Editor’s Picks: 16 of the Best Face Moisturizers to Hydrate All Skin Types

In an ideal world, the best face moisturizer would tick off all or most of these boxes:

• Has humectants and occlusives: Humectants like glycerin, aloe and hyaluronic acid do the actual moisturizing by drawing water into your skin. Shea butter, jojoba oil and lanolin are examples of occlusives, which keep moisture locked in.
• Has barrier-repairing ingredients: Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids seal up any cracks between skin cells for a stronger, healthier skin barrier.
• Low in fragrance: If you can’t go fragrance-free, at least look for creams with fragrance at the end of the ingredients list, since it’s the number one cause of skin irritation.
• Low in silicones and mineral oil: These occlusive film-formers can trap acne-causing debris and slow down cellular renewal (which could lead to drier skin over time).
• Low in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): Oils with a polyunsaturated fatty acid profile are volatile and oxidize quickly, generating free radicals. I recommend avoiding creams with PUFA oils in the first five ingredients.
• Low in oleic acid: Although it has good stability, this fatty acid has been found to disrupt the skin barrier and is linked to dermatitis.
• Low in emulsifiers: Ingredients like glyceryl stearate and cetearyl olivate belong to the same ingredient family as detergents, and can strip natural lipids from the skin. If you are dry or sensitive, you may find it helpful to avoid creams that contain emulsifiers in the first five ingredients.
• Has a preservative system: If your moisturizer contains water, a preservative is a must to prevent bacteria and mold.

• What it does: Augustinus Bader The Cream is a lightweight moisturizer that is clinically proven to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation in addition to hydrating. It can be used morning and night on clean, dry skin.
• Best for: Normal to oily skin.
• Key ingredients: Capric triglycerides, pentylene glycol, propylene glycol, hydrogenated phospholipids, glycerin, sorbitol, vitamin E, shea butter, provitamin B5 (panthenol), aloe, cholesterol, ceramides, TFC-8.
• Editor’s notes: If you’re looking for a “one and done” hydrator and anti-aging treatment, this cream is just the ticket. (No wonder so many celebrities sing its praises.) It contains humectants and non-comedogenic occlusives for weightless hydration, and it’s both silicone-free and fragrance-free. It also has ceramides and cholesterol to support the skin barrier, and the brand’s patented TFC-8 complex of vitamins and amino acids to repair collagen and stimulate turnover. 

• What it does: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a non-greasy moisturizer that replenishes the skin’s natural moisturizing factors (including amino acids, fatty acids and hyaluronic acid) for immediate and long-term hydration. It can be used morning and night.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Capric triglycerides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, saccharides, sodium PCA, urea, fatty acids, lethicin.
• Editor’s notes: This is one of the most budget-friendly face moisturizers you’ll find—but it’s anything but basic. Since it’s meant to mimic the hydrating compounds that are naturally present in our skin, it’s loaded with an incredible array of water-binding and barrier-repairing ingredients. It’s also silicone-free, absorbs beautifully, and has no fragrance. The only caveat is that it's fairly lightweight, so drier skin may need to layer it with a hydrating serum and/or face oil. For more on this brand, see my review here.

• What it does: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is a rich moisturizer that gives immediate and long-term hydration to parched and stressed-out skin. It can be used morning and night or as needed.
• Best for: Normal to dry and sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: Stearic acid, glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, capric triglycerides, glyceryl stearate, fatty alcohol, shea butter, 0.5% colloidal oatmeal.
• Editor’s notes: Whether you have dry skin year-round or just need something for cold winter weather, this is the intensive moisturizer that I recommend. It’s thick and rich without feeling greasy or sticky, and it readily absorbs into your skin instead of sitting on the surface. I love that it contains barrier-repairing stearic acid, plus stable emollients that give it a much longer shelf life than creams loaded with seed oils. There’s also 0.5% colloidal oatmeal to relieve itching and irritation.

• What it does: Doctor Rogers RESTORE Face Cream is a nourishing and non-irritating moisturizer that is gentle enough to be used after cosmetic procedures, as well as every day. It can be used in the morning after your antioxidant serum and before sunscreen, and at night as the last step in your routine.
• Best for: Normal, dry and sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: Squalane, shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin, Centella Asiatica extract, adenosine.
• Editor’s notes: This cream was developed by Dr. Heather Rogers, a Seattle-based dermatologist on a mission to create sensitive skin-friendly products using clean and plant-based ingredients. The texture is thicker than most, delivering intensive (but non-greasy) hydration while soothing inflammation. It’s fragrance-free and silicone-free, and can safely be used all over the face, eyelids, neck and chest. If you prefer a lighter texture, try the brand’s Face Lotion.

• What it does: Omorovicza Elemental Emulsion is an oil-free emulsion that both hydrates and helps to control shine. It can be used morning and night after cleansing.
• Best for: All skin. 
• Key ingredients: Hungarian thermal water, glycerin, octyldodecanol, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, fatty alcohol, hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s notes: This creamy lotion can be worn alone if your skin is on the oilier side, or layered underneath other moisturizers or oils if your skin tends to be dry. It’s an oil-free and silicone-free formulation that glides over the skin beautifully, and then sinks in fast for a soft, supple finish. It has a marine-derived polysaccharide to help absorb excess sebum, and is subtly scented with a naturally-derived (not synthetic) fragrance.

• What it does: The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Moisturizer is a hydrating and soothing moisturizer that improves your skin’s barrier function and balances your microbiome. It can be used morning and night on clean, dry skin.
• Best for: All skin, especially sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: Dicapryl carbonate, glycerin, cetearyl olivate, inulin, creatine, niacinamide, squalane, ceramides, probiotics, Centella Asiatica extract, peptides.
• Editor’s notes: If your skin barrier could use a little support, this is the moisturizer for you. Not only does it perform the usual hydrating and conditioning, it also contains actives that repair and rebuild the skin. Think: ceramides to fill in cracks, niacinamide to fade dark marks, and probiotics to repopulate the microbiome, to name just a few. But despite all the actives, it has a light gel-cream texture (and is free of fragrance, essential oils and silicone).

• What it does: Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream is a lightweight, fast-absorbing cream that hydrates, calms and protects your skin from stress and irritation. It can be used morning and night after cleansing.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Octyldodecanol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, glycerin, shea butter, decyl oleate, corn germ oil, fatty alcohol, purslane.
• Editor’s notes: This cream is the creation of German aesthetics doctor Dr. Barbara Sturm, and like Augustinus Bader, it’s a celebrity favourite. It’s fragrance-free and low in silicone, with a light, whipped texture that belies its mix of moisturizing emollients. The brand’s signature purslane (an antioxidant) helps reduce inflammation and supports cell repair. There’s also a Darker Skin Tones version with the addition of an algae extract to help even out skin tone.

• What it does: Indie Lee Active Oil-Free Moisturizer is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with hydrating, brightening and antioxidant benefits. It can be used morning and night on clean skin, either alone or over your favourite serum.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Triheptanoin, biosaccharide gum-1, silybum marianum ethyl ester, fatty alcohol, alkanes, glyceryl stearate, lethicin, glycerin, PCA.
• Editor’s notes: This cream is both oil-free and silicone-free, but with its creamy, medium-weight lotion texture, you’d never guess. Unlike most moisturizers in the clean beauty realm, its main ingredients are synthetic emollients, rather than plant oils. They’re combined with botanical extracts like mandarin, milk thistle and pomegranate, which may give you some mild brightening and protection from free radicals. Once it absorbs, your skin will feel fresh and velvety-soft, with no greasy residue. For more on this brand, see my review here.

• What it does: OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream is a lightweight moisturizer that both hydrates and protects the skin from environmental stressors (like dry climates, wind and air pollution). It can be used morning and night, after your favourite serum.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Algae extract, coco-caprylate, macadamia seed oil, shea butter, jojoba oil.
• Editor’s notes: This cream has a fast-absorbing fluid texture, but it’s way more hydrating than you think it’s going to be. That’s because it’s high in algae extract, which has both water-binding and skin-softening properties, plus a mix of natural oils and butters to lock the moisture in. It’s silicone-free, and dries down to a silky matte finish, making it ideal to wear underneath sunscreen or makeup.

• What it does: Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream is a gentle, non-greasy cream that softens skin and seals in moisture without causing irritation. It can be used morning and night.
• Best for: All skin, especially sensitive and acne-prone skin.
• Key ingredients: Coptis extract, butylene glycol, jojoba oil, fatty alcohol, shea butter.
• Editor’s notes: This moisturizer is a South Korean import developed by Seoul’s Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic, which specializes in treating atopic skin disorders. As such, the brand formulates without irritants or unnecessary fillers, and uses traditional Korean ingredients wherever possible. Here, that translates into a silicone-free and fragrance-free moisturizer made with Coptis extract to help reduce inflammation. It’s super-creamy but readily absorbs without feeling heavy or sticky.

• What it does: Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer is a lightweight natural moisturizer that hydrates, smooths and primes skin for makeup—and when you’re done, the jar can be refilled to reduce waste. It can be used morning and night.
• Best for: Normal to oily skin. 
• Key ingredients: Barley extract, octyldodecanol, triglycerides, glycerin, fatty alcohols, shea butter esters, pomegranate extract, orange extract, hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s notes: This is the most lightweight cream the brand offers, as well as its first with a sustainable refill system. It’s infused with high-performance botanicals like orange peptides and pomegranate spheres, which flood your skin with moisture and then lock it in. It also creates a smooth but breathable barrier on your skin for flawless makeup application, sans silicones. (So you can skip primer.) Bonus: The refillable packaging allows the jar, pump and cap to be re-used. You just buy a new refill pod when you run out.

• What it does: Glossier Priming Moisturizer is a buildable cream that minimizes the look of pores and creates a smooth texture. It can be used morning and night after cleansing.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Tridecyl stearate, stearic acid, propanediol, palmitic acid, shea butter, aloe, hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s notes: This cult-favourite cream is both a moisturizer and a primer—so it leaves your skin with a smooth, semi-matte finish that is perfect under makeup. Unlike most moisturizers, it has runny lotion texture, which can take a few moments to absorb. But once it does, you can build it up in layers depending on how much or how little hydration your skin needs. Although it’s made from mostly synthetic emollients, it’s fragrance-free and low in silicone, and I was surprised to discover that my acne-prone skin tolerates it really well. See my full review here.

• What it does: Saint Sane Hydrating Petal Cream is a smoothing, soothing and softening moisturizer with a lightweight texture. It can be used morning and night, either alone or over your favourite serum.
• Best for: All skin.
• Key ingredients: Glycerin, glyceryl polyacrylate, squalane, yeast extract, rice bran extract, vitamin E, shea butter, 500 mg CBD, hibiscus, 1% hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s notes: If you like your moisturizer to feel silky-soft, consider this silicone-free option inspired by flower petals. The brand got the texture just right—it’s medium-weight and sinks in fast, but manages to be incredibly hydrating. Alongside a mix of humectants and emollients, it’s infused with flower essences and hibiscus peptides, which are said to support cell renewal. The 500 mg of CBD plays a supporting role to calm and soothe your skin.

• What it does: LXMI Crème du Nil Pore-Refining Moisture Veil is a lightweight but deeply nourishing moisturizer with a dewy finish. It can be used morning and night after cleansing.
• Best for: Normal to dry skin.
• Key ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, squalane, capric triglycerides, aloe, hibiscus, hyaluronic acid.
• Editor’s notes: This moisturizer has the luscious texture of a high-end anti-aging cream, but it’s silicone-free and made from all-clean ingredients. The star is a special type of shea butter (“Nilotica Reserve”) with a high concentration of fatty acids, vitamins and allantoin. A little goes a long way—so normal skin will only need a small amount—and despite how moisturizing it is, it’s formulated not to clog pores. See my full review here.

• What it does: Odacité Beautiful Day Moisturizer is a fresh, organic moisturizing cream that plumps, hydrates and protects your skin from environmental aggressors. It can be used in the morning after cleansing and toning.
• Best for: Normal to dry and sensitive skin.
• Key ingredients: Aloe, coconut oil, lavender extract, calendula, white tea, willow bark, emulsifying wax, stearic acid, glycerin, jojoba oil.
• Editor’s notes: This moisturizer is part of the brand’s Fresh Collection, which means it is formulated upon order and comes with a “fresh by” date for maximum purity and potency. (I recommend storing it in the fridge.) It’s all-natural, silicone-free and certified organic, and the ingredients are in a base of aloe, not water. The mix of antioxidant-rich botanical extracts and stable plant oils gives it a surprisingly light and silky texture. (Don’t be alarmed that it contains coconut oil—I’m acne-prone, and it has never once broken me out.)

• What it does: The Inkey List Vitamin B, C and E Moisturizer is a lightweight, vitamin-rich moisturizer with clarifying, brightening and soothing benefits. It can be used morning and night on clean skin after your preferred serums, and before face oil if desired.
• Best for: Normal skin.
• Key ingredients: Glycerin, glyceryl stearate, fatty alcohol, capric triglycerides, coconut oil, stearic acid, niacinamide, provitamin B5 (panthenol), sodium ascorbyl phosphate, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E.
• Editor’s notes: Just like The Ordinary, this cream won’t break the bank—but instead of natural moisturizing factors, it delivers three essential skin vitamins. There’s B3 (niacinamide) for controlling oil and reducing redness, C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate) for brightening dull skin, and E (tocopherol) for soothing irritation. It also gives you light hydration without fragrance or silicones.