Best moisturizer for face recommended by dermatologist

Shea Moisture, RoC, Olay

Many skincare products can help you get healthy, glowing skin, but one of the most simple and overlooked options out there is face moisturizer. Moisturizing your face can have a miraculous effect, but the key is to search for a formula that works with, not against, your skin type, say experts.

“Choosing the correct moisturizer for your skin type is critical to maintaining a healthy and well-balanced skin barrier,” says Lindsay Zubritsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “If you're using a product that doesn't work well for your skin type, it can lead to potentially worsening skin problems such as acne or oiliness.”

• 1

  Best Drugstore Moisturizer

  Daily Hydrating Face Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid Cetaphil

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• 2

  Best Firming Moisturizer

  Polypeptide-121 Future Cream Youth To The People

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• 3

  Best Multitasking Moisturizer

  Lait-Crème Concentré Embryolisse

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• 4

  Best for Brightening

  Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer EADEM

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• 5

  Best Drugstore Retinol

  Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream RoC

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But with so many options, where do you start in your quest to find the face moisturizer that best suits your complexion type? Board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, suggests letting the ingredient label be your guide. “You should always start by scanning the ingredients,” she says. “If you have oily skin, moisturizers with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide will help reduce excess oil production. If you have dry skin, look for face moisturizers with lactic acid or shea butter to nourish the skin. For sensitive skin, look for a moisturizer with ceramides or hyaluronic acid.”

If you need a little guidance in choosing a face moisturizer, you could consult our comprehensive list of options for every skin type and concern right here. Our experts helped us narrow down the products that will nourish the skin on all ends of the spectrum, from oily to dry to sensitive and acne-prone, available at all price points.

1

Best Drugstore Moisturizer

Cetaphil

Daily Hydrating Face Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid

Key IngredientsFree ofNon Comedogenic

Hyaluronic acid

Fragrance

Yes

2

Best Firming Moisturizer

Youth To The People

Polypeptide-121 Future Cream

Key IngredientsFree ofClaims

Ceramides, plant proteins, peptides

Fragrance, parabens, phthalates, dimethicone

100 percent vegan ingredients

3

Best Multitasking Moisturizer

Embryolisse

Lait-Crème Concentré

Key IngredientsFree ofGood for

Shea butter, aloe vera

Parabens

Dry, aging skin

4

Best for Brightening

EADEM

Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree ofClaims

Ceramides, niacinamide, peptides

Gluten

Vegan, cruelty-free, recyclable packaging

5

Best Drugstore Retinol

RoC

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream

Key IngredientsFree ofClaimsNon Comedogenic

Retinol, glycerin, glycolic acid, shea butter, squalane

Oils

Clinically proven results, Dermatologist-tested

Yes

6

Best Drugstore Nighttime Moisturizer

CeraVe

Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Key IngredientsFree ofNon ComedogenicHypoallergenic

Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cermaides

fragrance, parabens, oils

Yes

Yes

7

Best Drugstore Moisturizer for Aging Skin

Olay

Total Effects 7-in-One Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with SPF 15

Key IngredientsFree of

Vitamin C, green tea, niacinamide, glycerin

Oils

8

Best for Sensitive Skin

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree of Non Comedogenic

Niacinamide, glycerin, ceramides, prebiotic thermal water

Fragrance, oil, alcohol

Yes

9

Best for Flaky Skin

Differin

Restorative Night Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree ofNon ComedogenicClaims

Allantoin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides

Fragrance

Yes

Dermatologist developed and tested

10

Best for Dry Skin

Skinfix

Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream

Key IngredientsClaimsFree ofGood for

Lipids, peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter

Clinically shown to increase skin lipids, vegan, cruelty-free

Fragrance, parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, phthalates, silicones, lanolin, petrolatum, propylene glycol, PEGs, gluten

Normal to dry skin types

11

Best Drugstore Moisturizer for Acne

Neutrogena

Oil-Free Acne Facial Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree ofScentNon Comedogenic

Salicylic acid

Oils

Grapefruit

Yes

12

Best for Combination Skin

Alastin

Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree ofClaims

Peptides, oat kernel extract, linoleic acid

Parabens, gluten

Hypoallergenic, cruelty-free

13

Best Lightweight Moisturizer

Skinfluence

Ultra Lite Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree ofNon Comedogenic

Squalane, glycerin, Co-Q10, green tea extract, vitamin A, C, and, E

Fragrance, gluten, oils, parabens

Yes

14

Best for Sensitive Oily Skin

Cetaphil

Pro Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30

Key IngredrientsFree ofClaims

Zinc, allantoin,

Oils, paraben, fragrance, oxybenzone, octinoxate

Clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin

15

Best for Large Pores

Tatcha

The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree of

Japanese wild rose, Japanese leopard lily, algea, green tea, rice

Mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA, phthalates

16

Best Drugstore Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Neutrogena

Hydro Boost Water Gel

Key IngredientsNon Comedogenic

Hyaluronic acid

Yes

17

Best for Normal to Dry Skin

Cetaphil

Moisturizing Lotion

Key IngredientsFree ofNon Comedogenic

Avocado oil, niacinamide, panthenol

Fragrance, parabens

Yes

18

Best for Dry, Easily Irritated Skin

First Aid Beauty

Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

Key IngredientsFree of

Collodial oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin

Gluten, fragrance, nut, soy

19

Best for Eczema

La Roche-Posay

Lipikar Balm AP + Body Cream

Key IngredientsFree of

Prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide

Fragrance, parabens

20

Best SPF for Acne and Oily Skin

Differin

Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30

Key IngredientsNon ComedogenicGood for

Avobenzone, Glycerin, Allantoin

Yes

Matte finish

21

Best for Sensitive Acne-Prone Skin

Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer

Key IngredientsNon ComedogenicTexture

Green tea, hyaluronic acid, squalane, macadamia nut oil extract

Yes

Lightweight

22

Best for Under Makeup

Olay

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with Sunscreen

Key IngredientsGood for

Niacinamide, Amino peptides, SPF,

Sun protection, aging skin concerns

23

Best Budget-Friendly Night Cream

Neutrogena

Deep Moisture Night Cream

Key IngredientsNon ComedogenicTexture

Vitamin D3, glycerin, shea butter

Yes

Thick

24

Best Nourishing Moisturizer

Pond's

Face Cream

Key IngredientsNon Comedogenic

Alpha hydroxy acids, glycerin, botanical extract

Yes

25

Best Moisturizing Serum

Neutrogena

Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum

Key IngredientsTexture Good for

Hyaluronic acid

Lightweight

All skin types

26

Best for Rosacea

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Ultra Soothing Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree of

Thermal spring water, glycerin, shea butter, dimethicone

Fragrance, alcohol, parabens

27

Best Gel Moisturizer

SheaMoisture

African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Hydrating Gelee Moisturizer

Key IngredientsFree of

Charcoal, aloe

Parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates

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