Our Best Serums for Combination Skin

Why the right serum makes all the difference  

A glowing complexion requires the right blend of nutrients and hydration, and a face serum delivers on both counts. Combination skin might feel tricky to treat despite being super common. Your face might feel oily one day and dry the next, or even blend dry patches with oily areas and acne breakouts all at once. All of this is simply a sign that your combination skin needs balance.  

We love following the latest skincare trends, but it’s also important to tailor your routine to your skin type. The best serum for combo skin nourishes your visage with targeted ingredients for oily, sensitive and dry areas at once. Delivering a higher concentration of active ingredients than a regular face cream or moisturiser, you can really see the results.    

What is combination skin?  

Most commonly, those with combination skin have dry, flaky skin on their cheeks and sometimes on their temples and the eye area, and an oily T-zone (the area that makes up the forehead, nose and chin) that can be prone to blemishes. 

There are many causes for your skin type. Genetics can determine whether you have combination skin and how much oil your skin produces. Hormones also play a key part. During puberty and menstruation, an imbalance in androgens can stimulate an increase in oil production. As you get older and during the menopause, declining oestrogen and hyaluronic acid levels can affect your skin’s ability to hold water, and are one of the main causes of dry skin. 

Add to that changing weather during the different seasons and it's easy to see why finding the right skincare routine for combination skin is a balancing act – you want to avoid stripping your skin of moisture, which makes the dry patches drier, or encouraging excess sebum production, especially in hot, humid climes and the summertime.

Taking a flexible approach to treating combination skin can help to manage your changing hormones, stress levels and climate conditions. In summer, you may find your sebaceous glands go into overdrive, producing too much oil and making your T-zone oilier, while winter can take its toll on dry skin and create the need for more hydrating formulas. 

How to apply serum 

Serums are the secret weapons in your favourite beauty editor and dermatologist’s bathroom cabinet. These potent formulas, when applied in the right order and routine, can deliver powerful active ingredients to where they’re needed most. 

What are the benefits of serums for combination skin? 

Serums are ideal for combination skin that’s prone to dryness, as they’re packed with hydrating, balancing ingredients. The best combination skin serums come in an ultra-lightweight formula, too, which means you can layer them to get the best blend of balanced active ingredients. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the primary benefits of using a face serum for combination skin.  

1. Quick absorption 

Because serums have a thinner viscosity than moisturisers, they absorb more rapidly into skin. This leaves your complexion plump, fresh and dewy, without feeling heavy or greasy. A thinner consistency also makes combination skin serum perfect for layering and a great first step in your skincare routine.  

2. Layer-ready formulas 

When you have dry, oily, or blemish-prone skin, you can choose targeted formulas for your type. Combination skin is more complex, blending multiple concerns in one. That makes serums particularly useful, since they can be applied in light, buildable layers. You can even adapt your individual routine with a different formula for each facial zone – the ultimate in custom skincare. 

3. Highly concentrated, active ingredients 

Face serums are worth their weight in gold, with concentrated active ingredients including vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. This gives more immediately visible results, especially when used with additional hydrating products like overnight creams.  

4. Protects skin from damage 

Serums do more than just hydrate skin. They also include vitamins and ingredients like ferulic acid and resveratrol that protect skin from damage caused by UV light, pollution, and other sources of free radicals.  

5. Suitable for sensitive skin 

Combination skin is often more sensitive than other skin types, especially if you have the type prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes. Serums are gentle, lightweight, and well-tolerated by sensitive skin types. 

Key ingredients to look for in serums for combination skin 

Not all serums are created alike. Face serum uses include everything from soothing inflammation to reducing hyperpigmentation and restoring radiance. When weighing the options, look for combination skin serums that include these ingredients. 

Hyaluronic acid 

Hyaluronic acid is an important all-rounder, best applied as a serum before continuing with the rest of your skincare routine. As a humectant ingredient, it locks moisture into the skin without clogging pores, making it the perfect fit for combination skin that can be both dry and oily at once. 

Ferulic Acid 

If you’re looking for the best vitamin C serum for combination skin, you’ll probably notice that many options include ferulic acid too. This antioxidant not only fends off damaging free radicals, it also helps stabilise vitamin C to boost its effectiveness in your skincare serums.  

Vitamin C 

Like ferulic acid, vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals, protects against environmental damage, and improves overall skin health. For those with combination skin, it can help balance an uneven skin tone by brightening and stimulating collagen production all at once. Try a vitamin C serum for combination skin like our Rénergie H.C.F Triple Serum to reap the benefits.  

Niacinamide 

More commonly known as vitamin B3, niacinamide evens out skin tone and reduces patches of inflammation or redness. This little skincare powerhouse is also beneficial for sensitive or combo skin because it regulates oil production while reducing fine lines, for a more smooth, supple, and youthful appearance.  

Peptides 

Peptides are made up of amino acids, the body’s building blocks for creating key proteins like collagen and elastin. Peptide-rich serums build a stronger skin barrier that can withstand the effects of environmental damage or lifestyle habits. After applying your serum, follow up with a peptide-rich cream like our Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream for a balanced, soothed, and supple complexion. 

Our best serums for combination skin

How to incorporate serums into your skincare routine 

A general skincare rule to follow is to apply products in order of thickness, and with this rule in mind serums will come first. After cleansing, apply a few drops of your chosen serum and let it soak into skin before moving on to heavier products like moisturiser, suncream, and finally makeup.  

Wondering when to apply serum on the face? You can apply it morning and night as an essential post-cleansing step. If you’re only applying your serums once a day, the timing will depend on its type.  

●  Antioxidant formulas, including most vitamin C serums for combination skin, work best in the morning to protect your skin from damage throughout the day.  

●  With anti-ageing serums, an evening application is best to allow the ingredients to work alongside your body’s circadian rhythm while you sleep.  

Final tips for people with combination skin looking for their perfect serum 

Involving more than one skin type, combination skin requires a little extra TLC to find its perfect balance. The solution? A derm-approved multitasker that targets multiple skincare concerns in one go.  



The best serums for combination skin come packed with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides to hydrate and even out skin tone while protecting it from environmental damage. Browse our selection of face serums to find a formula that will leave your combo skin glowing.  

Frequently Asked Questions on Combination Skin & Serum 

What is combination skin? 

As its name suggests, combination skin isn't just one skin type but a mixture of two or more. Most commonly, those with combination skin have dry, flaky skin on their cheeks and sometimes on their temples and the eye area, and an oily T-zone (the area that makes up the forehead, nose and chin) that can be prone to blemishes. 

What type of serum is best for combination skin? 

Choose a serum that is suitable for all skin types, and it will provide your skin with the hydration and balance needed in different areas of your face. We recommend our Advanced Génifique Ultimate Serum which is suitable for everyone, including those with sensitive skin. It helps to strengthen skin, while hydrating and smoothing. 

How do serums help combination skin? 

Serums contain active ingredients which work to improve skin concerns, the lightweight formulas are absorbed quickly and efficiently. Serums containing hyaluronic acid are particularly good at providing featherlight hydration without clogging pores. Try our Advanced Génifique Ultimate Serum which is suitable for everyone, including those with sensitive skin and oily skin. 

How often should I use a serum if I have combination skin? 

When it comes to skincare, consistency is key, so apply your serum every morning and evening for best results. Always apply after cleansing. 

Can I use different serums in different areas of my face? 

Absolutely, using one serum to hydrate dry skin on the cheeks and another serum to tackle oily skin and clogged pores on the T-zone is one approach to caring for combination skin. For personalised advice on your skin's needs you can book a live video consultation with one of our skin experts at a convenient time for you. 

What ingredients should I look for in a serum for combination skin? 

All skin types can benefit from the powerful active ingredients - hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide, ferulic acid found in our triple active serum Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum. Like many vitamin C serums, this formula works to improve skin tone and brightness, however it also helps to improve uneven skin tone and more. It's proven to result in visible improvement of ageing signs: firmness, wrinkles, dark spots. Skin strengthening ingredients work to balance and restore skin and regulate moisture levels, meaning it is ideal for combination skin, mature skin and anyone looking to fight the signs of ageing skin.