Although there are many products out there that can get the job done in terms of adding moisture to your face, the truth is, not all moisturizers are created equal. Some formulas might work better for you than others depending on your skin type, which is why a little research is key before adding a new product to your cart.
Whether you’re looking for a non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog your acne-prone skin or a lightweight moisturizer that won’t cake up and leave you looking greasy, there’s a moisturizer that will work best specifically for you.
To narrow down the best ones, we researched and reviewed a variety of moisturizers, considering factors such as formulation, active ingredients, size, and value. For expert tips on choosing the right moisturizer for you, we consulted three dermatologists and asked them what products they recommend for hydrated skin all day long.
Our Experts for This Story
- Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Dr. Naana Boakye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Naana Beauty
- Dr. Sarah Taylor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and professor of dermatology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Our Top Picks
Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
Best for Mature Skin:
Best for Redness:
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What Stands Out
It helps repair the skin’s natural barrier after only one hour.
What Could Be Improved
The formula is prone to pilling after a few hours of wear.
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Dr. Boakye recommends La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer for people looking to add an easy and accessible moisturizer to their regular skincare routine. This facial moisturizer is said to help repair the skin’s natural protective barrier after just one hour of wear and can provide up to 48 hours of hydration.
The lightweight formula contains healthy-skin ingredients such as ceramide-3, a lipid that helps to retain moisture and protect the skin barrier; glycerin, a humectant that helps to attract moisture to the skin; and niacinamide, a vitamin that aids with discoloration as well as restores the skin’s moisture barrier.
This fragrance-free moisturizer is suitable for anyone looking for a cream that’s not too heavy, but it especially works well for those with sensitive, normal-to-dry skin.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide | Size: 3.38 ounces
Best for Dry Skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
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What Stands Out
It can help relieve eczema and improve skin renewal.
What Could Be Improved
The rich formula may be too thick for those with oily skin.
This award-winning moisturizer is clinically proven to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier in a week and provides instant comfort after only one use. It also consists of a mix of unique, healthy-skin ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal (OTC), which helps treat eczema and speeds up skin renewal; shea butter, an emollient that moisturizes and protects the skin barrier; and allantoin, which helps calm and soothe dry, distressed skin.
The vegan, allergen-free, non-comedogenic formula makes this ultra-rich moisturizer ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Plus, you can use this cream on both your face and body and a little goes a long way, so you’ll really be getting a bang for your buck.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin | Size: 6 ounces
Best for Oily Skin
Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream
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What Stands Out
The AquaPort technology gives fast, deep hydration.
What Could Be Improved
It's expensive compared to other options on this list.
This super lightweight cream moisturizer is ideal for those with oily skin—it won’t clog up your pores, cake on, or make you appear greasy. It can also help with skin elasticity to leave your face looking plump, Dr. Chacon says. Inspired by Kate Somerville’s own microchanneling treatment, this moisturizer gives fast, long-lasting hydration after one week of use.
The cream also helps with skin fatigue, speeds up the skin’s natural recovery with a rosemary peptide complex, and improves dark spots and fine lines brought by digital aging with the help of a blue light-activated algae extract.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Rosemary peptide complex, algae extract | Size: 1.7 ounces
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What Stands Out
It helps visibly reduce the appearance of pores.
What Could Be Improved
The formula may be too watered down for those with dry skin.
Dr. Chacon recommends Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream for those with oily and acne-prone skin. “It’s a lightweight formula that delivers lots of moisture, and it’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores—a key word for those experiencing acne,” she says.
Not only does this gel moisturizer help reduce excess oil and shine with the help of zinc PCA and refine the appearance of pores and discoloration thanks to niacinamide, but it also provides lasting repair to the skin’s natural moisture barrier by means of a biomimetic compound known as B-L3 complex.
For oily to combination skin types looking for a moisturizer that will have you looking and feeling hydrated but not greasy, opt for this fragrance-free formula.
Formulation: Gel cream | Key Ingredients: Zinc PCA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 ounces
Best for Sensitive Skin
EltaMD AM Therapy Face Moisturizer
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What Stands Out
It boosts moisture absorption and retention and also helps reduce redness.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not ideal for dry skin and may cause dry patches.
Dr. Taylor recommends the EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer for those with oily and sensitive skin. Formulated without oil or heavy emollients, this lightweight cream helps repair the skin’s natural barrier while also locking in moisture for long-lasting hydration.
With healthy-skin ingredients like niacinamide, an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces redness and the appearance of dark spots from UV damage; willow bark extract, which helps stimulate cell turnover; and hyaluronic acid, which reduces flakiness while boosting hydration, this formula is ideal for those with damaged, irritated skin.
What’s more? This moisturizer is clinically proven to improve the thickness of the epidermis, or the skin’s surface. After a few weeks of daily use, you can expect a smoother, more even skin tone and texture.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, willow bark extract | Size: 1.7 ounces
Best for Mature Skin
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore
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What Stands Out
It helps restore essential skin lipids to improve the appearance of your skin.
What Could Be Improved
It contains essential oils, so it may not be suitable for sensitive skin
If you’re looking for a moisturizer that will help protect your skin’s barrier while at the same time improving the overall appearance of your skin’s texture, Dr. Chacon swears by SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. “This is great for dry or mature skin types because it will nourish the skin and can help with fine lines and other signs of aging,” Dr. Chacon says.
This thick cream moisturizer contains plenty of anti-aging properties, replenishing any cellular lipid loss through a combination of ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acid, enhancing the skin’s fullness, and reducing the appearance of pores. In clinical trials, this facial moisturizer was shown to drastically reduce the appearance of visible signs of aging in about eight weeks.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, natural cholesterol, fatty acids | Size: 1.6 ounces
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What Stands Out
It helps protect your skin from the sun while boosting hydration.
What Could Be Improved
The lightweight formula doesn’t provide enough moisture for those with dry skin.
We voted PÜR Beauty 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer as the overall best tinted moisturizer for its blendability, longevity, and coverage. Apart from providing enough coverage to hide dark spots and redness, this tinted moisturizer also offers some considerable skincare properties for those wanting an all-in-one product.
Some standout ingredients include sensitive skin-friendly and soothing aloe vera and shea butter; sodium hyaluronate (a derivative of hyaluronic acid), which helps with dryness and locks in moisture; and retinol, lactic acid, and ceramide complex to improve the appearance and texture of the skin.
Additionally, with an SPF of 20, you can feel good about stepping outside to face the sun’s rays without following up this tinted moisturizer with your usual facial sunscreen.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate | Size: 1.7 ounces
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What Stands Out
It soothes skin irritation.
What Could Be Improved
The thick formula may be too much for those with oily skin.
The Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream uses a cica complex with Centella asiatica to deeply soothe the skin and instantly reduce visible redness. At the same time, allantoin helps to replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier and improve the skin’s resilience, helping reduce sensitivity over time. Free from parabens, sulfates, and comedogenic ingredients, this ultra-rich moisturizer is great for those with sensitive skin.
That said, the thick formula may be heavy for those with naturally oily skin, so this product works best for those who tend to lean more on the drier side. For those craving something more lightweight, Dr. Jart+ offers a cooling gel cream moisturizer alternative that is equally as effective.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Cica complex, allantoin | Size: 1.69 ounces
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What Stands Out
It helps deliver a steady stream of moisture and hydration.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not ideal for acne-prone skin, as it may cause breakouts.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is Dr. Taylor’s favorite drugstore pick for any skin type. This moisturizer is a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly night cream that won’t skimp on hydration and healthy skin properties.
Unlike other night creams, which tend to be heavier, oil-based, and can leave you feeling greasy, this ultra-lightweight facial moisturizer is oil-free and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for sensitive and oily skin.
With ingredients like hyaluronic acid, a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin; niacinamide, which calms redness and inflammation; and ceramides that help restore the skin’s barrier and protect against free radicals, this formula helps keep the skin hydrated throughout the night without sacrificing comfort.
Formulation: Cream | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Size: 3 ounces
Final Verdict
Overall, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer tops our list for its affordability, skincare properties, and lightweight formula—making it suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin. For those really wanting to target breakouts, we also recommend the Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream, which in addition to minimizing the appearance of pores, also helps reduce shine and excess oil.
How to Shop for Moisturizers Like a Pro
Formulation
When it comes to face moisturizers, you can choose between two main types of formulations:cream or gel. Overall, one type is not necessarily better than the other, but your choice may depend on your skin type and unique skin needs, the experts say.
Gel moisturizers, which have a much higher water content than cream moisturizers, are lightweight and soak right into the skin, making them ideal for those with oily skin, she adds. Conversely, creams are usually thicker and oil-based, making them more suitable for dry skin, Dr. Boakye says.
Apart from your skin type, the weather may also influence your choice of formulation. When the air is cold, you might crave something heavier as your skin tends to get drier. On the other hand, when the temperature is higher, you might opt for something lighter as your skin produces more sweat and sebum.
Skin Type & Concerns
As mentioned, gels are a great choice if you have oily skin, as you’ll want to avoid super thick formulas that may clog up your pores, Dr. Chacon says. Meanwhile, a cream is ideal for those who require lots of hydration and reinforcement to the skin barrier, like those with dry skin, Dr. Chacon adds.
If your skin is acne-prone, it tends to be oily as well, so you’re going to want to look for lightweight formulations, Dr. Chacon explains.Some beneficial ingredients for acne-prone skin include ceramides, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, tea tree oil, niacinamide, and retinoids, per Dr. Boakye. She adds that you’ll also want to avoid any harsh alcohols, heavy oils, and comedogenic emollients and occlusives (more on these below).
For those with sensitive skin, you’ll want to opt for “clean” products with ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, honey, shea butter, jojoba oil, and ceramides, Dr. Boakye adds, which can help calm inflammation and redness.
Ingredients
In general, moisturizing ingredients can fall under one of three main categories: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Each works differently to add moisture to the skin, and some moisturizing agents are better for certain skin types and concerns compared to others.
- Humectants: Some examples of humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, and propylene glycol, the experts say. Every skin type can benefit from humectants, Dr. Chacon says.
- Emollients: These also help to smooth and soften the skin. Some common emollients include ceramides and shea butter.
- Occlusives: The help protect the skin’s natural barrier often by forming a film on the skin’s surface, the experts say. Some common occlusives are petrolatum or vaseline, beeswax, mineral oil, lanolin, and cocoa butter.For those with dry skin, occlusives are ideal, Dr. Chacon says.
Whatever your skin type, in general, you’ll want to avoid any products with fragrances, dyes, and other common irritants like essential oils and certain preservatives but especially if your skin tends to lean more sensitive, Dr. Taylor says.
Questions You Might Ask
Does everyone have to use a moisturizer?
In short, everyone can benefit from adding a daily moisturizer to their skincare routine—no matter your skin type, the experts say. Both Dr. Boakye and Dr. Chacon recommend moisturizing the skin twice daily, typically with a lighter formula in the morning and a thicker formula at night, such as a heavy night cream.
A well-rounded skincare routine is critical for your skin health, and after sunscreen and a gentle cleanser, a great moisturizer is the next best thing you can do for your skin. “As people get older, the skin’s ability to retain moisture does decrease,” Dr. Taylor says.
As a result, those with mature skin especially benefit from adding a moisturizer to their regular routine, as well as those who use topical serums or ointments that can cause dryness and flakiness, like a retinoid, Dr. Taylor adds.
What are the differences between facial moisturizers, eye creams, and regular lotions?
Just because a lotion is safe to use on your body, that doesn’t mean it’s ideal—or even safe—to use on your face. Regular body lotions are intended to be used on your entire body to keep the skin barrier healthy, but they’re not specifically formulated for the face, Dr. Chacon says.
Facial moisturizers, on the other hand, are designed to keep the skin on your face hydrated and healthy and to address your specific skin needs, Dr. Chacon adds.
As for eye creams, these are often formulated with gentler ingredients to avoid irritating sensitive eyelid skin, so you can see great benefits from using products specifically designed for this area, the experts say.
Are expensive moisturizers worth it?
Just because a moisturizer has a higher price tag, doesn’t mean it’ll work better and harder for you than your regular drugstore brand.
“There are good and bad products at every price point, and the only truth is in the ingredient label,” Dr. Taylor says. The ingredients in a facial moisturizer are going to determine what results you can expect to see and whether the product is worth it to you—no matter the price, Dr. Chacon adds, so be sure to pay attention to not only the ingredients themselves but also the concentration of each one and how much water is in the product, she advises.
A moisturizer that you can get at the drugstore for $15 may have the same or similar makeup as a $90 moisturizer from a boutique brand, and the difference in price may simply be due to marketing and packaging.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Naydeline Mejia, a commerce writer for Real Simple with over four years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content, especially on the topic of beauty.
For this article, we reviewed, tested, and researched a variety of face moisturizers, considering factors such as formulation, ingredients, size, and value.
We also spoke to Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, Dr. Naana Boakye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Naana Beauty, and Dr. Sarah Taylor, MD, MPH, an associate professor of dermatology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, for product recommendations and expert tips on what to look for in a facial moisturizer.
The Best Drugstore Moisturizers for Radiant Skin on a Budget
