while protecting the skin barrier, though combination skin also needs ingredients that manage oily shine.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this moisturizer with retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. Using a barrier-supporting moisturizer alongside retinoids is unlikely to cause adverse reactions and helps keep the skin comfortable.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and supports its natural barrier, though a combination skin routine also needs oil-controlling ingredients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to cause breakouts for combination skin, as it has a very safe formula with a low complaint rate for acne. To better suit combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that also help control oily shine.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cream on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body, as its very safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation. It helps hydrate dry areas well, though a product for these areas also needs targeted ingredients for oil control if your skin is prone to shine.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A lipid mixture enriched by ceramide NP with fatty acids of diverse chain lengths significantly improved skin barrier recovery rate, stratum corneum integrity, and hydration compared to a vehicle cream in healthy adult male volunteers with corticosteroid-impaired skin.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical 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, 2019A 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, 2010Lipid extracts of Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis protect Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts against UVA-induced oxidative stress and 2-propanol-induced IL-6 expression in vitro.
Food Science and Technology International = Ciencia Y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos Internacional, 2026Oral and topical administration of ROQUETTE Chlorella sp. at higher doses significantly reduced skin inflammation scores and improved the healing process and duration of skin wounds in mice compared to untreated models.
Anti-inflammatory & Anti-allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2014Resilient factor (RF, an aqueous extract fraction of Chlorella) suppressed PMA- and UVB-induced MMP1 production, protein, and gene expression, prevented UVB-suppressed elastin protein, and increased pro-collagen mRNA expression in human skin fibroblasts compared to untreated controls.
European Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Ingredients
Water, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Peg-8, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Peg-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ceramide Np, Phytosterols, Centella Asiatica Extract, Linoleic Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Lactic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Hydroxystearic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.