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People have many options for facial skin moisturizers. Many are made to benefit certain skin types and conditions. Some ingredients can cause skin irritation, so choosing the right product is important.
This article explores top face moisturizers and discusses other concerns.
- Best for dry skin: Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream | Skip to review
- Best fragrance-free: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting cream | Skip to review
- Best for eczema: La Mer Creme de la Mer | Skip to review
- Best for acne: Neutrogena Hydro Boost | Skip to review
- Best for dehydrated skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore | Skip to review
- Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Dermallergo Ultra Soothing | Skip to review
- Best fast-absorbing: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream | Skip to review
- Best option for face and body: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Skip to review
- Best for all skin types: Kiehl’s Ultra Cream | Skip to review
- Best cruelty-free: Moon Juice Cosmic Cream | Skip to review
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
These are some of the best face moisturizers available online:
Best for dry skin: Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream
- List price: from around $20
- Size: 0.34 ounces (oz) and 1.7 oz
- Key ingredients: green tea
Tatcha’s face cream contains green tea, rice, and algae that help hydrate the skin and provide anti-aging properties. It also has hyaluronic acid to keep the skin soft and retain moisture.
It also helps plump the skin, so it may suit people with skin dryness.
Pros
- works on dry skin
- has anti-aging characteristics
- smooths and softens the skin
Cons
- may feel greasy
- contains fragrance, according to reviews, so may not suit sensitive skin
- may cause irritation
Best fragrance-free: Olay Regenerist
- List price: around $27
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Key ingredients: niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
The Olay Regenerist cream contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help moisturize the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
It is free of:
- fragrance
- parabens
- phthalates
- synthetic dyes
Pros
- without fragrance, so may suit people with sensitive skin
- softens the skin
- suitable for uneven skin
Cons
- has caused dermatitis breakouts in some customers
- may cause pores to look greasy
Best for eczema: La Mer Creme de la Mer
- List price: around $285
- Size: 2 oz
- Key ingredients: citric acid, eucalyptus, zinc, and panthenol
This moisturizing cream contains citric acid, eucalyptus, and zinc, among other ingredients.
A
La Mer’s cream is unscented and free of parabens and phthalates. It may suit people with eczema and dry skin.
Pros
- gentle on the skin
- suitable when temperatures are low
- works for people with allergies
Cons
- thick texture, so it takes a long time to absorb into the skin
- price is higher than many other products
Best for acne: Neutrogena Hydro Boost
- List price: around $27
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid
Neutrogena’s hydrating cream contains hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient. It helps retain the skin’s moisture and gives it a more plump appearance.
The product is available in gel form. The manufacturer claims it absorbs fast into the skin.
The gel is free of:
- oils
- dyes
- fragrance
Pros
- does not clog pores, making it suitable for people with acne
- no greasy residue
- without fragrance, making it a good product for sensitive skin
Cons
- container may arrive unsealed
- has caused a burning sensation in some customers
Best for dehydrated skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore
- List price: $150
- Size: 1.6 fluid ounces (fl oz)
- Key ingredients: ceramides, natural cholesterol, and lavender oil
This cream contains ceramides, natural cholesterol, fatty acids, and lavender oil. These ingredients help increase the skin’s hydration, reduce age-related dryness, and improve elasticity.
The company recommends the product for all skin types, especially if the skin is dehydrated and has signs of aging.
Pros
- improves skin dehydration
- suitable for all skin types
- plumps up the skin
Cons
- may clog pores
- may cause a burning sensation
Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Dermallergo Ultra Soothing
- List price: around $31
- Size: 1.4 fl oz
- Key ingredients: shea butter, thermal spring water, and neurosensine
La Roche-Posay’s moisturizer contains shea butter, thermal spring water, and neurosensine to help soothe and restore the skin’s properties.
It has a creamy texture. It works immediately, according to the company.
The product is suitable for people with sensitive skin. It is free of:
- fragrance
- drying alcohol
- preservatives
- parabens
Pros
- does not dry out the skin
- perfume-free
- provides immediate relief
Cons
- may have an unpleasant smell
- sticky texture
Best fast-absorbing: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
- List price: $62
- Size: 1.69 fl oz
- Key ingredients: ceramide, green tea, marula oil, and zinc oxide
Drunk Elephant’s cream has ceramide, glycerin, green tea, marula oil, and zinc, offering antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
The ingredients help moisturize and rejuvenate the skin.
The product is silicon-free and absorbs fast into the skin.
Pros
- lightweight
- fast-absorbing formula
- not sticky
Cons
- greasy texture, reported by reviewers
- unpleasant smell
Best option for face and body: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- List price: around $19
- Size: 19 oz
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid and ceramides
The CeraVe moisturizing cream contains hyaluronic acid that offers 24-hour hydration. It has a velvety texture to keep the skin smooth and a fast-absorbing formula that does not leave a greasy residue.
The cream is free of fragrance and parabens. It is also allergy-tested.
Pros
- does not clog pores, making it effective for acne-prone skin
- suitable for whole-body use
- all-day hydration
- not greasy
Cons
- may be too thick for the face, according to reviews
- burning sensation on dry skin
Best for all skin types: Kiehl’s Ultra Cream
- List price: from around $9
- Size: 0.25 oz, 0.95 oz, 1 oz, and 1.7 fl oz
- Key ingredients: glycerin and salicylic acid
Kiehl’s recommends this face cream for all skin types. It has glycerin and salicylic acid to hydrate the skin for 24 hours. The texture is lightweight and has a fast-absorbing formula.
The cream may also suit those with dry and sensitive skin.
Pros
- hydrates dry and sensitive skin
- absorbs fast
- lightweight
Cons
- has caused eye irritation in some customers
- long time to notice improvement
Best cruelty-free: Moon Juice Cosmic Cream
- List price: around $58
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
- Key ingredients: citric acid, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, and vitamin E
Moon Juice’s cosmic cream is available in lotion form. It is designed to hydrate the skin and improve elasticity and firmness.
It may also help protect the skin’s barrier function.
The product is cruelty-free and contains no:
- parabens
- petroleum
- sulfates
- fragrance
Pros
- not tested on animals
- fragrance-free
- reduces irritation
Cons
- despite being fragrance-free, some reviewers report an unpleasant smell
- may feel heavy
The table below compares the face moisturizers in this article based on price, size, what they’re most suitable for, and key ingredients:
| List price | Size | Best for | Key ingredients | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatcha | from around $20 | 0.34 and 1.7 oz | dry skin | green tea |
| Olay | around $27 | 1.7 oz | reducing the appearance of fine lines | niacinamide and hyaluronic acid |
| La Mer | around $285 | 2 oz | may help people with eczema | • citric acid • eucalyptus • zinc • panthenol |
| Neutrogena | around $27 | 1.7 oz | those who prefer a gel texture | hyaluronic acid |
| SkinCeuticals | $150 | 1.6 fl oz | hydration and signs of aging | • ceramides • natural cholesterol • lavender oil |
| La Roche-Posay | around $31 | 1.4 fl oz | sensitive skin | • shea butter • thermal spring water • neurosensine |
| Drunk Elephant | $62 | 1.69 fl oz | anti-aging | • ceramide • green tea • marula oil • zinc oxide |
| CeraVe | around $19 | 19 oz | • face and body • effective for acne-prone skin | hyaluronic acid and ceramides |
| Kiehl’s | from around $9 | • 0.25 oz • 0.95 oz • 1 oz • 1.7 fl oz | all skin types | glycerin and salicylic acid |
| Moon Juice | around $58 | 1.7 fl oz | • hydration • firmness • elasticity | • citric acid • aloe barbadensis leaf juice • glycerin • vitamin E |
These are some factors that people may consider when looking for a face moisturizer:
- Skin type: Check the skin type the product is suitable for.
- Ingredients: All product pages have an ingredient list. People with sensitive skin may want to avoid creams that contain fragrance.
- Formula: A lot of creams have a lightweight texture. This may be helpful for those using the product in the morning.
- Other features: Some moisturizers are noncomedogenic. This means they do not clog pores, which may benefit people with acne-prone skin.
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
- Price: MNT chooses products available for a wide range of budgets.
- Ingredients: MNT chooses products that clearly list all ingredients.
- Skin concerns: Where appropriate, MNT selects products that target a specific skin concern, such as dryness, oiliness, or aging.
- Safety: MNT chooses products that contain ingredients safe for topical use.
- Reputable: MNT selects products from businesses that adhere to industry best practices.
The following are other considerations a person may wish to keep in mind:
Allergies
People with allergies may have to avoid using creams that contain ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.
People who do not know whether they have an allergy can test the product at home with a patch test.
To do a patch test, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) suggests applying the product to a small area of skin, such as the inner elbow, for up to 10 days.
If the person develops itching, swelling, and redness, these may indicate a reaction. The person may have to stop using the product.
Ingredient safety
Some ingredients are not safe for everyone.
For example, retinol is a form of vitamin A that can
- scaling
- itching
- dryness
- redness
Dermatologists may not recommend products containing retinol for people who are pregnant. Researchers behind a
Skin concerns
Sun exposure can cause an increased risk of skin cancer, according to the
The AAD recommends using water-resistant 30 SPF sunscreen and reapplying it every 2 hours when a person is outdoors.
It may also be a good idea to seek shade and wear sun-protective clothing, such as sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and long sleeves and pants.
A person may consider consulting a dermatologist if they suddenly develop concerning symptoms or their skin becomes too dry. A person may also seek advice if they are interested in using a new product and have previously developed an allergic reaction.
A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can determine the cause of the reaction and provide a treatment plan.
The following are commonly asked questions about face moisturizers.
What is the most recommended face moisturizer?
Many face moisturizers have a high positive rating on Amazon.
However, CeraVe’s product in particular is suitable for the face and body, and it does not contain parabens or fragrance. It may also be effective on sensitive and acne-prone skin.
What is the best hydrating moisturizer?
This depends on what a person is looking for. They may consider its ingredients and texture and their skin type, and whether they have any skin conditions.
Which is best, according to a dermatologist?
Dermatologists may recommend a moisturizer based on the individual’s skin care concerns and skin type. The AAD highlights the importance of sunscreen. It protects the skin from harmful UV rays and skin damage.
How do I choose a good face moisturizer?
When choosing a new face moisturizer, people can read the ingredients label and check that no ingredients may cause a reaction.
They may also check whether the product targets the skin care problem they want to address.
A lot of companies stock face moisturizers that people can buy from online retailers. These products target different skin problems, such as dehydration and dryness. Some are also fragrance-free, which may be a good purchase for people with sensitive skin.
Allergies may occur, so a person can test the product for a few days before using it.