Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream for combination skin
Active Hydramesh Technology
Sodium Hyaluronate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract
Tocopheryl AcetateAverage
- 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 glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide excellent hydration and plumping effects, though it lacks targeted ingredients for significant oil control.
- The inclusion of aloe barbadensis leaf juice and arnica montana flower extract offers soothing benefits, which can be supportive for managing oily shine.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial 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
★4.8Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers consistently praise this moisturizer as a hydration hero that effectively balances moisture levels for normal, dry, and combination skin without feeling heavy. While the vast majority report smoother, plumper skin and improved texture, a small minority experienced breakouts or found the price point too high for the quantity.
Highlights
Texture & absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly... not greasy”
- “Glides on smoothly”
- “Sinks right in”
- “Lightweight but effective”
Deep hydration Often Mentioned
- “Hydration hero... keeps it moisturized all day”
- “Infuses skin with 48 hours of hydration”
- “Perfect balance of hydration”
- “Saved my dry skin”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Soothing aloe and healing arnica”
- “No redness or sensitivity”
Improved skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a glistening glow”
- “Skin feels instantly smoothing”
- “Plump and supple complexion”
- “Reduced congestion on forehead”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “A bit pricey”
- “Expensive”
- “Can't justify the cost”
- “Pricey but worth it”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Horrible breakouts”
- “Caused cystic acne”
- “Broke me out”
- “Prone to whiteheads”
Greasy residue Rarely Noted
- “Left a bad texture”
- “Too heavy for day use”
- “Felt greasy”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Bad fragrance”
- “Natural scent is off-putting”
- “Smells like chemicals”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, sephora.co.uk, productreview.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream work for combination skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for combination skin by delivering good hydration and soothing dry areas, though it lacks targeted ingredients for significant oil control. To best fit this skin type, a product needs both lightweight hydration and effective oil-balancing ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this cream a good fit by providing effective hydration, while aloe leaf juice and arnica extract offer soothing benefits that help manage oily shine. A moisturizer for this skin needs targeted ingredients for oil control alongside balanced hydration to keep combination skin clear and comfortable.
What does Active Hydramesh Technology do for combination skin?
Active Hydramesh Technology helps keep combination skin feeling soft and balanced throughout the day by continuously supplying moisture while controlling excess shine in oilier areas. It is unlikely to clog pores and works to protect your skin barrier, helping your face stay smooth and comfortable.
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 in the third step of your morning routine after a cleanser and hydrating toner, and as the final step of your evening routine after a treatment. Combination skin needs a product that balances hydration with oil control ingredients.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cream with your retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help lock in moisture and keep your skin calm. A moisturizer used this way is unlikely to cause irritation and may help your skin tolerate the retinol better.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day, in the morning and evening, as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and soft, and is unlikely to cause irritation.
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 cause breakouts for combination skin, as it has a very low complaint rate and is formulated without harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for oil control, a moisturizer for this skin type needs balancing and clarifying components to properly manage shine and prevent clogged pores.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream works well on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body because gentle moisturizers like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate hydrate effectively without causing irritation. However, a product for this skin needs targeted oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine properly.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl salicylate and linalool). Cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, 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, 2017A 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 application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Oligomeric proanthocyanidin topical cream and lotion significantly reduced UV-induced erythema by 45.9% and 53.1% respectively and increased skin hydration by nearly 20% in human subjects, with dietary supplementation providing additional suppression of erythema and higher skin hydration.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2007Topical 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, 2019Topical 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, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006Topical CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment reduced erythema index (308.9 vs. 325.3), shortened complete scabbing detachment time (6.0 vs. 6.5 days), decreased melanin index (-7.4% vs. +0.2%), and improved skin hydration compared to normal saline in 51 Chinese patients.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Resveratrol cream improved skin hydration and tightening compared to cream without resveratrol in a group of probands.
Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2019Topical treatment with a combination of pyridine-2, 4-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester and resveratrol significantly increased hair density in 79 Caucasian female subjects starting from 1.5 months compared to baseline.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethicone, Peg-8, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Algin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Linoleic Acid, Phytosterols, Cananga Odorata Oil Flower, Urea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pullulan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium, Amylopectin Glycerin Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-10, Cetyl Alcohol, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxystearic Acid, Bht, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool
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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