24 Best face moisturizers of 2023

Taking care of your skin becomes more important as you age. As they enter their late 20s and early 30s, many women and men start to realize how essential it is to implement a skincare routine to get brighter, healthier skin.

But with 27,945 face moisturizers to choose from, how could you possibly pick just one? We’ve rounded up the 24 best face moisturizers of 2023. They tackle problems like dry, sensitive skin, acne, and redness.

Before you start your shopping spree, identify your skincare needs so we can help you find the perfect match.

1. Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer 

If you’re only interested in the best face moisturizer of 2023, you’ll need to snag a tub of the Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer. The lotion is as cool as the packaging. The Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer is an anti-aging powerhouse that fights signs of aging while offering powerful nutrients and moisture to the skin.

The brand is a step ahead of other premium skincare and hair-care brands, with its own medical advisory board to ensure high-quality products for customers. Vegan, cruelty-free, and free from toxic materials like parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, the lotion has a whole lot of plant goodness to offer.

Let’s dive into what makes this moisturizer unique. The formula is fast-absorbing, so you don’t have to worry about a heavy, greasy feeling all day long. Made with 98.5% plants, fruits and minerals of natural origin, it’s safe for all skin types and concerns. Mango seed butter delivers vitamins C and E to protect the skin from environmental stressors. Seaweed extract is a natural antioxidant that offers hydration while brightening skin. Ascorbic acid, aka vitamin C, boosts dull, tired skin and helps you get that natural glow. Finally, moringa oil contains natural fatty acids and vitamins that keep skin moisturized and happy.

Sometimes simple is better, and your skincare routine with Blu Atlas can be oh-so-simple. Wash with the Face Cleanser and follow up with the Face Moisturizer to get healthier, brighter skin in two easy steps.

Think your skin needs a bit more loving? Take the quiz on the brand’s site to find out what premium skincare routine is ideal for you. The Face Moisturizer from Blu Atlas is the best face moisturizer of 2023.

2. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30

Doing double duty as a face moisturizer and SPF, this face moisturizer saves time and money in your skincare routine. The formula is exactly what you want in a dual-action moisturizer: It’s lightweight and non-greasy while offering 24-hour hydration. The cream glides onto the skin smoothly and protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays. It works well for most skin types, but some with sensitive skin say the essential oils clash with their skin.

3. Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer

Swipe this gel moisturizer onto the skin for a soothing, moisturizing treatment. Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is a hydrating moisturizer made with a lightweight gel. The rich ingredients support and restore the skin’s natural barrier, making it an ideal daily moisturizer. The gel moisturizer can diminish pore size, soothe redness and provide optimal hydration for the skin. Accepted by the National Eczema Association, it’s safe for all skin types.

4. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

This is a basic face moisturizer cream that hydrates skin without causing irritation. Skincare lovers love the low cost and skin benefits this tub provides. Ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid nourish and moisturize skin while boosting the skin’s natural barrier. Free from fragrance, it has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, meaning it’s safe for folks with dry or sensitive skin. Use the lotion on your face or body to get smooth, soft skin.

5. Weleda Sensitive Care Facial Cream

Formulated for folks with dry, sensitive skin, Weleda’s Sensitive Care Facial Cream is a daily moisturizer gentle enough for everyday use. Many men and women with sensitive skin struggle to find a moisturizer that is delicate enough not to disrupt the balance of the skin while still offering soothing, calming ingredients that can reduce redness, irritation and itchiness. The Weleda Sensitive Skin Care Facial Cream treads that delicate line with the help of sweet almond oil. The lotion deeply moisturizes and hydrates the skin without stressing it out. Best of all, it’s free from synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, dyes and synthetic preservatives.

6. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Keep things simple with The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. This is a straightforward moisturizer that offers skin support and protection from external environmental stressors. Ingredients that occur naturally in facial skin are bolstered and supported by a clear list of naturally derived ingredients. Ceramides, fatty acids, amino acids, hyaluronic acids and phospholipids protect the skin while keeping it hydrated. People who use The Ordinary products know they’re basic but effective, and they always do what they say. The lotion doesn’t leave a greasy residue, so it’s great for day or night application.

7. Cetaphil Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20

Finding moisturizers that are safe for sensitive skin is difficult. That’s why so many men and women love Ceteaphil’s Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer. It’s a specially formulated dual-action moisturizer that protects skin from UVA and UVB rays while offering solutions for sensitive skin prone to redness. Fragrance-free, oxybenzone-free, octinoxate-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic, the moisturizer works well for all skin types.

The lotion uses a unique blend of ingredients to offer a safe moisturizer for all. Allantoin, caffeine, vitamin E and licorice extract are the most potent ingredients in the blend. We recommend this to those with sensitive skin who want to use one of the best moisturizers of 2023.

8. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

Throw your budget out the window with this high-quality face moisturizer. Lala Retro Whipped Cream is a best-selling moisturizer that adds extreme nourishing hydration to the face. A blend of ceramides, phytosphingosine and six African oils dissolves into the skin and offers intense moisture. Non-greasy and free from fragrance and silicones, it’s an easy choice for men and women who want a decadent whipped cream moisturizer that is a luxury treatment.

9. Tula Skincare 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream

Gorgeous blue and full of probiotics and superfoods, 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream is a perfect moisturizer that can do it all: light moisture all day and deep hydration at night. Working to hydrate, revitalize and wake up tired skin, the cream is lightweight and non-greasy. Squalane and peptides offer unique benefits and create healthier, happier skin. It’s also non-comedogenic, so you never have to worry about clogged pores or breakouts.

10. Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream

Let your skin delight in the vitamins and nutrients Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream gives to the skin. The light-green balm is a soothing, smoothing cream that boosts hydration, fills in fine lines and wrinkles, and helps skin find its natural glow. Kale, green tea, spinach and hyaluronic acid work together to bring optimal protection and hydration to the skin. One hundred percent vegan and free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil and dimethicone, it’s safe for skin and doesn’t irritate. This lightweight cream works well with oily skin.

11. A-DERMA Compensating Cream

This compensating cream fights the dryness and irritation that are often caused by intense chemical acne treatments. The product should be used alongside your acne treatments, which can make skin feel prickly, irritated and bothered. The Compensating Cream combats irritating acne treatments by soothing and hydrating skin. It’s not meant to be used as a daily moisturizer, so just use it after harsh acne treatments.

12. Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer

Acne-prone skin is often fickle and hard to moisturize. Oily skin is different. It’s prone to clogging and can’t handle certain moisturizing ingredients. Kate Somerville’s Oil Free Moisturizer is made specifically for these types of skin.

Oil Free Moisturizer is a lightweight, grease-free lotion that absorbs quickly. Ingredients like red marine algae offer oily skin unique benefits while reducing signs of aging and hydrating skin all day long. It’s the perfect barrier to protect the skin from environmental stressors without creating painful lumps and bumps.

13. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream

You won’t believe how moisturizing this grocery store face moisturizer is. Holy Hydration! Face Cream from e.l.f. is a fragrance-free moisturizer that works well for all skin types, even folks with oily or sensitive skin. Extremely affordable, it’s an easy pick for men and women who don’t want to empty their wallets to get a high-quality skincare product. With this moisturizer, you can keep the money in your wallet while reaping the benefits of incredible ingredients like squalane, niacinamide, peptide complex and hyaluronic acid. It’s free from parabens, triclosan, hydroquinone and phthalates, so you can swipe it on your skin with confidence.

14. The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer

The Inkey offers affordable self-care products for all men and women. Their Peptide Moisturizer uses multiple peptides and Royal Epigen to support facial skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The brand is popular with men and women who want simple, effective products. A lightweight daily moisturizer, it works well for all skin types.

15. Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 35

Keeping things budget-friendly and skin-friendly, Cetaphil’s Daily Oil-Free Facial Moisturizers is one of our top picks. Not only is it a dual-action moisturizer offering protection from UVA and UVB rays, but it’s also ridiculously affordable with wonderful skin benefits. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it’s one of the best daytime moisturizers for folks who want to take extra care of their skin.

The skin gets extra nutrients and vitamins with ingredients like vitamin E, B3, B5 and edelweiss flower. Moisture and hydration last up to 24 hours with each application, so you don’t have to waste any lotion with multiple reapplications. It has been tested by dermatologists and clinically proven, so we confidently recommend it for all skin types and concerns.

16. Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Walk into any department store, and you’ll see a wide range of Clinique’s premium self-care products. Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is a high-quality gel cream that offers hydration for 100 hours. Hyaluronic acid and aloe bio-ferment are the star ingredients, providing extreme moisture and nourishment. The cream works well for all skin types, is oil-free and contains nourishing ingredients, making it an excellent pick for those who want a long-lasting moisturizer.

17. Acure Ultra Hydrating Overnight Dream Cream

This powerhouse product is like an all-night spa treatment for your face. Acure’s Ultra Hydrating Overnight Dream Cream is an overnight hydrating mask that gives skin extreme glow, moisture and nutrients. Perfect for thirsty skin or folks who suffer from weather-related dryness, it’s a face mask you can leave on all night to hydrate dry, tired skin. Acure’s products are always vegan and free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum and formaldehyde. Using powerful moisturizing ingredients like hemp seed oil, melatonin and shitake mushroom, the cream dives deep into the skin while you sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed.

18. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

You can’t go wrong with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. If you want a face moisturizer that really works and offers the best hydrating benefits, this one’s for you. Swipe on some of Kiehl’s cream every morning to protect the skin’s barrier from environmental stressors. The formula dives deep into the skin to nourish and hydrate the skin throughout the day. Full of high-quality ingredients, it won’t irritate or bother the skin. It’s one of the best face moisturizers of 2023 for folks who want a simple solution to dry skin.

19. Hanacure Nano Emulsion Multi-Peptide Moisturizer

Skincare lovers rave about Hanacure’s Nano Emulsion Multi-Peptide Moisturizer. The fancy name means that the product uses nanotechnology alongside peptides to create an emulsion that boosts the appearance of the skin. The product is pH neutral, meaning it won’t disrupt your skin’s natural balance and biome. Peptides, mushroom extract, squalane and sodium hyaluronate revitalize the skin and give it fresh hydration with each application. Hanacure’s proprietary nanotechnology ensures the moisturizer absorbs into the skin as efficiently as possible. It even works with sensitive skin, which is most likely because it’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, fragrance and alcohol.

20. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

We’d be shocked if you haven’t heard of or seen this fan-favorite face moisturizer. Available at most grocery stores and pharmacies, the cream is a popular pick for folks with mature or aging skin. It’s a pro-aging riot of ingredients that treat dry, normal or combination skin. Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and amino peptides plump up skin with hydrating elements and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you want to test out the product before buying, check out your mom’s or aunt’s bathroom counter. We’re sure they’ll have it.

21. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream

Get skin bursting with hydration from Neutrogena’s Hydro Gel-Cream. The gel cream is a bestselling product due to its ridiculously hydrating ingredients and cool gel feel. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin make the moisturizer a blast of hydration and soothe and smooth skin. Men and women who love the product rave about the gel cream, which absorbs quickly and feels incredibly nourishing and enriching for the skin. The gel moisturizer works well for all skin types and is especially good for those with oily skin. We also love that it’s an affordable option.

22. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

The French are known for their extraordinary skincare products and secrets. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a facial moisturizer that works well for all skin types. Fighting signs of aging while moisturizing the skin, this lightweight lotion works wonders for the skin. Key ingredients support skin health while giving it a boost. Shea butter moisturizes the skin while improving skin elasticity. Soy proteins reduce signs of aging by adding firmness to the skin, and aloe vera and shea butter offer incredible all-day hydration. This product is suitable for all skin types, but it works exceptionally well for those with dry, dehydrated skin.

23. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Moisturizing Cream

Does everything seem to stress your skin out? If you’ve been searching for a moisturizer made for those with severe skin sensitivities, this is the best lotion for you. Toleriane Dermallergo Moisturizing Cream was formulated for men and women who can’t get hydration relief from standard face moisturizers. The cream is free from parabens, alcohol, preservatives and fragrances, which can all stress out skin and cause redness, irritation and itchiness. It’s the best face moisturizer of 2023 for folks with ultra-sensitive skin.

24. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

Eliminate dry, itchy, flaky skin today with Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration. Colloidal oatmeal and ceramides rescue dry, dehydrated skin and offer incredible nourishment and hydration. Richy, creamy and incredibly refreshing, the cream revives the skin. While the cream is safe for all skin types, it’s a favorite of those with eczema or flaky dry skin.

The basics of face moisturizer

There are an overwhelming number of face moisturizer options on the market. We’ll help you narrow down your choices so you can stay within budget.

What does a face moisturizer do?

Think of a facial moisturizer as a barrier that stands between your delicate facial skin and the rest of the world. While acting as a protective barrier, moisturizer also hydrates and nourishes skin, ensuring it stays healthy. All moisturizers should protect your skin while working as a barrier. Great moisturizers act as a barrier and support specific skincare needs like acne, redness or dryness.

How to pick the right face moisturizer

We highlighted the top features to be aware of when searching for the right hydrating liquid. Skin type and concerns are the two most important to be mindful of when finding your ideal moisturizer.

Identify your skin type

Knowing your skin type is the first step to choosing the right moisturizer.

• Dry skin is often irritated, flaky or red. Men and women with dry skin should look for moisturizing or hydrating lotions that offer all-day moisture.

• Oily or acne-prone skin is easy to identify by excess oil, acne spots or painful red bumps.

• Combination skin can bounce between oily and dry skin symptoms. Those with combination skin often notice a link between their skin and the weather or their diet.

• Sensitive skin is often dry, irritated and red, and may have itchy patches.

• Normal skin isn’t often irritated. Those with normal skin may have acne or excess oil every so often, but it’s not a recurring problem.

Determine your skin concerns

What type of skin concerns do you want to treat? If you’re treating acne, you’ll want an oil-free moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores. Or, if sensitive skin is a recurring problem, opt for a lightweight moisturizer made for sensitive skin, like Cetaphil’s Redness Relieving Daily Facial moisturizer.

Ingredients

Look for skin-loving ingredients to get the most from your moisturizer. Good ingredients include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, mango seed butter, seaweed extract, hemp seed oil and other plant botanicals.

Chemicals to avoid

Using fragrance-free or unscented lotions is important for those with dry or sensitive skin. Synthetic or artificial fragrances often irritate dry or sensitive skin.

Everyone should try to avoid using products with phthalates, parabens, sulfates and mineral oil.

Price

Because moisturizer is necessary for any skincare routine, you’ll have to purchase it often. Some moisturizers have shocking price tags, which may or may not be justified. Look for affordable lotions that still use high-quality ingredients, like the Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer.

Whatever your budget is for face moisturizer, know that you’ll be investing in your health with each purchase, but it should remain affordable for you.

How to use a face moisturizer

With just-washed hands, squeeze a dime-sized amount of product onto your fingers. Dab the moisturizer on the chin, cheeks, nose and forehead. Then rub it into the skin with upward strokes. Don’t push or pull the skin, as this can cause signs of aging.

Try to stick to a skincare routine that’s easy to follow. It’s best to apply moisturizer twice a day, once in the morning and once before you go to sleep.

When to apply face serum with a moisturizer

The rule of thumb with skincare products is to apply products from light to heavy. Always wash your face before applying any skincare products to ensure you get rid of dirt and dead skin cells. With a clean face, you can apply a serum, and after it has absorbed into the skin, you can apply a moisturizer.

When to apply sunscreen with moisturizer

Sticking to the rule of applying products from lightest to heaviest, you should apply SPF or sunscreen last. The sunscreen should be the top layer and barrier that protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Always apply sunscreen during your skincare routine. If you can’t bear the thought of another step in your routine, buy a dual-purpose facial moisturizer with SPF, like Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 35 (it protects against UVA and UVB rays).

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to use face oil instead of a moisturizer?

While using a facial oil in your skincare routine is safe, we don’t recommend replacing your moisturizer with oil. Facial oils do have a lot of moisture, but they offer different protection benefits for the skin. They also don’t work for many people as the oil can clog pores and cause acne spots and bumps. They’re an excellent addition for men and women with dry, sensitive skin requiring more moisture. We recommend that you use facial oils sparingly.

How often should I apply face moisturizer?

This often depends on your skin type. While most experts recommend moisturizing twice daily after washing your face, some skin types may need more or less. If you’re dealing with seriously dry skin, applying moisturizer up to three times per day may be appropriate.

Can I use moisturizer if I have oily skin?

Yes, you should use moisturizer no matter your skin type. People with oily skin should use lighter face moisturizers that won’t clog pores. Look for lotions that are oil-free, non-comedogenic and water-based (instead of oil-based). Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream are two great face moisturizers for oily skin.

What’s the best face moisturizer of 2023?

The best face moisturizer of 2023 is the Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer. If you want a moisturizer that offers the most benefits and gives you the most bang for your buck, it’s this one. The clean ingredients are made with 98.5% plants, fruits and minerals of natural origin. The moisturizer soothes skin, hydrates and gives you a healthy glow. Stop testing out face moisturizers that just don’t work and try out one that does. The Face Moisturizer from Blu Atlas is our top pick for moisturizers this year.