We don’t have the exact numbers but if we have to hazard a guess, we’d say that combination skin is probably the top most common skin type out there in this part of the world. While it means your skin is part oily and part dry, that doesn’t mean you can just forgo the moisturiser and rely on your sebum to keep your skin well-lubricated.
Ahead, we have a list of Korean moisturisers for combination skin that you can try. But before that, read all about the hows and whys to moisturising combination skin.
What Should You Look Out for in a Moisturiser for Combination Skin?
Since combination skin is essentially characterised by the worst of both worlds (oiliness and dryness), it’s imperative that you find the proper balance when it comes to picking the right moisturiser for your skin. That’s because not all combination skin types are the same – some may experience more problems with the T-zone while others struggle more with dry areas.
The general consensus though is to find one that is neither too hydrating nor too drying so that your oily T-zone can be controlled while your drier areas (mainly the cheeks) can get all the moisturisation it needs.
Why Get a Korean Moisturiser for Your Combination Skin?
When it comes to face creams for combination skin, your best bet lies in Korean moisturisers as many of the Korean-made formulas are tailored for combination skin types.
What’s more, modern-day formulas do more than just provide the skin with water-moisture effects without any greasiness, they also have other skin-loving benefits weaved in such as anti-ageing, brightening, calming, and healing to help you gain youthful radiant beauty.
In addition, moisturisers don’t only hydrate the skin but also serve as a protective barrier throughout the day while at night, it provides nourishment for your skin since cleansing may strip away some natural oils.
And because your skin works hard for you to keep you protected and healthy, it’s important to show it a little love. Ahead, we curated 21 of the best Korean moisturisers that are made with combination skin in mind.
Related: 24 best cleansers for combination skin to get in 2020 that will keep both your U- and T-zone happy
21 Korean Moisturisers for Combination Skin That You Will Love
Caolion Peace Water Aqua Fresh Gel Day Cream
Fitted with micro oxygen bubbles, 90% marine collagen, and vitamin capsules, this long-wearing gel moisturiser keeps your face fresh by delivering deep hydration and refining skin texture. Centella and arnica montana flower extracts are also added for soothing and cell-renewing effects.
With a bouncy, jelly-like texture, the formula may take a little longer to be blended and fully absorbed into the skin for a dewy finish but its herbal, sage-filled scent will make for a pleasantly relaxing application.
Caolion Peace Water Aqua Fresh Gel Day Cream retails for S$43 on sephora.sg.
Hera Rosy-Satin Face Cream
Winning our judges’ hearts and nabbing the Best Cream Moisturiser (Judges’ Choice) at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2020, you’d also be hard-pressed not to fall in love with this luxurious face cream.
The formula is powered by Rosy-Satin Complex that supplies moisture to the skin while eliminating dulling dead skin cells and preserving skin’s firmness, leaving you with a complexion that radiates with a silky finish. Oh, did we also mention it comes in a lush mousse-like texture that’s enveloped in a delicate rose scent?
Hera Rosy-Satin Face Cream retails between S$120 and S$138.45 at all HERA boutiques and counters as well as online at sephora.sg and YesStyle.
The Face Shop The Therapy Moisture Blending Formula Cream
This interesting moisturiser has two layers of goodness in one jar to help deliver instant moisture, strengthen skin’s protective barrier and plump skin for an instant glow: a top layer that is a mixture of essential oils and thalassotherapy water (a healing seawater blend), and a bottom layer of highly moisturising cream.
This design is made in such a way to ensure your skincare is fresh – all you have to do is to blend it together yourself with a spatula to activate the ingredients. While it may be a dual-layer formula, the cream remains lightweight on combination skin.
The Face Shop The Therapy Moisture Blending Formula Cream retails for S$66 at all The Face Shop – Nature Collection stores and online.
Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Biome Water Cream
Dr. Jart+ is probably most well known for its series of slightly scary-looking but extremely effective rubber masks, but its range of moisturisers is just as promising.
Suitable for all skin types, this hydrating yet lightweight gel cream fills up the skin’s moisture reservoir and maintains high moisture level for longer with not one but three types of hyaluronic acid.
The formula is also powered by patented Jartbiome technology, which is brimming with fermented prebiotics (beneficial microbes) to help support the skin’s moisture barrier and encourage the growth of good bacteria essential for your skin’s health.
Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Biome Water Cream retails for S$65 on sephora.sg.
Laneige Water Bank Hydro EX
An upgraded version of one of Laneige’s most popular products, this gel-cream moisturiser is powered by a super moisture-replenishing ingredient known as green mineral water.
Not only that, it also has a moisture bomb in its formula that bursts upon application to release moisture, as well as a water zipper effect that ensures moisture stays locked in your skin.
With these innovative features, we’re not surprised that it has won the hearts of our readers to be crowned winner of Best Cream Moisturiser (Readers’ Choice) at the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2020.
Laneige Water Bank Hydro EX retails for S$52 at all Laneige boutiques and counters as well as online at sephora.sg.
By Ecom Heartleaf Poreless Cream
Containing 63% chameleon plant (also known as heart leaf) extracts, this featherlight moisturiser helps to purify pores, regulate sebum, soothe skin, and most importantly, keep your skin barrier healthy with hydration that doesn’t weight down on your skin.
By Ecom Heartleaf Poreless Cream retails for S$46 on Ksisters.
Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream EX
Balance – that’s what this moisturiser offers with its deeply moisturising formula that’s neither too thin nor too thick. This gives it the ability to hydrate your skin without leaving any greasiness. You’ll also love its fresh scent that lingers even after applying other skincare products.
On top of hydrating the skin, the antioxidant-rich green tea ingredient in this formula also works great to prevent fine lines and wrinkles as it’s known for its anti-ageing properties. Aside from antioxidants, the cream also has vitamins B and E to help increase skin elasticity and collagen production as well as promote cell regeneration.
Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream EX retails for S$26 at all Innisfree stores and on Lazada.
Huxley Fresh And More Cream
This watery lightweight gel cream uses cactus to seal in hydration and provide moisture to the skin even in extremely dry conditions. Thanks to its water-locking ability, it’s ideal for soothing skin that’s exposed to heat, air conditioning, pollution, and UV rays – sounds exactly like what we need here in Singapore!
Huxley Fresh And More Cream retails for S$49 at Lazada.
Related: Everything you need to know about dehydrated skin and the products to improve it
Sulwhasoo Hydro-aid Moisturizing Soothing Cream
Revitalise tired, thirsty skin with this cooling and replenishing moisturiser. It’s chock full of soothing birch sap, moisturising lilyturf, and fortifying ginseng sprout to deliver and maintain long-lasting moisture while offering relief to stressed skin. Its fresh, clean fragrance is also a bonus for those who like the relaxing, green scent of a forest.
Sulwhasoo Hydro-aid Moisturizing Soothing Cream retails for S$110 at all Sulwhasoo boutiques and counters as well as online at TANGS.com.
Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream
Containing 70% snail mucin extract as its star ingredient, this super (no pun intended) repairing and hydrating cream supports natural cell regeneration and imparts tons of moisture to increase firmness in your skin. The light gel texture also absorbs well while leaving a dewy finish and fresh scent.
Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream retails for approx. S$69.20 (US$50) on Soko Glam. It’s also available on YesStyle for S$55.29.
Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
This unique anti-ageing formula utilises Alaskan glacier water cream to provide a cascade of mineral-rich moisture while shielding skin from free radicals and delivering optimal absorption of moisture.
In addition to being made with cool Alaskan glacier water, it boasts an impressively skin-loving ingredient roster that includes Iceland moss to calm and reduce redness, Xpertmoist – a cocktail of ferment extract and amino acids that further protects skin from dehydration while improving skin’s vitality, as well as Cha-7 es Complex, an exclusive peptide blend which promotes skin’s natural renewal process for a stronger skin barrier that improves moisture retention and helps prevent skin damage.
Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream retails for S$26 (25ml) and S$49 (50ml) on sephora.sg.
Nature Republic Aqua Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream
A boost of hydration is at your fingertips (literally!) with this formula that continuously maintains moisture in combination skin with its high plant-based hyaluronic acid content.
Nature Republic Aqua Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream retails for S$14.94 on iHerb.
Belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb
One of Belif’s cult products, this super lightweight cream with watery texture packs a hefty punch of moisture thanks to a formulation that’s made to burst onto the skin upon application to release a fusion of the brand’s signature Napiers Aqua Formula, Napiers Original Formula, and anti-inflammatory lady’s mantle.
Belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb retails between S$54.10 and S$57 at Belif boutiques as well as online at The Face Shop website.
Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Moisture Cream
A real game-changer for those with chronically dry and dehydrated skin, this rich, soothing cream packs a serious dose of hydration to keep dryness and redness at bay. Its special matrix of three types of hyaluronic acid helps to draw moisture into your skin for round-the-clock hydration.
Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Moisture Cream retails for approx. S$41.50 (US$30) on Soko Glam.
It’s Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream
Need help with hydration and also in glow department? Then It’s Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream is your best bet as it’s jam-packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C-rich acerola to brighten your skin tone while supplying intense hydration.
It’s Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream retails between S$13 and S$21.41 on Shopee and YesStyle.
Tony Moly Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream
This light gel cream employs a special type of fermented Korean green tea that’s been brewed for over a year for the best hydrating and skin-enhancing benefits. Along with antibacterial lemon seed oil and soothing rosewood oil, this antioxidant-packed formula seeps into skin instantly and leaves it with a plumped, soothed look and feel.
Tony Moly Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream retails for approx. S$34 (US$24.50) on Soko Glam. It’s also available on lookfantastic for S$44 and on YesStyle for S$26.03.
Erborian Bamboo Crème Frappée
This energising gel-cream moisturiser not only hydrates and locks in moisture, but also leaves tired and dull skin feeling and looking refreshed and invigorated with its Bamboo Waterlock complex, a combination of bamboo sap and fibres that are rich in essential amino acids and proteins.
Rounding off its ingredient list is ophipogo japonicus root extract that calms and strengthens, as well as diospyros kaki leaf extract that tones and tightens pores. Your skin will also love its light, whipped frosty texture that gets absorbed quickly, giving you a softer, smoother complexion.
Erborian Bamboo Crème Frappée retails for S$70 on Shopee, but is now on sale for S$49.80 at the time of writing. It’s also available on lookfantastic for S$68.50.
Su:m37 Water-full Timeless Water Gel Cream
This lightweight gel-type cream is designed to provide hydration all day long with its signature AquaFerm ingredient. This key substance is extracted from naturally fermented concoction of red Tibetan snow tea and four different kinds of medicinal mushrooms to open up water-transporting pathways between skin cells for deep, effective penetration of moisture.
Su:m37 Water-full Timeless Water Gel Cream retails for S$108 at all Su:m37 counters and TANGS.com.
Starskin Orglamic Pink Cactus Pudding
This luscious, silky-soft moisturiser from the highly raved Korean-Swiss brand has a concoction of highly nutritive prickly pear cactus seed oil, thirst-quenching cactus extracts and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid to give you a youthful, lit-from-within glow. Its cool, velvety texture that’s easily absorbed into the skin makes the cream a dream to apply.
Starskin Orglamic Pink Cactus Pudding retails for S$27 (15ml) and S$75 (50ml) on sephora.sg.
CNP Laboratory Dual-Balance Waterlock Moist Cream
With a fusion of the brand’s own patented CNP Moist Pump Complex and vitamin E, this lightweight gel-cream is able to hydrate both the T- and U-zones intensively while regulating oil and sebum production.
CNP Laboratory Dual-Balance Waterlock Moist Cream retails for S$68 exclusively at Guardian and online at CNP Cosmetics.
Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream
This refreshing gel cream contains almost 70% Damask rose water, an ingredient with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and ultra-hydrating properties, so you can count on this formula to offer lightweight yet long-lasting hydration while providing relief to your dehydrated, irritated skin.
That’s not all, it’s been said that Mamonde sources its rose extract from flowers that are hand-picked at dawn, when they offer the most hydrating and soothing benefits!
Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream retails for S$29 on Amazon SG.
