- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin, niacinamide, shea butter
- Texture: midweight soothing cream
- Best for: redness- or rosacea-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Discoloration: Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream
Why it’s worth it: Summer Fridays’ Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream has a weightless formula that checks a lot of boxes. “The blend of ceramides and humectants in this moisturizer packs a punch,” Dr. Landriscina says. Though he recommends this cream to dry, dehydrated, or sensitized skin, the addition of exfoliating pineapple enzymes gives it the power to address dark spots and hyperpigmentation. (So, if you’re wearing this during the day, make sure to follow with sunscreen.) Whatever your skin type, its brightening, tone-evening formula, and lightweight gel texture will leave it radiant.
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, amino acids, ceramides
- Texture: lightweight gel-cream
- Best for: people with dry or dull skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a face moisturizer?
The short answer: Absolutely. “Moisturizers are an essential part of every skin-care routine,” says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Just as our bodies require us to hydrate with water, so does our skin.” While our skin appears dewier almost instantly, the real benefits show up in the long term. The consistent use of moisturizers slows down the rate and intensity at which fine lines and wrinkles appear, she says.
This daily philosophy applies to all skin types and not just dry skin. “Overwashing without the appropriate use of a moisturizer will trigger an overproduction of oil on your skin,” says Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California. In short, if you don’t rehydrate your skin, it will become dried-out and irritated—which then opens your skin up to a cache of troubles.
“People confuse oil with hydration, so they don’t properly hydrate the skin,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “We now have really great ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, which balances oil and water in the skin.” Increased hydration supports a stronger barrier, Dr. Day says, which also helps curb oil production.
What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?
Consider your moisturizer as the cellophane that seals in the rest of your skin-care routine. In our beginner-friendly skin-care guide, dermatologists recommended three simple steps: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (during the day, of course).