27 Best Moisturizers [Tested and Reviewed]

Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrated Moisturizer ranks first in our best face moisturizer list for its ideal balance of hydrating and anti-aging properties. It works well for mature skin and younger complexions.

This moisturizer contains Tatcha’s proprietary HADASEI-3 complex of Uji green tea, Akita rice, and Okinawa algae – along with Japanese purple rice, hyaluronic acid, and carefully selected botanical extracts. There is a nice balance of skin recovery and skin protection properties to promote healthy aging.

It has a rich texture, but is otherwise easy to spread. We measured a 92.5% increase in skin hydration levels after four hours of application so it’ll certainly quench your skin’s thirst. The only real drawback is the scent. It’s not a synthetic fragrance, but it could possibly overwhelm those with sensitive noses.

Price-wise, it sits in the higher mid-range bracket so it may be a bit of a splurge for some. It comes in a jar and includes a spatula for hygienic application.

For balanced moisturizing and anti-aging capabilities, the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrated Moisturizer is sure to satisfy a broad range of skin types and needs.

La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with Niacinamide purports to repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Niacinamide is a water-soluble ingredient, and here it’s paired with glycerin and ceramidin-3. While it increased skin hydration by 94.7% in our 4-hour test, judging by the ingredients the focus is more on moisturizing than anti-aging.

Our testers appreciated how easy it was to apply, and said it blended well into their skin without leaving a sticky residue. There’s no added fragrance, nor does it really emit a scent. If you have sensitivities, this face moisturizer shouldn’t be bothersome.

It’s a much cheaper alternative to Tatcha. If you’re solely looking for an easy-to-apply moisturizer that’ll plump up your skin, we think the La Roche-Posay is a great choice.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer is a product that claims to tighten the skin around the eyes, jawline, and neck. While we can’t readily test those claims, we can proclaim that it’s very hydrating, increasing skin moisture by 100.67% after four hours of wear per our tests.

It’s formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and other hydrating ingredients. Although it claims to tighten skin, we noticed a lack of known anti-aging ingredients in the ingredients list.

While the natural scent isn't strong, some of our testers thought it smelled like medicine. Meanwhile, the texture may feel heavy at first but it becomes more airy up as you spread it, and blends nicely into the skin. Although it tends to feel sticky, it may not bother those who have extremely dry skin and crave heavy moisturization.

The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration is largely focused on protecting the skin’s moisture barrier. Four hours post-application, it increased skin moisture by 100.41% in our tests. However, opinions were mixed on the consistency of the formula, which some of our testers found sticky and too thick to spread. On the flip side, fans of this First Aid Beauty cream said it lays on their skin nicely.

The VICHY Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream includes hyaluronic acid and other known hydrating ingredients. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 86.58%. It locks in moisture well, but doesn’t offer much in terms of anti-aging. Our testers liked its compact container and clean scent, but it does contain synthetic fragrance so those with sensitive skin may want to look elsewhere.

The Clinique's Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer is an oil-free gel cream with a light, airy texture. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 75.2%. It’s suitable for normal skin types but may not be enough for severely dry skin. Although it’s not billed as an anti-aging product, it does contain ingredients that promote skin recovery to help slow aging. It also has added fragrance and caffeine, ingredients that could irritate sensitive skin.

The Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream aims to improve skin tone, texture, and firmness. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 75.95%. Looking at the ingredient list, it contains a rich variety of peptides, which play a role in skin recovery. (However, peptides can irritate sensitive skin.) Meanwhile, our testers found the jar dispenser difficult to use.

The Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream has a fruity fragrance that most of our testers approved of, but it could be irritating to those with sensitivities. There’s a mix of ingredients that promote skin recovery and protection, so it’ll suit those seeking a moisturizer with anti-aging properties. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 69.87%.

The Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is one of the least expensive products in our list. It’ll be sufficient for anyone with normal skin. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 76.91%. While it’s billed as fragrance-free, our testers did detect a slight scent of vanilla. Some may find it a bit sticky, but its light texture otherwise blends well into the skin.

The IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer features a nice blend of ingredients that target recovery and protection. We think it’ll be a nice complement to other anti-aging and hydrating measures you may include in your overall routine. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 61.55%. Our testers liked the herb-like citrus scent, but this fragrance could be irritating to others. 

The COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream is geared toward new users of retinol, a well-known anti-aging ingredient that’s used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s not incredibly hydrating, and the heavy texture may be a turn-off to those who prefer lighter formulas. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 59.9%.

The SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture formula is geared toward people with normal to oily skin and claims to help shrink pores while protecting the skin from environmental damage. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 53.04%. It’s not incredibly hydrating, nor is it that cheap, but it is rich in anti-aging components that promote recovery.

The INKEY List Omega Water Cream is an oil-free face moisturizer with niacinamide. It has no fragrance or dyes, and should be safe for those with sensitive skin. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 52.98%. The moisturizer is light and easy to spread, but our testers found it difficult to control the amount of product when squeezing it out of the tube. If you’re on a strict budget, this is one of the cheapest moisturizers on our list.

The SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 claims to restore your barrier function while fighting the signs of aging. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 51.2%. It’s not terribly hydrating but it does have notable anti-aging ingredients like fatty acids and pure ceramides. It has a light texture and doesn’t leave a sticky residue, but there is a floral scent that some people might find too strong.

Charlotte's Magic Cream from Charlotte Tilbury Beauty features a peptide complex and skin-cushioning emollients to diminish the signs of aging, along with hyaluronic acid and shea butter for hydration. The cream has a thick texture but it’s not nourishing enough for severe dry skin. Four hours after application, it increased skin moisture by 43.68%. It comes in a glass container that looks nice, but may not be practical to travel with since it’s heavy. Our testers had mixed opinions regarding the floral scent.