NIDA Ultimate Moisturizing Cream for combination skin
Collagen
Niacinamide
Centella AsiaticaAverage
- HighCombination 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 moisturizing for your combination skin, as Hyaluronic Acid and Centella Asiatica provide hydration and soothing effects, while Niacinamide helps control oiliness to address your oily shine.
- Collagen contributes to skin elasticity, offering general skincare benefits that complement the primary functions.
- 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 Centella Asiatica.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited independent data, this moisturizer is frequently praised for its lightweight, hydrating properties that effectively combat dryness without feeling heavy. Many users find it softens the skin and works well under makeup. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that the product does not live up to its exaggerated marketing claims of being a miracle anti-aging solution, with some users experiencing irritation or finding the results to be average.
Highlights
Deep hydration Often Mentioned
- “cleared my dry patches”
- “skin feels hydrated and plump”
- “good for basic hydration”
- “restored moisture barrier”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs almost instantly”
- “leaves a semi-matte finish”
- “not sticky or greasy”
- “light soft texture”
Overhyped marketing Often Mentioned
- “not a miracle wrinkle eraser”
- “ads are overly dramatic”
- “marketing is peak chaos”
- “didn't erase crow's feet”
Makeup compatibility Sometimes Noted
- “layers well with makeup”
- “makeup sat much smoother”
- “acts like a hydrating primer”
- “no peeling under foundation”
Skin softening Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels really smooth”
- “softens appearance of fine lines”
- “texture change is unreal”
- “leaves skin silky”
Average results Sometimes Noted
- “just a basic moisturizer”
- “not earth shattering”
- “underwhelming anti-aging results”
- “similar to drugstore brands”
Unclear brand origin Sometimes Noted
- “don't believe it is popular in Korea”
- “website lacks company info”
- “shipping uncertainty”
- “seems like a social commerce brand”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “broke out in skin irritations”
- “caused itching”
- “redness around nose”
- “not for sensitive acne-prone skin”
Sources: lovi.care, trustpilot.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, nida.co, and more
Questions and answers
How well does NIDA Ultimate Moisturizing Cream work for combination skin?
This cream works moderately well for your combination skin, as hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica provide hydration and soothing effects while niacinamide helps control oily shine. It is safe and poses no risk of irritation, but combination skin needs a product rich in effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients, multiple peptides, and natural moisturizing factors to target hydration and brightness while reducing excess oil.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Hyaluronic Acid and Centella Asiatica provide hydration and soothing effects for your combination skin, while Niacinamide helps control oily shine. Collagen also contributes to skin elasticity, and this type of skin needs a moisturizing treatment that offers effective brightening and hydrating ingredients, soothing agents, and antioxidants to manage multiple concerns without extra oil.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024
What does Collagen do for combination skin?
Collagen helps keep combination skin smooth and hydrated by improving moisture and supporting elasticity. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may help reduce the appearance of fine lines while keeping the skin barrier balanced.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024
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.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before your final moisturizer. Combination skin needs a product that provides balanced hydration and controls oil without irritation, combining ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and centella asiatica.
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 cream to keep your skin calm and hydrated. Combination skin needs a product that provides lightweight hydration without feeling heavy, along with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to balance dry and oily areas.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps improve skin moisture and keeps your combination skin comfortable.
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 your combination skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing Centella Asiatica to keep skin calm. To truly thrive, combination skin needs lightweight hydration and ingredients that balance oil without heavy blockage.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this moisturizing treatment on your body and the thin skin around your eyes, as it is unlikely to cause irritation. To get a better fit for the eye area, this skin needs specialized formulas with soothing ingredients and low molecular weight hydrators that target fine lines and puffiness without feeling heavy.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
What the research says
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, 2016Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Both oral and topical collagen supplements help delay the skin aging process by improving moisture, elasticity, and hydration, with no differences arising between the two types of collagen.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022The use of cosmetic products containing collagen or its peptides improves the general condition of the skin, reduces wrinkle depth, improves hydration and density, reduces transepithelial water loss, and delays the aging process, while oral bioactive collagen peptides also reduce nail breakage.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024Topical application of TAC/Collagen postbiotics gel improved skin moisture score and inflammation index, and reduced porphyrins and brown spots in 20 volunteers with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical collagen tripeptide application improved skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density while reducing advanced glycated end products in 22 Asian women over 4 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Marine collagen extracted from Greenland halibut skin showed a non-cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells and provided a slight skin hydration effect when incorporated into cosmetic hydrogel formulations at dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% in 23 healthy volunteers.
Marine Drugs, 2023Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Topical 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, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer 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
Ingredients
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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