Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands, Allure editorsSave this storySave this story
Chances are, you already know to moisturize—but the real question is whether or not you have one of the best face moisturizers for your skin type and concerns. Oily skin loves a lightweight cream that won't clog pores and emphasize shine, while sensitive skin jives best with a fragrance-free cream formulated with proven soothing ingredients; combination skin, meanwhile, needs the right balance of moisture and oil control. No matter the season, moisturizers plump, soften, and comfort skin in ways that lighter-textured products like toners and essences can't deliver.
Without proper hydration, your natural moisture barrier can gradually break down, leaving your skin feeling dry, tight, and prone to irritation. And, practically speaking, if you're already spending a pretty penny on your face serums (hey, retinal and growth factors), you'd be doing your skin a big disservice by not choosing the optimal moisturizer to seal in all of those hardworking ingredients.
Our Top Tried-and-True Moisturizers
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, $25
- Best for Dry Skin Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream, $32
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, $29
- Best for Normal to Combo Skin: Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer, $39
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream, $27
- Best with SPF: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40, $38
Our Top Newly-Tested Moisturizers
- Best Plumping: Glow Recipe Watermelon Milk Peptide Cushion Cream, $40
- Best for Dull Skin: Tatcha Longevity Cream, $84
Over many years, we’ve tested hundreds of formulas and chatted with board-certified dermatologists for their recs—culminating in the ultimate list of tried-and-true formulas, as well as newer hits. Onwards to happy, hydrated skin!
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Why do you need a face moisturizer?
- What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?
- Meet the experts
- How our staff tests and reviews products
- Meet our staff and testers
Our Top Tried-and-True Moisturizers
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
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La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: Honest question: When has La Roche-Posay ever steered us wrong? The French pharmacy brand's products are well-known for being sensitive-skin-friendly, so it's no surprise that our editors spanning all skin types—from normal to sensitive to combination—adore its products. The Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is as no-fuss and reliable as it gets: Fragrance-free and infused with La Roche-Posay's signature, soothing prebiotic thermal water, as well as ceramides and niacinamide, this cushiony formula is like a big hug for a stressed barrier. Derms are right there with us: “It has a lightweight cream-lotion feel that layers well under sunscreen and makeup without burning or heaviness for most sensitive types,” Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Portland, previously told Allure.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“It's up there with Aquaphor as a product that I can trust to perform no matter how dry or damaged my skin barrier is. It doesn't go big on fancy fine-line-reducing ingredients or anything, and instead focuses on hydration. It leaves my skin wrapped in a cocoon of moisture—but not the overbearing and itchy kind! It plays nicely with my angry eczema flare-ups, and has no fragrance, so I can use it on my kids, too.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, thermal water
- Texture: cream
- Best for: dry, sensitive skin (including eczema)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
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Aestura
Atobarrier 365 Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Why we love it: The twin to Aestura's Best of Beauty Award-winning lotion, the Atobarrier 365 Cream is a lightweight cream you can apply to your face (or body) to instantly soften and smooth rough patches, while also minimizing redness and boosting moisture levels. Formulated particularly for dry, sensitive skin, Aestura’s dreamy cream is infused with micro triple-lipid capsules (composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids) that burst upon contact with skin, supplying a surge of skin-smoothing moisture. Its fast-absorbing, cake-frosting-like texture means you can slather this lotion all over your body and immediately put on clothes without fabric sticking to your skin.
This top-notch Korean moisturizer might not have the sexiest packaging, but at the end of the day, it's a dependable formula that does exactly what it sets out to do. “It has this frosting-like texture that just melts on your skin,” says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who also likes to use it as a hand cream.
Allure content director Sophia Panych applying the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
Sophia Panych
Allure features director Dianna Singh applying the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
Dianna Singh
Tester feedback from content director Sophie Panych
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“I like my face creams boring. Flashy packaging? Don't want it. Buzzy ingredients. Don't need 'em. That's why when I saw this cream on the giveaway table at work–with its basic blue-and-white tube, simple descriptor (Moisturizing Cream), and star ingredient (ceramides), I was sold before I even had the chance to slather it on. Luckily, the formula lived up to its basic-ness (and again, that's a very good thing). The silky cream has no scent, no bells and whistles, and leaves my temperamental, combination, 39-year-old skin feeling soothed and very, very hydrated. Since nabbing it off the free table, I've gone through two tubes, and I just found a travel-size tube that will be coming with me on my summer holidays. Oh, and did I mention it wears well under makeup? Well, it does, and makes you look glowier and plumper, too.
Maybe it's not quite thick enough for very dry, cold environments, and if you prefer drugstore pricing, this is slightly higher than that, but I honestly think it's just a really well-formulated, easy-to-use, reasonably-priced face cream. I could do with a larger tube, though.” —Sophie Panych, content director
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“I love Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream as much for what it does for my skin as what it doesn't: The rich formula is deeply hydrating without causing irritation or congestion. When I apply it before bed, my skin feels noticeably softer and smoother come morning.” —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, allantoin
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
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Illiyoon
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Amazon
Allure former commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Lily Wohlner
Why we love it: Illiyoon’s beloved K-beauty cream has tons of fans (including us!), but it’s extra great for those with sensitive skin. The fragrance-free formula is loaded with barrier-boosting ceramides and hydrating glycerin, and it’s gentle enough for both adults and kids (which says a lot). It quickly soothes red, flaky skin, replacing irritation with a calm, smooth, deeply hydrated feel. With continued use, flare-ups become less frequent, and those with acne-prone skin can use it confidently, as this formula won’t trigger breakouts. Apply it morning and night to keep skin comfortable throughout the day and quietly repair it while you sleep.
Tester feedback from former commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“This Illiyoon cream has completely transformed my acne-prone, combination skin over the past two years, and I have its high concentration of plant-based ceramides to thank. It has strengthened my skin barrier, giving me that healthy, hydrated glow and a bouncy, soothed feel, all without irritation or breakouts (which is rare for me!). As a beauty writer who tests endless products, the fact that this moisturizer has remained a constant in my routine for two full years says it all.” —Lily Wohlner, former commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, but especially those with sensitive, reactive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Normal to Combo Skin: Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer
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Dieux
Instant Angel Moisturizer
Sephora
Dieux
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer
Alessandra Foresto
Why we love it: When in doubt, just dieux it. Ever since Instant Angel launched in 2022, our editors have routinely called out this moisturizer as one of the best—especially for dry, sensitive skin. It's rich and velvety and leaves behind a healthy glow without any residue that thicker creams might. (Note: While it is non-comedogenic, Dieux offers a gel moisturizer called Air Angel that's better suited for acne-prone skin.) Unsurprisingly, the key ingredients are a dream come true for a damaged, compromised barrier. Some highlights include a 3% Moisture Complex packed with glycerin, sodium PCA, urea, and sodium hyaluronate for immediate and long-lasting benefits, as well as a plant-derived lipid complex that mimics our skin's natural lipid layer to seriously replenish dried-out skin. Our standards are always high for skin care, but this cosmetic chemist-cofounded brand always meets them.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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“As an eczema-prone girlie with a tendency to get the occasional breakout, I take keeping my skin moisturized very seriously. My criteria includes gentle but effective ingredients, little to no fragrance, and wearing well under makeup (meaning no flakiness or pilling). This one hits all my needs! The hype about this moisturizer is 100% warranted. My skin looks so glowy right after application, and that glow shines through my makeup as well—I often get compliments on mornings I use it, so you know it's the lotion making a difference. The brand warns that this might not be the best product for acne-prone skin, but it works for my combination skin.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: lipids and ceramides, 0.5% dipalmityl hydroxylproline peptide, 3% Advanced Moisture Complex (glycerin, urea, and hyaluronic acid)
- Texture: cream
- Best for: normal, dry, or combo skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
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Beauty of Joseon
Red Bean Water Gel
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Beans aren't just part of a well-balanced diet; they have plenty of skin-care benefits, the most unique being that they are gentle exfoliants that sweep away dead skin and help absorb excess oil. Beauty of Joseon's Red Bean Water Gel is formulated with 44% Haenam red bean extract to provide said gentle resurfacing benefits. The finish is truly featherweight and undetectable, which is why it's a dream for combination and oily skin—or anyone who's looking for a lighter moisturizer for the humid days ahead. What is detectable, however, is the plumping finish courtesy of a hardworking peptide blend. Allantoin and panthenol also step in to help soothe and reduce redness. Not to mention, this pretty pink tube makes application easy and mess-free, which is always a bonus in our book.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I rotate moisturizers frequently as part of the whole beauty-editor job—they all more or less do the same job, okay?—but I've burned through two tubes of Red Bean Water Gels, and never want to be without one. Gel moisturizers are perfect for my combination skin because they hydrate without feeling heavy or emphasizing my oily, pore-ridden T-zone. Red Bean Water Gel, in particular, is chock-full of red bean extract to deliver moisture while also absorbing sebum (thanks to saponins)—a magical combo, if you ask me. It's cooling, refreshing, and layers wonderfully underneath my sunscreen and makeup sans pilling. I always want to look like a little dewy dumpling/cherub, and this does the trick!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Haenam red bean (Phaseolus angularis seed extract), glycerin, betaine, beta-glucan, panthenol, allantoin, triple peptide complex
- Texture: gel
- Best for: people with combination, oily, or acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream
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Dr. Althea
345 Relief Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream
Sarah Felbin
Why we love it: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is a tried-and-true staple for those with oily and blemish-prone skin who want—nay, need—a balanced moisturizer. In fact, that's what the “345” stands for: three ingredients to treat blemishes and support a more even skin tone (tannic acid, niacinamide, resveratrol), four to lock in moisture and strengthen a stressed barrier (ceramides, beta-glucan, hyaluronic acid, and rice bran PDRN), and five to soothe irritation (includes cica, madecassoside, and tea tree leaf water). It's lightweight enough for daytime wear but has enough cushiness to round out your nighttime skin-care routine. As is common for Korean skin-care brands, this cream has gone through a few reformulations—first to remove artificial fragrances and colors, and the second time to make the formula fungal-acne safe by cutting out ingredients that can trigger yeast-related breakouts. (While fungal acne typically appears on the body, it can also pop up on the forehead, hairline, cheeks, and chin.)
P.S. Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream is so popular that it's spawned a 345 Relief Serum, 345 Relief Cream Mist, and 345 Relief Cream Mask.
Tester feedback from former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“The way this cream sinks in immediately should be studied. It's so lightweight and soothing, and it melts in seconds, leaving my skin hydrated and glowy. I love that it's not too thick or sticky, like some heavier moisturizers can be. In the winter, when I get dry patches around my mouth and nose, it does an excellent job of balancing my combination skin without turning greasy.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tea tree leaf water, niacinamide, glycerin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, Centella asiatica, madecassoside, Coptis japonica root
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Extra-Dry Skin: Rhode Barrier Butter
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Rhode
Barrier Butter
Sephora
Rhode
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Rhode Barrier Butter
Bianca Richards
Why we love it: If you’re dealing with super dry skin, a psoriasis flare-up, or even rough spots on your elbows and knees, Rhode’s Barrier Butter (a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner) delivers serious hydration, thanks to five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid that penetrate multiple layers of the skin, leaving it smooth, plump, and bouncy. To lock in that moisture, it’s also loaded with barrier-repairing ceramides and rich murumuru butter, so skin stays soft and protected all day without that dreaded greasy cast.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"Despite what others might say, Rhode actually cracked the code for putting out the best moisturizer on the market. The Barrier Butter is ultra-rich in texture and instantly soaks into the skin so well—perfect for those who experience dryness and are looking to improve the skin barrier for long-term skin health. I've repurchased this product twice because it's just that good, and I can honestly say it's done wonders for helping to strengthen my barrier for a more natural, supple glow over time." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, murumuru butter, ceramides, polyglutamic acid
- Texture: balm
- Best for: anyone who wants an intensely moisturizing, balmy moisturizer
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Rosacea: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
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Dr. Jart+
Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Dr. Jart+ makes some of our favorite cica-infused skin-care products, like the Intensive Soothing Repair Cream, to curb sensitivity and redness. Used in Asian medicine for centuries, "cica (short for Centella asiatica) is believed to soothe and repair irritated skin," Ellen Marmur, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, told Allure. The Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream pairs a cica complex with allantoin to calm irritation, while niacinamide provides a gentle boost of radiance. It layers beautifully beneath sunscreen and makeup but also holds its own as a nighttime moisturizer.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream has become my go-to for calming down the redness around my nose and under my eyes (hi, allergies). It’s silky, semi-matte without being at all drying, and wears nicely under makeup. Just a heads-up: It comes out of the tube fast, but any extra is great for soothing dry patches on your body, too.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin, niacinamide, shea butter
- Texture: midweight soothing cream
- Best for: sensitive, redness-, or rosacea-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Firming: Innbeauty Extreme Cream Firming & Lifting Moisturizer
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InnBeauty
Extreme Cream
Sephora
Innbeauty
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Innbeauty Extreme Cream Firming & Lifting Moisturizer
Sarah Kinonen
Why we love it: Innbeauty had our interest piqued with “reverse emulsion technology.” Let us explain: The Extreme Cream Firming & Lifting Moisturizer is formulated with teensy water droplets suspended in oil droplets that burst upon contact, flooding skin with a glass-like glow. Despite its luxe cream texture, it layers beautifully and seamlessly underneath sunscreen and makeup, as our testers confirm. Ceramides (three types, to be exact), peptides, and plant-derived retinol are the stars here, working in tandem to lock in moisture, support your barrier, boost your skin's elasticity, and help firm the appearance of fine lines. Pair with Innbeauty's Extreme Cream Eye for a one-two lifting skin-care punch.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“Due to the nature of my job as a beauty editor, I rarely go back to skin-care products I’ve hit pan on. There is an exception to the rule, though. And that exception is InnBeauty’s Extreme Cream. I loveeee this moisturizer, and have gone through approximately 24,873 bottles, give or take. Although it’s slightly rich in texture, it blends into skin easily, layers well over and under other skin-care products (and makeup!), and makes my skin feel so soft and dewy.
Despite my not being the color pink's biggest fan (I've seen enough in my millennial days), I really do like the bottle and its overall packaging. It's smart but fun, which is how I think skin care should be. I love that it has a pump, too—it makes the application process less messy! Oh, and when I'm traveling, I like that I can pop out the inner tube and toss it into my toiletry bag without it taking over too much space. See? Smart!
I have combination skin with a touch of sensitivity, and I find this moisturizer works just fine—if not great!—on my 35-year-old skin. I would recommend it to fellow 30-somethings and above because of the peptide-filled formula.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, plant-derived retinol, 3% lifting peptides, ceramides
- Texture: cream
- Best for: dry, combination, mature skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best with SPF: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
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Isdin
Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Amazon
Dermstore
Sephora
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Jessica Cruel
Why we love it: If you like your moisturizers that feel like serums, look no further than Isdin's Best of Beauty-winning Fusion Water Magic SPF 40. Not only is there built-in UV protection that doesn't read chalky across any skin tone, but it's also so lightweight that it functions wonderfully as a makeup primer. (Pilling, who?) The finish isn't overly glowy—instead, think natural and breathable. The ingredients hard at work are antioxidant-rich Mediterranean algae to defend against oxidative stress (which leads to signs of aging popping up faster), hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate, and vitamin E to maintain peak barrier health.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“Too greasy, too shiny, too oily, too chalky—these are all complaints that I hear from my family when I ask them if they are using sunscreen every day. That's when I recommend this Isdin Water Magic formula. It's a chemical sunscreen that goes on like a moisturizer. The finish is not matte, but it won't leave you looking greasy. It absorbs quickly and blends seamlessly into my brown skin with no purple tint. It's the perfect fit for those who hate the idea of sunscreen because of the way it feels. This lightweight option will leave them with no complaints.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 9% octocrylene, 7.3% homosalate, 4.5% octisalate, 2.7% avobenzone, Mediterranean algae, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
- Texture: lightweight, water-based fluid
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Summer: Then I Met You Bong2 Bounce Cream
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Then I Met You
Bong2 Bounce Cream
Amazon
Soko Glam
Allure former senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying Then I Met You’s Bong2 Bounce Cream
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it’s worth it: Another K-beauty staple beloved by Allure editors, Then I Met You’s 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Bong2 Bounce Cream is the glowy skin-topper of our dreams. It’s ultra-lightweight and breathable, yet it locks in long-term moisture with ceramides, sea buckthorn, and squalane, then brightens with vitamin C–rich hallabong (a citrus fruit grown on Jeju Island, South Korea)—leaving skin with a bouncy, lit-from-within look. In case you’re wondering, the bright marigold hue is al naturale, a.k.a. the high lycopene and carotenoid content found in sea buckthorn. TL;DR This gel-cream is pretty much a nutritious, energizing smoothie for your face.
Tester feedback from former senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen
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“I like to call the process of moisturizing with this product putting on my ‘glow goo’ because this golden jelly gives me dewier skin than just about any other I've used in my lifetime. Plus, it’s astonishingly lightweight, so it never pills and rubs off.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, former senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin C, ceramides, hallabong fruit
- Texture: gel
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: no
Our Top Newly-Tested Moisturizers
Best for Dull Skin: Tatcha The Longevity Cream
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Tatcha
Longevity Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Shipin applying the Tatcha Longevity Cream
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: If it's one thing we love about Tatcha (though there are many reasons), it's product texture—and The Longevity Memory Cream is the latest formula to prove our point. This pudding-like cream has a satisfying memory-foam-like bounce that transforms into a plush, velvety texture once it makes contact with your skin. The finish is ever so tacky (but not too much that it's uncomfortable), which is ideal for makeup prep, and you're left looking much dewier and more radiant—sort of like a wake-up call for your complexion.
A bit of background: The Longevity Memory Cream is inspired by nuchi-gusui (meaning “life's medicine”), the traditional Okinawan diet rich in ancestral herbs and plants that have been used for many centuries. The core Okinawa Cellescence Complex is made up of tone-evening Shikuwasa lime, barrier-strengthening noni juice, and gently resurfacing shell ginger to both instantly and gradually brighten, promote elasticity, and deeply hydrate skin. What's not to love?
Tester feedback from Shipin
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“My Goldilocks moisturizer! I was cycling through so many products that just didn't do it for my skin, but as soon as I started using the Longevity Cream, it was an instant mainstay. I finished my little sample tub and am now halfway through my big pot because I'm addicted to using this morning (sometimes midday) and night. It has a lightweight, gel-cream consistency, and feels a lot like a ‘bounce’ cream to me—literally! There's a wiggly, jiggly bounce-back when you tap on the surface of the moisturizer, and you really are best served by using the spoon to scoop a dollop out. I like to apply it directly to my face because it's simply fun, but I also warm it up between my fingers before applying. It looks and feels like the product texture: my skin feels more elasticated and bouncy, and it leaves a very slight grippy finish to the skin that is perfect for applying makeup over. (I skip primer most days now.)
Once it absorbs, your skin looks so supple. My husband literally used the word ‘glistening’—more of this, please! I love that it hydrates my ultra-dry skin and does not irritate my eczema whatsoever, even though it has a subtle fresh citrus fragrance. I'm in my mid-thirties, so I am looking for products that can combat discoloration and wrinkles, and while I haven't seen any fading or evening of skin tone, I have noticed my skin is looking more plump and generally happier.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Okinawa cellescence complex (shikuwasa lime, noni juice, and shell ginger extract), nonapeptide-1, bio-fermented hyaluronic acid
- Texture: midweight, bouncy gel-cream
- Best for: people with dry and/or mature skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Plumping: Glow Recipe Watermelon Milk Peptide Cushion Cream
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Glow Recipe
Watermelon Milk Peptide Cushion Cream
Sephora
Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Glow Recipe Watermelon Milk Peptide Cushion Cream
Kassidy Silva
Why we love it: If you're a day-one Glow Recipe, you know that the K-beauty-inspired brand's first-ever product was the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, a deliciously gooey overnight AHA treatment to buff away dead skin and reveal baby-soft skin by morning. Since then, the Watermelon Glow line has birthed many more fan-favorites—hey, Watermelon Glow AHA Pink Dream Body Cream, a three-time Readers' Choice Award winner.
But what if you're sensitive to acids? Meet the Glow Recipe Watermelon Milk Peptide Cushion Cream, which relies on 10 peptides to help firm skin and smooth fine lines, watermelon milk (a.k.a. a blend of watermelon extract and squalane that's responsible for the formula's silky texture). Toss in glycerin, panthenol, and ceramides, and you've got yourself the perfect recipe (see what we did there?) for intense hydration and barrier care—without any potential sting. The texture is balanced, too—lightweight and breathable, but feels like a tall glass of water for your skin.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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“With chronic skin conditions, it's rare that I'll switch up my go-to skin-care products, especially moisturizers. But the Glow Recipe Watermelon Milk Cushion Cream is 50 milliliters of bouncy perfection. It’s similar to the most popular moisturizers coming out of Korea right now too, with my ideal balance of hydration, weight, and lasting power.”
I use four nickel-size dots on my forehead, cheeks, and chin, morning and night. It has a quick dry-down time, so in less than five minutes, I'm on to the rest of my routine. I'm not a big fan of thick creams, especially at night, and find this one to be light and wearable but still provides the deep hydration that my dry skin needs.” —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Watermelon Milk (watermelon extract and squalane), 10 peptides, glycerin, ceramides, panthenol
- Texture: gel
- Best for: dry, sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a face moisturizer?
"Moisturizers are an essential part of every skin-care routine," says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "Just as our bodies require us to hydrate with water, so does our skin." While our skin appears dewier almost instantly, the real benefits show up in the long term. The consistent use of moisturizers slows down the rate and intensity at which fine lines and wrinkles appear, Dr. Idriss says.
This daily philosophy applies to all skin types and not just dry skin. "Overwashing without the appropriate use of a moisturizer will trigger an overproduction of oil on your skin," says Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California. In short, if you don't rehydrate your skin, it will become dried out and irritated, which then opens your skin up to a cache of troubles.
"People confuse oil with hydration, so they don't properly hydrate the skin," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD. "We now have really great ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, which balances oil and water in the skin." Increased hydration supports a stronger barrier, Dr. Day says, which also helps curb oil production.
What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?
Consider your moisturizer as the cellophane that seals in the rest of your skin-care routine. In our beginner-friendly skin-care guide, dermatologists recommended three simple steps: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (during the day, of course).
A basic rule of thumb is, after cleansing, use products with the lightest texture first and work your way down to denser formulas like moisturizers. Using your moisturizer after serums and treatments like toners and essences is crucial for getting the most out of your products, according to Wilson. "They seal in serums on your skin, which can make them more effective." After moisturizing, you can layer oil to make your skin look even dewier. And again, never forget to apply your last (and arguably most important) layer, sunscreen, if you're headed out for the day.
Meet the experts
- David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California
- Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist based in New York City
- Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Portland
How our staff tests and reviews products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best face moisturizers, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists who test and recommend moisturizers almost every day. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Meet our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
