The Absolute Best Moisturizers for Every Skin Type
Here are the most dry-face-proof creams.
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Maintaining a supple complexion can be a challenge despite our best efforts (humidifiers, masks, more water, less wine). But finding the right moisturizer for your skin type makes a big difference.
So we’ve looked at the ingredients lists and rounded up the best face moisturizers for all skin types, including some of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman’s personal picks (none of which he’s affiliated with, by the way — he just happens to think they’re great) and some of the Cut Shop editors’ favorites, too (since testing all of these products is our literal job).
Our top picks:
The Most Popular Moisturizer
Weleda Skin Food
Pros: Affordable and effective.
Cons: Consistency might be too thick for some.
This moisturizer has achieved cult status. It’s been mentioned many times on the Cut as a favorite of Julia Roberts, Victoria Beckham, makeup artists, models, authors, and more. People laud its thickness and the dewy sheen it leaves behind (some people even use it instead of highlighter). It’s primarily meant for the face and body, but it can also be used on the hands, hair, and anyplace else.
The Most Soothing Moisturizer
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil Control Moisturizer
Pros: Great for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.
Cons: Formula might be too thick for some.
If your skin is flaky and irritated, you will love this rich, soothing moisturizer. It’s a little on the heavier side, so it’s a good pick for those going through the “Retinoid Uglies” (Sephora reviewers also note that it’s great for anyone using Accutane). It’s formulated with shea butter and colloidal oatmeal, which is known to relieve itching.
The Moisturizer That Does It All
PAULA’S CHOICE Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50
Pros: Formula jam-packed with ingredients that target so much more than moisture.
Cons: Tends to leave a white cast.
This moisturizer does everything. It has a very hydrating base of glycerin and shea butter. In addition, it contains SPF 50, a healthy dose of antioxidants from coffee seed and apples, and tone-boosting ingredients like niacinamide and licorice. Reviewers of all skin tones note that it blends in nicely, without any sort of gray cast. If you forget to apply sunscreen every day, this is a good pick.
The Best Seller
TATCHA The Water Cream
Pros: Nongreasy and extra moisturizing.
Cons: Price point.
Over the summer, this cream quickly became Sephora’s best-selling moisturizer and sold out twice. It has a gel texture that instantly becomes a rich, silky moisturizer on skin contact, and it moisturizes without getting greasy.
The Best Moisturizer for Almost Any Skin Type
Skinceuticals Daily Moisture
Pros: High-quality formula that brings great results.
Cons: Expensive.
If your skin type is normal, oily, or combination, this best-selling lightweight moisturizer is for you. It’s packed with glycerin, which was one of the must-have ingredients on Hartman’s list. Others include vitamin E and algae extracts to nourish, hydrate, and minimize pores. It has more than 500 five-star reviews, which claim it goes on smooth, doesn’t cause irritation, and isn’t greasy. Plus a little goes a long way with this one.
The Best-Value Moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
Pros: Affordable and lightweight enough for those with oily skin.
Cons: You go through a jar fast.
Ideal for those who want moisture yet worry about breaking out, this moisturizer absorbs almost instantly so that your skin feels softer, nourished, and not at all greasy. The gel-cream consistency spreads evenly, but feels more like a liquid once applied. It is also one of the least expensive moisturizers on this list and has over 34,000 five-star Amazon ratings.
The Best Mattifying Moisturizer
La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Pros: Lightweight and great for acne-prone skin.
Cons: Reviewers wish they would get more ounces considering the price.
Another rec from Hartman is this lightweight formula that restores the skin’s barrier without increasing oiliness, leaving a nice finish. It reduces visible pores and leaves a soft matte look if you struggle with excess oil and shine. The pore-minimizing effect also makes it an excellent base for makeup. As for the customer feedback, one reviewer with acne-prone combination skin called it “unparalleled perfection” after giving it a whirl.
The Best Moisturizer for Your Skin Barrier
Dieux Instant Angel
Pros: Brings a squeeze key so you use the product until the last drop.
Cons: Formula is not as friendly for acne-prone skin.
If you want a moisturizer that’s just as good as the Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore, but you don’t want to drop $100-plus, try Dieux’s Instant Angel instead. Not only our senior shopping editor, Bianca Nieves, swears by it but so does our deputy editor, Jen Ortiz, and our fashion writer, Danya Issawi.
More tried-and-true items:
The Best Two-in-One Moisturizer
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Pros: Affordable, has SPF, and is long-lasting.
Cons: Might be too greasy for some skin types.
For those of you who like to do the bare minimum but still want to protect your skin, this is the option for you. Apply this before heading out the door and Hartman says you’ll get moisture from the ceramides along with essential sunscreen protection thanks to the SPF 30. It has a 4.5-star rating out of five, and thousands of reviewers say it’s long lasting and absorbs quickly.
The Simplest Fragrance-Free Moisturizer
Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream Moisturizer
Pros: Fragrance-free.
Cons: The formula has been updated, much to the disdain of loyal customers.
It’s not the flashiest of moisturizers, but this one has a long-standing reputation in the beauty world — it works really well and has zero scent. (It also has almost 9,000 four-star reviews on Amazon). One swipe of the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide-rich formula deeply moisturizes for supersoft complexion. Hartman stresses the importance of avoiding fragrances if you have sensitive skin.
The Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream
Pros: Can be used on adults and infants thanks to its soothing properties.
Cons: On the pricier side for a drugstore option.
Those with chronic eczema praise this cream for its ability to heal and soothe particularly stubborn patches. It is a French drugstore find that contains thermal spring water (known for its healing properties), but also has clinical results that back up its effectiveness at repairing the skin barrier. It’s so soothing that it’s even suitable to use on infants.
The Best Moisturizer for Really Dry Skin
DR. JART+Ceramidin™ Cream
Pros: Dry skin is no match for this cream.
Cons: The thick formula and fragrance can be a bit much for some.
This moisturizer is chock-full of ceramides, the good “fat” for your skin that helps strengthen the moisture barrier and keeps hydration from leaking out of your pores. It contains five different kinds and has nearly 900 five-star reviews, calling it “intense” and a “must-try for dry skin types.”
The Luxury Moisturizer
La Mer Crème De La Mer
Pros: Incredibly moisturizing. A little goes a long way.
Cons: Pricey, and fragrance might be strong for some.
The price tag is steep, but celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman swear by this moisturizer (J.Lo was rumored to use it as a body moisturizer). Its origin story is legendary and involves psychics, a mystery NASA scientist, fake-death conspiracy theories, and more. La Mer’s proprietary “Miracle Broth” is made with seaweed and allegedly works to smooth fine lines, shrink pores, and restore radiance. Most effective on very, very dry skin, the dense cream melts when applied. Celebrity makeup artists like Hung Vanngo use this on their clients like Chrissy Teigen and Selena Gomez.
The Fashion-Favorite Moisturizer
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Pros: Editor-approved thanks to its super-hydrating properties.
Cons: Price point.
This velvety cream feels great and absorbs quickly to replenish very dry skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants that purportedly boost collagen and smooth fine lines when your skin is looking less than great. Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury says she’s used this cream for years at fashion shows and on photo shoots with her loyal clients like Amal Clooney and Kate Moss.
The Shea-Butter-Infused Moisturizer
Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing Cream
Pros: Subtle scent; moisturizes and heals acne scars.
Cons: Might be too thick for some.
Buttah was created to treat melanin-rich skin and everyday skin issues like dryness and discoloration. This moisturizer is especially great for colder months because of its 100 percent-shea-butter base and ingredients like hyaluronic acid. It feels thick but deeply soothes and hydrates the skin. Shea butter is made of several types of fatty acids and is known to be anti-inflammatory, with studies showing it can also be beneficial in healing acne scars. This cream has a subtle yet pleasing natural shea-butter scent.
The Fancy Moisturizer
Augustinus Bader the Rich Cream
Pros: Works wonders on all skin types.
Cons: Pricey.
Dubbed the “new La Mer” by some, this very fancy moisturizer is beloved by celebrities (like Melanie Griffith and Diane Kruger), fashion people, and beauty editors alike. It comes with its own mythical-sounding origin story, and no one is quite sure how it works — but lots of people swear by it for giving them better-looking, smoother, and what they describe as younger-looking skin.
$180 at Forward by Elyse Walker
The Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin
FARMACY Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya
Pros: Works great for oily skin, nonirritating.
Cons: Might be too light for those with drier skin.
If the phrase “oil free” is soothing to your heart, this moisturizer is for you. Despite not containing oil, it’s still extremely moisturizing, thanks to mix of four types of hyaluronic acid. It’s very positively reviewed on Sephora, with hundreds of people praising it as being the absolute best for oily skin. If you struggle with breakouts, Hartman also recommends gel moisturizers since they glide on easily and won’t irritate the acne on your face.
The Fancy Moisturizer for Darker Skin Tones
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream
Pros: Great for darker skin tones.
Cons: Pricey.
Dr. Barbara Sturm has a cult following, and you should believe the hype of the reviews flooding your Instagram feed from people such as Chrissy Rutherford and Danielle Prescod. Formulated specifically for darker skin tones and containing ingredients like African whitewood bark and magnolia to reduce excess oils, this face cream really hydrates the skin.
The Best Brightening Moisturizer
EADEM Cloud Cushion
Pros: Moisturizes and brightens skin.
Cons: Despite its hydrating nature, we find it ideal for your a.m. routine rather than your p.m. routine.
We love a moisturizer that can do it all. This one from Eadem gives you the opportunity to cut a few extra serums out of your routine if you want brighter skin. The airy whipped formula promises to brighten skin over time with niacinamide. Plus it features ceramides and glycerin to help nourish the skin and lock in moisture.
The Dermatologist-Approved One (Literally)
Pillow Talk Derm Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer
Pros: Helps correct dark spots.
Cons: It goes out of stock frequently.
Leave it to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss to create a moisturizer that hydrates your skin while also prevents future discoloration. Our senior shopping editor loves to pair hers with the brand’s Major Fade Hyper Serum.
The Best for Flare-ups
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer
Pros: Light but moisturizing and works great under makeup.
Cons: You will want a bigger tube.
Another holy grail for people with sensitive skin. If you loved the brand’s SOS spray, then you’ll love the moisturizer. Made with the same ingredients, this product is great when you have flare-ups or your skin needs to recover. Our shopping writer, Chinea Rodriguez, vouches for it.
The One That’s Like Whipped Cream
Youth to the People Superfood Air-whip Moisture Cream
Pros: Fun to apply and lightweight enough for all skin types.
Cons: Users note it has been reformulated and has a stronger scent.
Managing editor Rachel Bashein recommends this nice but light moisturizer from Youth to the People.
The Natural One
Diane Higgins Skincare Blue Tansy Facial Cream
Pros: Hydrating and small-business-owned.
Cons: Might be too thick for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
Senior writer Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz is obsessed with this cream from a facialist who makes all of her own products. Its aroma is subtle, but its hydrating properties are strong.
The Makeup-Artist Favorite
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Pros: Highly moisturizing.
Cons: Packaging can become tricky once you use most of the product.
Peep into any makeup artist’s bag, and you’ll see a shriveled-up tube of this French moisturizing staple. It works great as primer and will leave your skin plump and ready to get glammed up without having to worry about creases and dry patches.
The Peptide-Infused One
Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream
Pros: The peptide-infused formula promotes firm, supple skin.
Cons: It’s oil-free and a few reviewers have said it’s not super-hydrating.
Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden is the force behind many of the world’s most famous faces. Launched this year, the oil-free moisturizer is a blend of peptides, shea butter, squalane, and glycerin for a rich yet non-greasy feel. Former beauty director-at-large Maya Allen swears by its hydrating powers and says she wakes up to bouncy, refreshed skin. Ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin, this product is the key to a luminous, I-woke-up-like-this glow.
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