The 15 Best Face Moisturizers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Moisturizers are one of those skincare steps that almost everyone needs. They help hydrate your skin, keep it feeling comfortable, and support a healthy looking glow. A lot of formulas rely on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which pull water into the skin and help it stay hydrated during the day. You will also see softening ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter, which help smooth rough patches and make skin feel more flexible.
The best moisturizer for you depends on your skin type and what you are trying to fix. Dry skin usually does best with richer creams, while oily skin often prefers lightweight gels or lotions that hydrate without feeling greasy. Combination skin tends to need something balanced, and sensitive skin usually does best with simpler formulas that avoid common irritants. Your concerns matter too, whether that is acne, fine lines, or uneven tone.
Weather plays a role as well. In hot or humid months, a lighter moisturizer can feel better and sit nicer under sunscreen and makeup. When it is cold and dry, a thicker cream can help stop moisture loss and reduce tightness.
We have tested a lot of options, and we picked the 15 best face moisturizers for all skin types, focusing on formulas that hydrate well and feel great on the skin.
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall:
Best Budget:
Best For Dry Skin:
Best For Oily Skin:
Best For Sensitive Skin:
Best For Mature Skin:
Best For Acne-Prone Skin:
Best For Eczema:
Best For Redness:
Best Anti-Wrinkle:
Best Overall
If you want a lightweight moisturizer that hydrates amazingly, but still feels fresh on the skin, Neutrogena Hydro Boost is a classic for a reason. The star here is hyaluronic acid, which helps bind water to your skin so it looks plumper and feels less tight. It also has glycerin for extra hydration and a silky texture that sinks in fast, so you do not get that heavy, greasy finish.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone
Why it’s great:
- Oil free and won’t clog pores, so it works well under sunscreen and makeup
- Fragrance free version is free of fragrance, dyes, parabens, and phthalates and is dermatologist tested
- Gives long hydration and helps support the moisture barrier, so skin feels comfy instead of stripped
Best Budget
CeraVe is one of those brands I keep coming back to because the products are gentle, affordable, and they just make sense. If you want a budget moisturizer that lasts forever and actually helps your skin feel stronger over time, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a top pick. It is rich but still fast absorbing, and it is made with three essential ceramides plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate and support your skin barrier, so your face feels comfortable instead of tight.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides 1, 3, 6 II, hyaluronic acid, MVE Delivery Technology
Why it’s great:
- All day hydration with a formula that releases moisturizing ingredients over time
- Fragrance free and non comedogenic, so it is friendly for sensitive and acne prone skin
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association, which is a nice extra trust point if your skin is easily irritated
- Works for face and body, so you can use one product for everything and save money
Best For All Skin Types
If your skin is combination and sensitive, this one is such a safe, easy daily pick. It’s an ultra light, oil free lotion with hyaluronic acid that gives long lasting hydration, but it absorbs fast and does not leave that greasy film. It’s also made to be gentle on sensitive skin, so you can use it every day without your face feeling tight or irritated.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea
Why it’s great:
- Uses hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture for up to 24 hours without feeling heavy
- Oil free and absorbs quickly, so it layers well under sunscreen and makeup
- No added fragrance and designed to be gentle for sensitive skin
- Won’t clog pores, which is huge if your T zone gets shiny or breakouts easily
Best For Dry Skin
If you want a classic drugstore cream that makes your skin feel instantly softer, this one does the job. It’s a rich, cushiony moisturizer that’s made to give all day hydration, and it’s designed for dry, sensitive skin. It also has Pro Vitamin B5 to help protect against moisture loss, so your face feels comfy instead of tight.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, urea, panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5)
Why it’s great:
- Provides moisture from morning to night and helps protect against moisture loss
- Dermatologist tested for gentleness and non comedogenic, meaning it does not tend to clog pores
- Leaves skin feeling softer with that smooth, velvety finish under makeup
Best For Oily Skin
If you want a moisturizer that does more than just hydrate, this one is a really nice option, especially if your skin is oily but you still want anti aging benefits. It’s a lightweight retinol cream that aims to smooth texture and improve the look of fine lines, while still feeling comfortable and not greasy. The formula also includes botanical hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts, so it hydrates while you get the retinol benefits.
Key Ingredients: Retinol (vitamin A), botanical hyaluronic acid, aloe vera juice, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, green tea extract, vitamin E, vitamin B5
Why it’s great:
- Supports smoother looking skin and helps improve the look of lines and blemishes, including dark spots and acne marks
- Hydrates at the same time, thanks to hyaluronic acid plus moisturizing oils and butters
- The brand says it leaves no oily residue and won’t clog pores, which is a big win if you hate heavy creams
- No added artificial fragrances and also lists common “no” ingredients like parabens and phthalates
Best For Sensitive Skin
This is one of my go to moisturizers when my skin is being dramatic and everything else starts to sting. It hydrates really well, but it still feels lightweight and clean on the skin, so you do not get that greasy layer sitting on top. The formula is made with hyaluronic acid and 5 key ceramides to help hold onto moisture, plus squalane and glycerin to keep skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, 5 key ceramides, squalane, glycerin
Why it’s great:
Formulated for sensitive skin and dermatologist tested, plus it is pH balanced and made without botanical extracts or essential oils
Non comedogenic and non greasy, so it absorbs quickly and will not clog pores
Free of dyes and fragrance, and the brand also notes its moisturizers are free of parabens and other common irritants
Smooth finish that layers nicely under makeup and sunscreen
Best For Normal Skin
If you want a moisturizer that feels nourishing but still sinks in fast, Ursa Major Golden Hour is a really solid option. It gives deep hydration and that soft, healthy skin feel, but it is made to absorb quickly without leaving a greasy layer behind. I also like it as a simple night cream when my skin feels a little dry or stressed.
Key Ingredients: Organic sea buckthorn, black currant, organic calendula, sunflower
Why it’s great:
Water based formula that absorbs quickly without heaviness or greasy residue
Sea buckthorn is rich in omegas and antioxidants to help replenish the skin barrier and lock in moisture
Black currant supports elasticity and firmness, and calendula helps soothe and moisturize
Works as a daily moisturizer or a richer night cream depending on how much you apply
Best For Mature Skin
If you are dealing with fine lines and your skin also feels dull or dry, this is the kind of rich cream that tries to do a little bit of everything. It is made for mature skin and the brand says it visibly smooths fine lines and wrinkles and helps reduce the look of redness and discoloration. The texture is creamy but it is meant to absorb fast, so your skin feels cushioned and hydrated without staying slick.
Key Ingredients: Swiss apple stem cell extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sea buckthorn oil, vitamin E, shea butter
Why it’s great:
- Uses hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help plump and hydrate so lines look softer
- Sea buckthorn oil and vitamin E are highlighted for helping with the look of redness and discoloration
- The brand lists it as paraben free and it is designed to work morning and night, including around the eye area
- If you are avoiding silicones, the brand’s ingredient list does not appear to include common silicones like dimethicone
Best For Acne-Prone Skin
If you want a moisturizer that also helps keep breakouts in check, this Aveeno one is a great two in one. It is a daily acne facial moisturizer with 0.5 percent salicylic acid to help treat acne, plus tone correcting soy to help improve the look of skin tone and texture over time. It feels light yet creamy, so you get hydration without that heavy greasy finish.
Key Ingredients: 0.5% salicylic acid, soybean seed extract, glycerin
Why it’s great:
- Helps prevent blemishes while moisturizing, which is perfect if you are acne prone but still get dry from treatments
- Soy is included to help improve the look of tone and texture and boost radiance without making skin feel greasy
- Marked hypoallergenic on the brand page, which is a nice plus if your skin is easily annoyed
Best For Eczema
If your skin gets dry, itchy, or irritated super easily, this cream is one of the safest bets. It’s made to give fast relief and long lasting comfort, and it works for face and body, so you can keep one jar and use it everywhere. The formula is built around colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and soothing skin helpers, so you can moisturize without needing to rub your skin raw.
Key Ingredients: 0.5% colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin, ceramides
Why it’s great:
- Colloidal oatmeal is a skin protectant that helps calm and relieve dry, distressed skin and eczema prone skin
- Provides 24 hours of soothing hydration and is designed for sensitive skin
- Gluten free, vegan, and non comedogenic, so it works for a lot of skin types and routines
- The brand says it’s free of artificial fragrance, and if a product has scent, it uses 100% natural fragrance instead
Best For Redness
If your face gets red for no reason, like from weather, sensitivity, or rosacea flare days, this is a really comforting night cream to keep on hand. It is made for redness prone sensitive skin and it is meant to hydrate overnight while helping reduce the look of redness and discomfort. The texture feels nourishing but not heavy, so you wake up with skin that looks calmer and less dry.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, allantoin, niacinamide, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, ceramide NP, caffeine, licorice extract
Why it’s great:
- Improves the look of redness overnight and is designed for redness prone sensitive skin
- Fragrance free, hypoallergenic, and won’t clog pores, which is huge when your skin is reactive
- Allantoin plus vitamins B3 and B5 are included to help soothe and support the skin barrier
- Also listed as suitable for skin that may be prone to rosacea
Best For Sunburn
If you want a moisturizer that also pulls its weight as your daily SPF, this one is a really smart pick. It’s a nourishing daytime cream with broad spectrum SPF 50, so it helps protect your skin from UVA and UVB exposure, which is what causes sunburn and a lot of early aging. It also has soothing, skin comfy ingredients like shea butter, aloe, and oat to keep your face feeling calm instead of dry or tight.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, niacinamide, aloe, oat kernel extract, licorice root extract
Why it’s great:
- Broad spectrum SPF 50 for strong daily sun protection
- Niacinamide helps support a more even looking tone over time
- Aloe and oat help soothe skin, which is nice if you get easily irritated from sun or wind
- Creamy and hydrating without feeling like a thick sunscreen layer
Best Anti-Wrinkle
This is the priciest moisturizer on the list, but it makes sense if you love a luxury texture and you want a firm looking, super hydrated finish. The formula is a lightweight gel cream that sinks in fast and leaves a smooth, silky feel, so it sits beautifully under makeup. It also has that soft floral scent the line is known for, with rose and mimosa notes.
Key Ingredients: Padina pavonica, chlorella vulgaris extract, mimosa bark extract, ginkgo biloba, collagen amino acids
Why it’s great:
- Made with marine and plant extracts like padina pavonica and chlorella that are used to support hydration and a firmer looking feel
- Lightweight gel cream texture that absorbs quickly and leaves a silky satin finish
- Has a pleasant floral scent from rose and mimosa, which makes it feel extra luxe to use
Best Gel Type
If you want a moisturizer that makes skin look fresh and glowy without feeling heavy, this one is a fan favorite for a reason. It is an oil free water gel that hydrates fast, sinks in quickly, and helps boost radiance without clogging pores. The formula uses watermelon extract plus licorice root and other botanicals to soothe, while hyaluronic acid and glycerin help lock in moisture so your skin feels bouncy instead of sticky.
Key Ingredients: Watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, licorice root extract, botanical extracts
Why it’s great:
- Oil free and non comedogenic so it works nicely for oily and combination skin too
- Hydrates and refreshes while helping skin look brighter and more alive
- Has skin friendly hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin for lasting moisture
- Free of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, drying alcohols, and synthetic dyes
- Sits well under makeup and you can even mix a tiny amount with foundation for a dewier finish
Best Spray Type
If you like skincare that is quick and weightless, this is basically a treatment mist you can use under or over makeup. It is a fine facial spray that leans on a small set of hero ingredients the brand talks about a lot, including glutathione, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and curcumin, plus supporting ingredients like vitamin C and amino acids. It is meant to hydrate fast and help your skin look smoother and brighter over time without feeling greasy.
Key Ingredients: Glutathione, sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), collagen, curcumin, calcium ascorbate (vitamin C), dimethyl sulfone
Why it’s great:
Super easy to use throughout the day since you just spritz and let it air dry
Hyaluronic acid is included for that ultra hydrated feel, and collagen is included to support elasticity and moisture
The brand says curcumin can help with breakouts and skin texture, which is nice if you get occasional congestion
The brand positions it for visible goals like minimized pores, lifted firmness, smoothed fine lines, and brighter looking skin
When to apply moisturizer?
It depends on your skin and the moisturizer, but aim to apply moisturizer twice a day, once in the morning after cleansing, and once in the evening, just make sure that your skin is slightly wet before the application.
How to apply moisturizer?
First, take a small amount, warm it up between your palms, and gently massage it onto your face. If it’s not enough to cover your wanted area, repeat the process.
How often should you apply moisturizer?
For Dry Skin: You should apply moisturizer more than twice a day, or as much as your skin needs.
For Oily Skin: Applying a light oil-free moisturizer twice a day is more than enough, as over-moisturizing can lead to even more oily skin and more breakouts.
For Sensitive Skin: Apply a gentle, soothing moisturizer twice a day, and avoid layering, as it can lead to irritation.
Season can also play a role in how often you should apply moisturizer. Let’s say it’s winter, the air is drier, then you should apply moisturizer more than twice a day. In summer stick to moisturizing your skin twice a day with a light-based moisturizer.
What are the best ingredients in a moisturizer?
Hyaluronic Acid: Functions as a humectant and holds water molecules to keep your skin hydrated.
Shea Butter: Works like an emollient to soften and hydrate the skin.
Squalane: Works like a lightweight emollient that helps smooth, soften, and lock moisture into the skin.
Glycerin: Humectant that draws moisture from both the deeper layers of skin and the surrounding environment to the outer skin layer.
Niacinamide: Supports hydration in the skin by helping it produce keratin, a protein that strengthens and retains moisture in the outer layer.
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