As any dermatologist will tell you, your moisturiser is one of the most important weapons in your beauty arsenal. Because the best moisturisers don’t just deliver moisture, they also work to lock in all those other nutrients you’re putting on your skin, from yourvitamin C to yourretinol and, most crucially, yourhyaluronic acid. Of course, your serums,essences andsheet masks do their bit, but when it comes down to it, nothing beats a good moisturiser. “Moisturising the skin maintains the integrity of the skin’s barrier function, and is vital for good skin health,” says skin health specialist and founder of Decree, Dr Anita Sturnham.
How do I choose a moisturiser?
When it comes to finding the right moisturiser, it’s important to take external factors into account. For example, what’s the weather outside? If cold and dry, you might want to use a richer formula. If it’s hot and humid, a lighter formulation should suffice. Some days it might not matter what the weather is like and your skin might require some extra TLC, Dr Sturnham recommends keeping various formulations in your kit.“Your skin needs change on a day-to-day basis, with factors like stress, hormones, travel and lifestyle all impacting upon its hydration levels, leaving us prone to dryness. I recommend having two moisturisers – a light formulation and a richer one.”
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Again, it’s down to how your skin looks and feels. Some like to moisturise in the morning, and others in the evening. But most dermatologists would recommend finding a daytime moisturiser that suits you and then the best night cream for your needs. Because, what you’re essentially doing with a moisturiser protecting the top layers of the skin, known as the epidermal barrier, from external factors like UV rays, blue light, bacteria, pollution and fluctuating temperatures, meanwhile sealing all the moisture within. Applying it both morning and night can therefore make a huge difference to its quality and texture.
What is the best face moisturiser?
“To do all the above, the best face moisturiser will contain both humectant and emollient properties to support the skin. Ingredients like glycerin,hyaluronic acid andsqualane are brilliant ones to look out for,” says Sturnham. “Even if your skin is oily and often breaks out, it’s a myth that you should skip the moisturiser step. The key is just to ensure you are using a well-formulated product, which performs the protective function without clogging pores.” If you are concerned about oily skin, however, Sturnham suggests opting for a water-based product, which means ‘Aqua, water, deionised water’ should be the top three ingredients on the label. Meanwhile, those with dryer skin types should look to moisturisers that contain ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and urea.
What moisturisers do dermatologists recommend?
Most experts recommend products that have been made in collaboration with dermatologists, which is whyCeraVe is a very popular brand. In particular, its moisturisers contain a healthy dose of nutrients – ceramides, hyaluronic acid and patented MVE delivery technology – which keep the skin hydrated for longer. Other brands derms recommend includeDr Sam Bunting’s, La Roche-Posay, Medik8 and Skinceuticals. See below for recommendations for every skin type.
Vogue’s best moisturisers for every skin type
- Best moisturiser overall: Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30, £81
- Best moisturiser for dry skin: Glossier After Baume, £30
- Best moisturiser for oily skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat, £21
- Best moisturiser for radiant skin: Tatcha the Dewy Skin Cream, £67
- Best vitamin C moisturiser: Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C SPF 30 Cream, £59
- Best moisturiser for acne-prone skin: Eucerin Dermopurifyer Oil Control, £15
- Best affordable moisturiser: CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, £17
- Best affordable moisturiser for mature skin: Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Intensive Repair Moisturiser, £38
- Best moisturiser for rosacea: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Rosaliac AR Concentrate, £26
Read more: 20 Best Retinol Creams & Serums To Achieve A Youthful Glow
How we chose the best moisturisers
Every moisturiser in our edit comes vetted by skin experts, who we consulted for the ingredients that work best for every skin type. In addition, you’ll find the tried-and-tested favourites of the Vogue beauty team, chosen for the consistency, efficacy and long-term benefits of formulas we can personally vouch for. Whether you’re looking to restock your current moisturiser or find a new one to target specific skin concerns, below are our most trusted recommendations to help streamline your search.
Best moisturiser for dry skin
No matter how dry your skin is, slathering on the thickest cream you can find isn’t necessarily the answer, as tempting as it sounds. Because often, as Sturnham argues, “thicker products are packed full of pore-clogging ingredients, including silicones.” While silicones can also have huge protective benefits, some are better than others. Look for cyclomethicone, dimethicone, jojoba, candelilla and glycerin, which all provide intensive moisturisation without clogging.
Medik8
Ultimate Recovery Intense
Size: 30ml
Key ingredients: calming arnica, healing allantoin and repairing beta-glucan
Benefits: quells inflammation, redness and protects against bruising. Is free from parabens, synthetic colourants and fragrances
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Designed to defend the skin following professional treatments, Medik8’s moisturiser works wonders on dry and broken skin. Made with ingredients clinically proven to support the skin’s natural repair processes, it speeds up cell renewal and locks in moisture to shield weakened skin from the environment. The rich cream consistency is one we love in icy weather – it leaves a lasting barrier that protects against cold and moisture-whipping winds.
Glossier
After Baume
Size: 50ml
Key ingredients: humectants (glycerin and Cupuaçu butter), vitamin E rich babassu oil, fermented probiotics
Benefits: soothes sensitive skin, attracts and seals in moisture and balances the skin’s microbiome. Is vegan-friendly
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Rich in vitamins, nutrients and non-comedogenic oils, this moisturiser nourishes dry skin while reinforcing the microbiome for a healthy, protected barrier. Deeply hydrating, it is non-greasy thanks to Babassu oil which melts at body temperature and sinks in quickly for instant comfort.
Aesop
Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream
Size: 60ml
Key ingredients: an antioxidant-rich blend of parsley seed, white tea, vitamin E and rock rose
Benefits: though it’s a rich and replenishing formula, it’s mattifying, too, so you’re not left with an unwanted tacky residue
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Enriched with antioxidant-heavy ingredients and emollient botanicals, Aesop’s Parsley Seed Cream has a buttery formula that works to strengthen and replenish the skin. Plus, the brand’s signature herbaceous fragrance will keep you coming back for more.
Murad
Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream
Size: 48g
Key ingredients: nourishing bilberry seed oil, fatty acids – including omega 3 and 6 – as well as allantoin to retain moisture
Benefits: a complexion-boosting blend that leaves your skin feeling soft and supple
Why it's Vogue-approved:
If your skin’s feeling dry and lacklustre, Murad’s Cellular Hydration Cream could be the answer. Made up of fatty acids, nourishing oils and fast-acting compounds that mimic calming botanicals, this formula leaves skin feeling dewy and protected. While it’s great for dry skin, it will work for all complexions: from oily to combination.
Read more: Why Hydrating Serums Are The Ultimate Skincare Boost, According To Experts
Best moisturiser for oily skin
Though it may seem counterintuitive, those with oily skin will also need to invest in a good moisturiser. Just because the skin is oily, does not mean it is hydrated. “Look for the term ‘non-comedogenic’ (which means non-pore clogging) on the label, and ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid, phytoceramides and glycerin, because they won’t clog your pores,” explains Sturnham.
Eucerin
Dermopurifyer Oil Control Mattifying Fluid
Size: 50ml
Key ingredients: glycerin, salicylic acid, soothing licorice extract, and skin-softening dimethicone
Benefits: actively targets blemishes and acne, reduces redness and moisturises while regulating sebum
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Mattifying without being drying, this a great pick for those prone to shine. The salicylic acid has a comedolytic effect (which means it breaks down and prevents new comedones from forming) so if your oily skin tends to get breakouts and blackheads, this is the moisturiser for you. With glycerin to hydrate the skin and licorice to calm redness, it’s also an excellent choice for comforting sensitised acneic skin.
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Mat
Size: 40ml
Key ingredients: glycerin, mattifying perlite, sebum-controlling Sebulyse
Benefits: moisturises and exfoliates clogged pores with a non-comedogenic formula
Why it’s Vogue-approved
To moisturise skin while tackling excessive shine, La Roche Posay’s formula contains Perlite – a mineral from volcanic rock that effectively absorbs oil. Also in the mix is thermal spring water to calm irritation, glycerin to draw in moisture and Sebulyse to regulate sebum production. Heavily recommended by dermatologists for its hypoallergenic formula, it’s a safe bet for hydrating oily skin that errs on the sensitive side.
Best moisturiser for mature skin
As we age, our body’s reserves of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin depletes, while our skin barrier, which helps prevent transepidermal water loss, weakens, which is why it’s so crucial for those with mature skin to invest in a good moisturiser.
“To keep your skin barrier strong, look for formulas that are rich in ceramides,” says Brown. “We use an all-natural Ceramide Complex in our face oil,The Light Fantastic, to help build long-term resilience.”
