The Absolute Best Moisturizers for Every Skin Type (2025)

$16

Pros: Affordable and effective.
Cons: Consistency might be too thick for some.
Size: 2.5 fl oz
Skin type: Dry skin

This moisturizer has achieved cult status. It’s been mentioned many times on the Cut as a favorite of Julia Roberts, Victoria Beckham, makeup artists, models, authors, and more. People laud its thickness and the dewy sheen it leaves behind (some people even use it instead of highlighter). It’s primarily meant for the face and body, but it can also be used on the hands, hair, and anyplace else.

$23

Pros: Affordable and lightweight enough for those with oily skin.
Cons: You go through a jar fast.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Skin type: Dry and acne-prone skin

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.

$39

Pros: Formula jam-packed with ingredients that target so much more than moisture.
Cons: Tends to leave a white cast.
Size: 2 fl oz
Skin type: Dry skin

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.

$25

Pros: Fragrance-free.
Cons: The formula has been updated, much to the disdain of loyal customers.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Skin type: Dry and aging skin

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 over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.) One swipe of the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide-rich formula deeply moisturizes for a supersoft complexion. Hartman stresses the importance of avoiding fragrances if you have sensitive skin.

From $100

Pros: Incredibly moisturizing. A little goes a long way.
Cons: Pricey, and fragrance might be strong for some.
Size: 0.5 fl oz
Skin type: Dry skin

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.

$16

Pros: Subtle scent; moisturizes and heals acne scars.
Cons: Might be too thick for some.
Size: 2 fl oz
Skin type: Dry skin

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.

$36

Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Reviewers wish they would get more ounces considering the price.
Size: 1.35 fl oz
Skin type: Acne-prone skin

Another rec from 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.

$72

Pros: Non-greasy and extra moisturizing.
Cons: Price point.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Skin type: Oily and combination skin

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.

From $18

Pros: Can be used on adults and infants thanks to its soothing properties.
Cons: On the pricier side for a drugstore option.
Size: 1.3 fl oz
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin

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.

$15

Pros: Affordable, has SPF, and is long-lasting.
Cons: Might be too greasy for some skin types.
Size: 3 fl oz
Skin type: All skin types

For those of you who like to do the bare minimum but still want to protect your skin, this is the option for you. Apply this before heading out the door and Hartman says you’ll get moisture from the ceramides along with essential sunscreen protection thanks to the SPF 30. It has a 4.5-star rating out of five, and thousands of reviewers say it’s long lasting and absorbs quickly.

$24

Pros: Light but moisturizing and works great under makeup.
Cons: You will want a bigger tube.
Size: 1.86 fl oz
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin

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.

$78

Pros: High-quality formula that brings great results.
Cons: Expensive.
Size: 2 fl oz
Skin type: Combination and acne prone skin

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 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.

$45

Pros: Brings a squeeze key so you use the product until the last drop.
Cons: Formula is not as friendly for acne-prone skin.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Skin type: Dry skin

If you want a moisturizer that’s just as good as the Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore, but you don’t want to drop $100-plus, try Dieux’s Instant Angel instead. Not only our senior shopping editor, Bianca Nieves, swears by it but so does our deputy editor, Jen Ortiz, and our fashion writer, Danya Issawi.

$35

Pros: Nonirritating.
Cons: Might be too light for those with drier skin.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Skin type: Oily and acne-prone skin

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, Hartman also recommends gel moisturizers since they glide on easily and won’t irritate the acne on your face.

$240

Pros: Great for darker skin tones.
Cons: Pricey.
Size: 1.69 fl oz
Skin type: Oily and combination 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.

$58

Pros: Moisturizes and brightens skin.
Cons: Despite its hydrating nature, we find it ideal for your a.m. routine rather than your p.m. routine.
Size: 1.69 fl oz
Skin type: Dry and aging skin

We love a moisturizer that can do it all. This one from Eadem allows you to cut a few extra serums out of your routine if you want brighter skin. The airywhipped formula promises to brighten skin over time withniacinamide. Plus, it features ceramides and glycerin to help nourish the skin and lock in moisture.

$58

Pros: Helps correct dark spots.
Cons: It goes out of stock frequently.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Skin type: Dry skin

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.

$41

Pros: Fun to apply and lightweight
Cons: Users note it has been reformulated and has a stronger scent.
Size: 2 fl oz
Skin type: Oily and combination skin

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

$60

Pros: The peptide-infused formula promotes firm, supple skin.
Cons: It’s oil free and a few reviewers have said it’s not super-hydrating.
Size: 2.5 fl oz
Skin type: Acne-prone skin

Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden is the force behind many of the world’s most famous faces. Launched this year, the oil-free moisturizer is a blend of peptides, shea butter, squalane, and glycerin for a rich yet non-greasy feel. Former beauty director-at-large Maya Allen swears by its hydrating powers and says she wakes up to bouncy, refreshed skin. Ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin, this product is the key to a luminous, I-woke-up-like-this glow.

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