Skin Awards 2023: 29 Facial Moisturizers and Body Creams for Every Skin Type
These products are formulated to hydrate, nourish, and safeguard your skin.
Moisturizers should play a vital role in your skincare regimen, helping to seal in the benefits of all the other products you use. They are essential to maintaining a well-balanced complexion. While you might think that you can skip them if you have oily or combination skin, that would be a mistake, said Maya K. Thosani, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Moisturizing signals to the oil glands that they do not need to overproduce to compensate for the dryness,” she explained. “In the morning, after washing my face, I apply moisturizer, then vitamin C, then sunscreen on top.”
Choosing products that cater to your specific skin type is critical. Oily and normal skin tend to be more resilient, while combination and dry skin react quickly to potential irritants such as retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids. Those ingredients aren’t necessarily off-limits, though: “You can build up a tolerance over time,” said Jessie Cheung, MD, a Chicago-based dermatologist who specializes in aesthetics. “Use these products once or twice a week, and devote the other days to products that maintain your skin barrier [with] ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.”
These award-winning creams, lotions, and gels will hydrate every inch of your beautiful skin:
Day Creams
Olay Niacinamide + Peptide 24
For individuals with sensitive skin who prefer a lighter emollient, Dr. Thosani suggests Olay Niacinamide + Peptide 24. In a small study, its star ingredient niacinamide was found to improve texture, reduce hyperpigmentation, and alleviate redness.
Odacité Le Blue Balm
Formulated with a blend of squalane, jojoba, almond oil, and ethically sourced beeswax, Odacité Le Blue Balm targets dryness and irritation, but also works on oily or combination skin. Health editorial assistant Destine Manson describes it as "very smooth and moisturizing on problem areas."
Related: Editor's Picks: 8 Face Creams for Dry Skin
Pond’s Dry Skin Cream
Since 1846, the Pond’s brand has excelled at creating products that promote supple skin. Dry Skin Cream is another winner: “It is lightweight with a velvety texture, and effortlessly absorbed into my skin, leaving behind a radiant finish,” said Cheryl S. Grant, editorial director of Health Special Projects.
ManukaRx Pro-Aging Day Cream
Say goodbye to parched skin with ManukaRx Pro-Aging Day Cream. This gentle moisturizer creates the ideal canvas for effortless makeup application without feeling heavy. It works especially well for those with mature and/or dry skin, as it replenishes lost moisture.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Indulge in the luxurious sensation of slathering this smooth ultra-light gel cream on your face. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is like a glass of water for thirsty skin. It is also infused with active compounds from plants and marine life; studies suggest these may reduce inflammation and have a positive impact on mature skin.
Colleen Rothschild Sheer Renewal Cream
Whether you need to manage an oily complexion, or simply prefer a matte finish, Colleen Rothschild Beauty Sheer Renewal Cream is a great option. Packed with calming, hydrating ingredients it is made without nasties, like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene.
Alastin Ultra Light Moisturizer
SkinSpirit aesthetic practitioner Elizabeth Ranelli has combination skin, and counts Alastin Ultra Light Moisturizer as one of her go-to items. When it’s warm outside, this is a perfect pick: “Moisturizer can change with the seasons—lightweight in the spring/summer, and richer in the fall/winter,” Ranelli said.
Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20
If you’re looking for a multi-functional product that can hydrate and offer protection from the sun's damaging rays, Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 is a solid option. This lightweight emollient is enriched with antioxidants that guard against UV rays, pollution, and blue light (from devices such as computers and smartphones).
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer
The three key ingredients in Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer (hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramide) will keep your skin from getting dry and reinforce its protective layers.
Night Creams
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream
If you’ve got dry skin, you’ll fall in love with Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream. This prestige product combines plant stem cell extracts and vitamin E with retinol (which stimulates cell turnover) and coenzyme Q10 (which boosts collagen production). You’ll be amazed by your refreshed complexion. “I was a little unsure about this product when I first put it on because it felt thick, but with each use I loved how my skin looked and felt,” said Grant. “As my skin has matured, I need more hydrating products—and this made me glow.”
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Face Serum With Hyaluronic Acid
Supple and smooth is how your skin will feel in the morning after using Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Face Serum With Hyaluronic Acid at night. This drugstore brand is an editor favorite that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with similar luxury products and promises a radiant, glowing complexion.
Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Fortifying Night Cream
Postbiotics, byproducts of pre- and probiotics, are being studied for their health benefits. Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Fortifying Night Cream contains rose stem cells, rosa centifolia extract, and postbiotics that help support the skin barrier. Health editor Sukhman Rekhi raved, “This smells amazing! I love using it so much. It keeps my face very hydrated until the morning.”
Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream
Light and silky, Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream features multi-peptides, vitamin C, ferulic acid, and glycoproteins. "My favorite part of the product is that it comes in a tube rather than a jar like most night creams do," said Rekhi. "It feels soft on the face and is a nice to-go item if you're traveling." Bonus: The cream contains no parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, or formaldehyde.
Caire Beauty Grown Up Moisturizer
Made with vitamin E to stave off oxidative damage, hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, and a ceramide-mimicking formula that bolsters resilience, Caire’s The Grownup Moisturizer was a favorite of Health senior vice president Sara Michael. "I have been using it at night, and it isn't too thick, but I still get good coverage," she said. "It doesn't have an overpowering smell, and feels fresh and clean on my skin."
Sukin Calming Night Cream
Crafted specifically for sensitive skin, Sukin Calming Night Cream relies on cucumber and chamomile to soothe skin and improve moisture retention. “My face gets very dry, especially during the summertime, and this was great at restoring hydration,” said Rekhi.
Tinted Moisturizers and Foundations with SPF
IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Brightening Glow Serum with SPF 40
People of all skin tones need to wear SPF to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. “I prefer tinted SPF because the iron oxides found in tinted sunscreens block both UV and blue light, making them more effective than untinted SPF at protecting your skin indoors and outdoors,” said Ranelli. IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Brightening Glow Serum with SPF 40 offers hydrating coverage without leaving a white cast. It combines hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and niacinamide, the latter of which can help improve fine lines and wrinkles, increase elasticity, and fight hyperpigmentation, redness, and yellowing.
Daybird Tinted Skincare
Daybird Tinted Skincare is a smart choice for individuals with acne-prone skin. Its non-comedogenic SPF 50 formula contains niacinamide and skin-soothing bisabolol (a chamomile extract).
L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water Infused Tinted Moisturizer
Lightweight and available in 14 shades, L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water-Infused Tinted Moisturizer includes a blend of aloe vera and witch hazel. It is suitable for sensitive skin and offers broad spectrum SPF 19 sunscreen to protect against UV rays.
The A Method by Tina Alster, MD B.B. Cream
This 100% mineral-based tinted beauty balm produces a matte finish that nourishes skin while offering SPF 22 protection against sun damage. Apply The A Method by Tina Alster, MD B.B. Cream at least 15 minutes before you head outdoors to benefit from its protective properties.
Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream
Available in 28 shades, Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream provides color correction and hydration with SPF 40 coverage. The vegan-friendly tinted moisturizer is also free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30
Tinted moisturizers and SPFs add a natural glow to your face while protecting your skin, but another benefit is that for deeper skin tones, they also eliminate that dreaded white sunscreen cast . True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30 is available in 18 shades, making it easier to find your match.
Body Lotions
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Rescue Relief Treatment Gel Cream
Dry and itchy eczema-prone skin can find relief with the 2% colloidal oatmeal and shea butter in Aveeno Eczema Therapy Rescue Relief Treatment Gel Cream. It’s emollient-rich, but doesn’t feel thick and gloppy.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
Cerave Moisturizing Cream’s non-comedogenic formula works well on normal-to-dry skin, and can be applied to both face and body. Enriched with moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid and ceramides, it helps maintain the skin’s defenses. “I recommend non-comedogenic creams such as Cerave over lotions for more hydration,” said Dr. Thosani.
Caprina Moisturizing Body Milk
Made using locally sourced goat’s milk, Caprina Moisturizing Body Milk boasts a non-greasy formula that sinks quickly into the skin. It is free of phosphates and parabens, and the finished product is not tested on animals.
Oui the People All in All Melting Body Balm
When Oui the People All in All Melting Body Balm hits warm skin, it melts and effortlessly absorbs. Its delectable texture relies on emollients and plant-based retinol alternatives, and produces a lightweight finish.
Cashmere Moon Mango Cocomilk Whipped Body Cream
Enjoy the silky texture of Cashmere Moon Mango Cocomilk Whipped Body Cream, and revel in its fragrant scent, which conjures up a tropical vacation. Its shea butter, cocoa seed butter, and moisturizing provitamin B5 leaves you with smooth, supple skin.
Sisley Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion
Straight-up luxury with a delicate scent—that’s Sisley Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion. The exquisitely satiny, light balm is a sumptuous treat for your skin after a long week.
Jergens Deep Conditioning Shea + Cocoa Butter Blend
Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and paraben-free, Jergens Deep Conditioning Shea + Cocoa Butter Blend also contains vitamins B3 and E, and is a lifesaver for ashy knees, elbows, and heels.
OSEA Anti-Aging Body Balm
You’ll glow like a superstar (with no trace of dryness) when you try OSEA Anti-Aging Body Balm. This indulgent concoction nourishes skin with passion fruit, coconut, acai, babassu oils and seaweed ingredients, delivering radiant skin. “It was hard not to love this balm,” said Grant, “Its blend of oils and lotion was hydrating without being greasy.”
Fact checked by Melinda Dodd.
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