Every Face Cream Allure Editors Swear By for Bouncy Skin (2024)

Table of Contents
Our Top Picks: Frequently Asked Questions Best Face Moisturizer Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced Best Priming Moisturizer: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream Charlotte's Magic Cream Best Moisturizer With SPF: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen Aqua Rich Sunscreen Best Fragrance-Free: Dieux Instant Angel Instant Angel More face moisturizers we love: Best Face and Body: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion Atobarrier 365 Lotion Best for Compromised Skin: Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion Best for Dry Skin: Caudalíe Premier Cru The Cream Premier Cru The Cream Best for Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream Lala Retro Whipped Cream Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème Le Lift Pro Crème Best for Oily Skin: Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream Moisturizer HydraKate Recharging Water Cream Moisturizer Best for Sensitive Skin: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Indigo Overnight Repair Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream Skin Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream Best for Sun Damage: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer UV Best for Fine Lines: Ole Henkrisen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer Best for Rosacea: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Best for Bouncy Skin: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream Best for Nighttime: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream Skin Renewing Night Cream Best Splurge: SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream Skinpower Advanced Cream Best Budget: The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer Peptide Moisturizer Frequently Asked Questions Why do you need a face moisturizer? What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine? Meet the Experts How our staff tests and reviews products Meet our staff and testers Check Out Some of Our 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Winners Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Tata Harper Skincare Resurfacing Body Serum Juvia's Place Culture Duochrome Liquid Eyeshadows One/Size Cheek Clapper 3D Blush Trio Palette Nars Light Reflecting Foundation Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief Body Wash Tower28 Makewaves Mascara Soft Services Buffing Bar GHD Max Styler Tatcha The Texture Tonic

Skin

They’re the baseline for a hydrated, dewy complexion.

By Sarah Han and Jennifer Hussein

Every Face Cream Allure Editors Swear By for Bouncy Skin (1)

    Source images: Allure editors and courtesy of brands; Collage: Laneen Wells

    All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

    Rule #1 of skin care: Very few products, if any, are one-size-fits all. Even finding the best face moisturizers for your routine is a process that ultimately relies on your skin type, concerns, and your desired results. The good news? We test the latest and most innovative formulations daily, so we know a thing or two about finding a top-tier face cream. Whether you're looking for a lightweight moisturizer with SPF to wear during daylight hours or a souped-up version with hard-working actives to use as a night cream, odds are the perfect face cream for you has passed through our offices and landed on this very list.

    Here, we've rounded up the best face moisturizers, including Allure Best of Beauty Award winners and recommendations from dermatologists, to help you find the face cream of your hydrating dreams.

    Our Top Picks:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Why do you need a face moisturizer?
    • What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?
    • Meet the experts
    • How our staff tests and reviews products
    • Meet our staff and testers

    Best Face Moisturizer Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

    SkinCeuticals

    A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

    Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

    Jesa Marie Calaor

    Why it's worth it: Just like the Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning eye cream its formula is based on, the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced contains a slew of hydrators that skin slurps up for a softer, cushiony feel. As with the eye cream, this dense moisturizer contains SkinCeuticals’s proprietary Proxylane, an extract from beech wood that has humectant properties that binds water to the surface layer of skin, but it stands out for its inclusion of anti-inflammatory glycyrrhetinic acid and antioxidant flavonoids for their tone-evening, firming effects. It’s basically a multitasking cocktail for your skin.

    Tester feedback: “Many moisturizers sting my dry, sensitive skin—but not the A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced,” says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. “It coddles my skin, comforting the extra-dry patches and leaving my complexion bouncy and bright.”

    • Key ingredients: proxylane, wild fruit flavonoids, glycyrrhetinic acid
    • Texture: balmy
    • Best for: all skin types
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best Priming Moisturizer: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream

    Charlotte Tilbury

    Charlotte's Magic Cream

    Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream

    Jennifer Hussein

    Why it's worth it: Charlotte Tilbury released her eponymous line stateside in 2014, but the makeup artist’s celebrity clientele, such as Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss, were avid fans of Charlotte’s Magic Cream long before then. Fast forward to today: The Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning cream is a mainstay for its formulation that leaves skin smooth, soft, and even—exactly what you need for a seamless, second-skin finish with your makeup. As it sinks into your skin, its blend of hyaluronic acid, antioxidant vitamins C and E, and peptides work their skin-conditioning sorcery to leave skin feeling smooth as butter, but not nearly as greasy.

    Tester feedback: “If I could slather my entire body in a vat of this cream every night, I absolutely would,” says commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “It has a dense texture straight from the jar, but it quickly changes to a lightweight, cushiony veil when it’s massaged in. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy afterwards—just velvety-smooth and ready for my concealer.”

    • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), vitamin E, peptides
    • Texture: dense cream
    • Best for: anyone prepping their skin for makeup
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best Moisturizer With SPF: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen

    Bioré UV

    Aqua Rich Sunscreen

    Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen

    Sarah Han

    Why it's worth it: Yes, Bioré’s UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen is technically a sunscreen, but its hydrating properties give true moisturizers a run for their money. On top of its (truly!) sheer finish across all skin tones, this chemical-based sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to instantly provide moisturizing benefits without a greasy film or chalky finish left behind.

    Tester feedback: "This was the first Asian sunscreen I ever tried and it's still a winner in my book," commerce editor Sarah Han says. "Despite a number of reformulations, it checks off all of the boxes: super moisturizing (great for dry skin especially!), melts into the skin, and doesn't leave a white cast."

    • Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (5%), hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
    • Texture: lotion
    • Best for: anyone who wants UV protection
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best Fragrance-Free: Dieux Instant Angel

    Dieux Skin

    Instant Angel

    Allure shopping contributor Annie Blackman applying the Dieux Instant Angel

    Annie Blackman

    Why it's worth it: Dieux’s Instant Angel is gentle on your skin no matter how sensitive it may be. This fragrance-free formula focuses on replenishing moisture with its heavy-hitting mix of lipids, squalane, glycerin, urea, and amino acids, which the brand labels as its hydro lipid blend. It’s also spiked with firming peptides and a compound called meadowestolide, a derivative of meadowfoam seed oil that boasts conditioning benefits.

    Tester feedback: “Dieux's Instant Angel is the kind of lowkey luxury moisturizer that keeps me uncapping day after day,” says shopping contributor Annie Blackman. “The formula is unscented, thick without being gooey or sticky, and never irritating. A no-brainer, really. Nevermind its very aesthetic design and the fact that I'm obsessed with anything that comes in a metal tube.”

    • Key ingredients: hydro lipid blend (lipids, squalane, glycerin, urea, amino acids), peptides (dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline peptide), meadowestolide
    • Texture: custardy cream
    • Best for: anyone sensitive to fragrance
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    More face moisturizers we love:

    Best Face and Body: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion

    Aestura

    Atobarrier 365 Lotion

    Why it's worth it: The 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion is lightweight enough to apply to your face while providing enough moisture to smooth your rough patches. Formulated particularly for dry, sensitive skin, Aestura’s lotion is infused with micro triple-lipid capsules (composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids) that burst upon contact with skin, supplying a surge of skin-smoothing moisture in the process.

    Editor's tip: Its fast-absorbing texture means you can slather this lotion all over your body and immediately put clothes on without fabric sticking to your skin.

    • Key ingredients: ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids
    • Texture: lotion
    • Best for: anyone who wants a cream to use all over
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Compromised Skin: Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion

    Eau Thermale Avene

    Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion

    Why it's worth it: When the going gets tough on your skin (read: dryness, sensitivity, redness), whip out Eau Thermale Avène’s Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion. Its cooling, fluid texture feels comforting on skin as it addresses signs of irritation with a dreamteam of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and Avène’s signature thermal spring water.

    Editor's tip: This formula is also suitable for soothing skin post-superficial dermatological procedures (lasers, injections) and post-tattoo.

    • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, thermal spring water
    • Texture: fluid, lightweight lotion
    • Best for: anyone who wants to soothe redness, inflammation, and irritation
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Dry Skin: Caudalíe Premier Cru The Cream

    Why it's worth it: Caudalíe's Premier Cru The Cream features powerhouse active ingredients that smooth and diminish the look of wrinkles and intensely hydrate skin—thus earning this moisturizing cream a 2022 Best of Beauty Award. The star ingredients are proprietary TET8 technology, which involves resveratrol (a plant compound commonly found in red grapes that acts as an antioxidant) and honokiol (green extraction of magnolia), viniferine, micro-size variations of hyaluronic acid, and sugars derived from honey locust to tighten the appearance of skin for up to six hours. Our editors, including shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis, say that it truly feels like a blanket of long-lasting moisture and the velvety texture couldn't feel more luxurious and nourishing. “As soon as I got my hands on Premier Cru The Rich Cream, it was love at first application,” she reports. “This cream seals in all the moisture from my other skin-care products, acting as a barrier between my skin care and makeup during the day, or my skin care and pillowcase at night. The texture is thick but not heavy—as if you're wearing a super-warm jacket in the winter that manages to feel like you have nothing on.”

    Editor's tip: If you need a thicker cream come winter, Caudalíe developed The Rich Cream to address your dry skin needs.

    • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vine sap extract, glycerin
    • Texture: rich cream
    • Best for: people with age-related dryness
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best for Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

    Drunk Elephant

    Lala Retro Whipped Cream

    Why it's worth it: A winner of our 2016 Best of Beauty Award and three-time Readers' Choice Award winner, the Lala Retro Whipped Cream by Drunk Elephant is the ultimate fancy-but-not-too-fancy, unscented moisturizer. It'll wrap your skin in an airy blanket of hyaluronic acid, plant-derived ceramides, and moisture-boosting oils that guard against hydration loss for all-day or all-night relief. "Though its label touts 'six rare African oils,' it doesn't feel the least bit oily—even on my oily/combination skin," our tester said. "I was so impressed I tried it on again in the morning, and it dried to a matte finish that was perfect on its own and under my liquid foundation."

    Editor's tip: It's free of essential oils and fragrance, making it a good option if you tend to be sensitive.

    • Key ingredients: marula oil, ceramides, fermented green tea seed extract
    • Texture: airy whipped cream
    • Best for: people who need moisture in a light, fast-drying formula
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème

    Why it's worth it: Chanel’s Le Lift Pro Crème plumps skin with sodium hyaluronate (a stable form of hyaluronic acid) and glycerin, a powerhouse combination known for its hydrating properties. The star ingredient, however, is melipona enzymatic honey, a rare form of honey sourced from the tiny melipona bee in Costa Rica that helps minimize advanced signs of aging. (Chanel notes that only the excess honey is collected and no hives are harmed in the process.) And it actually succeeds, which explains why it won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award. Another bonus: It's also fragrance-free, a tough find among luxury skin-care products.

    Editor's tip: Before applying the moisturizer, do Chanel's recommended protocol: Pinch the skin, moving across the cheeks and jawline. Repeat three times. Next, using your thumb and index finger, lightly pinch expression lines perpendicularly.

    • Key ingredients: Melipona enzymatic honey, shea butter, jojoba seed oil
    • Texture: Rich cream
    • Best for: People with fine lines and sagging
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Oily Skin: Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream Moisturizer

    Kate Somerville

    HydraKate Recharging Water Cream Moisturizer

    Why it's worth it:For those with oily skin, HydraKate is a great all-year-round formula. "I love how lightweight the Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream is," associate beauty editor Annie Blay says of her go-to summer facial moisturizer. "It sinks in quickly but leaves my skin moisturized all day and never greasy." Key ingredients at work are antioxidant-rich algae extract to combat the effects of daily environmental aggressors and marigold flower extract to boost elasticity and smooth the look of wrinkles.

    Editor's tip: Inspired by Somerville's in-clinic micro-channeling treatment, AquaPort Technology is said to mimic micro-channeling (and open up water pathways) to deliver moisture quickly and deeply into the skin.

    • Key ingredients: algae extract, marigold extract, glycerin
    • Texture: gel-like water cream
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best for Sensitive Skin: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair

    Tatcha

    Indigo Overnight Repair

    Why it's worth it: Dr. Landriscina recommends Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair for people with sensitive skin since it's formulated with colloidal oatmeal, a wonderful skin protectant. "It also has a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association," Dr. Landriscina adds. Indigo has many anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, so it's ideal for soothing sensitive skin, strengthening the barrier, and calming irritation.

    Editor's tip: Technically, the formula is a serum-in-moisturizer, meaning it offers the concentrated active ingredients of a serum in a cushiony formula.

    • Key ingredients: Japanese indigo, ceramides, Mondo grass root
    • Texture: rich cream
    • Best for: people with sensitive, reactive skin or dryness
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream

    Skinfix

    Skin Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream

    Why it's worth it: "For people with oily, acne-prone skin looking for a lightweight moisturizer, Skinfix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream is excellent," says David Kim, MD, an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology and founder of Lightsaver. "One to two pumps is all you need and it gets absorbed instantly." The star ingredients here are moisture-binding saccharide isomerate, oil-absorbing niacinamide, and a heptapeptide blend that supports barrier function. It's free of silicone and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

    • Editor's tip: For drier skin, we recommend Skinfix's Lipid-Peptide Cream, an emollient moisturizer (and 2019 Best of Beauty Award winner) that's packed with shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, and fatty oils to restore hydration levels.
    • Key ingredients: zinc PCA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
    • Texture: lightweight gel-cream
    • Best for: people prone to breakouts or congested skin
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Sun Damage: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30

    La Roche-Posay

    Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer UV

    Why it's worth it: A common complaint about sunscreens (and even moisturizers with added SPF) is that they can show up ashy on tan to deep skin tones. That's not the case with La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30. The thermal water–infused face lotion won't cause makeup to slip and slide and quickly absorbs with a translucent finish, and of course, provides adequate sun protection for a few hours. This La Roche-Posay moisturizer combines two skin-care steps into one, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and protected from the sun.

    Editor's tip: This moisturizer with SPF won a Best of Beauty Award in our sensitive skin category. But, as our tester attests, this non-irritating pick is also great for oily skin. "Even my T-zone felt less oily thanks to the silica in the formula (and the fact that it's oil-free)," she says.

    • Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (5%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (7%), ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin
    • Texture: lotion
    • Best for: anyone looking to streamline their routine
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Fine Lines: Ole Henkrisen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

    Ole Henriksen

    Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

    Why it's worth it: Ole Henriksen's Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer boasts impressive numbers, with a powerful blend of eight conditioning peptides, three moisturizing ceramides, and eight amino acids to lock in moisture for the long haul, boosting elasticity and fortifying the moisture barrier. As previously explained by New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Cindy Bae, MD, peptides signal your body to go into repair mode to produce elastin and collagen—leading to firmer, plumper skin. Bonus: Mango shea butter adds a subtly fruity scent that makes you feel like you're on vacation.

    Editor's tip: This balm-to-gel texture seems like it might be heavy at first but it absorbs quickly as you massage the formula in—leaving behind a glowy finish.

    • Key ingredients: peptides, collagen, hyaluronic acid
    • Texture: rich balm
    • Best for: people looking for bounce and a supple texture
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best for Rosacea: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream

    Dr. Jart+

    Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream

    Why it's worth it: Dr. Jart+ makes some of our favorite cica skin-care products to curb sensitivity and redness. Used in Asian medicine for centuries, "cica (short for Centella asiatica) is believed to soothe and repair irritated skin," Ellen Marmur, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told us. Dr. Jart+'s Intensive Soothing Repair Cream pairs a cica complex and allantoin to calm irritation, while niacinamide provides a gentle boost of radiance.

    Editor's tip: It layers beautifully beneath sunscreen and makeup but also holds its own as a nighttime moisturizer.

    • Key ingredients: centella asiatica, allantoin, niacinamide, shea butter
    • Texture: midweight soothing cream
    • Best for: redness- or rosacea-prone skin
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream

    Why it's worth it: Summer Fridays’ Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream has a weightless formula that checks a lot of boxes. "The blend of ceramides and humectants in this moisturizer packs a punch," Dr. Landriscina explains. "This is a great choice for dry, dehydrated, or sensitized skin." However, the inclusion of pineapple enzyme gently exfoliates skin without irritation; it feels so lightweight and smooths instances of uneven texture.

    Editor's tip: The gel formulation makes it a great swap for summertime, whatever your skin type.

    • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, amino acids, ceramides
    • Texture: Lightweight gel-cream
    • Best for: people with dry or dull skin
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best for Bouncy Skin: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

    Glow Recipe

    Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

    Why it's worth it: Glow Recipe is one of the internet's buzziest brands with a constant rotation of skin-brightening formulas, and the skin-perfecting goodness of its Refillable Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is further proof. The whipped gel-cream gets its lavender color from three different types of plum extracts (kakadu, illawara, and burdekin) and its intense moisture-replenishing powers from five weights of hyaluronic acid, meaning they penetrate the skin at different levels. This featherweight formula also contains polyglutamic acid, a currently-buzzy hydrator derived from soybean. Slather it on your face and neck twice daily for a radiant glow and healthy bounce.

    Editor's tip: The brand also upped the ante on its sustainability pledge, offering replacement pods that pop into the glass jar when you need to restock.

    • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum, ice willowherb, polyglutamic acid
    • Texture: whipped gel-cream
    • Best for: people looking for bouncy, glowing skin
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best for Nighttime: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

    CeraVe

    Skin Renewing Night Cream

    Why it's worth it: Ever wished having plumper, smoother skin was as easy as sleeping? Well, now it (kind of) is, thanks to CeraVe's Skin Renewing Night Cream. This dense concoction of firming peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and conditioning ceramides intensively moisturizes overnight to leave your skin feeling soft and dewy by the time your alarm goes off. It's also combined with niacinamide to give your complexion a gentle dark spot-diminishing treatment as you slumber.

    Editor's tip: This rich cream is especially dense, so a little goes a long way, even if you have very dry skin.

    • Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
    • Texture: rich cream
    • Best for: anyone who wants a surge of moisture replenishment overnight
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Best Splurge: SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream

    SK-II

    Skinpower Advanced Cream

    Why it's worth it: SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream is the definition of a splurge-worthy skin-care product, especially since its predecessor (Skinpower Cream) took the honor of a 2022 Best of Beauty Award. SK-II's famed (and proprietary) Pitera complex comes from a yeast fermentation process that almost mimics that of sake, and is packed with over 50 vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and acids to intensely moisturize and condition skin. A bouquet of floral extracts including calla lily extract, dokudami extract, and peony extract supercharges the plumpness of your skin—in addition to fan-favorite ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and shea butter.

    Editor's tip: Give your skin a quick massage by working the cream into your forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck.

    • Key ingredients: Pitera complex, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin, shea butter, calla lily extract, dokudami extract, peony extract
    • Texture: rich cream
    • Best for: anyone who wants supple, radiant skin
    • Fragrance-free: no

    Best Budget: The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer

    The Inkey List

    Peptide Moisturizer

    Why it's worth it: With its 1% peptide complex and royal jelly protein, The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer's price seems like a typo. For just $16, this shea butter-rich cream does the heavy lifting of moisturizers 10 times the price, deeply moisturizing and firming skin while absorbing quickly for a non-heavy feel. It's best for people with dry skin, as well as those concerned with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles..

    Editor's tip: Add a few drops of serum to the moisturizer for a more customized, multitasking treatment.

    • Key ingredients: peptides, shea butter, vitamin E
    • Texture: lotion-like cream
    • Best for: people looking to nourish skin on a budget
    • Fragrance-free: yes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do you need a face moisturizer?

    "Moisturizers are an essential part of every skin-care routine," says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "Just as our bodies require us to hydrate with water, so does our skin." While our skin appears dewier almost instantly, the real benefits show up in the long term. The consistent use of moisturizers slows down the rate and intensity at which fine lines and wrinkles appear, she says.

    This daily philosophy applies to all skin types and not just dry skin. "Overwashing without the appropriate use of a moisturizer will trigger an overproduction of oil on your skin," Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California, previously explained. In short, if you don't rehydrate your skin, it will become dried-out and irritated — which then opens your skin up to a cache of troubles.

    "People confuse oil with hydration, so they don't properly hydrate the skin," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, noted. "We now have really great ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, which balances oil and water in the skin." Increased hydration supports a stronger barrier, Dr. Day said, which also helps curb oil production.

    What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?

    Consider your moisturizer as the cellophane that seals in the rest of your skin-care routine. In our beginner-friendly skin-care guide, dermatologists recommended three simple steps: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (during the day, of course).

    A basic rule of thumb is, after cleansing, use products with the lightest texture first and work your way down to denser formulas like moisturizers. Using your moisturizer after serums and treatments like toners and essences is crucial for getting the most out of your products, according to cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson. "They seal in serums on your skin, which can make them more effective," Wilson previously told Allure. After moisturizing, you can layer oil to make your skin look even dewier. And again, never forget to apply your last (and arguably most important) layer, sunscreen if you're headed out for the day.

    Meet the Experts

    • Angelo Landriscina, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Brooklyn, New York
    • David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
    • Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
    • Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California
    • Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
    • Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist based in New York City

    How our staff tests and reviews products

    When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

    For our list of the best face moisturizers, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists who test and recommend moisturizers almost every day. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

    Meet our staff and testers

    A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.

    After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

    Read more about our favorite skin-care products:

    • 14 Night Creams to Soothe Seriously Dry, Irritated Skin
    • 18 Best Face Exfoliators for Glowing Skin
    • 17 Best SkinCeuticals Products Your Skin Will Thank You For
    • 15 Best Lip Oils for a Hydrating Punch of Shine and Color

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