The Best Cleansing Products for Combination Skin
2025-06-13

If you have oily or blemish-prone skin in some areas but dry or dehydrated skin in others, there’s a good possibility you have combination skin. While this can sometimes be a frustrating thing to deal with, using the best skincare products for your skin type can help to balance, soothe, and support your skin’s natural barrier, without stripping it of necessary moisture. What’s the most important skincare step for combination skin? Keeping it clean. And for that, you need a reliable cleanser that’s got your back, no matter what your skin throws at you. In this simple guide, we’ll be taking you through some of the best skincare products for combination skin types, and showing you which formulas to pair them with for optimal results.
Which is best for combination skin — a cleansing balm or gel?
Both gels and cleansing balms can be used on combination skin, although different formulas serve different purposes.
The nice thing about cleansing balms is that they can benefit almost any skin type. Just be sure to check ingredients. Our formulas are created without mineral oils to prevent the skin from feeling too heavy or causing excess sebum to build up. This is particularly important for combination skin since, even when dry, it can still be prone to clogged pores and breakouts in oilier areas. Cleansing balms, like those in our Pro-Collagen Skincare Collection nourish as a balm, melt into an oil, then transform into a milk when you add water. This helps to remove stubborn makeup while making daily cleansing an even more satisfying sensory experience. I
If you prefer a slightly lighter product that lathers on the skin, our gel cleansers build to a soft, rich lather to easily lift away makeup and daily grime, without stripping the skin of essential moisture. They’re also the perfect option for a double cleanse, as they help you to wash away any remaining impurities while keeping the skin feeling comfortable and balanced.

Skin-loving Ingredients To Look Out For:
To manage combination skin, you need ingredients that provide both nourishment and balance. This prevents the skin from becoming overly dry or oily. For example, Optimega™ Oil and Elderberry Oil — both found within our Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm — are known to be rich in Omegas 6 and 9, as well as fatty acids that help to increase the skin’s feeling of smoothness without clogging pores.
Our Black Cherry cleanser also contains bee-friendly Starflower oil which helps to soften, smooth, and soothe the skin, while Padina Pavonica, a Mediterranean marine algae, is known to support gentle hydration. You’ll find this powerhouse ingredient in all of our Pro-Collagen formulas, and for good reason. Padina Pavonica is a brown fan-shaped algae, traditionally found on the Mediterranean coast. Providing a good source of polysaccharides (which are known to help maintain the skin's moisturisation), it’s a great option if you’re after something that’ll give the skin a more hydrated feel.
Three simple skincare routines that are safe for combination skin
Ready to refresh your routine? Finding the best face care for combination skin need not be complicated. Here are three simple skin routines that’ll bring back the balance in no time:
1. The Dynamic Solution For Flaky, Uneven Skin
Eager to find a solution to facial flakiness? Try this easy routine featuring (The) Dynamic Duo set.
In the morning, apply two pumps of our Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash to damp skin, massaging it over your face and neck with gentle circular motions. This powerful cleanser contains our patented Tri-Enzyme Technology that helps the skin to naturally shed dead surface cells — perfect for preventing the buildup that can lead to excess oil and clogged pores. Follow up with a Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pad, Use the textured side in circular motions, then flip to the smooth side for a final sweep. These nifty pads also harness Tri-Enzyme Technology, along with Lactic Acid for gentle exfoliation. This helps to enhance skin radiance and promote a smoother, more even surface texture. Finally, don't skip the SPF. It's especially important when using resurfacing products in your routine.
At night, add an additional cleanser to ensure you properly rid the skin of any build-up or grime that may have accumulated throughout the day. First, remove all makeup thoroughly using our #1 UK best-selling Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and then follow the same steps as before (minus the SPF). Finish up with a gentle moisturiser or the Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix.
Want to find out more about double cleansing? Our helpful double cleansing guide contains all the info you need.

2. The Radiance-Boosting Ritual For Dull, Tired Skin
Looking to boost radiance? Our online exclusive Pro-Collagen Cleansing Collection brings together three tried-and-tested formulas that work in harmony to reveal your skin's natural glow. Super-charged with minerals Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper, our Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser is the perfect way to start your morning and wake up tired skin. This cleanser also contains a trio of anti-ageing acids that offer a smoothing and resurfacing effect — ideal for tackling patches of dryness and making way for more radiance.
When the evening rolls around, treat yourself to our timeless Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and watch it transform from balm to oil to milk as it melts away the day.
3. A Gentle Approach For Sensitive Combination Skin
After an all-in-one cleansing set that allows you to customise your routine? Our Double The Clean collection lets you mix and match your cleansers based on what you need at any given time, making it ideal for changing skin. Layer products for double cleansing or keep them separate for the morning and evening. When your skin's feeling sensitive, it’s best to avoid anything too harsh. Keep mornings gentle with the Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm. Its blend of Starflower Oil, Optimega™ Oil and Elderberry Oil helps nourish and soften the skin while keeping it clean and comfortable.
For the evening, start with the same nourishing oil to break down makeup, then follow with a small amount of Pro-Collagen Marine Cleanser. This combination will help to maintain that delicate balance between deep cleansing and keeping your skin feeling calm.

Find your perfect balance with science-backed skincare from ELEMIS
Taking care of combination skin can feel like a balancing act at times, but with the right products and a consistent routine, you'll soon discover what works best for you.
Remember, everyone's skin is unique, so pay attention to how your skin reacts and adjust your routine accordingly. And of course, always keep an eye out for our best and latest skincare products — we’re always on the hunt for the latest science-backed skincare ingredients so that you can feel safe and confident in your skin, no matter what it throws at you.