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It's time to start asking yourself the important questions: Do I have a broad spectrum sunscreen in my routine? Is my cleanser doing its job? Most importantly, do I have a reliable moisturizer that meets all my current skin needs?
NYC-based board certified dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad explains that a moisturizer is only as good as the ingredients it contains. Those with dry complexions "should specifically look for facial moisturizers that contain emollients, humectants, ceramides, niacinamide and growth factors, as these ingredients create a proper barrier to seal in moisture." All of us (greasy, combination, acne-prone, undecided) should avoid "ingredients that could block pores or cause a reaction, such as preservatives and chemicals."
Whether you get your moisture fix from a splurge-worthy cult-favorite or timeless drugstore formula, below, shop 15 ELLE editor-approved face moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated all day long.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below Moisturizer Schaf CA$45.00 SHOP NOW
"Touching your face is a big skincare no-no, but after I apply this squalane and niacinamide infused cream, I can’t help but admire how silky my skin feels. As someone with a highly reactive complexion, I love that it’s formulated without fragrance, essential oils, or artificial color." — Taylor Davis, ELLE Beauty Assistant
Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer Drunk Elephant $68.00 SHOP NOW
"I was first introduced to this beauty when I was gifted Drunk Elephant’s The Littles set featuring eight, skin-saving products formulated to transform the skin’s texture. Of the bunch, the bite-sized Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer was the first one I finished because it’s just that good. Because I use retinol throughout the week, there’s no escaping the inevitable dry patches that appear all over my skin. But this cream—packed with ingredients like pygmy waterlily stem cell extract and soybean folic acid ferment extract—soothes my skin so I wake up with a hydrated glow." — Nerisha Penrose, Associate Editor
DeliKate™ Recovery Cream Kate Somerville $80.00 SHOP NOW
"I am one of the unlucky people who seems to have worse skin while in quarantine. The combination of stress, wearing a face mask, and (finally) faithfully using my retinol has made my skin super sensitive. I was instantly drawn to Kate Somerville’s newest launch because of the pretty packaging, but keep using it because it’s made specifically for sensitized skin. Smoothing it on my face feels like I’ve draped a cool washcloth over my face—completely calming." —Margaux Anbouba, ELLE Associate Beauty Editor
Vinosource SOS Intense Hydration Moisturizer Caudalie $42.00 SHOP NOW
"I’m usually a serum or an oil, person, but when I do use a cream, I like it to feel soft and easy to massage my skin with. If I’m turning to a cream it usually means my skin needs some kind of break, either from the actives in the serums or the heaviness of the oils. My rescue sauce is Caudalie Vinosource SOS Intense Moisturizing Cream which has grape water to soothe (hey, it’s not always about rose water, ok?) and squalane, which is a reliable, simple hydrator."— Katie Becker, ELLE Beauty and Health Director
Hydra Beauty Créme Hydration Protection Radiance CHANEL $87.00 SHOP NOW
"After several weeks of complaining about my smelly moisturizer (that shall not be named) a friend recommended that I switch to this cream—or I should say créme, because she’s fancy. It’s pricey so I use more sparingly than I would other products but I find that its calming scent—a combination of Camellia blossom, blue ginger, and shea butter—helps combat my stress each morning and night." —Katie Connor, Digital Director
Moistfull Collagen Cream Etude House $25.91 $18.50 (29% off) SHOP NOW
"I discovered this wonder during one of my many phases of trying to fix my vexing skin by obsessively reading K-Beauty blogs and buying (a lot) of products. I've since pared back my routine, but one of the products that have become a mainstay is Etude House's Moistfull Collagen Cream. It goes on super lightweight because of its gel texture but packs a serious hydration punch, all without being tacky or greasy, and sinks in quickly. I love to use it after I've picked my face (sorry) or my skin feels parched, with the collagen and vitamin E helping to heal any damage. Use it at night to wake up with skin as nourished and plumped as a baby." — Katherine Kruger, ELLE.com Features Editor
Daily Facial Moisturizer Cetaphil $16.99 SHOP NOW
"Sometimes, you’ve got to go back to the basics. That, for me, was a few weeks ago, after I tested a new fashion-house beauty serum and woke up with my face, literally, on fire. It was a full-blown case of dermatitis: the burning, itching, swelling, redness, soreness, dryness, peeling, breakouts. After a digital consult with my derm, I put all my luxury skincare aside and switched over to all things Cetaphil. I, even on my best skin days, only use Cetaphil cleanser. But the brand’s cream—thick, hydrating, gentle, and built for sensitive skin—came through. It’s calming salve-meets-intense moisture boost. Something we could all use, on the best and worst of skin days." —Angel Lenise, ELLE.com Supervising Video Producer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Clinique $28.00 SHOP NOW
"I prefer my skincare routine to be as uncomplicated and unobtrusive as possible. I've been using Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for years and it delivers exactly this. I have dry skin, so this moisturizer helps to soften and soothe irritation while also remaining light after application. I dab a small amount twice a day and let the serum do the rest—not much maintenance required for this moisturizer."—Savannah Walsh, ELLE.com Editorial Fellow
Complete All Day Moisturizer With SPF15 Olay $8.99 SHOP NOW
"I’ve been using Olay Complete as a morning and evening face moisturizer for as long as I can remember. It’s also a staple in my mom’s skincare routine, which she says is the reason she’s been able to maintain a glowing, poreless complexion for years! Olay Complete’s oil-free formula protects your skin from the sun (SPF 15), plus it has vitamins E, B3, and C." —Rose Minutaglio, ELLE.com Staff Writer
The Moisturizing Soft Cream La Mer $90.00 SHOP NOW
"I’m the type to risk— er, spend —it all on skincare, and after being graced by the #GiftedByLaMer gods, I’ve made it a point to budget for the brand’s Moisturizing Soft Cream. It’s a lighter version of the super-rich La Mer Crème, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, soft, and smooth, without unwanted dewiness (read: oil-slick free). It’s worthy to note that my skin rests at the intersection of sensitive, oily, and dry, and this is a moisturizer I can use year-round, no matter what tricks my epidermis is trying to pull. Plus…let me be honest…it makes me feel r i c h! And feeling is halfway to actually being, right?"—Angel Lenise, ELLE.com Supervising Video Producer
Magic Cream Moisturizer Charlotte Tilbury $29.00 SHOP NOW
"This everyday moisturizer truly earns the title "Magic Cream." Charlotte Tilbury's formula has completely transformed my skin, improving its texture and glow thanks to powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Vitamins C and E. I feel very #rich massaging it into my skin in the morning, but it actually saves me time and money by doubling as a makeup primer." – Ariana Yaptangco, ELLE.com Social Media Editor
Aqua Cream Amarte $93.00 SHOP NOW
"I've been dabbling here and there with adding Korean skin products to my skincare regimen. What I love about this moisturizer is not only does it keep my skin from drying out but it contains a bit of retinol, that anti-aging miracle worker my dermatologist swears by. I've incorporated this moisturizer seamlessly into my daily routine and my sensitive skin had no issue with it. It's pricy but a really great product that has lasted me for months—even with my twice-daily use."— Alyssa Bailey, ELLE.com News Editor
Concentrated Lait Cream Embryolisse Skin Care $28.00 SHOP NOW
"This is one of those stereotypical products you see on those 'French Girl' lists, but it really does work. I wear it during the day with an SPF oil layered on top, then glob it on at night like a mask for an extra dose of moisture."— Justine Carreon, ELLE.com Market Editor
Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer Drunk Elephant $60.00 SHOP NOW
"One of our editors passed this moisturizer onto me this past winter, and it became my go-to for those cold, dry months. My skin looooves to be moisturized, and even when it was going through its roughest moments (figuratively and literally), I knew this Drunk Elephant cream would be there to help get it back to normal. It’s fairly pricey for a moisturizer, but if you’re looking to indulge, it should definitely be a contender." — Madison Feller, ELLE.com Staff Writer
Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer Fresh $15.00 SHOP NOW
"Of all the face moisturizers that occupy the space on my bedroom dresser—from 'firming' night creams to 'brightening,' vitamin-C rich versions—Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Cream is the one that has a permanent residency. Its thick magical mixture gives my skin a huge boost of hydration and I love how soft and supple my skin feels once it absorbs into my skin." ― Nerisha Penrose, Assistant Editor
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