Estée Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask for combination skin

High
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best nourishing masks 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
- Offers excellent nourishing and hydrating benefits for your combination skin, with shea butter and sodium hyaluronate deeply moisturizing and improving barrier resilience, while Niacinamide and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provide soothing effects.
- While Zinc PCA offers some seboregulation for your oily shine, the formula lacks more potent actives to fully address oil control across all combination skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Niacinamide and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, minimizing irritation risks.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using your creamy mask 3x a week and work up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- Apply your creamy mask after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer to lock in benefits. This step fits nicely right in the middle of your daily routine.
- Smooth an even layer of the creamy mask gently over your face, avoiding any unnecessary heavy rubbing. Let it sit for a few minutes ⏱ so your skin can drink it in.
- Apply the creamy mask on clean and dry skin to help manage oily shine effectively. This ensures the product works best for your combination skin type.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a simple patch test before your very first use to make sure your skin is happy.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently describe this product as a lightweight solution that effectively calms oily or combination skin by reducing redness and minimizing pores. Many praise its ability to melt into the skin for a non-greasy glow. However, some users with very dry skin find it lacks sufficient lasting moisture.
Highlights
Lightweight & absorbent Mostly Mentioned
- “melts right into skin”
- “absorbs nicely without residue”
- “feels pillowy and light”
- “doesn't feel heavy whatsoever”
Calms & soothes Often Mentioned
- “calms my redness immediately”
- “helped with my large pores”
- “soothes irritated skin”
- “great for sensitive days”
Softness & glow Often Mentioned
- “skin looked smoother & glowy”
- “leaves face feeling baby soft”
- “gives a healthy shine”
- “woke up with glowing skin”
Versatile usage Sometimes Noted
- “pairs nicely with makeup”
- “love using it as a weekly mask”
- “great primer for foundation”
- “use it AM and PM”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive for the size”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “price is the only downside”
- “luxury price tag”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “skin felt dry by morning”
- “need something richer”
- “not enough for winter dryness”
- “absorbed too fast, needed more”
Confusing mask instructions Rarely Noted
- “nothing left to tissue off”
- “confused if I should wash it”
- “absorbs so fast I can't remove it”
- “instructions were vague”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “texture is a bit thick”
- “felt sticky at first”
- “pores felt like they couldn't breathe”
- “too heavy for humid weather”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, sephora.my, sephora.sg, esteelauder.com, nykaa.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Estée Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask a great fit for combination skin?
This mask is a great fit because shea butter and sodium hyaluronate deeply moisturize and strengthen your skin, while niacinamide and green tea extract help calm it. It is very unlikely to cause irritation on combination skin, thanks to its gentle formula.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Lasers in Medical Science, 2025
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
This cream is a great fit for combination skin because it combines shea butter and sodium hyaluronate to deeply moisturize dry areas, alongside niacinamide and green tea extract to calm and soothe the skin. These ingredients help improve your skin barrier and reduce irritation risks while managing oily shine.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Lasers in Medical Science, 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.
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 cream goes as a moisturizer in your morning routine, and as a moisturizer or mask in your weekly routine. It provides rich hydration and soothing benefits for your combination skin while keeping irritation risks low.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, applying the retinol first and following with this cream to help calm and moisturize your skin. Using a nourishing moisturizer alongside retinoids is unlikely to cause irritation and may help reduce dryness and redness.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this cream daily as part of your routine to keep your combination skin nourished and hydrated. Regular application helps improve moisture levels and skin barrier strength while keeping irritation unlikely.
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 for your combination skin because it contains no harsh ingredients and is well-suited to keep your skin calm. It features soothing components like niacinamide and green tea extract which help minimize irritation risks.
Is this cream 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
Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024Topical 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 0.1% 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 skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025A skincare regimen containing Macrocystis pyrifera ferment consisting of a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer decreases the visible effects of inflammation and aging while promoting healing and improving patient satisfaction.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing creams decrease visible inflammation and signs of aging while enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Aqueous extracts from Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica exhibited antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2, and topical formulations significantly reduced the severity and duration of HSV-1 skin lesions in an animal model compared to mock treatment and acyclovir.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020Phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract formulated into a serum and mask showed significantly better facial skin lightening efficacy than placebo in 30 volunteers over 28 days.
Planta Medica, 2020Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015A topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract significantly reduced skin erythema and melanin compared to a placebo in healthy Asian subjects over 12 weeks.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Heptyl Undecylenate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate Tricaprate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Zinc Pca, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

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.
