affordable skincare routine for combination skin

While it does lather nicely, it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or stripped at all. The additions of ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid are nice, but keep in mind those do get washed off so they’ll have little benefit on the skin. Still, this gentle cleanser does it’s job well and respects our skin barrier with a low pH formula, and it’s super affordable too!

→ $14.99 for 237ml ($0.06 per ml) on LookFantastic, Amazon, Ulta

If the Cerave is too boring for you, this is a great alternative. It has a gel texture with a light foaming action, gentle surfactants, and similar skin-supporting ingredients to the Cerave. The two also deliver similar experiences and results, but the Byoma does come in a fun yellow bottle that allows for refills!

→ $13.97 for 175ml ($0.08 per ml) on Target, CultBeauty

If you struggle with congested skin or frequent breakouts, this lightly foaming face wash contains 2% polyhydroxy acid (PHA), which are gentle exfoliants that will help unclog your pores.

While PHAs are less irritating than AHAs, they’re still an exfoliant so I wouldn’t use this daily if you also have sensitive skin. Otherwise reviewers say that it’s helped clear their skin and reduce their breakouts!

→ $10.99 for 186ml ($0.06 per ml) on Amazon, Ulta

I’m a big fan of Bioderma’s micellar water, they remove makeup surprisingly well and feel lighter on the skin compared to oils or balms. The Sebium version is specifically for oily and combo skin types, and feels even more refreshing than the regular version. I absolutely loved this when I traveled to Taiwan in the summer!

→ 14.99 for 500ml ($0.03 per ml) on Amazon, LookFantastic

All skin types can benefit from added hydration, and I love that this is not your typical hyaluronic acid serum. It’s super lightweight, almost water like, yet adds a wonderful layer of hydration – which is perfect for combo skin. Even though I have dry skin myself, I love layering this for extra moisture without the extra heaviness!

→ $8 for 30ml ($0.27 per ml) on Cult Beauty, Space NK, Sephora

Combo and oily skin types can benefit from a gentle exfoliating product to help reduce congestion. If you’re not using a cleanser with acids, then this is a great option. It also includes humectants and emollients to help nourish the skin barrier. I’ve been using this regularly and have not experienced any irritations! 

→ $18.19 for 50ml ($0.36 per ml) on Stylevana, Amazon, YesStyle

Vitamin C’s skin benefits are endless: brightening, collagen production, and antioxidant support are just a few of the main ones. There are a lot of vitamin c serum formulas, and this one is great for combo skin with its water-like texture and use of the most effective ascorbic acid form! Doctor Anne, a fellow skincare blogger with oily skin type, is a big fan!

→ $12 for 30ml ($0.4 per ml) on Geek & Gorgeous

A beginner friendly retinoid serum that features the milder retinol and bakuchiol, a plant extract with similar functions to retinol. What makes this particular retinol combo-skin-friendly is that it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any sticky finish, all while delivering noticeable long term results.

→ $20 for 30ml ($0.67 per ml) on Amazon, Target

What I’m currently using now for the warmer spring weather! It has a light gel cream texture that spreads effortlessly onto the skin, leaving behind a slightly dewy finish. Don’t worry though, the dewiness does dry down after a few minutes, leaving just soft hydrated skin behind.

→ $9.99 for 50ml ($0.2 per ml) on Sephora, Cult Beauty

This was not moisturizing enough for my dry skin normally, but on a trip back to Taiwan where the humid weather made my skin more oily, it was perfect! The cream texture is incredibly light which feels comfortable on the skin, plus it doubles as a wonder makeup primer!

→ $12 for 50ml ($0.36 per ml) on Ulta, Beautylish

This brand has come a long way since their $1 makeup line! This features great ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Squalane, and Peptides all in a lightweight gel cream texture. People rave about how silky this feels and that it keeps skin moisturized without any heaviness.

→ $13 for 53ml ($0.4 per ml) on Amazon, Target, Ulta

One of my favorite everyday sunscreens for it’s high proven UVA protection! Unlike most Korean sunscreens that leave a dewy finish, this has a light lotion texture with a satin finish that combo and oily skin types will enjoy more. Doesn’t pill and no white cast either!

→ $10 for 50ml ($0.2 per ml) on Stylevana, Beauty of Korea, iHealthee

The only item > $20 but hear me out, it’s a really nice option if you prefer mineral sunscreens. First, no white cast because it’s tinted, and second, the almost mousse-like texture feels so light and comfortable on the skin! It leaves a velvet finish that also blurs out minor imperfections.

→ $21 for 41ml ($0.51 per ml) on Amazon, Ulta, Target

I’m going to cheat and include this sunscreen again because 1) I absolutely love it and 2) it’s the only one here with proven UVA and UVB protection! Slightly dewier finish than the Innisfree but still light enough for combo or even oily skin, though the latter might have to skip the moisturizer step. You won’t be disappointed with this one!

→ $10 for 50ml on YesStyle (5% off with code GEEKYPOSH), Stylevana; $15 for 2 tubes on Olive Young!