Choosing the right face wash for combination skin—where oily and dry areas coexist—can be challenging. A cleanser that targets oiliness may leave the skin feeling tight and dry, while a hydrating one might clog pores in the T-zone. At Dermatocare, we understand the delicate balance needed to maintain healthy, clear, and radiant skin.

This curated list of dermatologist-approved cleansers is specifically tailored for combination skin types, keeping in mind the diverse skin concerns such as breakouts, sensitivity, dullness, and premature aging. Whether you’re looking for gentle cleansing, pore refinement, hydration, or skin-brightening benefits, this guide will help you make an informed choice backed by science and clinical insights.

Best face wash for normal or combination skin

Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash 

Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash is a budget-friendly face wash with three mild surfactants in a glycerin base. In addition, it has three soothing ingredients that can keep your skin calm. 

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Provitamin B5, Vitamin E
• Surfactants: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Best Suitable For:

• Basic cleansing
• Mild sensitivity
• Budget-friendly daily use

DERMATOCARE SCORE: 8/10

Available @ Amazon.com

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser

Best buy for combination skin

If you are looking for gel-based foaming cleansers with fragrance, then Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser is for you. It has all goodie ingredients that leave your skin soft and supple. Hyaluronic acid is a star ingredient that sits on your skin to moisturise it!

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin
• Surfactants: Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Best Suitable For:

Maintaining post-wash softness

Dehydrated skin

Dullness

Overall rating: 9/10

Available @ Amazon.com

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Normal to Dry Skin

Recommended for sensitive skin

Cera ve hydrating cleanser has gentle surfactants in a hydrating base of glycerin. It has many identical skin ingredients that help repair skin barrier like Ceramides (1,3,6), Cholesterol,  Phytosphingosine, and hyaluronic acid. It is worth a try for sensitive skin. 

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acids, Ceramides
• Surfactants: Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Best Suitable For:

• Dehydration
• Sensitive skin
• Compromised skin barrier

Overall rating: 9/10

Available @ Amazon.com

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

CHECK AVAILABITY

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Niacinamide, Ceramide-3, Prebiotic Thermal Water
• Surfactants: Coco-Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (mild)

Best Suitable For:

• Redness and irritation
• Oil imbalance
• Barrier repair

Paula’s Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

Best for luxury buyers

Paula’s Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser is sulphate-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free. It has three sulphate-free mild surfactants. Soapberry extract is a unique natural cleanser in this face wash. Hydrating base made of glycerine moisturises your skin. While green tea and chamomile extracts soothe your skin.

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Ceramides
• Surfactants: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Best Suitable For:

• Premature aging
• Dullness
• Uneven texture

Overall rating: 9/10

Available @ Amazon.com

Liquid Neutrogena

Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Liquid Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Formula is a gentle cleanser that can be used for normal skin types, especially if you are prone to sensitivity breakouts.

Available Amazon.com

Overall rating: 9/10

Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Nourishing Daily Facial Cleanser

Best for ageing skin

If you are turning 50, it’s an excellent time to shift to a gentle cleanser because your skin gets dry with age. Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Nourishing Daily Facial Cleanser is the right pick. However, this cleanser is not for you if you are among the rare ones whose skin refuses to get dry!

Overall score: 9/100

Sebamed Clear Foam Face Wash

Best for acne prone skin

Sebamed Clear Foam Face Wash is a water-based face wash that can reduce acne in oily to combination skin types. It has a unique surfactant that can assist in removing acne-causing bacteria, and it has a pH of 5.5, which is favourable for your skin.

Overall score: 9/10

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel

CHECK AVAILABITY

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Rhamnose, Xylitol, Mannitol
• Surfactants: Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

Best Suitable For:

• Hypersensitivity
• Redness
• Barrier support

Eucerin Hydrating Cleansing Gel

CHECK AVAILABITY

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Panthenol
• Surfactants: Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Best Suitable For:

Dehydration

Tightness after washing

Soothing dry patches

Olay Niacinamide + Peptide 24 Face Wash

CHECK AVAILABITY

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
• Surfactants: Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

Best Suitable For:

• Brightening
• Early signs of aging
• Uneven tone

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

CHECK AVAILABITY

Key Ingredients:

• Actives: Betaine Salicylate, Tea Tree Leaf Oil
• Surfactants: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate

Best Suitable For:

• Gentle exfoliation
• Congestion
• Sebum control

Homemade face wash for combination skin

Best budget-friendly and eco-friendly

If you love making your skincare products, then you can try this homemade cleanser for combination skin. Our homemade face wash for combination skin does this with the help of chickpea flour and oats. Turmeric and lemon peel powder provide rejuvenating, skin-lightening, exfoliating and anti-acne benefits. This face wash takes less than 5 minutes to make and can be stored for 1-3 months without refrigeration.

Overall rating: 9.5/10

our face wash sets the foundation for your entire skincare routine. For combination skin, the ideal cleanser should neither strip your skin dry nor leave it greasy. The products listed above strike this balance with thoughtfully chosen actives and surfactants, making them safe and effective for everyday use.

As always, consider your individual concerns—be it acne, dullness, or sensitivity—when choosing a product. For personalized skincare recommendations, explore Dermatocare’s Regime Builder, or consult with Dr. Surbhi for a dermatologist-guided plan tailored to your skin’s unique needs.