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21 Best Face Moisturizers, Tested and Reviewed for 2023

Whether your skin is dry and flaky or oily and acne-prone, I’ve got you covered.

By Lauren Balsamo and Brooke Shunatona
best face moisturizers
Khadija Horton

Forget about all the fancy face masks, trendy noninvasive treatments, and pricey at-home tools for a sec. When it comes to a good skincare routine, there are actually very few *necessary* steps. At the top of the can’t-skip short list? Face moisturizer. Face moisturizers hydrate skin, lock in moisture, and help improve skin barrier function—all musts for healthy, happy skin regardless of your skin type.

So whether your face is bone-dry skin and flaky or sensitive and acne-prone (like mine), everyone can benefit from using a moisturizer—but not everyone needs the same moisturizer. That’s why we tested tons of new and old face moisturizer formulas, from lightweight gels to thick, occlusive creams, and gathered all the facts from board-certified dermatologists (shout-out to Rebecca Marcus, MD; Anar Mikailov, MD; and Elyse Love, MD) to help you figure out the right formula for your specific skin concerns.


✔️ P.S. This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in January 2023 to add face moisturizers the internet won’t stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and check in with the experts for the latest in face moisturizers...just for you.


Our top picks for best face moisturizers of 2023:

  • 1
    Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream

    Best Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer

    Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream

    $48 at Sephora
    Read more
  • 2
    Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturizer

    Best Clean Beauty Face Moisturizer

    Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturizer

    Read more
  • 3
    Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream

    Best Face Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

    Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream

    Read more
  • 4
    Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream

    Best Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin

    Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream

    Read more
  • 5
    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer

    Best Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin

    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer

    Read more

Keep reading for the full list of the 21 best face moisturizers of 2023 plus the best tips for finding the right moisturizer, according to the pros.

1
Best Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer

Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream

Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream
1
Best Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer

Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream

$48 at Sephora
Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Soaks into skin quickly with no greasy residue
Cons
  • Some reviewers say it has a weird scent

This face moisturizer is a regular in my skincare lineup. The lightweight gel-cream texture soaks in fast without any greasy residue and the combo of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and allantoin help hydrate, brighten, and soothe my reactive skin. I also love how sanitary and easy to use the airless jar packaging is too—two pumps dispense the perfect amount of product.

THE REVIEW: “This is a great option if your skin is oily or combo,” writes one tester. “It goes on smooth and is hydrating enough to use as a day or nighttime moisturizer.”

2
Best Clean Beauty Face Moisturizer

Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturizer

Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturizer
2
Best Clean Beauty Face Moisturizer

Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Vegan, cruelty-free, and made with clean ingredients
Cons
  • Some reviewers say the scent can be off-putting

This is one of my favorite clean beauty face moisturizers. It has a really nice medium-weight cream texture and is incredibly moisturizing (thanks to squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid). And because it’s a clean, plant-based formula, you won’t find any questionable ingredients, like parabens or synthetic fragrances or dyes, inside the jar.

THE REVIEW: “I have been using this moisturizer for about two months now and wow! It’s super hydrating and it leaves your skin dewy without looking oily.”

3
Best Face Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream

Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream
3
Best Face Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Suitable for most skin types, including acne-prone, sensitive, and dry
Cons
  • Some testers say there isn’t very much product for the size of the bottle

I’ve been dealing with a ton of inflammation and hormonal acne lately and this is one of the few face moisturizers that plays nice with my skin. It has a lightweight, jellylike texture that packs a major hydrating punch without clogging pores. Ingredient-wise, it contains brightening niacinamide and soothing green tea to help fade acne scarring—plus with a blend of ceramides to improve skin barrier health.

THE REVIEW: “First of all, the packaging is so cute,” one review reads. “Secondly, it left my skin feeling super hydrated. I love the gel texture—it feels really nice and not at all greasy.”

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4
Best Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream

Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream
4
Best Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Deeply moisturizes with a combo of shea butter and squalane
Cons
  • Not the best option for oily skin types

Even though my skin is prone to chin breakouts, it can be super dry depending on the time of the year. That’s when I reach for this face moisturizer from Doctor Rogers. It’s the only rich cream that doesn’t clog my pores or make my skin look weird and waxy. What it does do? Cocoon my face in a thick layer of moisture that erases dry, rough patches and makes skin supremely soft and dewy.

THE REVIEW: “I know this product is pricey for some, including me. but if you need skin repair, this product is gold in a jar,” writes a tester. “It’s exactly what you need to restore your skin. If you don’t mind the price, this is the best investment for your skin routine.”

5
Best Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer
5
Best Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Contains mattifying ingredients to cut down on excess shine
Cons
  • Some testers said it can sting if your skin is sensitive

The perfect combo of hydrating yet mattifying, this face moisturizer for oily skin uses hyaluronic acid to quench your skin’s thirst along with oil-absorbing microspheres and pore-refining niacinamide to keep your skin looking glowy, not greasy.

THE REVIEW: “I have super oily skin and this stuff really toned down my greasiness without taking away my natural glow,” reads a review. “It’s really great for layering under sunscreen and makeup too.”

6
Best Face Moisturizer with SPF

Relevant: Your Skin Seen One & Done Everyday Cream With SPF 40

Relevant: Your Skin Seen One & Done Everyday Cream With SPF 40
6
Best Face Moisturizer with SPF

Relevant: Your Skin Seen One & Done Everyday Cream With SPF 40

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Contains SPF 40 to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays
Cons
  • Not intended for nighttime use

In addition to moisturizer, sunscreen is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. This moisturizer with SPF combines both into one easy-to-use formula that’s even safe for all skin types and tones. It uses physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and antioxidants to protect the skin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.

THE REVIEW: “This blends seamlessly into my skin dark,” one tester writes. “It leaves my skin with zero white cast—just looking ultra hydrated and dewy.”

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7
Best Splurge Face Moisturizer

Augustinus Bader The Cream With TFC8® Face Moisturizer

Augustinus Bader The Cream With TFC8® Face Moisturizer
7
Best Splurge Face Moisturizer

Augustinus Bader The Cream With TFC8® Face Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Testers say it visible smooths line and fades discoloration
Cons
  • Most expensive option on the list

Not all expensive skincare is worth the hype IMO, but this cult-favorite face cream from Augustinus Bader is deserving of the hefty price tag. It uses a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and regenerative molecules to deeply moisturize skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. And the results come quickly—after using it at night for three straight weeks, the horizontal lines on my forehead were less noticeable and my skin was more even-toned too.

THE REVIEW: “I regret to inform my bank account that this is, in fact, a miracle product,” writes a tester. “If you can afford this, you should definitely try it. I have had numerous people comment on how great my skin looks since I started using this stuff. I will never use another face cream again!”

8
Best All-Natural Face Moisturizer

Angela Caglia Skincare Soufflé Moisturizer

Angela Caglia Skincare Soufflé Moisturizer
8
Best All-Natural Face Moisturizer

Angela Caglia Skincare Soufflé Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Made with all-natural and certified organic ingredients
Cons
  • Some testers say it has a tendency to sit on top of skin

I was introduced to this all-natural face moisturizer during a dreamy facial with Angela Caglia herself, and I haven’t stopped using it since. The blend of organic plant oils, aloe vera, and goat milk extract smooth and plump skin, provide light but long-lasting hydration, and even help fade discoloration too. A 10/10 choice if you’re into clean, green beauty *and* products that deliver big time on results.

THE REVIEW: “This is lightweight but still feels rich—like a drink for my skin in my dry, dry New York apartment. I also feel like its ingredients may have an anti-bacterial effect—not only is it not irritating my skin, I feel like my oily areas look less congested after I use it.”

9
Best Face Moisturizer for Redness

Paula’s Choice Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer

Paula’s Choice Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer
9
Best Face Moisturizer for Redness

Paula’s Choice Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Soothes and calms reactive skin types
Cons
  • Some testers say you need to use a ton of product if your skin is dry

Whether you’re dealing with redness from angry breakouts, a rash, rosacea, or sun burn, this facial moisturizer can help reduce inflammation and calm things down. It uses allantoin and mushroom extract to take down redness, prebiotics to temper sensitivity, and squalane to hydrate without clogging your pores.

THE REVIEW: “This is a great basic moisturizer for anyone with sensitive skin,” reads one tester’s review. “There’s no scent and it settles into the skin very nicely. I find this helps my skin to retain moisture throughout the day.”

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10
Best Nighttime Face Moisturizer

Peach & Lily Overnight Star Night Cream

Peach & Lily Overnight Star Night Cream
10
Best Nighttime Face Moisturizer

Peach & Lily Overnight Star Night Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Helps repair and rejuvenate skin while you sleep
Cons
  • Contains essential oils that may be irritating for some skin types

Support your skin’s regenerative processes while you sleep with this potent night cream from Peach & Lily. Inside the jar is a blend of protective antioxidants (like black ginseng extract and acai berry), firming peptides, and moisturizing plant-extracts, like squalane and jojoba oil. Massage it into your face as the last step in your nighttime routine and wake up to soft, supple skin in the morning.

THE REVIEW: “This cream melts right into your skin,” one tester writes, adding, “I love the almost pudding-like texture—it doesn’t sit heavy at all. I always wake up noticing my lines have been smoothed out overnight!”

11
Best Face Moisturizer for Eczema

Murad Daily Defense Colloidal Oatmeal Cream

Murad Daily Defense Colloidal Oatmeal Cream
11
Best Face Moisturizer for Eczema

Murad Daily Defense Colloidal Oatmeal Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Helps prevent and relieve eczema flare-ups
Cons
  • Some testers wish the product were part of a larger eczema line

Keep eczema flare-ups in check with this ultra-nourishing face moisturizer from Murad. It contains colloidal oatmeal to calm and soothe skin, oat lipids to minimize irritation and itchiness, and niacinamide to strengthen your skin’s barrier. And unlike other eczema creams, the formula is surprisingly lightweight, non-greasy, and easy to layer under makeup.

THE REVIEW: “I love this moisturizer!!! It has helped my skin so much—it appears more even, there’s a reduction in redness and inflammation, and it feels so soft and hydrated too,” one tester review reads.

12
Best Gel Face Moisturizer

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
12
Best Gel Face Moisturizer

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Gel formula is from heavy silicones and oils
Cons
  • Some testers say it can have a slightly tacky finish

If you hate wearing face moisturizer because you dislike the feel of a thick film sitting on your skin, consider this super-lightweight gel moisturizer the anti-moisturizer of moisturizers. It’s free from oils and silicones and is a phenomenal choice for skin that’s prone to clogged pores. Not only is it light in texture and consistency, but this formula is full of watermelon extract to hydrate, calm, and brighten your skin too.

THE REVIEW: “This is the perfect daytime moisturizer for my oily skin,” one tester writes. “It sits so well under makeup and sunscreen—once I put it on, it basically disappears.”

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13
Best Everyday Face Moisturizer

Matter of Fact Minimalist Hydrating Cream

Matter of Fact Minimalist Hydrating Cream
13
Best Everyday Face Moisturizer

Matter of Fact Minimalist Hydrating Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • A great option for all skin types that pairs well with actives
Cons
  • A bit pricey for a relatively simple formula

Anyone, regardless of your skin type or concern, can benefit from adding this gentle face moisturizer to the morning and evening skincare routines. The formula is simple, yet effective, and made with minimal ingredients (a plus for those with sensitive, reactive skin) that help hydrate skin without weighing it down. I like to use it over my niacinamide serum and under my SPF in the morning and over my retinol serum at night.

THE REVIEW: “It is very lightweight in initial feel but still moisturizes plenty,” one tester write. “Two pumps spread easily across my face and neck and leave my skin feeling perfectly hydrated.”

14
Best Brightening Face Moisturizer

Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer

Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer
14
Best Brightening Face Moisturizer

Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Help fade hyperpigmentation and discoloration
Cons
  • Some testers say they wish it were more moisturizing

If your biggest skin concern is hyperpigmentation (like melasma, sun spots, or acne scarring), this is the face moisturizer for you. It contains brightening ingredients like vitamin C and butylresorcinol with hydrating glycerin to even out your skin tone and give your skin a nice dewy glow.

THE REVIEW: “I love this moisturizer! I’ve been using it for about a month now to fade the scars I got while purging from Accutane and my skin already looks a lot brighter. I will definitely be repurchasing,” reads one tester’s review.

15
Best Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Facial Moisturizer

Vanicream Facial Moisturizer
15
Best Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Facial Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Formula is free-from skin irritants, like fragrance or dyes
Cons
  • Some testers said it was not moisturizing enough for their dry, sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, you want a formula with as few ingredients as possible to limit the possibility of irritation. This moisturizer for sensitive skin, which comes highly recommended by Dr. Marcus, has a stripped-down formula that's free of dyes and fragrance and full of hydrating hyaluronic acid and ceramides. “Ceramides are an essential portion of the skin barrier that becomes depleted with day-to-day life,” Dr. Love explains. “Ceramide-containing moisturizers help to restore the skin barrier allowing moisture retention.”

THE REVIEW: “This is the only moisturizer I’ve had in my entire life that doesn’t burn the hell out of my extremely sensitive skin,” reads one review. “It’s not too greasy and it has made my skin so radiant!”

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16
Best Lightweight Lotion Face Moisturizer

Shani Darden Skin Care Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer

Shani Darden Skin Care Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer
16
Best Lightweight Lotion Face Moisturizer

Shani Darden Skin Care Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Won’t clog pores or feel too heavy on your skin
Cons
  • The pump packaging is prone to getting stuck

Acne-prone skin, oily skin, and combination skin will love this lightweight lotion from celeb facialist Shani Darden. It hydrates with hyaluronic acid and plumps fine lines with collagen extract. And because it’s an oil-free moisturizer, it won’t clog your pores or make your skin look overly shiny either.

THE REVIEW: “I’m almost finished with my first bottle of this and I’m loving it,” one tester writes. “It moisturizes well and melts into the skin perfectly—I have no issues putting makeup on over it either.”

17
Best Drugstore Face Moisturizer

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
17
Best Drugstore Face Moisturizer

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Pros
  • Iconic, budget-friendly formula is loved by experts and editors
Cons
  • Some testers say it can pill when used under certain makeup

Derms, TikTokers, and beauty editors all love this drugstore moisturizer from CeraVe. The formula is simple but incredibly effective and you can’t beat the price point either. “It’s a hydrating, ceramide-containing, oil-free cream that I recommend my patients use on their face and even their body,” says Dr. Love.

THE REVIEW: “I love this cream for everyday use,” write a tester. “It’s fragrance free and does not smell strange like other fragrance free creams. Plus, it absorbs so quickly while still leaving your skin soft and smooth. I feel it has made my skin overall healthier.”

18
Best Fragrance-Free Face Moisturizer

Beautystat Cosmetics Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream

Beautystat Cosmetics Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream
18
Best Fragrance-Free Face Moisturizer

Beautystat Cosmetics Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Safe for sensitive skin types
Cons
  • Some testers say the jar packaging can be unsanitary

Looking for a good, reliable fragrance-free moisturizer for your everyday routine? This one contains all the “needs,” like hyaluronic acid and ceramides as well as the “wants,” like bonus antioxidants such as green tea extract to soothe the skin. You’ll love the light, whipped texture too.

THE REVIEW: “I really love this cream. Not only is it made with great ingredients, it’s also fragrance free. Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed.”

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19
Best Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

Epi.Logic The Total Package Fortifying Facial Moisturizer

Epi.Logic The Total Package Fortifying Facial Moisturizer
19
Best Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

Epi.Logic The Total Package Fortifying Facial Moisturizer

Credit: Courtesy Image
Pros
  • Contains potent actives to help smooth and brighten skin
Cons
  • On the pricey side for a face moisturizer

Retinol and hyaluronic acid are combined with an impressive blend of bioactive ingredients, including CoQ10 and niacinamide, in this overachieving anti-aging moisturizer that protects, strengthens, moisturizes, smooths, brightens, and more. It also contains all three humectants, emollients, and occlusives, to hydrate your skin and keep it that way. Makes sense why they named it “the total package,” right?

THE REVIEW: “I cannot say enough how much I love this facial moisturizer,” reads one tester’s review. “I originally bought it as my one pandemic splurge for 2020 and now I’m addicted. My skin is healthier, happier, and looks so much more even.”

20
Best Face Moisturizer for Combination Skin

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
20
Best Face Moisturizer for Combination Skin

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Pros
  • Gentle formula is loved by derms and skincare experts
Cons
  • Some testers say the formula is prone to pilling when layered with too many products

Both Dr. Marcus and Dr. Love are fans of this formula and if you prefer a moisturizer that’s not too thin but not too thick, soon you’ll be a fan too. “I recommend it as a moisturizer for those with combination skin,” Dr. Marcus says. “It’s a medium-weight moisturizer that is non-irritating and contains ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin.” Dr. Love also highlights the prebiotics in the formula that work to support the skin’s microbiome.

THE REVIEW: “As someone who has struggled with acne for most of my life, most moisturizers either irritated my skin or triggered my acne. This has done the complete opposite. If anything, I have noticed positive changes with my texture as well as moisture control.”

Headshot of Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram

Headshot of Brooke Shunatona

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

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