The Absolute Best Moisturizers for Every Skin Type

If your skin type is normal, oily, or combination, this best-selling lightweight moisturizer is for you. It’s packed with glycerin, which was one of the must-have ingredients on Dr. Hartman’s list. Others include vitamin E and algae extracts to nourish, hydrate, and minimize pores. It has more than 500 five-star reviews, which claim it goes on smooth, doesn’t cause irritation, and isn’t greasy. Plus a little goes a long way with this one.

Pros: High-quality formula that brings great results.
Cons: Expensive.

Ideal for those who want moisture yet worry about breaking out, this moisturizer absorbs almost instantly so that your skin feels softer, nourished, and not at all greasy. The gel-cream consistency spreads evenly, but feels more like a liquid once applied. It is also one of the least expensive moisturizers on this list and has over 34,000 five-star Amazon ratings.

Pros: Affordable and lightweight enough for those with oily skin.
Cons: You go through a jar fast.

Another rec from Dr. Hartman is this lightweight formula that restores the skin’s barrier without increasing oiliness, leaving a nice finish. It reduces visible pores and leaves a soft matte look if you struggle with excess oil and shine. The pore-minimizing effect also makes it an excellent base for makeup. As for the customer feedback, one reviewer with acne-prone combination skin called it “unparalleled perfection” after giving it a whirl.

Pros: Lightweight and great for acne-prone skin.
Cons: Reviewers wish they would get more ounces considering the price.

This moisturizer does everything. It has a very hydrating base of glycerin and shea butter. In addition, it contains SPF 50, a healthy dose of antioxidants from coffee seed and apples, and tone-boosting ingredients like niacinamide and licorice. Reviewers of all skin tones note that it blends in nicely, without any sort of gray cast. If you forget to apply sunscreen every day, this is a good pick.

Pros: Formula jam-packed with ingredients that target so much more than moisture.
Cons: Tends to leave a white cast.

It’s not the flashiest of moisturizers, but this one has a long-standing reputation in the beauty world — it works really well and has zero scent. (It also has almost 9,000 four-star reviews on Amazon). One swipe of the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide-rich formula deeply moisturizes for supersoft complexion. Dr. Hartman stresses the importance of avoiding fragrances if you have sensitive skin.

Pros: Fragrance-free.
Cons: The formula has been updated, much to the disdain of loyal customers.

Over the summer, this cream quickly became Sephora’s best-selling moisturizer and sold out twice. It has a gel texture that instantly becomes a rich, silky moisturizer on skin contact, and it moisturizes without getting greasy.

Pros: Nongreasy and extra moisturizing.
Cons: Price point.

If your skin is flaky and irritated, you will love this rich, soothing moisturizer. It’s a little on the heavier side, so it’s a good pick for those going through the “Retinoid Uglies” (Sephora reviewers also note that it’s great for anyone using Accutane). It’s formulated with shea butter and colloidal oatmeal, which is known to relieve itching.

Pros: Great for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.
Cons: Formula might be too thick for some.

Those with chronic eczema praise this cream for its ability to heal and soothe particularly stubborn patches. It is a French drugstore find that contains thermal spring water (known for its healing properties), but also has clinical results that back up its effectiveness at repairing the skin barrier. It’s so soothing that it’s even suitable to use on infants.

Pros: Can be used on adults and infants thanks to its soothing properties.
Cons: On the pricier side for a drugstore option.

The price tag is steep, but celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman swear by this moisturizer (J.Lo was rumored to use it as a body moisturizer). Its origin story is legendary and involves psychics, a mystery NASA scientist, fake-death conspiracy theories, and more. La Mer’s proprietary “Miracle Broth” is made with seaweed and allegedly works to smooth fine lines, shrink pores, and restore radiance. Most effective on very, very dry skin, the dense cream melts when applied. Celebrity makeup artists like Hung Vanngo use this on their clients like Chrissy Teigen and Selena Gomez.

Pros: Incredibly moisturizing. A little goes a long way.
Cons: Pricey, and fragrance might be strong for some.

This velvety cream feels great and absorbs quickly to replenish very dry skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants that purportedly boost collagen and smooth fine lines when your skin is looking less than great. Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury says she’s used this cream for years at fashion shows and on photo shoots with her loyal clients like Amal Clooney and Kate Moss.

Pros: Editor-approved thanks to its super-hydrating properties.
Cons: Price point.

Buttah was created to treat melanin-rich skin and everyday skin issues like dryness and discoloration. This moisturizer is especially great for colder months because of its 100 percent-shea-butter base and ingredients like hyaluronic acid. It feels thick but deeply soothes and hydrates the skin. Shea butter is made of several types of fatty acids and is known to be anti-inflammatory, with studies showing it can also be beneficial in healing acne scars. This cream has a subtle yet pleasing natural shea-butter scent.

Pros: Subtle scent; moisturizes and heals acne scars.
Cons: Might be too thick for some.

Dubbed the “new La Mer” by some, this very fancy moisturizer is beloved by celebrities (like Melanie Griffith and Diane Kruger), fashion people, and beauty editors alike. It comes with its own mythical-sounding origin story, and no one is quite sure how it works — but lots of people swear by it for giving them better-looking, smoother, and what they describe as younger-looking skin.

Pros: Works wonders on all skin types.
Cons: Pricey.

If the phrase “oil free” is soothing to your heart, this moisturizer is for you. Despite not containing oil, it’s still extremely moisturizing, thanks to mix of four types of hyaluronic acid. It’s very positively reviewed on Sephora, with hundreds of people praising it as being the absolute best for oily skin. If you struggle with breakouts, Dr. Hartman also recommends gel moisturizers since they glide on easily and won’t irritate the acne on your face.

Pros: Works great for oily skin, nonirritating.
Cons: Might be too light for those with drier skin.

Dr. Barbara Sturm has a cult following, and you should believe the hype of the reviews flooding your Instagram feed from people such as Chrissy Rutherford and Danielle Prescod. Formulated specifically for darker skin tones and containing ingredients like African whitewood bark and magnolia to reduce excess oils, this face cream really hydrates the skin.

Pros: Great for darker skin tones.
Cons: Pricey.

Leave it to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss to create a moisturizer that hydrates your skin while also prevents future discoloration. Our senior shopping editor loves to pair hers with the brand’s Major Fade Hyper Serum.

Pros: Helps correct dark spots.
Cons: It goes out of stock frequently.

Another holy grail for people with sensitive skin. If you loved the brand’s SOS spray, then you’ll love the moisturizer. Made with the same ingredients, this product is great when you have flare-ups or your skin needs to recover. Our shopping writer, Chinea Rodriguez, vouches for it.

Pros: Light but moisturizing and works great under makeup.
Cons: You will want a bigger tube.

Managing editor Rachel Bashein recommends this nice but light moisturizer from Youth to the People.

Pros: Fun to apply and lightweight enough for all skin types.
Cons: Users note it has been reformulated and has a stronger scent.

Another moisturizer board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss highly recommends. Who said an under-$20 option wouldn’t give maximized results? Thanks to its formulation, your skin (and wallet) will be feeling great.

Pros: Affordable.
Cons: Small packaging.