Ask any skin doctor, and they’ll tell you that moisturizers are crucial for your skincare routine. They’re the ones that keep our skin hydrated and protect our delicate skin barrier, making them a must-have for all skin types. Picture your skin like a wall with cement between the bricks. If you don’t take care of it, the cement cracks, and the wall starts leaking, allowing moisture to escape and letting in pollutants and other harmful things. This analogy comes from Dr. Christine Hall, a general practitioner in medical aesthetics. As someone who tests various skincare products regularly, I’m familiar with dealing with a damaged skin barrier. Whether it’s overwhelming my skin with too many active ingredients, triggering my rosacea, or drying out my skin with potent retinoids, I’ve always turned to quality moisturizers to revive, nourish, and soothe my skin. With today’s market flooded with all kinds of skincare products like face serums, exfoliants, and toners, choosing the right face cream can be overwhelming. Whether you need a moisturizer to reduce redness, tackle hyperpigmentation, or shield your skin from harmful UV rays with added SPF, don’t worry. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best formulas that work for every skin type. By consulting with dermatologists and aestheticians, we’ve outlined the dos and don’ts you should be aware of. If you have questions like which moisturizers are best for each skin type, how often to moisturize, whether to use moisturizer or serum, or the correct order to layer your products, we’ve got you covered. Skip to FAQs or browse the best editor-approved moisturizers. Here are some of the top picks for 2024: Best overall moisturizer: Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C-Tetra Cream Best moisturizer for dewy skin: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Best overnight moisturizer: Medik8 Advanced Night Restore Best daily moisturizer with SPF: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF50 Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C-Tetra Cream – $59 at Medik8 Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream – $67 at Space NK Medik8 Advanced Night Restore – $59 at Medik8 CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF50 – $16.50 at LookFantastic, $10.90 at Amazon Meet the experts: Dr. Christine Hall, a general practitioner in medical aesthetics, and Dr. Alexis Granite, a board-certified dermatologist at CeraVe. These moisturizers were reviewed for 2024 by GLAMOUR. How we test the best moisturizers: The GLAMOUR beauty team has collectively tested over a hundred moisturizers on various skin tones, from lightweight water-based formulas to richer creams for lasting hydration. We evaluate all formulas, old and new, based on their consistency and ability to lock in moisture for an extended period, considering conditions like eczema and rosacea. Discover our testing process here. Below, you’ll find our top picks for moisturizers suitable for all skin types. Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C-Tetra Cream – $59 at Medik8 Tester: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Commerce Writer Skin type: dry and sensitive. Best overall moisturizer: Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C-Tetra Cream.
