The 16 Best Face Moisturizers for All Skin Types, Crowned After Testing 100+

Best Moisturizer Overall

Aestura Atobarrier365

$32 at Amazon $21 at Sephora

Highlighted Ingredients: Ceramides, lipids, glycerin | Size: 1.5, 2.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a no-frills (in the best way) moisturizer that delivers immediate and long-lasting hydration without sensitizing ingredients that could cause irritation (think synthetic fragrance and potent actives), we cannot recommend this gem enough. It’s a soft, semi-rich cream containing ceramide capsules that gently burst as you work it into your skin, quickly quenching dry skin and delivering a subtle glow. The formula is packed with barrier-supporting ingredients, such as ceramides, lipids, and glycerin, which help keep skin feeling nourished and balanced all day. While it may be a bit too rich for those with super oily skin, the simple, National Eczema Association-approved formula is ideal for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive.

Mikey, tester with combination skin (not pictured): “It delivers deep moisturizing benefits and a true long-lasting level of hydration for the skin. I noticed an immediate level of glow and plumpness to the skin, too.”

Best Drugstore Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

$25 at Amazon $26 at Ulta $25 at Target

Highlighted Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides, glycerin | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

A tried-and-true classic from La Roche-Posay, this drugstore moisturizer has earned rave reviews from multiple testers—and thousands of customers online. What makes it so well-loved is the fact that it’s simple: a gentle yet effective, oil-free moisturizer that relies on ceramides (aka lipids that support a healthy skin barrier), glycerin, and niacinamide (an ingredient known to address dullness, large pores, and excess oil) to deliver long-lasting moisture without a greasy finish. It generally works for all skin types, but some with very oily skin might want to opt for the matte version, which is just as lovely.

Saleam, tester with combination skin (not pictured): “This isn’t simply a surface-level moisturizer—it sinks deeply into my skin and has a lasting effect.”

Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Hydrator

$31 at Amazon $88 at Sephora $30 at Target

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe bio-ferment, vitamins C and E | Size: 0.5, 1, 1.7, 2.5, 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

A lot of moisturizers for dry skin have ultra-rich, oily textures, which, understandably, aren’t for everyone. So if you have dry skin and you’re seeking a nongreasy formula that doesn’t skimp on moisturizing benefits, give this one a go. It was specially formulated with dry skin in mind, and includes hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection. Our tester confirmed that it delivered both immediate quenching effects and moisturizing benefits that lasted all day. And because it’s oil-free, it’s also a great option for those with dry and acne-prone skin.

Mary, tester with dry and sensitive skin (not pictured): “I noticed a difference immediately after using the moisturizer, especially post-shower, when my skin was the driest. It absorbed well and immediately relieved my dry, itchy skin. It also helped reduce flakiness and redness.”

Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

$18 at Ulta $18 at Target $20 at Walgreens

Highlighted Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 8, 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Dr. Engelman says those with sensitive skin should seek fragrance-free formulas that support skin barrier health, and this staple from CeraVe checks those boxes and then some. It’s formulated without synthetic fragrance, approved by the National Eczema Association, and its rich texture nourishes and protects dry, sensitive skin. Barrier-supporting ceramides and hyaluronic acid strengthen and hydrate skin, while petrolatum, an ingredient that helps to create a barrier on the skin, locks in moisture and protects it from environmental pollutants. In addition to how well it works on the face and body, we also appreciate that it’s affordable and readily available at your local drugstore.

Lauren, mature tester with combination/sensitive skin (not pictured): “Even though it’s a thick cream, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy. It does spread evenly, but you really need to rub it in. Once it is absorbed, skin feels calm, soothed, and hydrated.”

Best Moisturizer for Aging Skin

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

$63 at Amazon $63 at Sephora $99 at Ulta

Highlighted Ingredients: Signal peptide complex, pygmy waterlily stem cell extract, soybean folic acid ferment extract | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As skin matures, it loses hydration and elasticity, making it important to pick a deeply hydrating moisturizer with plumping and barrier-supporting ingredients. This popular choice from Drunk Elephant has a rich texture packed with peptides, which help boost collagen and elastin production in the skin. Immediately after application, our tester noted that her skin felt soft and balanced. Even better, she shared that when used at bedtime, she noticed a subtle reduction in the appearance of fine lines the following morning. The luxe, creamy texture absorbs well, provides a subtle glow, and layers beautifully under makeup.

Evangelina, tester with combination skin (not pictured): “I love that it works immediately. My skin feels hydrated, soft, and plump.”

Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin

Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturizer

$64 at Amazon $64 at Sephora $24 at Ulta

Highlighted Ingredients: Zinc hyaluronate, green tea extract, Japanese purple rice | Size: 0.5, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Another winner from Tatcha, this one is a great pick for a wide range of skin types, particularly combination skin. If you have combination skin, you know it can be tricky to find a moisturizer that offers enough hydration for dry areas without being too thick or greasy for oily spots. Our tester with combination, sensitive skin found it offered the perfect balance; a gel/cream texture that imparted moisture and glow without leaving her looking overly shiny. She noted that it left her skin feeling hydrated and plump throughout the day and also layered beautifully under foundation.

Ashley, tester with combination/sensitive skin (not pictured): “If you want a light moisturizer that makes your skin plump and dewy with or without makeup, this is a fantastic product. It’s great for daily use, morning and evening, and works well with other products.”

Best Rich Moisturizer

Rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm

$36 at Sephora $36 at Rhodeskin.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, murumuru butter, ceramide np | Size: 1.35, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those looking for a rich moisturizer to plump, smooth, and deeply hydrate dry skin should try this one from rhode. Packed with barrier-supporting ingredients, such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid (a supercharged version of HA), and murumuru butter, it delivers instant, intense moisture to thirsty skin. The rich consistency spreads nicely, and, according to our tester with super dry skin, it feels like it not only adds moisture but also seals it in, as an occlusive balm does. She loves how glowy it makes her skin look, though she noted it can feel a bit sticky and greasy at first, making it ideal for those with very dry skin. It’s also a great product to have on hand for post-skin-procedure use or for applying to particularly dry spots.

Shannon Stubbs, associate editor with dry skin: “I would compare more to Vaseline than a standard moisturizer, as it feels like it’s sealing in long-lasting hydration. When applying at night, my skin would still feel plump and hydrated by the morning. It definitely adds a subtle glow, and it makes the skin look more bouncy.”

Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

Paula's Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer

$42 at Amazon $42 at Sephora $750 at Paulaschoice.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides, licorice root | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“Moisturizers can contribute to breakouts if the formula is too heavy or occlusive for your skin type, particularly in oily or acne-prone individuals,” says Dr. Engelman. She recommends noncomedogenic, breathable formulas, like this one from Paula’s Choice. It has a light, gel texture that, according to our tester, absorbs well, layers under makeup seamlessly, and offers the right amount of hydration without feeling heavy. It contains ceramides to support barrier health and niacinamide to help control oil, making it great for people with acne-prone skin.

Hannah, tester with sensitive skin and hormonal breakouts (not pictured): “Although it’s not as thick as I typically use this time of year, it made my skin feel hydrated, and left a clean, glass-like finish. My skin felt still relatively hydrated even hours after use!”

Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Tatcha The Water Cream

$74 at Amazon $68 at Sephora $74 at Ulta

Highlighted Ingredients: Japanese wild rose, Hadasei 3 | Size: 0.34, 1.7, 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tatcha has some of Sephora’s best-selling moisturizers, and if you have oily skin, this is the one for you. It has a super light, gel texture that almost feels like water as you spread it across your skin, absorbing quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It’s powered by Japanese wild rose to help reduce the appearance of pores, along with the brand’s signature Hadasei 3, a fermented blend of Japanese superfoods that support the skin’s moisture barrier. Its weightless texture and oil-free formula don’t contribute to excess oil throughout the day, making it ideal for those with oily skin or people who live in humid climates.

Alyssa Kaplan, editor with combination skin (not pictured): “When my T-zone gets oily during the peak summer months, this is the moisturizer I turn to. It offers enough hydration to keep my skin feeling healthy, but not so much that it makes it greasy.”

Best Oil-Free Moisturizer

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

$27

$20 at Amazon $10 at Amazon $30 at Ulta

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opting for an oil-free moisturizer is wise. “Ingredients like certain heavy oils or rich but comedogenic emollients can clog pores and trap debris, leading to congestion,” explains Dr. Engelman. This classic drugstore moisturizer from Neutrogena is oil-free, noncomedogenic, and affordable, making it one of our top recommendations. The lightweight, water/gel texture feels refreshing on the skin, while delivering a boost of hydration without a greasy finish. Our tester said it added just the right amount of moisture and absorbed beautifully; her only qualm was the fragrance, which she found a bit intense.

Bianca, tester with combination/oily skin (not pictured): “I love the weight of the formula. It’s not quite a full-bodied moisturizer, but it’s not watery either. It’s the perfect balance, and it absorbs well into the skin without making other products peel away.”

Best Noncomedogenic Moisturizer

The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer

$44

$22 at Amazon $44 at Nordstrom $44 at Theoutset.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid, squalane, edelweiss extract,  | Size: 0.5, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Noncomedogenic moisturizers are ideal for people with enlarged pores and breakouts because they don’t contain ingredients that can exacerbate these concerns. This one was beloved by testers for its lightweight texture that felt super comfortable on the skin while still providing ample moisture. She noted that it made her skin feel noticeably smoother, look more radiant, and that it layered seamlessly under makeup. Best of all, it didn’t cause breakouts at all during the testing period, which is hard for her to find when testing moisturizers.

Bianca, tester with combination/oily skin (not pictured): “My skin loved this product and felt and looked healthy after application. There was no pilling under makeup or skincare. It melted right into the skin on top of my other serums I use to correct my hyperpigmentation.”

Best Moisturizer With SPF

Oars + Alps Everyday Face Moisturizer

$22

$18 at Amazon $18 at Target

$22

$18 at Walmart

Highlighted Ingredients: Octocrylene, zinc oxide | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you feel like combining your moisturizer and sun-protection steps into one, this is the best SPF moisturizer for you. It features chemical and mineral SPF ingredients, along with hydrators such as glycerin and panthenol, to protect skin against sun damage while providing necessary moisture. Although its texture is more reminiscent of a true SPF than of a creamy or gel-like moisturizer, once you rub it into the skin, it feels lightweight, hydrating, and nongreasy. We also love that it’s fast-absorbing, leaves little to no residue or white cast behind, and layers seamlessly with makeup.

Sunita, tester (not pictured): “It absorbed right away and felt extremely comfortable yet light on the skin. The light consistency gave it a good base for a foundation.”

Best Gel Moisturizer

InnBeauty Project Recharge Gel Cream

$42 at Sephora $42 at Kohls.com $48 at Innbeautyproject.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Peptides, orchid stem cells, mineral complex | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Gel moisturizers are ideal for people with oily or combination skin, though they’re also excellent for people who don’t like the feeling of face cream sitting on their skin or looking oily. This one features a cushiony gel texture that absorbs quickly and leaves the skin looking natural (not too matte or glowy). The formula contains peptides to help plump the appearance of fine lines, and it delivers a healthy dose of moisture that our tester said was hydrating enough on her dry skin that she didn’t feel the need to reapply throughout the day. While it might not be substantial enough on its own for very dry skin, it’s a wonderful option to layer into a skincare routine, as the texture plays well with other products.

Ashley, tester with dry skin and fine lines (not pictured): “It’s lightweight, somewhat silky, and glides on smoothly (no pilling). It absorbs fairly quickly and delivers good moisture.”

Best Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid

Torriden DIVE IN Soothing Cream

$27

$26 at Amazon $27 at Sephora $27 at Sokoglam.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Hyaluronic acid is a hero hydrating ingredient that helps bind water to the skin. Many people prefer hyaluronic acid-heavy formulas to oil-based or occlusive moisturizers because they tend to be lightweight and nongreasy. If that’s you, you’ll absolutely love this moisturizer from K-Beauty brand Torriden. It features a gel texture packed with hyaluronic acid and panthenol (another moisture-binding ingredient), along with allantoin, which is gentle and effective for barrier support. Our tester with combination skin loved how refreshing it felt upon application and noted that the moisture lasted all day despite the weightless texture.

Toni, tester with combination skin (not pictured): “It feels like a ‘water cream’ that gives gentle, weightless hydration. Comfortable, refreshing, and dependable—like a hydrating serum in cream form. Good for everyday, especially under makeup or sunscreen.”

Best Brightening Moisturizer

Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Moisture Cream

$40 at Sephora

$34

$17 at Kohls.com $40 at Glowrecipe.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Peptides, cloudberry seed oil, CoQ10 | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Boasting a gorgeous, whipped, creamy texture, this moisturizer from Glow Recipe delivers deep, long-lasting hydration, leaving skin feeling super soft and looking lit from within. The key ingredient is cloudberry, an antioxidant packed with vitamins C and E to achieve a radiant, even-toned complexion. It also contains CoQ10 (to stimulate collagen production) and peptides to smooth the skin. Our tester immediately noticed how moisturizing it is, saying that upon initial application, her face felt smooth and deeply nourished. She also noted that the moisturizing effects lasted from morning to night. While this pick can be a bit greasy on oily skin, we stand behind it as a top brightening pick for people with dull, dry, or balanced skin.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor with oily skin: “This moisturizer absorbed into my skin fairly quickly and easily. It didn’t leave residue or a sticky/greasy feeling, but was slightly heavier than I was expecting. There was no need to reapply it, and it provided an even base for my makeup application.”

Best Plumping Moisturizer

Biodance Pore Perfecting Collagen Cream

$29 at Amazon $29 at Sephora $29 at Biodance.com

Highlighted Ingredients: Low molecular weight collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While nothing will eradicate fine lines and wrinkles like Botox or fillers, a good collagen cream can help plump the skin, softening their appearance. This one features a lightweight texture and a cocktail of plumping ingredients—collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, to be exact—that work to hydrate dry skin and create a smoothing effect. Our tester with sensitive skin was incredibly impressed by this formula, sharing that after a few weeks of consistent use, she saw a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and texture. She also appreciated that it layered nicely with other skincare and never caused irritation or sensitivity.

Mary, tester with sensitive skin (not pictured): “My skin immediately felt hydrated, plump, and smooth after applying the collagen cream. I have actually noticed changes in my skin texture since using the cream. My skin feels much softer, smoother, and more supple. I definitely think that my face looks more plump and glowing after using the Biodance Collagen Cream for a few weeks.”