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If you had to boil down what’s essential in a skincare routine, it would probably come down to three important steps: a great cleanser, a daily SPF, and a moisturizer that makes you look glowing, plump, and not in any way resembling a scaly lizard. It sounds easy, but actually, finding your perfect day cream can really take a lot of testing. NYC-based board certified dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad explains that a moisturizer is only as good as the ingredients it contains. Those with dry complexions “should specifically look for facial moisturizers that contain emollients, humectants, ceramides, niacinamide and growth factors, as these ingredients create a proper barrier to seal in moisture.” All of us (greasy, combination, acne-prone, undecided) should avoid “ingredients that could block pores or cause a reaction, such as preservatives and chemicals.”
And within those specifications, there’s also personal preference. You may like something that smells good, while your friend prefers the scentless. Maybe you want something that makes you glow from within, and someone else likes a matte finish. Whether you get your moisture fix from a splurge-worthy cult-favorite or timeless drugstore formula, below, shop 25 ELLE editor-approved face moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated all day long.
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The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer
“I can’t even count the number of times I’ve finished this cream and had to re-stock. It’s so luxurious, and leaves my skin completely prepped to put on some makeup. I also have a sneaky feeling that the purply tone of the cream helps make my redness look less noticeable when I have it on.” Tatjana Freund, Beauty Commerce Writer
“I recently returned from vacation with horribly dry and dull skin. Dehydrated from hours soaking in the sun, I reached for the first moisturizing product I could find on my vanity—Namesake’s moisturizer, a new addition to my beauty collection—and was surprised at how soft and bright my skin (pre-sunscreen) looked the next morning. It takes a lot for me to add a new product to my holy grail beauty list. Namesake’s Daily Moisturizer not only gently exfoliates but makes the skin feel buttery and smooth.” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor
Clinique Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
“Maybe this sounds nuts, but I use so many products specifically focused on hydrating my skin that, by the time I get to my moisturizer, I like it to be as silky, light-weight and barely existent as possible—but still hydrating! I also like to keep my moisturizer consistent across my ever-shifting beauty routine, which means I need something affordable but effective. I haven’t found anything that feels as delicious on my skin (but as comfortable for my paycheck) as Clinique’s Moisture Surge. I love that it’s a lightweight gel and not a goopy lotion, plus it gives my skin that naturally radiant look I’ve been trying to accomplish since I was an acne-ridden teenager.” — Lauren Puckett Pope, Associate Editor
Water Sleeping Mask with Squalane
“I don’t remember what I was using as a nighttime moisturizer before I met Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask, and I don’t want to! Meeting this lady changed the game—she goes out on like, well, water, sinks in fast, and leaves me with supple, baby-soft skin in the morning.” — Katherine Krueger, Features Editor
Daily Blemish Repairing Moisturizer
“Finding the perfect moisturizer for acne-prone skin is a journey…oftentimes a long, treacherous journey. But don’t worry, I’ve done the dirty work to find the holy grail moisturizer that hydrates the skin without irritating existing blemishes. Enter the Peace Out Daily Blemish Repairing Moisturizer. The formula is packed with ceramides to provide moisture and protect your skin barrier, while CoQ10 works to calm redness and prevent future breakouts caused by environmental aggressors.” — Emily Burns, Assistant Beauty Editor
Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 10
“I’ve been using prescription topicals for years now to keep my acne at bay, and because they’re pretty harsh and drying, my dermatologist recommended this gentle drugstore moisturizer to keep my skin moist and smooth. Purpose’s moisturizer contains a little bonus SPF and keeps my skin hydrated without irritating it—something necessary when using serious skin treatment creams.” —Alyssa Bailey, Senior News & Strategy Editor
Ultra Repair® Cream Intense Hydration
“Ye old faithful and mighty. I’ve tried many different moisturizers, but this one takes the cake. While I love trying out new products, FAB Ultra Repair Cream has stayed in the mix for the past 8 years! I had blemishes and some acne scarring left over from my pimple faced days in college and it really helped clear up any redness or bumps caused by other acne treatments. Now this is just my everyday go-to.” — Leah Romero, Senior Digital Designer
The Rich Cream with TFC8® Face Moisturizer
“There is regular moisturizer and then there’s The Rich Cream. The cult science-backed formula from Augustinus Bader is super hydrating and uses a patented technology called TFC8 that’s been clinically tested to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It’s very much worth the money.” — Claire Stern, Digital Deputy Editor
“This cream is so wonderful that I’ve been trying my best to use it sparingly, when what I really want to do is slather it on my face every night. Biba is an aesthetician who works with the one and only Rosie Huntington Whiteley, so it shouldn’t be surprising that her products are A-List approved. It’s super thick and hydrating but has never clogged my pores or caused a breakout. That’s a win in my book.” — Tatjana Freund, Beauty Commerce Writer
Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment
“I like going to sleep knowing I’ve slathered a moisturizer on my face that is really getting to work, which is why I love the Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment. This two-in-one product uses Japanese indigo extract to soothe the skin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to provide moisture, and mondo grass root to balance the microbiome. This cream addresses dryness, redness, and uneven texture, all while you snooze away. What more could you ask for?” — Emily Burns, Assistant Beauty Editor
“Touching your face is a big skincare no-no, but after I apply this squalane and niacinamide infused cream, I can’t help but admire how silky my skin feels. As someone with a highly reactive complexion, I love that it’s formulated without fragrance, essential oils, or artificial color.” — Taylor Davis, Beauty Assistant
Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer
“I was first introduced to this beauty when I was gifted Drunk Elephant’s The Littles set featuring eight, skin-saving products formulated to transform the skin’s texture. Of the bunch, the bite-sized Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer was the first one I finished because it’s just that good. Because I use retinol throughout the week, there’s no escaping the inevitable dry patches that appear all over my skin. But this cream—packed with ingredients like pygmy waterlily stem cell extract and soybean folic acid ferment extract—soothes my skin so I wake up with a hydrated glow.” — Nerisha Penrose, Commerce Editor
DeliKate™ Recovery Cream
“I am one of the unlucky people who seems to have worse skin while in quarantine. The combination of stress, wearing a face mask, and (finally) faithfully using my retinol has made my skin super sensitive. I was instantly drawn to Kate Somerville’s newest launch because of the pretty packaging, but keep using it because it’s made specifically for sensitized skin. Smoothing it on my face feels like I’ve draped a cool washcloth over my face—completely calming.” —Margaux Anbouba, Beauty Editor
Vinosource SOS Intense Hydration Moisturizer
“I’m usually a serum or an oil, person, but when I do use a cream, I like it to feel soft and easy to massage my skin with. If I’m turning to a cream it usually means my skin needs some kind of break, either from the actives in the serums or the heaviness of the oils. My rescue sauce is Caudalie Vinosource SOS Intense Moisturizing Cream which has grape water to soothe (hey, it’s not always about rose water, ok?) and squalane, which is a reliable, simple ”— Katie Becker, Beauty and Health Director
Hydra Beauty Créme Hydration Protection Radiance
“After several weeks of complaining about my smelly moisturizer (that shall not be named) a friend recommended that I switch to this cream—or I should say créme, because she’s fancy. It’s pricey so I use more sparingly than I would other products but I find that its calming scent—a combination of Camellia blossom, blue ginger, and shea butter—helps combat my stress each morning and night.” —Katie Connor, Digital Director
“I discovered this wonder during one of my many phases of trying to fix my vexing skin by obsessively reading K-Beauty blogs and buying (a lot) of products. I’ve since pared back my routine, but one of the products that have become a mainstay is Etude House’s Moistfull Collagen Cream. It goes on super lightweight because of its gel texture but packs a serious hydration punch, all without being tacky or greasy, and sinks in quickly. I love to use it after I’ve picked my face (sorry) or my skin feels parched, with collagen and vitamin E helping heal any damage.” — Katherine Krueger, Features Editor
“Sometimes, you’ve got to go back to the basics. That, for me, was a few weeks ago, after I tested a new fashion-house beauty serum and woke up with my face, literally, on fire. It was a full-blown case of dermatitis: the burning, itching, swelling, redness, soreness, dryness, peeling, breakouts. After a digital consult with my derm, I put all my luxury skincare aside and switched over to all things Cetaphil. I, even on my best skin days, only use Cetaphil cleanser. But the brand’s cream—thick, hydrating, gentle, and built for sensitive skin—came through. It’s calming salve-meets-intense moisture boost. Something we could all use, on the best and worst of skin days.” —Angel Lenise, Supervising Video Producer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
“I prefer my skincare routine to be as uncomplicated and unobtrusive as possible. I’ve been using Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for years and it delivers exactly this. I have dry skin, so this moisturizer helps to soften and soothe irritation while also remaining light after application. I dab a small amount twice a day and let the serum do the rest—not much maintenance required for this moisturizer.” — Savannah Walsh, Editorial Fellow
All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 15
“I’ve been using Olay Complete as a morning and evening face moisturizer for as long as I can remember. It’s also a staple in my mom’s skincare routine, which she says is the reason she’s been able to maintain a glowing, poreless complexion for years! Olay Complete’s oil-free formula protects your skin from the sun (SPF 15), plus it has vitamins E, B3, and C.” — Rose Minutaglio, Staff Writer
The Moisturizing Soft Cream
“I’m the type to risk— er, spend —it all on skincare, and after being graced by the #GiftedByLaMer gods, I’ve made it a point to budget for the brand’s Moisturizing Soft Cream. It’s a lighter version of the super-rich La Mer Crème, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, soft, and smooth, without unwanted dewiness (read: oil-slick free). It’s worthy to note that my skin rests at the intersection of sensitive, oily, and dry, and this is a moisturizer I can use year-round, no matter what tricks my epidermis is trying to pull. Plus…let me be honest…it makes me feel r i c h! And feeling is halfway to actually being, right?”— Angel Lenise, Supervising Video Producer
“This everyday moisturizer truly earns the title “Magic Cream.” Charlotte Tilbury’s formula has completely transformed my skin, improving its texture and glow thanks to powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Vitamins C and E. I feel very #rich massaging it into my skin in the morning, but it actually saves me time and money by doubling as a makeup primer.” — Ariana Yaptangco, Social Media Editor
“I’ve been dabbling here and there with adding Korean skin products to my skincare regimen. What I love about this moisturizer is not only does it keep my skin from drying out but it contains a bit of retinol, that anti-aging miracle worker my dermatologist swears by. I’ve incorporated this moisturizer seamlessly into my daily routine and my sensitive skin had no issue with it. It’s pricey but a really great product that has lasted me for months—even with my twice-daily use.”— Alyssa Bailey, Senior News & Strategy Editor
“This is one of those stereotypical products you see on those ‘French Girl’ lists, but it really does work. I wear it during the day with an SPF oil layered on top, then glob it on at night like a mask for an extra dose of moisture.”— Justine Carreon, Senior & E-Commerce Market Editor
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
“One of our editors passed this moisturizer onto me this past winter, and it became my go-to for those cold, dry months. My skin looooves to be moisturized, and even when it was going through its roughest moments (figuratively and literally), I knew this Drunk Elephant cream would be there to help get it back to normal. It’s fairly pricey for a moisturizer, but if you’re looking to indulge, it should definitely be a contender.” — Madison Feller, Staff Writer
Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer
“Of all the face moisturizers that occupy the space on my bedroom dresser—from ‘firming’ night creams to ‘brightening,’ vitamin-C rich versions—Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Cream is the one that has a permanent residency. Its thick magical mixture gives my skin a huge boost of hydration and I love how soft and supple my skin feels once it absorbs into my skin.” ― Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor
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