Level up your moisturizer game to ensure your skin gets what it needs. Below is a roundup of the hardest-working moisturizers for us, including some new and improved OG faves, brilliant black-owned brands, and the best budget finds. Plus, the top 16 to try for your face and body.
What is a facial moisturizer, and what is it supposed to do?
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman, Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. “Moisturizers have a few functions, the most common being aiding in repairing and protecting the skin barrier. In addition to helping repair and protect the skin barrier, moisturizers are designed to add moisture to the skin, generally replacing moisture regularly lost (which can also be accelerated by environmental factors like dry, cool air, or sun exposure). Moisturizers are typically formulated with a mix of humectant, emollient, and occlusive ingredients. Humectants are ingredients that add hydration to the skin from its surrounding environment or deeper layers of the skin. Emollients provide moisture directly to the skin. Occlusive ingredients create a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture.” The next step is to determine your skin type. Is your skin dry? Or are you dealing with oily, combination, or sensitive skin? Once you know that, choose a moisturizer with the right ingredients and texture to suit your needs.
What ingredients should you look for?
Beyond shea and cocoa butter! No shade, they are great emollients, but to really fight ash and dry skin, look to hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and ceramides for ultimate moisture. Dr. Hartman adds that if the skin is extremely dry, it is best to layer multiple products with hydrating ingredients at each step. Start with a hydrating cleanser and then reach for a hydrating serum. Please wait 10 minutes after applying a serum for it to sink into the skin thoroughly. Apply a hydrating moisturizer and finish with sunscreen.
- Oily skin also needs moisture, so look for lightweight moisturizers with ceramide or hyaluronic acid.
- Sensitive and eczema-prone skin tends to like emollient ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are extremely gentle. Additionally, eczema-prone skin benefits from natural itch soothers like oatmeal and aloe vera.
- To brighten and even tone skin, choose niacinamide and Vitamin C. Niacinamide helps reduce dark spots and redness and minimizes the appearance of pores, both of which will make the skin look glowy! Dr. Alexis Stephens, a Florida-based board-certified dermatologist, loves Vitamin C, as it is a powerful antioxidant that supports collagen production for youthful-looking skin and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
- Anti-aging ingredients include retinol (also good for acne) and peptides. Both stimulate collagen growth, improving elasticity and preventing lines and wrinkles.
Our Top Picks for Facial Moisturizers
S’ABLE Labs Baobab Moisturizer, $56, is Best for Hyperpigmentation. It minimizes dark spots with powerful niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and licorice root, suppressing the extra melanin production. Baobab, an African plant, replenishes the skin’s moisture barrier with antioxidants. Need more? It was developed by our favorite celeb couple, Sabrina and Idris Elba.
Tula Skincare 24-7 Weightless Moisture Day & Night Gel Cream, $58, is Best for Oily, Acne-prone, and Combination skin. This lightweight and nongreasy gel cream glides on and infuses skin with niacinamide, which controls the appearance of excess oil and peptides to smooth the look of skin.
Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream Moisturizer, $25, Best for Anti-aging. A fave of Dr. Stephens, the multi-benefit cream is formulated with vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid to address multiple signs of aging.
Elta MD Skincare PM Restore Moisturizer, $44, is Best for Dry, Sensitive Skin. It supports skin renewal with antioxidants and ceramides. Niacinamide helps improve tone and strengthen the moisture barrier.
The Inkey List Bio Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer, $20, is Best for Dryness and Anti-Aging. This Ceramide-rich cream visibly smooths and supports the skin’s barrier. Shea butter nourishes the skin and protects the moisture barrier.
Neutrogena Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer, $20, is Best for Anti-Aging. It plumps and hydrates skin with patented micro peptides, and its broad-spectrum SPF 30 defends it from the collagen-depleting sun.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream, $75, is Best for Hyperpigmentation, melasma, Anti-Aging, and Oily skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, squalane, and magnolia extracts for intense hydration.
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing AM Lotion SPF 30, $19. Best for: All types. A classic, this straightforward lotion moisturizes and protects the skin barrier with ceramides while providing broad-spectrum sun protection.
Keys Soulcare Firm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream, $40. This Lush cream, fueled by peptides, niacinamide, and snow mushroom, plumps and hydrates skin. It is best for dry, anti-aging skin.
How to select a body moisturizer
Dr. Stephens reminds us of a few things to remember when selecting a body moisturizer: As winter approaches, our skin needs extra hydration, so it’s best to reach for richer, heavier creams that lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier. When choosing between a lotion and a cream, remember that lotions are typically water-based with a higher oil concentration, making them great for warmer climates or seasons. Creams are thicker and luxurious, perfect for treating and deeply hydrating dry winter skin.
Our Top Body Moisturizers Choices:
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream, $49. Best for: Sensitive Skin. Deeply nourishing and specially formulated with squalane and ceramides that hydrate skin for up to three days. Suitable for all skin types, including Eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis-prone skin.
TPH Body by Taraji P. Henson Watch Me Whip Body Cream, $12. Best for: Dry skin and hyperpigmentation. It is chock full of niacinamide for gentle fading, shea butter, and avocado oil for soothing hydration. It has a soft vanilla scent.
Oyin No Ash at All Cocoa Butter Body Lotion $12. Best for: Dry Skin. Combat ashy skin with a comforting blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, and sunflower oil. Oat protein soothes skin.
Eucerin Eczema Relief Hydrogel, $15. It is best for Eczema. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it delivers 24-hour hydration, and ingredients like colloidal oatmeal soothe the itch for up to 12 hours.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Cream, $18, is Best for Body and face, Itchy and sensitive skin, and 48-hour hydration—a unique blend of probiotic oatmeal zaps itch and discomfort.
Bevel Body Lotion,$10, is Best for Men. Shea butter, Vitamin E, and Argan Oil provide intense hydration.
Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream, $46, is Best for Gleaming Skin. Shea Butter teams with seven luxurious oils for deep hydration, including coconut, Kalahari melon, and jojoba. It is divinely scented.
