10 Best Cleansers for Combination Skin in 2025
If you have combination skin, you know the dilemma – oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), and dry or normal cheeks. It can be hard to find a cleanser that perfectly cleans without excessively removing moisture or feeling like it leaves too much moisture behind. But don’t get too down on yourself, the year 2023 ushered in a whole new slew of innovations, and we compiled the ten best cleansers for combination skin; dermatologist-approved, soothing, and effective.
Whether you are experiencing breakouts, flaky or dry areas, or just trying to uphold skin homeostasis, this guide will come in handy. We have done the research for you!
What is Combination Skin?
Combination skin type refers to having two or more skin types on the face. Usually, that includes an oily T-zone, which consists of the forehead, nose, and chin, and dry or normal cheeks. You may also have blackheads, enlarged pores, or breakouts. The biggest problem with combination skin is to keep your cheeks hydrated, without adding more oil to the T-zone.
Symptoms of Combination Skin:
Oily forehead, nose, and chin
Dry or tight feeling cheeks
Enlarged pores in the T-zone
Occasional breakouts, flaky areas
What to Look for in a Cleanser for Combination Skin
The dermatologist’s consensus is to look for:
pH-balanced (around 5.5)
non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
hydrating properties (glycerin, hyaluronic acid)
mild exfoliant properties (PHA, salicylic acid) if prone to acne
absence of alcohol and hard sulfates
10 Best Cleansers for Combination Skin in 2025!
The dermatologist-approved cleansers that are making a splash this year:
1. CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Cleanser
Best for: Daily use for sensitive combination skin
Why It’s Great:
CeraVe got it as good as possible with this gentle foaming cleanser. It’s almost completely free of sulfates and cleans the skin without stripping it, primarily due to the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Dermatologists especially love it for balancing moisture with oil production from sebaceous glands.
 Fragrance-free, pH-balanced, non-comedogenic.
2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
Best for: Combination skin, especially oily-prone
Why It’s Great:
A French pharmacy classic, this foaming cleanser has prebiotic thermal water, glycerine, and niacinamide to restore the skin barrier, all while deep-cleaning the oiliest parts of the skin!
 Acne-prone and sensitive combo skin is perfect.
3. Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
Best for: Clean beauty enthusiasts
Why It’s Great:
With kale, green tea, and spinach as its main ingredients, this cleanser is like a green smoothie for your skin. I love that it gently foams, regulates sebum, and nourishes the dry parts of the skin.
Vegan, cruelty-free, and full of antioxidants.
4. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser Gel
Best for: Soft hydration
Why It’s Great:
Not only is this a gel cleanser, but it also has hyaluronic acid, so hydration! Soap, dirt, and makeup come off with ease with this product, all while being oil-free and not stripping the cheeks!
Perfect for morning or night!
5. Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Best for: Combination skin types with breakouts
Why It’s Great:
This gentle cleanser has salicylic acid (BHA) that helps gently clear pores and excess oil without irritating the dry areas. I always reach for this on days my hormonal acne is acting up, or blackheads are visible.
Fragrance-free, perfect for blemish-prone areas.
6. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Best for: Frequent makeup wearers
Why It’s Great:
Another cult-favorite, this cleanser includes soy proteins, cucumber extract, and rosewater that cleanse without irritation. This one also removes mascara while still leaving the skin soft and balanced!
Soothing with a spa-like finish.
7. Bioderma Sébium Gel Moussant
Best for: Mattifying oily T-zone
Why It’s Great:
This gel cleanser is especially designed for combination to oily skin and will minimize shine and still protect the skin’s microbiome. It has zinc sulfate and copper sulfate to provide anti-bacterial benefits.
Thoroughly recommended in Europe for combo/acne skin.
8. The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser
Best for: Dull combination skin
Why It’s Great:
This gentle cleanser has fulvic acid (a plant-based antioxidant) that brightens, detoxifies, and hydrates the skin. Very gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells without irritation.
Brightening with daily use.
9. Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser
Best for: Luxurious skincare lovers
Why It’s Great:
This cream cleanser is infused with Japanese rice powder and hyaluronic acid, leaving skin soft and radiant while rinsing dirt and makeup. Perfect for dry feeling cheek zones, as well as an oily T-zone.
Sulfate-free, gentle, and calming.
10. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Best for: Extremely sensitive combination skin
Why It’s Great:
Fragrance free, dye free, sulfate free, and paraben free— this is the holy grail for anyone who reacts to everything. It removes excess oil and debris without stripping moisture.
Recommended by a dermatologist for rosacea or eczema-prone skin.
Pro Tip: Double Cleanse for Combination Skin
Double cleansing (first with an oil-based cleanser, then with a water-based cleanser) can be a useful option to consider at night, especially if you are wearing SPF or makeup. Double cleansing will allow for a deep pore cleansing without overdrying your skin.
Oil Cleanser Options to Try with:
Banila Co Clean It Zero (lightweight balm)
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (olive-oil based, non-comedogenic)
What Dermatologists Say
“Combination skin regimens should strive for balance. Avoid double exfoliation (or applying an active on dry zones) to lessen the chance of dry patches. Stick with cleansers that have calming or hydrating ingredients such as niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.” – Dr. Andrea Suarez, Dermatologist
“A pH-balanced, non-stripping cleanser will help to regulate and balance oil production as well as moisture loss. The key here is to prevent both acne and dry patches.” – Dr. Michelle Henry, a NYC Dermatologist
A Few Tips for Washing Combination Skin Properly
Use lukewarm water for washing: Hot water strips your skin, and cold water will not allow for adequate cleansing.
Massage your face for 60 seconds: This allows your face to be fully cleansed without irritation to your skin.
Avoid over-washing your face: Washing your face twice a day is enough; over-washing can stimulate oil production.
You can spend a little more time on your T-Zone when washing and cleansing if needed.
Always moisturize your skin: Oily skin also needs moisture to stay balanced.
Final Thoughts
When you have combination skin, the right cleanser will change your skincare routine. In 2025, brands are creating smarter, cleaner, and more balanced products that cater to your skin and your needs.
Whether your skin leans more oily or dry, the 10 dermatologist-tested cleansers on this list should level the playing field on both ends. Start with the one that addresses your biggest skin trouble (breakouts, dryness, or dullness). Be sure to give your skin a few weeks to adjust!
FAQs
Q1: Can I use a foaming cleanser for my combination skin?
Yes. If it is gentle and sulfate-free, a foaming cleanser is perfectly fine to use; foaming cleansers like La Roche-Posay or CeraVe can do a great job removing oil, without stripping your dry areas.
Q2: Should I avoid oil-based cleansers?
No, not at all. Oil-based cleansers work wonderfully in double cleansing, and if they are non-comedogenic, they will not clog pores.
Q3: How often should I wash combination skin?
Twice a day, every morning and every night. If your cheeks felt very dry, you might just want to splash only water in the morning and fully cleanse at night.
