The best face moisturizers to hydrate, soften, and support your skin

The best face moisturizer can do a lot of things: it can hydrate (obviously), it can make tight skin feel comfortable, soften rough texture, and plump up lines from within. Depending on the ingredients and who it's aimed at, your face cream can also help rebalance oil production, fortify your skin barrier, gently improve tone, and soothe sensitivity. 

With that said, there are also a lot of things that even the very best face moisturizers can not do. They are not active treatments that do heavy lifting in your skincare routine—that job belongs to things like skincare acids, ascorbic acid (aka Vitamin C), and the best retinol creams. Also, despite some claims, your face cream will not eradicate wrinkles, firm skin, shift pigmentation, or drastically overhaul skin texture. That simply isn't the job of a moisturizer. 

Hopefully, this little reality check hasn't proven too disheartening, because actually, there's nothing wrong with a gentle product. It's this softly-softly approach that makes face hydrators one of the most universal skin essentials around. Young, old, male, female—chances are, if you use only one product it's a moisturizer. And there are as many options on the market are there people looking for their perfect hydrator. That's where this guide comes in. 

How to pick the best face moisturizer for you 

Moisturizers fall into three main categories; emollients, humectants, and occlusives. It's worth familiarizing yourself with these distinctions, as they're clues to how the moisturizer will feel and if it's likely to suit you. Bear in mind these are not mutually exclusive, so a product with humectant ingredients can also contain emollients, occlusives, or a combination of all three. 

• Emollients: Emollients can be oil, water, lipid, or butter-based, and work to replenish and condition skin, helping it hold onto natural moisture. This makes them a great choice for normal to dry skin types, as well as dehydrated skins that lack water. Very oily skin may find some emollients a bit rich, although textures can vary. Emollients to look out for include shea butter, ceramides, squalane, and coconut oil.
• Humectants: These increase hydration by drawing water into the skin from the atmosphere and holding onto it. This helps make tight skin feel more comfortable, as well as appear plump. Humectants are great for any skin type but work particularly well as day creams or the best night creams for oily skin as they hold hydration within the skin rather than creating a heavy layer on top of it. The most famous humectant is hyaluronic acid, but glycerin, aloe vera, and lactic acid are also members of the humectant club. 
• Occlusives: Occlusives are generally the thickest moisturizing ingredients. They create a rich layer on top of the skin that prevents water loss, which not only makes skin feel comfortable but can also protect a depleted barrier from irritants. Naturally, occlusives' heavier feel means breakout-prone skin isn't likely to love being smothered in one, but they are often a key ingredient in the best moisturizers for dry skin. Seek out beeswax, lanolin, silicones—such as dimethicone—and petroleum jelly (the ingredient often used in skincare trend slugging, which you can find out more about in our what is slugging guide)
  

Budget is another key consideration in picking the best face moisturizer, as are added ingredients—think gentle acids, vitamins and face moisturizer with SPF. A lot comes down to texture, too. Cream, gel, fluid, and oils are all an option, and the right one for you really comes down to preference. If you have dehydrated skin, chances are you will enjoy the feeling of a rich cream more than someone with naturally oily skin, who will likely prefer a lighter and fresher texture. 

The best face moisturizers, by our beauty team

Best face moisturizers for dry skin

There's a reason this silky yet nourishing cream keeps racking up w&h Beauty Awards (Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin in 2021, Best Night Cream in 2020, since you asked). It is hard to imagine anyone trying it and not immediately falling in love. 

From a superficial perspective, it's beyond beautiful, with its sunshiny yolk-yellow pot and Provence-in-the-summertime floral fragrance. From a skin-science perspective it packs a punch too, with star ingredient immortelle flower—in both extract and essential oil form—working as a powerful collagen and structure-booster, a protective antioxidant, and deep nourisher thanks to natural omega oils. It's got a medium-rich feel that's silky, not claggy. It sinks in well, but you will feel it comforting and supporting the skin for hours after application. 

This brand consistently proves its ethical and sustainable chops too, from ingredient sourcing to supporting its growers across the globe. Who doesn't love that? If you are on a very strict budget this might not suit you. Otherwise, it's a total winner. 

It's common knowledge that many products claiming to be the best face moisturizer over-promise and under-deliver. So it's heartening to see an honest cream like this, which states clearly what it can do—namely, protect, hydrate, and plump—and does it very well. 

The ingredients list here is short and sweet but packed with everything you might want for dehydrated skin, including hydrating hyaluronic acid, replenishing squalene, and energizing peptides plus all-important UVA and UVB protection. It also contains a unique blend of plant-derived collagen to boost moisture and skin plumpness to give skin a strong, supple feel.

The texture is light, and slippy, and feels like a replenishing drink of water for thirsty, dry skin. It sits nicely under makeup or over other skincare products, and the comfort it provides lasts well into the afternoon after being applied first thing. This is the kind of product you could use through any season, on any day, and know you can rely on it to quietly do its job. What more could you want? 

Hey, look—we did say this was the best luxury face moisturizer. But if the idea of spending upwards of £100 on a cream makes you go a bit twitchy, there are plenty of other recommendations for you here. If it makes you think, "ooh, that must be special, tell me more," you're spot on. There is something very special about Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream. 

This justly-hyped cream is unlike many face moisturizers, as it actually undertakes active work on elements of the skin such as texture and tone. This comes down to the proprietary TCF8 complex, a 30-years-in-the-making combination of nutrient-dense botanicals, amino acids, and 20+ other elements from world-renowned scientist and regenerative medicine pioneer, Professor Bader. If the formula sounds complicated, that's because it is. All you need to worry about though is smoothing on the buttery cream and enjoying clinically-proven results on pores, pigmentation, and skin texture. 

As well as its patented formula, this moisturizer includes replenishing natural oils—such as avocado and evening primrose—for a juicy, plumped-up feel. As you'd hope with this much technology, and this price tag, the sustainably-sourced ingredients are kept stable and active in a clever airless pump, which is also recyclable. Sure, The Rich Cream is as pricy as moisturizers come, but it's also a one-stop-shop that could streamline your routine down to one cleanser and one cream, if that appeals. 

As those of us with dry skin will know—this skin type lacks oil and thus, lacks moisture (oil helps hold moisture into the skin). To help replenish and restore dry skin, turn your face to Drunk Elephant’s LaLa Retro Whipped Cream. The US-born clean beauty brand, that has taken our social media by storm, is famous for what it doesn’t include—otherwise known as ‘the suspicious 6’—such as fragrance, SLS and dyes.  

But let’s focus on what this moisturizer does include. Featuring six African oils, you’ll find nourishing marula oil, soothing baobab and strengthening mongongo among others. Alongside oils, the cream contains moisture-retaining ceramides and fermented green tea to help minimize signs of aging. 

While it’s described as ‘a velvety rich cream’, it has an incredibly lightweight feel and sinks into the skin in seconds delivering a steady hit of hydration throughout the day. The results? Nourished, hydrated skin that looks radiant. Oh, and the airtight container means that the formula will stay super-fresh. Big tick!

Best face moisturizers for oily skin

Face moisturizer can be the trickiest element of skincare for oily skin. This is because so many are designed to leave behind a rich moisture layer, which is about as welcome to oilier types as liberal basting in Crisp 'n Dry. Luckily, a relatively new category of water-based, ultra-light hydration product has really taken off, with Sunday Riley Tidal at the forefront. 

As soon as you feel the texture you'll know why this is so great for combination or breakout-prone skin; it's a light, wobbly jelly that's super cooling and fresh on the skin, glides over it, and sinks in swiftly. The ingredients combine light humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, with gentle enzymatic exfoliants to clear dead cells from the skin's surface. A collection of botanical seed extracts not only provides natural antioxidant protection, but also makes Tidal smell incredible, which is always nice. 

Due to its slippery feel, a little goes a long way. You'll get plenty of playtime for massaging it in with fingers or, if you know how to use a face roller, one of those. It also leaves a slightly dewy finish that's just glowy enough without looking slick. 

Ok, £31 isn't exactly a bargain-basement price for a face moisturizer but, considering this unusually large 65ml tube is absolutely packed with pure botanical extracts, it does represent excellent value for money. 

The first thing you'll notice is the scent—a subtle-yet-appealing floral bouquet that comes not from added flower fragrances, but from a jam-packed roster of nourishing and protective botanicals. These include camellia, sweet orange, jojoba, and chamomile seed oils, which sit within a quenching base of water and aloe vera leaf extract. 

While applying oils may seem counterintuitive for those with a natural surplus of the stuff, oils can work well in skincare for oily skin. Providing you get on with the texture—which in this case is light, fluid, and non-greasy—using skincare with high-quality non-comedogenic oils can actually help regulate natural sebum production. Lovely texture and lightly dewy finish aside, this Australian-made cream is handily portable, gender-neutral in its painterly tube, and boasts a formula focused on naturals and skin health, rather than 'fixing wrinkles.' Love that. 

It's a rare person who tries the original Crème de la Mer and thinks, "nah, not a fan." If you do happen to be one of these unicorns, was it because you found the texture a bit heavy? That's certainly one of the only criticisms we've heard of La Mer's iconic moisturizer and, if it's one you can relate to, this clever mattifying version could turn things around. 

As the name suggests, The Moisturizing Matte Lotion has a refreshing, fluid texture. Contained within it are encapsulated moisture spheres, with a kelp-powder-and-sea-mineral coating. This sophisticated technology both hydrates deeper layers of the skin and gently mattifies its surface, which is pretty unusual and will be supremely welcome for oily types. Naturally, the formula also contains the brand's famed Miracle Broth, a legendary complex that's packed with potent sea-sourced nutrients to hydrate, replenish, and strengthen your skin barrier against environmental damage and irritants. 

This is La Mer, so it's no great surprise that the whole experience of using it is pretty dreamy. You'll love the chic pump bottle, elegant texture, subtle, sophisticated scent, and how beautifully taken care of your skin feels. One for the wishlist. 

The best night cream will get to work while you snooze to help repair and replenish skin. While some are heavy and cocooning, others are lightweight and breathable. This formula, from trustworthy brand Paula’s Choice, falls into camp B. Oil-free and non-greasy, this carefully blended cream has been created with acne-prone skin in mind. 

Starring three superstar ingredients—niacinamide, ceramides and blueberry extract—the lightweight lotion helps minimize pores, strengthen the skin’s barrier and calm redness, all without clogging pores. Skin instantly looks refreshed and will become clearer over time, too. 

To incorporate this cream into your skincare night routine, massage a small amount (warning: a little goes a long way) into your face after cleansing and toning. Come morning, your skin will look revived. Sold?

Best face moisturizers for sensitive skin

Creating a skincare routine for sensitive skin often means focussing on what's been left out, rather than what's included; Honest Beauty The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer passes the exclusion test with honors. That's because every product from this brand is made without ingredients on their no list (which is 2,500 items strong, FYI). In the case of this particular cream, that means no parabens, phthalates, dyes or fragrances, as well as an absence of other irritants you might wish to avoid. 

In terms of what is included, the hydration comes in a mix of humectant hyaluronic acid, and an emollient lipid complex that helps rebuild the skin barrier. This makes the texture a bit of an anomaly, in that it's light and spreadable initially, but sets down into something a little bit richer. It also means you get a double whammy of moisture within the skin and on its surface, which will be welcome to anyone with very dry skin or conditions that cause rough, flaky patches. In fact, this moisturizer has been recognized by the National Eczema Association accordingly. 

Those who prefer pump bottles to jars will adore the clean, airless packaging that dispenses the perfect amount for your face and neck every time. It does take a minute more to sink in than other lightweight creams we've tried but, on the flip side, that cushiony moisture layer works just as well as the best primers under makeup, which is worth waiting for.

You might be familiar with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and the brand's cult skin smoothing salicylic acid cream, but this slightly under-the-radar face moisturizer deserves your attention too. 

As with everything CeraVe creates, the formula is centered around ceramides. This emollient ingredient rebuilds natural ceramide stores within the skin, which helps build a strong barrier to prevent water from getting out and irritants from getting in. So if you've ever wondered what is barrier cream - this is an excellent example. In fact, this particular barrier-boosting cream contains three forms of gentle giant ingredient ceramides, plus we get good old hyaluronic acid to grab (and hold onto) moisture for hydration. 

And that's your lot really. This is a perfect example of 'does what it says on the tin' beauty; a traditionally textured cream that makes skin feel demonstrably comforted, without making promises it can't keep or containing anything that will irritate. Sure the tube might not be show-it-off-on-the-dressing-table glamorous, but if you had one knocking about in a drawer you'd come back to it again and again. 

Haven't you heard? Mushrooms are the natural skincare ingredient du jour, much-hyped for their skin soothing and restorative properties, which makes them a perfect ingredient for sensitive skin. 

Origins' longstanding link-up with Integrative Medicine pioneer Dr Andrew Weil has been offering us high-tech mushroom formulas since long before it was cool, and this Fortifying Emulsion is an excellent example. It combines traditional emollients, such as squalane and jojoba, with chaga, cordyceps, and reishi mushrooms to soothe and strengthen the skin. The loose fluid texture feels pleasingly milky and calming when applied, especially to irritated or hot, rosacea-prone skin. Press it in—rather than rubbing—to ensure it absorbs rather than dribbling away. 

Due to its texture this would probably suit normal, oily, or combination sensitive types over very dry, dehydrated ones. Otherwise, this a very impressive and easy to get along with 'shroom superstar.

Aloe vera is often touted as a superstar ingredient for sensitive skin. Why? Well, it’s naturally cooling and soothing, contains anti-fungal properties, and can help treat inflammatory skin issues. Tick, tick, tick. 

Ethical beauty brand The Body Shop sources their aloe vera from Campeche in south-east Mexico where it is harvested and filleted by hand within six hours to preserve the freshness of the ingredient. 

Find it in their Aloe Soothing Day Cream, a fuss-free hydrating wonder that feels refreshingly cool on application and leaves skin silky soft. The Body Shop describes it as “a little hug for sensitive skin”, and we couldn’t agree more. Use this when skin feels stressed, tight, or aggravated—it will soon calm things down. 

Best face moisturizers for other skin concerns

Skin type is a useful consideration when picking the best face moisturizer, but not everyone's complexion can be neatly categorized. If your face is mostly well behaved, but occasionally gets caught up in a spot of congestion, dehydration, or reactive bother, you'd probably like a moisturizer that could cope with a bit of everything. 

And guess what? Here it is! Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream would be a truly useful moisturizer to have on standby, no matter who you are. It deeply hydrates with a blend of humectant hyaluronic acid, emollient olive-derived squalane, and occlusive polymers—all nicely balanced to tick off any moisturizing needs. It feels glorious, all slippery and glossy, and smells of nothing because it's unfragranced (great news if your skin is having a sensitive moment).

Probably the best thing about this cream is its unobtrusive nature and ability to gel with just about any other product—skincare or makeup—happily working to hydrate, either alone or after five other steps. Basically, this is the old friend you know you can bring anywhere, that'll get along with everyone, and have your back if anything goes wrong. Invite to your skincare party immediately.  

The INKEY List is known for taking on the big boys of beauty with its potent, active-packed treatment serums (including one of the best Vitamin C serums on the market). But how does it fare with a gentler moisturizing formula? 

Very well indeed, actually. Forget the slightly dull-looking plastic tube, because what's inside is solid gold for hydration and skin-tone improvements. Ingredients-wise, we've got good old humectant glycerin, plus antioxidant-packed fermented clary sage, and kakadu plum extract, both of which work to combat pollution and UV-induced dullness. It may be that fermented botanical that lends this moisturizer a slight sharp tang on the nose although, for many, it will be far preferable to artificial perfume. 

The cream itself is slippery and almost gel-like on the skin, which gives this a modern feel and leaves a light dewiness behind. Thanks to that fresh texture and environmental benefits, you could imagine using this on a hot day or holiday and that lightweight tube, while not glamorous, does make for easy portability.

This moisturizer is very effective, which is not only why it made our list of the best face moisturizers, but also why it comes with a warning. 

It's effective for hydrating the skin, with hyaluronic acid in a quenching water base, but it's also a very rigorous exfoliator, thanks to a combination of not one, but two alpha hydroxy acids, plus fruit enzymes. This merry band of skin-sloughers work together to shift dry old cells from the skin's surface, which immediately and noticeably boost skin texture and glow—all great stuff. 

Now the warning: personally, we wouldn't use anything exfoliating twice a day. There is a fine line between glowingly gorgeous and stripped and sensitized. That's not to say this hasn't been carefully formulated; it has a sensible balance between moisturizers and acids but, even so, be cautious. In an ideal world, this would be your every-second-night cream, subbed in with something basic that's all about nourishment (from the list above, CeraVe would suit). Do that and your peachy, plumped-up, and smoothed-out skin will show you how happy it is that you went down the exfoliating moisturizer route. 

Queen of green Tata Harper is loved by A-listers and beauty editors alike for her luxurious line-up of natural skincare. Proving that natural can be hard-hitting, her formulas pack a potent punch to deliver incredible results—and this water-lock moisturizer is no exception. 

Brimming with hydrating hyaluronic acid, water-trapping pomegranate extracts, and strengthening orange-derived peptides, this gel cream is focused on protecting skin from harmful aggressors while also preventing moisture loss. Translation? It’s basically your skin’s barriers new best friend. 

Ingredients aside, the refreshing texture instantly soothes skin, leaving it silky soft and just the right amount of dewy. Foundation sits perfectly on top, too. If, like us, you get through a tub quickly—you can purchase refill pods that snap into the green jar to reduce waste. Clever!