29 best moisturisers of all time, according to our beauty editors who have tested thousands
Owning a reliable moisturiser is a no-brainer; a non-negotiable part of any solid skincare routine. You don’t just need very dry skin to reap the benefits. The best moisturiser should be like a cocooning, super-soft cashmere blankets for your skin during the colder months, and a lightweight linen cover-up in summer. It should hydrate your complexion, leave your skin feeling refreshed, and with some well-chosen ingredients, work with the serums, acids and mists you applied beforehand to fix a multitude of skin concerns.
Every skincare product applied prior to your face cream can be made practically redundant if you forget to ‘lock it all in’ with a healthy slick of your favourite lotion. Add to this the fact that, your makeup won’t sit as seamlessly unless you deal with those dry patches first, and you've got yourself a very solid case for investing in a high-quality moisturiser.
The question is: how on Earth do you go about finding the best moisturiser for you? Which moisturiser is best for your skin type? Which skincare ingredient should you prioritise? Do you crave a dose of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane?
Do you need a moisturiser with SPF? Should it be fragrance-free, oil-free and from the same skincare brand as your cleanser? Oh, and what moisturiser do celebs use? Here's everything you need to know, plus GLAMOUR's edit of the 29 best moisturisers of all time. Enjoy.
SKIP TO: What's the difference between moisturiser and serum? | When should I moisturise? | Which moisturiser is best for my skin type? | What is the best brand of moisturiser? | Full reviews.
Best moisturisers 2023 at a glance:
- Best daily moisturiser with SPF: Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect, £59, Medik8
- Best lightweight moisturiser: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, £65, Tatcha UK
- Best with vitamin C: Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C Serum, £59, Medik8
- Best plumping moisturiser: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, £89, LookFantastic
- Best affordable moisturiser: CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion, WAS £14.40 NOW £11.25, Amazon
- Best with hyaluronic acid: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser, £12.99, Amazon
Should I use moisturiser or a serum?
Moisturisers fortify the top layer of your skin, increasing hydration at the surface, while facial serums use active ingredients to penetrate the skin more deeply and target specific skincare concerns (like brightness, dark spots, skin tone or anti-ageing). Moisturisers and serums are the main way we can treat our skin to an injection of potent ingredients, and using both will only maximise the benefits.
Should I moisturise during the morning or night?
Both. For a day moisturiser, you should try and get some antioxidant action (vitamins A, B3, C or E) from your moisturiser so it's always a good idea to look out for potent plant extracts such as resveratrol, as well as some level of SPF (you still need to apply an actual SPF sunscreen, though). At night, should should use your night cream to incorporate a collagen-boosting retinoid, which is renowned for its rejuvenating, youth-boosting benefits.
After you’ve massaged in your moisturiser, don’t forget to gently dab on some eye cream (a caffeine eye cream, if you fancy), and use one of the best silk pillowcases while you sleep to complete your truly comprehensive skincare regime.
Just remember: everyone's skin concerns will differ slightly, so it's worth working out what your skin loves to sip on, taking into account seasonal or hormonal changes.
How do I choose the best moisturiser for my skin type?
Consider texture. If your skin is usually oily, stick to a really light lotion or something gel-based. If your complexion is quite dry and you suffer from dehydrated skin, consider a generous slather of something thicker. And if you're looking to treat skin conditions such as eczema, you might want to try a moisturiser with emollients to soothe your skin (though do consult a professional first). We've got more specific guides for each skin type down below:
What is the best women's moisturiser to buy? What brand of moisturiser is best?
If you've got a little more money to spend, our vote goes to Medik8. The Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect is one of the best moisturisers with sun protection we've tried, lightweight and formulated with DNA Repair Enzymes to support the skin’s natural repair mechanisms after exposure to UV, while their Daily Radiance Vitamin C moisturiser has a cashmere texture and uses a lipid-soluble form of vitamin C to provide exceptional antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals.
For affordable hydration and UV protection, reach for CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion, which is supercharged with a blend of three ceramides to lock in moisture to create the look of softer, smoother skin. It's also infused with CeraVe's patented MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology, so it delivers rich hydration throughout the day for a replenished effect as well as UV protection.
Elsewhere, Weleda's Skin Food has five stars all round, hailing it as a 'harsh weather lifesaver' as well as a throng of celebrity fans including Victoria Beckham, who loves to use it as a hand cream, and Julia Roberts, who reportedly slathers the rich, buttery balm from top-to-toe. There's also Tatcha's cult-favourite The Dewy Skin Cream, which contains a sophisticated blend of blend of hyaluronic acid and Okinawa algae to deeply enrich skin and instantly plump, leaving skin glowing with health and hydration.
For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.