Your Skin Barrier Is Begging for These Face Moisturizers
Mega hydration incoming.
My favorite step in my skincare routine will always be applying one of the best face moisturizers. Not only is it the most sensorial step in my routine, but a quality lotion makes the biggest difference in my skin's tone, texture, and hydration levels. But figuring out which products work the best for me and my highly irritable, very dry skin has been an overwhelming journey. I've personally tested well over 100 different options in search of my own holy grails.
I've discovered do-it-all moisturizers with SPF, retinol creams, and bare-bones options whose sole job is to hydrate. There are oil-free moisturizers, K-Beauty formulations, and even moisturizers for rosacea, eczema, and acne-prone skin. I personally rotate through a few different moisturizers during the year, depending on my skin's needs and the weather.
But I wanted to create a guide that was helpful for all skin types, so I tapped the rest of the Marie Claire editors and board-certified dermatologists for their recommendations, too. Ahead, team MC gets candid about the face moisturizers we love.
The Best Face Moisturizers
- Best Moisturizer Overall: Embryolisse Lait Créme Concentré
- Best Daily Moisturizer: Dieux Instant Angel
- Best Lightweight Gel Moisturizer: ReVivé Hydrogel Moisturizer
- Best Rich Moisturizer: SkinBetter Science Trio Luxe Moisture Treatment
- The Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer
This French pharmacy staple has a long-standing cult-favorite status among makeup artists. It hydrates my sensitive skin like nothing I’ve ever experienced—I haven’t had dryness or irritation in weeks. My overall complexion looks brighter, healthier, and glowier without the added oily sheen that can pop up with rich creams. Pilling is non-existent, and it doubles as a primer under makeup. In sum: I fully understand the world’s obsession.
Texture: Lotion
Who It's For: All skin types
Key Ingredients: Shea butter (hydrating); Soy protiens (firming)
What I Love: Good for sensitive skin; Affordable
What I Don't: Contains fragrance
Review for MC "Whenever I find myself in Paris, I bring an extra suitcase just to fit my French pharmacy haul. But I do save space on my go-to moisturizer. Thankfully, it's available stateside. I was originally put onto Embryolisse by a makeup artist—it's unsurprisingly a staple in every pro's kit because it layers flawlessly under makeup. Plus, it doesn't irritate my incredibly sensitive skin; I'd even say it calms my redness." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
This is my go-to morning moisturizer—it works so well under makeup.
My skin is dry, somewhat temperamental, and definitely in need of barrier repair since I use tretinoin five times a week. I swear by the Dieux Instant Angel formula for a no-nonsense fragrance-free moisturizer that leaves your skin with an insane glow while also banishing dry spots and smoothing the look of fine lines.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Normal, dry, sensitive, combination
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydrating); Lipid complex (firming); Peptides (smoothing
What I Love: Silky soft texture; Non-comedogenic
What I Don't: Might feel too rich for acne-prone skin
Review for MC: "For a daytime moisturizer, I don’t want a formula with too many bells and whistles. If you can boost my moisture levels and keep them that way until evening, I’m a happy girl. This no-frills formula utilizes a vegan three percent lipid complex to maintain hydration throughout the day, leaves me with an insane glow, and sits evenly under both sunscreen and makeup. It doesn't hurt that it softens the fine lines around my mouth and forehead. Even my boyfriend likes to steal it from my vanity cabinet." — Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director
If you're chasing a dewy finish, try Dieux.
If there was only one skincare brand I could use for the rest of my life, it would be RéVive—and this newly launched gel moisturizer is a huge reason why. The entire line is powered by epidermal growth factor, a protein that stimulates cell growth and works as an anti-aging, line-reducing warrior. But this particular product is lighter than the rest of the range, with a cooling, water-cream consistency. It makes my skin look brighter, plumper, and healthier.
Texture: Water Cream
Who It's For: All skin types
Key Ingredients: Bio Renewal Peptide (plumping and brightening); 4D hyaluronic acid (hydrating)
What I Love: Lightweight feel; More affordable than the rest of the brand; Good for morning and night
What I Don't: Can be irritating for some
Review for MC: "I've used RéVive's Moisturizing Renewal Day Cream for years—and I'm loyal. Still, this lighter-weight option has a gorgeous texture and has quickly become my go-to during the warmer months and during the day. My skin is incredibly sensitive, but this cooling gel is soothing on my skin. I'm left with a dewy finish, but don't end up looking greasy come mid-day, which is a huge pain point when it comes to heavier creams." — Samantha Holdener, Senior Beauty Editor
For a lightweight texture that provides the hydration levels of a cream, reach for RéVive.
Having dry skin is, to put it nicely, no fun. Your face can feel tight, burn upon product application, and flake under makeup. Enter: SkinBetter Science, a brand that invented the best possible moisturizer for extremely dry skin. It's packed with dozens of hydrating ingredients—like urea, ceramides, and niacinamide—that will instantly restore moisture.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Normal, dry, and sensitive skin types
Key Ingredients: Urea (moisturizing); Niacinamide (evening)
What I Love: Fragrance-free; Deeply hydrating and great for dry skin; Smooths out texture under makeup
What I Don't: Too heavy for oily complexions or on humid days
Review for MC: "At night I need a rich moisturizer that also helps to hydrate and restore my skin while I sleep (the time at which your epidermis is already in repair mode). This formula is pricier but SO worth it, with a velvety texture that’s a dream to apply, plus Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, and Urea to maintain hydration all night long, and potent actives like Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate to smooth and Olive Fruit Extract to minimize redness. The difference is noticeable enough that if I forget to travel without it, my skin basically goes on strike the next morning." — Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director
This cream will quickly calm redness.
You always need a moisturizer—no matter how oily your skin tends to be. That said, finding a non-comedogenic option (meaning it won't clog your pores) that's also oil-free is non-negotiable. Take this Dr. Dennis Gross formula for example. It's lightweight, calms redness, and delivers light hydration without irritating your complexion.
Texture: Lotion
Who It's For: Oily, acne-prone, or combination skin
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (antioxidant protection); Lactic acid (helps with absorption); Niacinamide (redness reducing)
What I Love: Multi-benefit; Oil-free
What I Don't: Some report irritation
Review for MC: “My acne-prone, ultra-oily skin tends to react poorly to protective ingredients like Vitamin C, but this oil-free formula is a non-comedogenic dream. This moisturizer protects your skin from the elements with the strength and consistency of The Queen's Guard." — Lucia Tonelli, Former Associate Social Media Director
Oil-free and non-comedogenic, this is a great pick for anyone dealing with acne.
If nothing seems ever to quench your skin's thirst, take E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla's recommendation and try Ole Henriksen's Strength Trainor. You'll feel the hydrating and plumping properties instantly kick in. Apply a heafty layer before bed and I promise by the time you wake up in the morning, you'll see a visible difference.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Normal, dry, oily, combination skin types
Key Ingredients: Amino acids (hydrating); Peptides (conditioning); Ceramides (strengthens barrier)
What I Love: Hydrating; Vegan
What I Don't: Fragrant
Review for MC: "Not only does it smell amazing (like sweet lemons!) but the icing-like formula immediately melts into my skin and keeps it hydrated all night long," she says. The magic ingredients in this vegan formula are the eight different amino acids and peptides, which strengthen skin from the inside out and keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
You'll notice a huge difference in your skin's hydration levels after just one use.
I have tried so many moisturizers over the years and always find myself returning to The Rich Cream. I use it consistently, and it’s the only cream I’ve used that deeply hydrates, plumps, and smooths my skin. The texture is velvety and the jar is luxe, which makes feel like I'm really getting my money's worth.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Normal, dry skin types
Key Ingredients: TFC8 (nourishing); Hyaluronic acid (plumping); Rice protein (plumping)
What I Love: Clinical results; Immediate and long-term efficacy; Firming
What I Don't: Has an interesting smell; Expensive
Review for MC: "I’m in my 30s, and my skin deeply appreciates how it complements all the laser and facial treatments I do. The patented TFC8®, which supports cellular renewal, has, over time, left my skin glowing. I tend to switch to The Cream during the warmer months, and now that we’re moving into the colder months of the year, The Rich Cream is back in my daily rotation." — Taryn Brooke, Contributing Beauty Writer
The price tag here might be high, but according to Brooke, it's well worth it.
I have rosacea and red undertones, but this cooling and calming cream helps me stay balanced. Its powers largely come from ingredients like avocado oil and purslane, which provide antioxidant protection and calming, soothing benefits. I also found that this product has a relatively lightweight and easy-to-rub-in texture for a rich cream, making it suitable for year-round use. I've probably gone through 20 jars of this—that's how much I love it.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Sensitive, dry, combination, and normal skin types
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E (smoothing); Avocadin (hydrating); Skullcap (supports renewal)
What I Love: Good for redness; Soothing
What I Don't: Expensive
Review for MC: "My skin consistently looks its best when this moisturizer is a part of my routine. My highly irritable skin drinks up the purslane and within two weeks of consistent use, my skin feels supple and my redness has visibly decreased." — Samantha Holdender, Senior Beauty Editor
I have dozens of moisturizer in my cabinet, but I religiously use this one every single night.
With Hailey Bieber and Nicola Peltz Beckham as big fans, you can count on this cream to make your skin glow. It's a go-to for cracked or super dry skin needing a hydrating boost. Pro tip: layer this on your lips overnight to banish chapped lips.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Dry, normal, sensitive, acne-prone skin
Key Ingredients: C Restore (strengthening); Thermal Spring Water (soothing); Copper sulfate (balancing)
What I Love: Lightweight; Matte finish; Non-comedogenic
What I Don't: Expensive
Review for MC: "A little goes a long way, and it leaves my skin hydrated and soothed for hours without feeling greasy or shiny or clogging my (easily cloggable!) pores." — Jenny Hollander, Digital Director
A high-quality product doesn't have to come with a high price point—and this drugstore cream is proof. This daily moisturizer from the Ordinary does the trick for me day and night. It's more like a light lotion, which is ideal for summer and early fall. I never feel greasy with this on—even when the humidity is high.
Texture: Lotion
Who It's For: All skin types
Key Ingredients: Lipids (strengthening); Urea (hydrating)
What I Love: Affordable; Lightweight
What I Don't: Some say it’s drying
Review for MC: "It feels extra lightweight, which is great for wearing underneath makeup, and it doesn't add any extra oil to my already oily skin. I love it so much, I'm already on my third bottle." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate E-Commerce Editor
Scarlett Johansson uses this day in and day out (it's her brand, after all), but board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD FAAD, also approves of this product. "They use only fragrance-free and gentle ingredients," she says. The finish is super silky and gives the skin a subtle dewiness.
Texture: Lotion
Who It's For: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types
Key Ingredients: Squalane (hydrating); Edelweiss extract (brightening)
What I Love: Good for dry and sensitive skin; Fragrance-free
What I Don't: Some say it pills
Review for MC: "This product gives a huge moisture boost while still being gentle enough for sensitive skin and all skin types." — Dr. Greenfield
Sydney Sweeney isn't the only one who can't get enough of this lightweight gel moisturizer. It's our digital director's favorite, too. I'd recommend this to anyone with oily or sensitive skin looking for a glowy finish. It gives the skin a soft sheen that comes about when you actually drink eight glasses of water a day.
Texture: Water cream
Who It's For: Normal, dry skin types
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating); Panthenol (soothing)
What I Love: Lightweight; Glowy
What I Don't: Not great for dry skin
Review for MC: "It's lightweight but nourishing and perfect for mixing and matching with your other products during the day," she shares. "I like to combine it with sunscreen for low-key days, or with CC cream or foundation when I'm heading out into a cold night. It doesn't clog my pores, it gives me a gentle glow, and it comes in the cutest baby-blue bottle." — Jenny Hollander, Digital Director
Salicylic acid is one of the best acne-fighting ingredients, so it's no shocker that this salicylic acid-infused lotion is Tonelli's go-to when dealing with breakouts. An added bonus: It has a nice grapefruit scent.
Texture: Lotion
Who It's For: Oily and acne-prone skin
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid (fights acne and absorbs oil)
What I Love: Affordable; Great for blackheads
What I Don't: Not hydrating enough for some
Review for MC: "When it's hot out, when I'm PMSing, or when I'm feeling stressed, the skin on my face and back tends to explode into acne, and this moisturizer calms it down within a few short days without drying me out or inducing uncomfortable stinging." — Lucia Tonelli, Former Associate Social Media Director
Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Marie Claire's own Digital Director keep this sensitive skin-safe cream on standby. You can use it all over your body—I apply it to mosquito bites to stop the itching—and it soaks into your skin in a way that feels nourishing rather than superficial or irritating.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Sensitive, normal, dry skin types
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal (treats eczema); Allantoin (calming)
What I Love: Good for eczema
What I Don't: Too thick for some
Review for MC: "I get on-off eczema around my eyes and forehead when it's chilly out, and this is the only cream that soothes my skin when it's at its itchiest and grouchiest." — Jenny Hollander, Digital Director
The arid weather is taking a toll on everyone's skin at the moment, which is where this beloved drugstore staple moisturizer steps in to save the day. It's a favorite of the entire MC beauty team, and the affordable price tag feels like such a steal for how well it works. If nothing else feels like it can save your skin this winter, look no further than this formula.
Texture: Cream
Who It's For: Dry skin types
Key Ingredients: Calendula (calming); Chamomile (soothing); Pansy (moisturizing); Sunflower Seed Oil (skin barrier support)
What I Love: Deeply moisturizing, can be used as a highlighter; affordable
What I Don't: The finish can be sticky, the fragrance is notable
Review for MC: "I remember buying this moisturizer at Whole Foods at the beginning of my beauty career, at the advice of a few makeup artists to use it as a base. As soon as winter hit, I slathered my skin in a thick layer at night at woke up to a glowing complexion. Now it's my affordable go-to when the dry, freezing air saps my skin of hydration and threatens to disrupt my skin barrier. She never fails me." — Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director
Do I Need a Moisturizer?
Oily or dry—moisturizer is a must. “Everyone has skin, so everyone should use a moisturizer daily,” says board-certified dermatologist Sapna Palep, MD FAAD. The whole point of a moisturizer is to keep the skin barrier, aka the outermost layer of our skin, healthy, hydrated, and intact, so it can do its job protecting the body from external factors (read: pollution, free radicals, UV rays). “If the skin barrier is compromised, skin may look and feel uncomfortable and irritated,” she adds.
What Moisturizer Is Best for My Skin Type?
While you should look for a moisturizer that works with your skin type, understand that you might need to switch up your products a few times throughout the year. "Skin types are not static," explains Dr. Greenfield. "They change as the seasons change, as our hormonal balances shift, and as our skin ages and has environmental and ultraviolet triggers. Understanding the complexities of our skin is the first step to figuring out which moisturizer to apply for best results."
If your skin is severely dry, says Dr. Palep, "look for a moisturizing cream, versus a gel. A cream tends to be thicker and will add more hydration.” If your skin errs on the oily or acne-prone side though, you’re best off looking for a light water cream or gel.
What Ingredients Should Be in Moisturizer?
Every moisturizer is different and, therefore, features a unique ingredient list. Moisturizers for acne-prone skin may have acids, like salicylic, glycolic, or lactic, designed to speed up cell turnover, while moisturizers for people with eczema might have colloidal oatmeal.
But at baseline, there should be a handful of hydrators. “You want to look for a moisturizer that has a mix of humectant, emollient, and occlusive ingredients, all of which work together to add maximum hydration,” advises Dr. Palep. “Humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract water from the air or from within deeper layers of the skin to add moisture. Emollients, like shea butter and cocoa butter, add moisture to the skin when applied. Occlusives like jojoba and argan oil add moisture and a physical barrier to help prevent water loss.”
When Should I Apply Moisturizer?
Moisturizer is one of the last steps in your skincare routine, following cleanser, toner, and serums. You should apply moisturizer both during the day and at night. During the day, you can top off your favorite formula with a mineral or chemical sunscreen.
Do I Need Different Day and Night Moisturizers?
It's not necessary to have multiple moisturizers in your routine, but you may want to alternate. "Because daytime routines typically involve the application of several products, the moisturizer may need to be a little lighter so as not to occlude sweat glands and allow for oil movement out of the skin, avoiding breakouts," explains Dr. Greenfield. Nighttime is an opportunity for heavier products if needed, especially if your skin leans dry. A stellar night cream is your best bet to wake up with glowing skin.
How Much Moisturizer Should I Use?
"A dime-sized amount of most moisturizers should be enough to apply one generous layer to the entire face," explains Dr. Greenfield. Don't feel the need to overdo it—a little goes a long way when it comes to the best face moisturizers.
How We Tested
To compile this list of the 15 best face moisturizers, Senior Beauty Editor Samantha Holender assembled favorites from the Marie Claire team and board-certified dermatologists. She also scoured the internet for best-sellers and customer reviews. Each product was then hand-tested and evaluated on texture, ingredients, and hydration levels.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Sapna Palep has been recognized as one of New York’s leading board-certified dermatologists for over a decade. Since founding Spring Street Dermatology in 2010, Dr. Palep has helped countless patients achieve clear, healthy skin with her safe, effective, and highly individualized treatment plans. Dr. Palep conducts annual skin cancer screenings and treats all dermatologic conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. She is also highly sought after for her skill in cosmetic treatments, including Botox, chemical peels, dermal fillers, microneedling, and resurfacing lasers.
A native of Florida, Dr. Palep completed her undergraduate studies in biology and chemistry at the University of Miami in 1999. She attended the University of Miami School of Medicine for two years before relocating to New York in 2000. She completed her medical degree at New York Medical College in 2004. The same year, Dr. Palep graduated with a Master’s of Business Administration from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University, where she majored in Health Systems Management.
Dr. Nava Greenfield is a dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Dr. Greenfield earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Queens College, City University of New York, where she graduated Cum Laude with honors in mathematics, natural sciences, chemistry and biochemistry.
Dr. Greenfield attended medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University. She completed her internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital and her residency in dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dr. Greenfield has been published in many medical journals, including The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, the Journal of Women’s Dermatology and Pediatrics. Dr. Greenfield is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Women’s Dermatologic Society and the American Medical Association.
