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d'Alba Piedmont UV Essence Waterfull Sun Cream for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

One of the best sunscreens for combination skin.

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

How to apply

  • Apply this moisturizing sunscreen AM daily to protect your skin and control shine. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
  • Use it as the final step of your morning routine after applying your moisturizer. It combines hydration and sun protection in one.
  • Gently smooth a nickel-sized amount evenly over your face, avoiding harsh rubbing. Let it absorb fully before putting on makeup.
  • Apply it directly to clean, dry skin for the best oil-controlling finish. Ensure your face is completely dry so the product sets properly.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

This chemical sunscreen is widely adored by users with dry to combination skin for its essence-like, hydrating texture that leaves a "glass skin" finish without a white cast. While it is frequently praised as an excellent makeup primer that does not pill, those with oily skin or sensitivity to fragrances often find it too dewy or irritating due to the inclusion of citrus essential oils.

Highlights

  • Lightweight no white cast Mostly Mentioned
    • “It feels lightweight and non-sticky on the skin... doesn't leave a white cast.”
    • “Melts into skin so easily and absorbs extra fast.”
    • “Blends seamlessly into the skin without leaving a white cast.”
  • Hydrating dewy finish Often Mentioned
    • “Gives a nice glassy glow... perfect for daily use.”
    • “Feels more like a serum or essence than a traditional sunscreen.”
    • “Keeps my skin moisturized throughout the day.”
  • Excellent makeup base Sometimes Noted
    • “Sits perfectly under makeup without pilling.”
    • “Works as moisture-rich makeup primer.”
    • “My foundation sits well on top of it.”
  • Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Smells pleasantly of oranges, a very fresh scent.”
    • “Has a lovely scent (reminds me of lemon cake!).”
    • “The smell is refreshing.”
  • Greasy on oily skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Not for oily/combination skin... really greasy.”
    • “Might look a bit greasy on someone with an oilier skin type.”
    • “Too dewy... I use to finish with powder.”
  • Eye irritation Rarely Noted
    • “It does sting my eyes a little if it seeps in.”
    • “Works great and it's moisturizing but it burns eye.”
    • “Stings my eyes if my eyes water.”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “I expected better for this price.”
    • “Expensive compared to other Korean sunscreens.”
    • “Wait for a 1+1 sale at Olive Young.”
  • Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “The scent is too strong and lasts a long time — it gave me a headache.”
    • “Won't work for people with fragrance allergies.”
    • “Contains a bunch of essential oils... could potentially be sensitizing.”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, global.oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, yesstyle.com, simplysaima.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes d'Alba Waterfull Sun Cream a great fit for combination skin?

This moisturizing spf is a great fit because it uses ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and homosalate to filter UV rays while niacinamide helps keep oily shine in balance. Centella Asiatica Extract and Portulaca Oleracea Extract give your skin light hydration and a calm feel without clogging pores, and the gentle formula is very unlikely to cause irritation.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?

This cream is a great fit for your combination skin because ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and homosalate filter UV rays while niacinamide helps keep oily shine under control. Centella asiatica extract and portulaca oleracea extract also provide soothing hydration without feeling heavy.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

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.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What does Centella Asiatica Extract do for combination skin?

Centella Asiatica Extract helps balance combination skin by boosting moisture levels while keeping redness and irritation calm. It also supports skin barrier repair to help maintain smooth and healthy skin overall.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This moisturizing spf goes last in your morning skincare routine, right after your moisturizer. It provides high sun protection while helping keep your oily shine under control.

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

Yes, you can use this cream with retinol by applying your retinol first and following with this sunscreen in the morning or this moisturizing spf as the final step before sun exposure. This product is safe for your skin and helps protect it while providing soothing benefits, and using a moisturizer with it is unlikely to cause irritation.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing spf every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. Daily application helps protect your skin from UV rays while keeping your combination skin balanced and hydrated.

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 its ingredients balance sun protection with hydration while avoiding harsh irritants. Reviewers occasionally mention a greasy feel on oily areas, but the formula generally maintains good skin comfort without triggering breakouts.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Liposomal encapsulation of octyl methoxycinnamate increases its safety, skin affinity, and in vivo solar photoprotection factor while slowing its release and enhancing retention in the stratum corneum compared to a conventional formulation.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013
  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • Chitosan-based hydrogels loaded with asiaticoside-rich Centella asiatica extract achieved controlled drug release, skin permeability, antimicrobial activity, and synergistic wound healing effects in an in vitro model.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023
  • Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate showed no to minimal risks of dermal irritation, sensitization, photo-allergy, and photo-irritation in human subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • 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, 2017
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023
  • Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.

    Drug Discovery Today, 2017
  • A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.

    Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024
  • Replacing 20% of the chemical UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate with urucum oil in solid lipid nanoparticles maintained the skin protection factor without inducing toxic responses or significant skin penetration in human volunteers.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2018
  • Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011
  • The application of a sunscreen formulation containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene does not significantly affect critical acne-related species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, refuting the induction of facial dysbiosis in men.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024
  • Quercetin phospholipids 1% cream significantly reduced UV-, histamine-, and chemical-induced skin erythema (-10.05%) and mean wheal diameter in 30 healthy human volunteers, showing comparable efficacy to 1% dexchlorpheniramine cream.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2016
  • Quercetin-loaded niosomes formulated with Span60-RH40 at a 9:11 mass ratio improved quercetin solubility, photostability, sustained release, and transdermal penetration, yielding a skin retention 2.95 times higher than quercetin solution.

    Molecules, 2019
  • Optimized rutin-loaded glycerosomes formulated into a nanosunscreen gel demonstrated sustained drug release, greater skin permeation, good antioxidant activity, and better epidermal retention compared to the dermis, indicating high safety, stability, and sun protection factor values for topical administration.

    Gels, 2023

Ingredients

Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract Green Purslane Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Litsea Cubeba Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Vine Extract Flower Leaf, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Wine Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Octyldodecanol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Pca, Tocopherol

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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