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We’ve Tried 100s of Face Moisturizers—These Are the Best Out There
Here, we’ve rounded up the best face moisturizers we’ve ever tried, including Allure Best of Beauty Award winners and recommendations from dermatologists, to keep your skin bouncy, hydrated, and protected all year long.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: Why it’s worth it: La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer under-$25 cream is a standout for good reason. This fragrance-free formula is gentle enough for all skin types and delivers serious moisture through a blend of ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and the star ingredient: thermal spring water, known for its barrier-strengthening benefits.
Sarah Sung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle, previously told Allure that this is a great soothing option to use with tretinoin. “The lightweight texture absorbs quickly but provides lasting moisture, so it works well for both morning and night,” she says. If you have oily skin and prefer a matte option, Martha Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Coral Gables, FL, previously recommended the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer.
“This is my emotional support moisturizer. It’s up there with Aquaphor as a product that I can trust to perform no matter how dry or damaged my skin barrier is. It doesn’t go big on fancy fine-line-reducing ingredients or anything, and instead focuses on hydration. It leaves my skin wrapped in a cocoon of moisture—but not the overbearing and itchy kind! It plays nicely with my angry eczema flare-ups, and has no fragrance, so I can use it on my kids too.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, thermal spring water
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, especially sensitive and dry
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Refillable: Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream
Why it’s worth it: Not only is Caudalíe’s Premier Cru The Cream refillable (each refill pod saves you $20 versus rebuying the entire tub), but it also features powerhouse actives that smooth and diminish the look of wrinkles and intensely hydrate skin—all of which earned this moisturizing cream a 2022 Best of Beauty Award. The star ingredient is Caudalie’s proprietary TET8 technology, which is made up of antioxidant-rich resveratrol (a plant compound commonly found in red grapes) and anti-inflammatory honokiol (found in magnolia bark), viniferine, micro-size variations of hyaluronic acid, and sugars derived from honey locust to tighten the appearance of skin for up to six hours. Day or night, this gorgeous cream ensures your skin looks plump and stays soft to the touch.
“It truly feels like a blanket of long-lasting moisture, and the velvety texture couldn’t feel more luxurious and nourishing. 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 that manages to feel like you have nothing on.” —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vine sap extract, glycerin
- Texture: rich cream
- Best for: people with age-related dryness
- Fragrance-free: No
Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Why it’s worth it: This fragrance-free moisturizer gets its name from its concentration of key ingredients: 2% ceramides (pure ceramides 1 and 3), 4% cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. “This ratio infuses skin-identical fatty acids into the barrier in the exact proportion that naturally exists in our barrier,” Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, previously told Allure. As cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson previously explained, these ingredients also help the formula mimic youthful skin as closely as possible, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to smooth fine lines and support aging skin.
Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein
“This moisturizer feels like a cushiony cloud on my skin and leaves my complexion looking dewier than ever. Its dense texture makes my skin feel soft and plump, like how I imagine Moo Deng’s cheeks feel. If I could drench my whole body in this rich, hydrating cream, I absolutely would.” —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer
- Key ingredients: proxylane, wild fruit flavonoids, glycyrrhetinic acid
- Texture: balmy
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Why it’s worth it: Illiyoon’s beloved K-beauty cream has tons of fans (including us!), but it’s extra great for those with sensitive skin. The fragrance-free formula is loaded with barrier-boosting ceramides and hydrating glycerin, and it’s gentle enough for both adults and kids (which says a lot). When Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner tried it on red, flaky patches two years ago, it calmed her skin almost instantly and left it feeling deeply hydrated. Since then, she’s been using it every morning and night, and her flare-ups have been few and far between. Bonus: She’s acne-prone and swears this cream has never caused a single breakout.
“Illiyoon’s K-beauty staple has completely transformed my acne-prone, combination skin over the past two years, and I have its high concentration of plant-based ceramides to thank. It has strengthened my skin barrier, giving me that healthy, hydrated glow and a bouncy, soothed feel, all without irritation or breakouts (which is rare for me!). As a beauty writer who tests endless products, the fact that this moisturizer has remained a constant in my routine for two full years says it all.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, but especially those with sensitive, reactive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry 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 takes this cream’s moisturizing powers to a max level, minimizing advanced signs of aging like fine lines and puffiness. (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.
“The Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème Volume moisturizer helps me hit glazed status every night before bed. With chronically dry skin, I lather up in this cream when I need a heavy duty burst of hydration. Scooping out a quarter sized amount, I work the cream over my face, ears, and down the neck, massaging anything left over into my hands. In the morning, if I have any lingering dryness, I’ll apply a dime sized amount as my moisturizer for the day and forgo any makeup.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
- Key ingredients: Melipona enzymatic honey, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, jojoba seed oil
- Texture: rich cream
- Best for: mature skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
Why it’s worth it: Acne-prone, oily skin needs moisturizer, too—but it has to be the right formula. The star ingredients in the Skinfix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream include moisture-binding saccharide isomerate, oil-absorbing niacinamide, and a peptide blend that supports the skin barrier’s moisturizing abilities—all without clogging pores. It’s also free of silicone, which makes it lighter and less likely to feel occlusive on skin. “For people with oily, acne-prone skin looking for a lightweight moisturizer, this is excellent,” says David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. “One to two pumps is all you need, and it gets absorbed instantly.”
Tester feedback from contributing editor Deanna Pai
“I’ve only just started using this lightweight gel-cream, but it’s totally changed the game for me—already. My combination skin is prone to acne, and I love knowing that the non-comedogenic formula won’t make matters worse. It’s been a godsend this summer, too. I can apply it right after my post-run shower (when I’m usually still sweating) without it ever feeling greasy or occlusive.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- 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 Oily Skin: Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: For those with oily skin, HydraKate is a great year-round formula. This 2023 Allure Best of Beauty winner has an ultra-light gel texture that dries down immediately but still provides all the necessary hydration to leave skin feeling silky smooth to the touch, even in winter. The key ingredients at work include antioxidant-rich algae extract to combat the effects of daily environmental aggressors and marigold flower extract to boost elasticity and smooth wrinkles. Kate Somerville’s cream also features the brand’s AquaPort Technology, which is inspired by in-clinic micro-channeling treatments and is thought to mimic micro-channeling (and open up water pathways) to deliver moisture quickly and deeply into the skin.
“I love how lightweight the Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream is. It sinks in quickly but leaves my skin moisturized all day and never greasy.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
- Key ingredients: algae extract, marigold extract, glycerin
- Texture: gel-like water cream
- Best for: oily skin, acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Korean: Then I Met You Bong2 Bounce Cream
Why it’s worth it: Another K-beauty gem, Then I Met You’s Bong2 Bounce Cream is the glowy skin-topper of our dreams. It’s ultra-lightweight and breathable, yet it locks in protects with ceramides, brightens with vitamin C, and gives skin a bouncy, lit-from-within look with a Korean citrus fruit called hallabong. It also includes seaberries and persimmon, which not only gives this cream a marigold hue but also delivers long-lasting moisture that sinks in nicely without leaving behind an oily residue.
“I like to call the process of moisturizing with this product putting on my ‘glow goo’ because this golden jelly gives me dewier skin than just about any other I’ve used in my lifetime. Plus, it’s astonishingly lightweight, so it never pills and rubs off.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, ceramides, hallabong fruit
- Texture: gel
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Rich: Rhode Barrier Butter
Why it’s worth it: If you’re dealing with super dry skin, a psoriasis flare-up, or even rough spots on your elbows and knees, Rhode’s Barrier Butter delivers serious hydration thanks to five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to penetrate multiple layers of the skin—leaving it smooth, plump, and bouncy. To lock in that moisture, it’s also loaded with barrier-repairing ceramides and rich murumuru butter, so skin stays soft and protected all day without that dreaded greasy cast.
“Despite what others might say, Rhode actually cracked the code for putting out the best moisturizer on the market. Their Barrier Butter is ultra-rich in texture and instantly soaks into the skin so well, perfect for those who experience dryness and are looking to improve the skin barrier for long-term skin health. I’ve repurchased this product twice because it’s just that good, and I can honestly say it’s done wonders for helping to strengthen my barrier for a more natural, supple glow over time.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, murumuru butter, ceramides, polyglutamic acid
- Texture: balm
- Best for: anyone who wants an intensely moisturizing, balmy moisturizer
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: There are plenty of lightweight creams out there, but this one really earns its name because it has a milky, serum-like texture that leaves skin fresh, dewy, and super comfortable without feeling heavy or greasy. The second you apply it, any dryness or tightness disappears, but it feels like you’re wearing nothing. The formula is also packed with some unique standouts: zinc hyaluronate for oil-balancing hydration (a win for oily skin types), prebiotic green tea to support your skin’s microbiome, and Japanese purple rice to help protect against free radicals.
“The lavender packaging is what inspired me to pull this out of my towering ‘To Test’ pile, but I was pleased to discover that what’s inside is even better. This is my platonic ideal of a summer moisturizer: It’s lightweight, quick to absorb, not greasy, and very hydrating.”—Kara McGrath, content director
- Key ingredients: zinc hyaluronate, prebiotic green tea, Japanese purple rice
- Texture: lightweight, milky fluid
- Best for: all skin types, especially oily skin or those struggling with dullness
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Face and Body: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
Why it’s worth it: The twin to Aestura’s Best of Beauty Award-winning lotion, the Atobarrier 365 Cream is a lightweight cream you can apply to your face and body (bye-bye, rough patches). Formulated particularly for dry, sensitive skin, Aestura’s dreamy cream 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. 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.
“I love Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream as much for what it does for my skin as what it doesn’t: The rich formula is deeply hydrating without causing irritation or congestion. When I apply it before bed, my skin feels noticeably softer and smoother come morning.” —Dianna Singh, features director
- Key ingredients: ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids
- Texture: cream
- Best for: anyone who wants a cream to use all over
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Rosacea: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
Why it’s worth it: Dr. Jart+ makes some of our favorite cica skin-care products, like the Intensive Soothing Repair Cream, 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 Allure. This lightweight cream pairs a cica complex with allantoin to calm irritation, while niacinamide provides a gentle boost of radiance. It layers beautifully beneath sunscreen and makeup but also holds its own as a nighttime moisturizer.
“Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream has become my go-to for calming down the redness around my nose and under my eyes (hi, allergies). It’s silky, semi-matte without being at all drying, and wears nicely under makeup. Just a heads-up: It comes out of the tube fast, but any extra is great for soothing dry patches on your body, too.” —Christa Lee, contributor
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin, niacinamide, shea butter
- Texture: midweight soothing cream
- Best for: redness- or rosacea-prone skin
- 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,” says Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California. 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,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “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 says, 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 says. 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
- Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Claire Chang, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- 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.
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