Best face moisturizer in 2021: hydration for every skin type

Whether or not you’re a skincare novice or somebody who touts an expansive day by day routine, you doubtless attain for a face moisturizer to maintain your pores and skin feeling and looking good. And should you don’t, it’s best to positively begin utilizing one.

With this in thoughts, we introduced in a panel of reviewers with completely different pores and skin sorts to check 18 top-rated moisturizers, with the intention to discover one of the best ones for you, no matter your skincare wants. Preserve studying to see which face moisturizers stood out towards the remaining.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer

Why you can purchase it: Via our assessments, we discovered that one of the best face moisturizer total is dermatologist-favorite Olay Regenerist. The model describes it as “an anti-aging moisturizer that hydrates pores and skin and helps retain pores and skin’s youthful floor contours.” Basically, it’s meant to decrease the look of high-quality strains whereas enhancing pores and skin’s elasticity and firmness. So, what units it aside is the components.

Concerning the components: In accordance with King, this “supplies the perfect mixture of humectants like hyaluronic acid, emollients like triglycerides and occlusives to hydrate, help the pores and skin barrier and lock in moisture. It additionally contains niacinamide, which is useful for tone and texture, and anti-aging peptides as nicely. It’s fragrance-free and appropriate for delicate pores and skin too.”

What we like: That is an all-around dependable moisturizer should you’re on the lookout for a product to have in your self-importance yr spherical, or need to check a low-risk possibility. One among our testers, who describes their pores and skin kind as “regular” with a little bit of dryness within the winter, stated that they “like the burden of this components. It seems creamy, however blends in instantly and also you don’t really feel it in your face in any respect.” The light-weight, however creamy texture permits it to sink proper into the pores and skin versus merely sitting on prime of it. None of our testers skilled any pores and skin sensitivities or irritations whereas utilizing it — clearly a plus.

What we don’t like: There’s not a lot to not like about Olay Regenerist. The moisturizer is on the market in each a scented and fragrance-free components. The scented model smells fairly citrus-y, which is a related warning for individuals with delicate pores and skin. And whereas that is obtainable at your native drugstore, it’s not essentially the most price efficient moisturizer on the market. Should you’re on a extremely strict funds, this may be a little bit of a splurge.

First Help Magnificence Extremely Restore Cream

Why you can purchase it: When you have dry pores and skin, look no additional than the First Help Magnificence Extremely Restore Cream. The model itself is understood for it’s efficacious skincare merchandise to resolve varied pores and skin considerations, formulated to be appropriate for delicate pores and skin. The components and the feel make it a wonderful moisturizer to quench dry pores and skin.

Concerning the components: “This facial cream combines extremely hydrating shea butter with soothing colloidal oatmeal to offer moisture and aid to these with dry pores and skin,” says Love. In accordance with King, colloidal oatmeal, partnered with allantoin, works to assuage and calm the pores and skin — significantly dry, flaky or itchy patches. She says that the cream “supplies the perfect mixture of humectants like glycerin, emollients like ceramides and occlusives to hydrate, help the pores and skin barrier and lock in moisture.”

What we like: One among our testers known as this moisturizer primary, however we imply that in essentially the most constructive approach. A dependable moisturizer that performs nicely doesn’t want bells and whistles to be appreciated. They wrote that “it is available in a fairly large container, and is wealthy and creamy, however has no scent. It goes on fairly thick and works nicely on dry spots. That is often my go-to winter moisturizer.” Regardless of the thickness, it blends seamlessly into the pores and skin with out the sensation of weighing it down. We discovered that the Extremely Restore Cream stood as much as the model’s “fast-absorbing” and “long-term hydration” claims. None of our testers skilled any pores and skin sensitivities or irritations whereas utilizing it.

What we don’t like: However as a result of it’s so thick, it might not be the best choice for a summer time moisturizer — except your pores and skin is really in want of intense moisture whereas the temperatures are excessive. Additionally, ringing in at just below $40 for the usual measurement tub, this isn’t essentially essentially the most reasonably priced face moisturizer.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Why you can purchase it: Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream is formulated to “restore youthful, revived-looking pores and skin” — concentrating on all the pieces from wrinkles to indicators of solar injury. And in our check, we discovered that it’s one of the best face moisturizer for these with delicate pores and skin as a result of it really works very well leaving us with zero irritation.

Concerning the components: First issues first, this cream is vegan and freed from important oils, silicones and perfume. Filled with peptides, progress components, amino acids and pygmy water lily, it’s formulated to quench thirsty pores and skin leaving you with a clean, plump, bouncy complexion. Mainly a recipe for youthful-looking pores and skin.

What we like: Each testers of this moisturizer ranked it one of the best of all those they tried. Whereas each describe their pores and skin as mixture with an oily t-zone, one remarks having tremendous delicate and acne-prone pores and skin. In accordance with one tester, “it’s scentless, the feel is light-weight, doubles as a primer for make-up, absorbs shortly and leaves my pores and skin wanting supple and glowy, and feeling tremendous hydrated.” General, this cream is for somebody who needs light-weight, gel-cream consistency that can depart your pores and skin feeling hydrated all through the day.

What we don’t like: Whereas one tester thought the pump applicator on the bathtub was an added bonus to shortly, simply launch the product, one other believed it made it exhausting to manage how a lot product you launch — particularly for an expensive product like this one. We discovered that if you find yourself with an excessive amount of product, you may spend some time rubbing it into the pores and skin. Slightly goes a great distance.

Tatcha Dewy Pores and skin Cream

Why you can purchase it: It goes with out saying that Tatcha provides a few of our favourite skincare merchandise, interval — so we weren’t stunned one in every of its moisturizers topped our record. The model’s Dewy Pores and skin Cream “feeds pores and skin with plumping hydration and antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice for a dewy, wholesome glow.” It’s heavy sufficient to quell dry patches, however gentle sufficient to not make you overly oily.

Concerning the components: Japanese purple rice, Okinawa algae mix, hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts are the celebs of this components. These components come collectively to guard the pores and skin barrier towards air pollution and stress, soften and nourish the pores and skin, in addition to serving to the pores and skin retain moisture. We thought the components was “wealthy and creamy with a gel-like consistency,” which means it’ll work to fight dryness with out weighing the pores and skin down or making it overly oily — particularly somebody with mixture pores and skin. New York-based licensed esthetician and skincare skilled Sean Garrette says he “loves this one. It’s very nourishing and makes the pores and skin supple and moisturized.”

What we like: We discovered that this purple-hued moisturizer “sinks into pores and skin fantastically” and “feels refreshing” leaving us with a radiant dolphin-skin end. The Dewy Pores and skin Cream is a well-balanced possibility, with a contemporary scent that’s not overwhelming in any respect.

What we don’t like: Though perfume is just not essentially a nasty factor, that is scented so it might not be a secure guess for these with delicate pores and skin. “These with delicate pores and skin ought to method scent with warning,” says Love. “Check the product on the lateral face proper in entrance of the ear earlier than utilizing it on your entire face.” Moreover, one in every of our testers discovered that this left her pores and skin feeling sticky — a sense that went away over time, however made it troublesome to layer on primers or make-up within the morning. Due to this, she most well-liked to make use of it solely throughout her at night skin care routine. Once more, the value of this moisturizer is regarding.

Perception True Cream Aqua Bomb

Why you can purchase it: With a reputation like Aqua Bomb, you absolutely count on this moisturizer by Perception to quench your pores and skin’s thirst — and fortuitously, it doesn’t disappoint. In accordance with the model, it’s formulated to offer a 70% improve in your pores and skin’s hydration degree, leaving you with clean and supple pores and skin. This type of light-weight nourishment makes it ideally suited for greasy pores and skin.

Concerning the components: Perception’s True Cream Aqua Bomb is virtually weightless, described as a water-based gel-cream. “This components delivers hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid in a lightweight gel components that won’t overwhelm pores and skin,” says Love. Garrette agrees, and says that he recommends this so much to his oily-skin purchasers.

What we like: “Beloved the feel of this one, and it additionally felt cool to the contact whenever you put it on,” says one in every of our testers who thought it “left [her] pores and skin feeling moisturized and nourished 12 hours later.” Though it’s fairly thick, we discovered it absorbed fairly shortly. Higher but: whereas testing the Aqua Bomb, one tester noticed a noticeable distinction in pores and skin texture after just some makes use of.

What we don’t like: The scent of this moisturizer may be a deterrent, for certain. We thought the scent was sturdy, however not in an awesome approach. Though it didn’t trigger irritation for our testers, we warning towards this one if in case you have delicate pores and skin.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer

Why you can purchase it: There are few moisturizers within the magnificence trade as acclaimed because the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench moisturizer. It’s that good at nourishing the pores and skin with the hydration it wants with out weighing it down (resulting in extra breakouts), and in keeping with the model, designed to depart “a silky, hydrated and extra youthful-looking look.”

Concerning the components: “​​I really suppose it is a nice moisturizer not just for pimples inclined pores and skin, but in addition oily and mixture. This has an ideal steadiness of ceramides, fatty acids, and hydrating components,” says Garrette. The feel is arguably the star right here, a wonderful whipped, fluffy, cloud-like components. It incorporates concentrated 30% hyaluronic acid advanced to assist your pores and skin draw within the moisture it wants.

What we like: One among our testers with delicate, oily-combination pores and skin stated her pores and skin felt drenched, like she splashed her face with water, after utilizing Water Drench. “Completely liked the feel of this moisturizer, and felt a real distinction in my pores and skin’s plumpness and moisture degree after utilizing it, even hours later. It’s unscented too, which is essential for my extra acne-prone pores and skin,” says one in every of our testers. We additionally discovered that a little bit goes a great distance, so the bathtub will final you some time.

What we don’t like: Though it’s fairly light-weight, typically we skilled pilling when layered on prime of different merchandise, particularly retinols, AHAs or BHAs. To keep away from this, we discovered ourselves reaching for it extra at night time.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Restore Facial Moisturizer With SPF

Why you can purchase it: As a result of dermatologists say it’s best to put on sunscreen on a regular basis, having a moisturizer with built-in UV safety makes making use of it on a regular basis that a lot simpler. That’s why we love La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Moisturizer — a supreme moisturizer that’s formulated with SPF 30. Actually, it’s one in every of Love’s most really helpful merchandise.

Concerning the components: In accordance with King, this “supplies the perfect mixture of humectants like glycerin, emollients like ceramides, and occlusives. It additionally incorporates niacinamide, which helps with tone and texture, in addition to SPF 30 and it’s appropriate for delicate pores and skin.” Higher but: the moisturizer is non-comedogenic, oil- and paraben-free — sporting a wealthy, creamy texture.

What we like: We had been followers of the wealthy, creamy texture and that it has inbuilt solar safety. The appliance course of feels nourishing — cooling virtually — and layers nicely with different merchandise in your routine. After hours of wear and tear, our pores and skin nonetheless felt moisturized even below make-up.

What we don’t like: Toleriane Double Restore does have a noticeable sunscreen scent that isn’t inherently unhealthy, however value noting if you would like a very fragrance-free moisturizer. We discovered that it additionally took fairly lengthy to rub in utterly, leaving you with a type of dewy, barely greasy end instantly after making use of.

Cetaphil Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion

Why you can purchase it: You’ve doubtless given the Cetaphil Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion a strive sooner or later in your life, or have imprecise recollections recognizing it on the cabinets of your nearest drugstore. It’s a no-fuss, dependable drugstore moisturizer that received’t disappoint — and what our testers would attain for in a pinch or on a fast errand run.

Concerning the components: In accordance with King, this lotion is “non-comedogenic and filled with each hydrating humectants and emollients to lock in moisture, it is a nice cream for each face and physique.” She says that the important thing components — glycerin, glyceryl stearate, candy almond oil and vitamin E — work collectively to attract in moisture, soften the pores and skin and assist shield towards UV injury. Garrette and Love, who says that is “lightweight, simple to use, hydrating and oil-free,” are followers of this drugstore staple.

What we like: Regardless of being filled with an assortment of hydrating components, it’s noticeably gentle. Actually, one in every of our testers stated that it took the shortest period of time to rub in — leaving the pores and skin nourished for hours after utility, even on dry patches. “The feel is light-weight and hydrating, it doesn’t clog my pores,” says one in every of our testers. “It’s fragrance-free, it absorbed immediately, the bottle is the proper measurement for touring and storing in my cupboard and it’s solely $12!”

What we don’t like: There isn’t a lot we don’t like in regards to the Cetaphil Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion. As compared, we discovered that it didn’t depart our pores and skin fairly as moisturized as different choices, nor did it ship that glowy look.

Augustinus Bader The Wealthy Cream

Why you can purchase it: For a very luxurious moisturizer expertise, look no additional than Augustinus Bader’s The Wealthy Cream — a product that blew us away at how nice it’s. In accordance with the model, this cream is designed to “help mobile renewal to dramatically enhance the complexion’s look” — particularly the indicators of growing older like high-quality strains, pores and skin elasticity and hyperpigmentation.

Concerning the components: “It is a private luxurious splurge for me. I’ve fairly dry pores and skin that may simply grow to be dehydrated within the winter. This moisturizer has been a savior for my dry pores and skin. Extremely nourishing, plumping and makes my pores and skin really feel so supple,” says Garrette. Supreme for regular to dry pores and skin, or these in dry climates, this fragrance-free, vegan possibility makes use of the model’s TFC8 mobile renewal advanced in addition to nourishing components like night primrose oil, squalene, vitamin E and avocado oil.

What we like: We significantly liked the wealthy, creamy texture and the best way it absorbed simply into the pores and skin. Testers shared that it made them really feel hydrated, glowy and even therapeutic on their drawback areas. Actually, one tester stated that it cleared a few of her pimples on her chin — leaving her with a extra even complexion. She says that she had a “noticeably extra even pores and skin tone after utilizing this for just some days. Once I’d put this on at night time I’d get up with pores and skin that I didn’t even should cowl with make-up.” None of our testers skilled any pores and skin sensitivities whereas testing it, both.

What we don’t like: Merely put: The largest con of The Wealthy Cream is the value tag. However it absolutely may be well worth the funding should you’re okay with the splurge or need a moisturizer so good, you don’t even want basis.

“Moisturizers hydrate, help the pores and skin barrier and lock in moisture,” says New York Metropolis-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “These qualities are essential for maintaining the pores and skin wholesome and plump.  An impaired pores and skin barrier will depart the pores and skin extra susceptible to wreck, dryness, irritation, irritation and an infection.”

However how do you select a moisturizer that’s good for you? In accordance with King, “all pores and skin sorts ought to search for a moisturizer that incorporates humectants, emollients and occlusives.” In case your moisturizer features a mixture of components like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, squalene and thicker oils or waxes like beeswax — you’re heading in the right direction.

“These with regular pores and skin will doubtless discover a day by day light-weight lotion to be moisturizing sufficient,” explains New York Metropolis-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elyse Love. “These with drier pores and skin might require a thicker cream, significantly within the fall and winter, to keep up moisture steadiness. For these with extraordinarily dry pores and skin and/or a faulty pores and skin barrier (for instance, these with eczema) — combining a moisturizing cream with an occlusive ointment could also be mandatory – particularly within the fall and winter.”

On the finish of the day, the suitable moisturizer for it’s best to depart your pores and skin feeling undoubtedly nourished — not dry, itchy or irritated. As a result of there are such a lot of moisturizers out there, we sought out to check them ourselves.

We tasked 9 Underscored employees members with varied completely different pores and skin sorts and skincare routines to search out moisturizers that actually work.  We settled on a testing pool of 18 top-rated moisturizers based mostly on skilled suggestions, editorial critiques and buyer scores. Over the course of over a month, every of our staffers examined a moisturizer for at the least every week to find out the general efficacy when put to the check with their day-after-day skincare routine.

On the finish of the trial interval, we requested every of the moisturizer testers to finish an in depth survey. Testers had been requested to fee the standard and effectiveness of every moisturizer throughout the next classes past professionals and cons: scent, utility, components, worth and the way it left their pores and skin feeling total.  Testers had been additionally requested to offer additional notes and commentary on every of the variables listed above, in addition to resolve in the event that they’d be prone to buy it once more.

Youth To The Folks Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream ($48; sephora.com)
That is one other glorious moisturizer alternative, particularly should you’re on the lookout for a vegan, clean beauty possibility. Filled with kale, inexperienced tea and hyaluronic acid, that is formulated to steadiness the pores and skin and pack it with moisture — making it a favourite of Garrette’s. We significantly liked the sunshine, air-whip texture, however one in every of our testers skilled breakouts whereas utilizing it. She has acne-prone pores and skin, so her flare ups might be as a result of gentle scent or the richness of the feel.

Neutrogena Water Enhance Gel Moisturizer ($19.79; target.com)
Though it didn’t make our prime picks, we had been nonetheless large followers of the Neutrogena Water Enhance Gel Moisturizer — significantly the gel-like texture. It’s really helpful by King too. She says, “my sufferers with oilier pores and skin are likely to significantly love Neutrogena’s Water Enhance Gel Moisturizer. It’s non-comedogenic and has a gel base with gentle occlusives — well-suited for greasy pores and skin.” Nevertheless, it misplaced factors for us due to its gentle scent.

CeraVe Each day Moisturizing Lotion ($16.99; target.com)
King says it is a nice moisturizer alternative. “It incorporates hyaluronic acid, which is a strong humectant for hydrating the pores and skin, in addition to ceramides to lock in that moisture and restore and shield the pores and skin barrier,” she says. “It’s non-comedogenic so it received’t clog pores and contribute to pimples, and its pores and skin barrier- nourishing components assist to guard the pores and skin from the possibly irritating results of anti-acne medicines.” Whereas we preferred this moisturizer, we didn’t adore it. It absorbed seamlessly into the pores and skin, however didn’t present intense moisture or present any outstanding pores and skin enhancements over time. One among our testers even described it as a “center of the highway lotion.” It’s actually a no-frills possibility that labored nicely for us even with prescription skincare merchandise.

Tatcha Water Cream ($68; sephora.com)
Described as “light-weight, pore-refining hydration,” Tatcha’s Water Cream is formulated with Japanese botanicals to enhance the look of pores and help balanced pores and skin. We discovered that the Water Cream left our pores and skin feeling hydrated and silky, making it higher suited to summer time or fall for lasting nourishment. Nevertheless, it’s scented, and left one in every of our testers with breakouts at first of her testing. It is a stable possibility if you would like an ultra-light moisturizer, maybe to put on below make-up.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen ($16.99; target.com)
Filled with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, that is described as a “morning skincare multitasker” to moisturize the pores and skin, restore the pores and skin barrier and shield the pores and skin from UV injury. Nevertheless, we discovered that the featured sunscreen overpowered the components. We felt it was like making use of a conventional sunscreen, in each the scent and texture — not leaving us with the glowy hydration we had been on the lookout for.

La Mer Crème De La Mer ($190; sephora.com)
Though it is a luxurious choose for celebrities, influencers and the sweetness set alike, we didn’t fall in love with La Mer’s Crème De La Mer — particularly to justify the hefty price ticket. Whereas the components is impeccably wealthy, we felt it was too heavy to put on realistically as a result of it takes a very long time to utterly sink into the pores and skin. Maybe higher for somebody with actually dry pores and skin, this moisturizer options the model’s Miracle Broth and lime tea to visibly enhance indicators of growing older, and depart you with a rejuvenated complexion over time.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Each day Moisturizer ($12.69; target.com)
We’ve lengthy used Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Each day Moisturizer — an possibility that’s lined our magnificence cupboards because it’s been obtainable at our native drugstore. The non-comedogenic, fragrance-free water-based components is supposed to be sensitive-skin secure. Whereas we didn’t expertise any pores and skin irritations, we discovered that it didn’t fairly dwell as much as its oil-free declare as a result of it left our pores and skin feeling oily, and at occasions barely sticky after use.

Glossier Priming Moisturizer Wealthy ($35; glossier.com)
Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer is described as “a wealthy, deeply moisturizing but fast-absorbing face cream for day or night time.” It’s filled with ceramides and fatty acids to lock in moisture, and even expertise designed to assuage pores and skin, fight redness and enhance pores and skin texture. Though we like the feel, we didn’t suppose it left us with long-lasting moisture or noticeable pores and skin modifications over time — basically, it didn’t significantly stand out amongst the remaining.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Each day Face Moisturizer, SPF 15 ($16.89; target.com)
This moisturizer is formulated with a soy advanced, pure gentle diffusers, and SPF to even pores and skin tone, shield towards solar injury and fight indicators of growing older — leaving you with a radiant complexion. Whereas we had been followers of the light-weight creamy texture and solar safety, we didn’t just like the sunscreen scent and located that it wasn’t wealthy sufficient to quench dry spots on the scent. One tester did expertise irritations whereas testing it.