Courtesy of DieuxThere’s nothing worse than dealing with dry, flaky, irritated skin. That’s why a good moisturizer is so crucial to my skincare routine.
Apart from sunscreen, it’s the one product that I truly can’t live without, considering I have a dry skin type.
I’ve tried hundreds of moisturizers, but only a few get a permanent spot on my top shelf. And lucky for you, I’m going to share my top picks. I’ve spent hours scanning countless reviews to find fan-favorite options that people swear by.
If you love a super thick moisturizer, Rhode’s Barrier Balm and the cult-classic Weleda Skin Food are solid options. If you like one that with a rich texture but lightweight absorption, I can’t get enough of the French girl favorite Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré and the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream.
Looking for a budget-friendly pick? Opt for a no-nonsense option from Vanicream ($14) or e.l.f.’s light and airy moisturizer that’s just $13.
Thanks to these ultra-hydrating moisturizers, you can say goodbye to dry skin for good. Keep scrolling to shop 12 of the best editor-approved and reviewer-loved moisturizers.
The Best Facial Moisturizers
Editor-Loved: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream, $22.95
Celeb-Approved: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $33
Top Rated: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, $29
Best Bargain: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, $13.29
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This is my holy grail moisturizer that I’ve been using for years. A French girl beauty secret, it leaves my skin feeling dewy, soft, and deeply hydrated for hours. Because of its lightweight texture, it works amazing beneath makeup.
5-Star Ratings: 26,200+
Rave Review: “The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is incredibly nourishing and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. My skin feels soft, hydrated, and smooth after every use. It works beautifully under makeup or on its own for a natural glow. I’ve noticed my skin looking healthier and more radiant since I started using it.”
Lala Kent says: “I like to use this at night with my snail mucin. Combine these, and you will wake up feeling like you have bouncy, dewy, yummy skin.”
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream
This new K-beauty kid on the block and I’m already obsessed with this moisturizer, which feels nourishing but never greasy. It’s formulated with niacinamide and ceramides, which not only hydrates but also treats blemishes and dark spots.
Rave Review: “I love this moisturizer, I am on my 4th tube. I have sensitive, oily, acne prone skin also prone to blemishes and it saved my skin. It is very hydrating but still lightweight, it’s not sticky and makes your face glow without looking greasy. The texture is beautiful feels good on the skin.”
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
You can’t beat the price on this no-nonsense moisturizer that’s been around forever. Made with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, it has a lightweight texture that absorbs into the skin quickly. Fragrance-free, it’s ideal for those with sensitive skin.
5-Star Ratings: 20,400+
Rave Review: “This moisturizer is perfect if you have sensitive skin. It’s lightweight, fragrance-free, and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue. My skin feels soft, hydrated, and calm after using it, and I love that it doesn’t cause irritation or breakouts. It layers well under sunscreen and makeup, making it a great everyday option.”
Dieux Instant Angel Lipid & Peptide-Rich Moisturizer + Barrier Repair
Replenish your skin barrier with this ultra-rich moisturizer from “it girl” brand Dieux. It contains nourishing lipids, amino acids, and peptides to hydrate, strengthen your skin barrier, and plump fine lines.
Rave Review: “I have quite oily, sensitive & somewhat acne prone skin so moisturizers are tricky. I usually have to sacrifice hydration that can smooth my fine lines so I don’t break out. This plumps the lines and doesn’t cause break outs. I saw instant results!”
Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer
I can attest that this moisturizer is 100% worth the splurge. Since it’s lightweight, it’s a great option for those with oily or combination skin. It delivers a lasting radiant glow that looks amazing underneath makeup.
Rave Review: “I thoroughly enjoy using this product as my morning moisturizer. It’s the perfect texture to add suppleness to the skin without being greasy. Wears wonderfully under makeup and prevents dry patches.”
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Dealing with dry, flakey skin? You need this cult-favorite moisturizer, which you can use on your face and body. Designed for sensitive skin and eczema-prone, the fragrance-free pick soothes irritated skin from head to toe.
5-Star Ratings: 2,270+
Rave Review: “The only cream that works for my dry and sensitive skin. I use it year round. It’s light enough in the summer and rich enough in the winter when my skin fully dries out. I love it. I use it every night.”
Prequel Skin Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer Face Cream
This fluid moisturizer is unlike anything I’ve ever tried. I was struggling with texture and a broken skin barrier and this product and this product fixed that. The formula contains ceramides, amino acids, and peptides that boosts barrier function and results in plump, radiant skin.
Rave Review: “My skin feels so soft and smooth when I use this. I love the way my skin has a healthy glow after I apply it. It leaves it looking dewy and plump without being heavy or greasy. I have worn this under makeup and had no problem. You can layer this moisturizer under a heavier one also.”
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Face Cream
This light and airy moisturizer is a win for people of all skin types— and it won’t break the bank. Niacinamide evens out discoloration, hyaluronic acid plumps and moisturizers, and vitamin B5 to soothe.
5-Star Ratings: 18,700+
Rave Review: “I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers over the years, but the e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream (Fragrance Free) really surprised me—in the best way. I have combination skin that’s sensitive to heavier creams, and this one hits the perfect balance of being deeply hydrating yet incredibly lightweight.”
Rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm
Featuring an emollient texture, this balm is another slam dunk for Rhode. The formula includes nourishing murumuru butter and a hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid complex. The result is a stronger skin barrier and bouncy, moisturized skin.
Rave Review: “I have tried countless moisturizers and nothing had worked until this. My skin is transformed from dry and oily to moisturized and glowy. I highly recommend this for very dry and flakey skin.”
COSRX Snail Mucin Repairing Serum
Fine, this TikTok viral serum isn’t technically a moisturizer, but it definitely delivers deep hydration, plumps, and soothes irritated skin. If you want to achieve glass skin, look no further. I love layering beneath another rich moisturizer to lock everything in.
5-Star Reviews: 92,600+
Rave Review: “The texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly without leaving any sticky or greasy residue. After applying it, my skin feels instantly soft, plump, and refreshed. Over time, I’ve noticed that my skin looks healthier, more even, and calmer, especially on days when it feels irritated or dry.”
Madison LeCroy says: “I use this every single night. This is stuff is amazing. The price is insane. I have invested a lot of money into skincare and this really does work. I have dry skin and this has really changed that for me.”
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Layer this intensely hydrating sleep mask over your skincare routine to seal in moisture and wake up with plumper, softer skin. The cooling sensation it provides is an added bonus.
Rave Review: “The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is a game-changer for my nighttime routine. It deeply hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy, leaving my skin soft, glowing, and refreshed by morning. Highly recommend for all skin types!”
Kyle Richards says: “This is a great moisturizing mask. I highly recommend it. It feels great.”
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
The Weleda Skin Food is an iconic moisturizer, beloved for its ultra-thick and balm-like texture. A little bit of this botanical formula goes a long way and also works magnificently to target rough and bumpy elbows, knees and heels in addition to your face.
5-Star Ratings: 33,400+
Rave Review: “If you suffer from really dry skin like myself, then this is something you definitely need in your kit! It is extremely thick, moisturizing cream. You only need a little bit and once you apply it all over your face or skin, your skin just glows! My skin feels so soft after using this, and it makes my makeup application, look flawless. Also, since I’ve been using this, a part of my nighttime routine, I have noticed less redness and inflammation in my face, and best of all, no more acne”
Sensitive skin? Selma Blair’s new night cream with ESK works for all skin types.
