The Experts Have Spoken: These Are The Best Face Moisturizers of 2025 (2025)

Forget about face serums, eye creams, and sheet masks for a sec. When it comes to a solid skincare routine, there are actually very few *necessary* steps. At the top of the can’t-skip short list? A good face moisturizer. Face moisturizers hydrate the skin, lock in moisture, and help improve skin barrier function—all musts for healthy, happy skin—regardless of your skin type.

So whether your face is dry, sensitive, acne-prone, or all of the above (like mine), everyone can benefit from using a moisturizer—but not everyone needs the same moisturizer. That’s why team Cosmo reached out to expert dermatologists and tested countless formulas to round up the best face moisturizers for every skin type and concern. Here's a sneak peek:

Dermatologists Rebecca Marcus, MD, and Elyse Love, MD, are fans of this tried-and-true face moisturizer—and if you prefer a moisturizer that’s not too thin but not too thick and incredibly hydrating, you’ll be a fan too. “It’s a medium-weight moisturizer that is non-irritating and contains ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin,” says Dr. Marcus. Dr. Love also highlights the formula's prebiotics that support the skin’s microbiome.

• Size: 3.38 oz.
• Key ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, sensitive, acne-prone

Glowing customer review: “As someone who has struggled with acne for most of my life, most moisturizers either irritated my skin or triggered my acne. This has done the complete opposite. If anything, I have noticed positive changes with my texture as well as moisture control.”

Locking down a moisturizer for oily skin that doesn't make you feel overly greasy can quickly become a beauty challenge. Luckily, this gel moisturizer from CeraVe is super lightweight and formulated to control oil while simultaneously protecting the skin barrier. Plus, it's formulated with benzoic acid to control and prevent pimples.

• Size: 1.75 oz.
• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, benzoic acid
• Skin types: Oily, acne-prone, sensitive

One Cosmo editor says: "I know everyone swears by the OG CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, but I actually prefer this lighter gel version from the brand. It’s a dream for my acne-prone skin in the summer months—plus it layers perfectly under SPF and makeup." —Lauren Balsamo, beauty director

Combination skin peeps, this formula is a heaven-sent. The gel-cream hybrid is the ideal texture for anyone with a mix of dry and oily patches. It also firms and plumps the skin thanks to hydrating and smoothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides.

• Size: 2.53 oz.
• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalene, amino acids
• Skin types: Combo, oily, acne-prone, sensitive

One Cosmo editor says: "As much as I love the feeling of a rich cream at night, my acne... doesn't. But this lightweight cream has never broken me out, even though it really does hydrate my skin (tysm, amino acids, squalane, and urea)." —Beth Gillette, beauty editor

If you're looking to add a natural luminosity to your face via hydration (without compromising on ingredients) this moisturizer from Face Reality is that girl. It's pore-friendly, extra thick, and super soothing for maximum nourishment. If your skin eventually flakes and gets bone-dry no matter what creams you lather on, give this peptide-filled one a go. As a sensitive, dry-skinned girlie, it's my go-to for the winter months.

• Size: 2 oz
• Key ingredients: Cranberry extract, peptides, glycerin
• Skin types: Dry, acne-prone, dull, sensitive

One Cosmo editor says: "The concerns at the forefront of my skincare routine are acne and dryness, so when I discovered this moisturizer that is non-comedogenic and deeply hydrating, I was elated. It's pretty thick, so it's great during the colder months or to use as a mask for a pimple-free and flake-free regimen."—Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor

This moisturizer is a favorite of Dermatologist Michele Green, MD. The lightweight lotion is an excellent daytime face moisturizer thanks to its ability to provide long-lasting hydration and layer nicely under sunscreen and makeup. "It contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C to strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and protect the skin from environmental pollutants," explains Dr. Green, adding that it's "oil-free, non-comedogenic, and generally great for all skin types."

• Size: 1.7 oz
• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, willow bark extract
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, dull, sensitive

One Cosmo editor says: "This is my go-to, everyday moisturizer. It's the perfect amount of hydrating while still being lightweight, so it's amazing to wear under makeup when I don't want to use primer, or after a serum-heavy morning skincare routine ."—JH

The key to achieving a glowy and hydrated complexion starts with a strong skin barrier. So, a formula that works to maintain a healthy barrier while simultaneously delivering moisture will have serious hydration payoff in the long run. This formula from Dr. Loretta is also packed with hydrators like hyaluronic acid and squalane.

• Size: 1.7 oz
• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalene, peptides
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, dull, sensitive

One Cosmo editor says: "Most barrier-friendly moisturizers are thick and greasy so I don’t like to use them on my oily, acne-prone skin, but this is the total opposite. The gel-cream texture is nourishing but not suffocating, and the formula has zero pore- clogging ingredients (per Sofie Pavitt and Biba de Sousa’s pore-clogger checkers, aka my skincare bibles)."—LB

The Matter of Fact Minimalist Hydrating Moisturizer, is well, literally a minimalist moisturizer. The ingredient list is pared down to just the essentials like centella asiatica and panthenol to keep your skin barrier perfectly moisturized and soothed. It's formulated without any superfluous or pore-clogging ingredients, so you can layer it atop serums, actives, or whatever else your nighttime skincare routine boasts.

• Size: 1.6 oz
• Key ingredients: Panthenol, cica, centella asiatica
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, dull, sensitive
  

One Cosmo editor says: "This face cream is really basic in a good way. It’s got simple hydrating and moisturizing ingredients (like panthenol and cica) that melt into my skin without interfering with any of the other actives in my routine. I use it at night over my Rx azelaic acid and I wake up with super soft, supple skin in the morning."—LB

If you love a one-and-done skincare step, look no further than the Extreme Cream from INNBEAUTY Project. This multitasking moisturizer is loaded with skin-firming ingredients like peptides and plant-derived retinol. It doesn't skimp on locking in hydration either, thanks to glycerin, squalene, and extra-strength ceramides.

• Size: 1.7 oz
• Key ingredients: Bio-retinol, peptides, ceramides
• Skin types: Dry, combo, dull

One Cosmo editor says: "This moisturizer is just so damn yummy—its reverse-emulsion texture is an experience all on its own. Packed with powerhouse ingredients like lifting peptides, bio-retinol, and ceramides, it visibly firms and contours, delivering that covetable lit-from-within glow I crave!"—Julee Wilson, beauty editor-at-large

Dr. Green also loves this gentle face moisturizer with anti-aging benefits from First Aid Beauty. It helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles—plus it's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it excellent for most skin types, says Dr. Green. "The formula also contains colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation, which is perfect for those with sensitive skin."

• Size: 1.7 oz
• Key ingredients: Peptides, collagen, niacinamide, colloidal oatmeal
• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, dull, sensitive

Glowing customer review: "I love that I can use this day or night. Lightweight and works well with my skin type. Has helped with my wrinkles. This lasts a long time as you don't need much. Great purchase!"

Hyperpigmentation comes in a bunch of different forms: Dark spots, post-acne marks, or just uneven skin tone. Luckily this lightweight moisturizer can handle any level of skin smoothing and brightening thanks to its niacinamide and peptide-packed ingredient list.

• Size: 1.69 oz
• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, ceramides
• Skin types: Dry, combination, oily, sensitive

One Cosmo editor says: "Nearly every morning, I slather my face in this moisturizer after toner, before SPF. It's the perfect prep for my skin to soften and brighten before makeup. The formula definitely helps my foundation and concealer blend on my face without making the formulas slide all over the place." —BG

If I could afford it, I would bathe in this moisturizer, that’s how amazing it feels on dry, compromised skin, and I'm far from the only one who feels that way. “For a richer moisturizing cream, SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore is an excellent choice, containing a carefully formulated ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to restore the skin barrier and encourage repair,” Dr. Marcus explains. “The texture is so luxurious, and a little goes a long way.”

• Size: 1.6 oz
• Key ingredients: Ceramides, fatty acids
• Skin types: Dry, sensitive

Glowing customer review: “This cream has transformed my normally dry, red skin. It has made my skin so much less reactive and I’m obsessed with how silky it makes my face feel.”

Once you have the basics covered, most derms will suggest looking for a moisturizer with add-on “bonus” ingredients for your skin type and concerns. Depending on your specific needs, the experts say to look for niacinamide, peptides, antioxidants, squalane, and PHAs in the formula as well.

But if you know you have sensitive skin, try to stick with a formula that has the fewest total number of ingredients possible. “As the ingredient list grows, so does the likelihood of irritation or allergic reaction,” Dr. Mikailov explains. Another good idea? Go fragrance-free to avoid irritation.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a face cream has to cost hundreds of dollars to work. “Moisturizers do not necessarily need to be fancy or expensive to do a great job of keeping your skin hydrated,” says Dr. Marcus. That said, you don’t want to use the first moisturizer you see either. Here’s what you should think about when making your selection of the best face moisturizer:

Think about your skin type.

As you might guess, my super-dry, flaky skin needs a totally different moisturizer than my oily, shiny-faced friends. According to Dr. Mikailov, your general skin type and pre-existing skin concerns are the best indicators for what type of moisturizer you should use. Most moisturizers are labeled with the skin types they’re targeting but not always. In that case, you’ll want to take a look at the ingredients and consistency, so let’s take a closer look at those labels.

Check the formula’s consistency.

Lotions, gels, creams, balms—the consistency of your face moisturizer makes all the difference too. Dr. Love recommends those with oily skin stick to lighter, oil-free formulas that hydrate the skin without feeling heavy, and those with dry and sensitive skin use heavier, balm-like formulas. Dr. Mikailov adds, “Most people with oilier skin tend to do better with more lightweight, almost gel-based moisturizers.” As for those on the drier side of the spectrum, a thicker, emollient cream with a higher ratio of plant-based oils to humectants would be better suited.

Think about the current season.

Last, pay attention to when you’ll be using your face cream. Dr. Marcus says skin should never feel weighed down with products, so it’s important to look at the condition of your skin throughout the year and adjust your moisturizer accordingly. “If you live in a different climate in the summer versus winter, what’s right for you in the summer is probably too light for the winter weather,” Dr. Love explains. “Those with oily skin may prefer lightweight gels in the summer and light creams in the winter, while those with dry skin may prefer creams in the summer and heavier creams or balms in the winter.” Dr. Mikailov says even non-oily and dry skin may also prefer these lightweight gel creams when the climate is hot and humid.

• Rebecca Marcus, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology Associates who specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology
• Elyse Love, MD, is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at GlamDerm and Spring Street Dermatology.
• Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY. Dr. Green is an expert in cosmetic treatments, including laser therapies and dermal fillers.
• Anar Mikailov, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of KP Away.

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about the best beauty products you can add to your cart. As a dry and acne-prone girlie, she's tested pretty much every skincare brand out there, so she knows a thing or two about the best moisturizer formulas. For this story, she also tapped Cosmo's beauty team for their recs and insight.

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best exfoliators for sensitive skin to a comprehensive Hydrafacial review. She regularly tests and analyzes new face moisturizers, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and aestheticians to assess new brands and formulas.