One of the best things you can do for your skin, especially the delicate skin on your face, is regularly moisturize. But with so many products on the market, finding the best face moisturizers can seem like a daunting task. That's why Parade consulted six dermatologists to get their expert opinions. They share 12 of their tried-and-tested favorite products that you can use for better daily hydration.
Of course, finding the right one is only half the task. As Dr. Gabriela Soza, a board-certified dermatologist says, "One exceptional formula used consistently" is better than a complicated routine that you quickly abandon.
So, first we're highlighting the dermatologist-favorite drugstore moisturizer, chosen by three doctors we interviewed—it's one that's great for your skin and wallet. And if you like to have more choices, we included other top dermatologist picks that cover a range of skin types, so whether you have dry skin, oily skin or a combination, there's something available for everyone.
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The Best Drugstore Face Moisturizer, According to 3 Dermatologists
1. Best Drugstore Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, $27
Amazon
Shop It on AmazonDr. Soza adds, "When my patients ask what to recommend to a friend or family member who isn't ready to invest in a medical-grade routine, I always land here."
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Best Drugstore Moisturizer:Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water GelBest Lightweight Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face MoisturizerBest Moisturizer for Oily Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-CreamBest Moisturizer for Dry Skin:CeraVe Moisturizing CreamBest Moisturizer for Combination Skin: Skinfix Ceramide Prime Whipped CreamBest Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair CreamBest Moisturizer for Improving Texture: Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Night CreamBest Moisturizer Under Makeup: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Face MoisturizerBest Moisturizer for Mature Skin: NEOCUTIS Bio Cream Firm RicheBest Moisturizer for Acne-Prone skin: Sofie Pavitt Face Omega Rich MoisturizerBest Fragrance-Free Moisturizer: Vanicream Moisturizing CreamBest Hydrating Cream Moisturizer: Image Skincare Ormedic Biopeptide CrèmeHow Do Moisturizers Help Improve Skin Texture?
"By replenishing hydration and supporting the barrier with ingredients like ceramides, humectants and fatty acids, moisturizers help smooth the skin's surface, making it feel softer and look more refined," she adds.
She says that lotions have a higher water content, "so they are the lightest and absorb the fastest." And creams "are thicker and contain more oil, which makes them more emollient and better at sealing moisture in." She adds that gels are usually oil-free so they can "absorb quickly without any greasy residue."
How To Choose the Best Moisturizer for Your Skin Type
According to Dr. Obayomi, you have to match your moisturizer texture to your skin type. She recommends creams for those with dry skin and gels for those with oily or acne-prone skin, adding, "Combination skin can go either way, and some people use a lighter formula over the oily areas and something richer where they get dry."
Dr. Obayomi adds, "One thing worth knowing for deeper skin tones, when skin dries out it can take on a gray or ashy cast, and a richer cream usually prevents that better than a thin lotion does."
And Dr. Engelman adds that she also likes seeing "antioxidants like niacinamide or vitamin C" that can help improve the skin's "tone and texture over time."
What Moisturizer Ingredients Do Dermatologists Avoid?
She adds that "denatured alcohol listed high in the formulation is drying and barrier-disrupting, [which is] especially problematic for mature or sensitive skin."
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"I do think it's worth using different formulas for day and night," says Dr. Engelman. She recommends a lightweight moisturizer under your sunscreen in the morning. "Bonus points if it contains antioxidants like niacinamide to help defend against environmental damage throughout the day," she adds.
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4 of the Biggest Moisturizer Mistakes People Make
1. Taking a 'one size fits all' approach
"Just because a certain moisturizer worked for a friend or celebrity doesn’t mean that it’s the best fit for you," says Dr. Carty. Instead, you need to consider your specific skin type when picking a product.
3. Not adjusting for seasons
"I also see people using the same heavy moisturizer year-round without adjusting for seasonal changes," says Dr. Engelman. "What your skin needs in January is verydifferent from what it needs in June."
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11 Face Moisturizers for Silky, Smooth Skin, Tested by Dermatologists
Besides their #1 drugstore pick listed above, here are 11 other expert-approved options to try out.
1. Best Lightweight Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, $25
Amazon
Shop It on AmazonDr. Shirazi likes that "it provides lightweight hydration while still supporting the skin barrier with ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin."
2. Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream, $20
Amazon
Shop It on Amazon"This gel formulation offers lightweight hydration for those with oily skin," says Dr. Carty. "It is non-greasy and absorbs oil to leave a matte finish."
3. Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $21
Amazon
Shop It on AmazonShe adds that it's gentle enough for skin that's prone to eczema and "helps prevent the dry, ashy look that deeper skin tones can get when the air turns dry."
4. Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin: Skinfix Ceramide Prime Whipped Cream, $54
Amazon
Shop It on AmazonDr. Engelman recommends this cream for those with combination skin. "The whipped texture moisturizes while still providing non-greasy hydration," she says, adding, "It also contains niacinamide, which helps regulate excess oil production and supports the skin barrier."
5. Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $42
Amazon
Shop It on AmazonThis hydrating cream comes recommended by Dr. Engelman for those with sensitive skin. "The main ingredient, colloidal oatmeal, is a skin protectant that helps relieve any itchiness or dryness without irritating reactive skin," she says.
6. Best Moisturizer for Improving Texture: Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Night Cream, $165
Elm Biosciences
Shop It at Elm BiosciencesDr. Soza tells Parade, "I've been watching Elm Biosciences closely and this night cream genuinely impressed me." She says it pairs a retinoid derivative with a barrier-supporting antioxidant, explaining, "For patients who have struggled with peeling and irritation from retinol but still want meaningful texture improvement, this is a sophisticated option. I recommend it as a nighttime texture treatment layered under or instead of a richer cream."
7. Best Moisturizer Under Makeup: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Face Moisturizer, $19
Amazon
Shop It on AmazonDr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine highly recommends this moisturizing cream. "This has been a favorite among makeup artists for years because it creates a smooth, hydrated base that doesn't pill or feel greasy," she says. "Ingredients like shea butter and fatty acids [give] skin a healthy, dewy finish that helps makeup apply more easily and helps skin texture look even."
8. Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Neocutis Bio Cream Firm Riche, $208
Amazon
Shop It on Amazon"For my peri- and post-menopausal patients, this is my first recommendation," says Dr. Soza. "It builds on the same growth factor and peptide technology as the original Bio Cream Firm but with a significantly richer, more emollient base that addresses the dryness, thinning and laxity that accompany hormonal shifts." She adds, "This one works on both hydration and structural support simultaneously, and that's exactly what mature skin needs."
9. Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone skin: Sofie Pavitt Face Omega Rich Moisturizer, $64
Sephora
Shop It at Sephora"I like this moisturizer for acne-prone skin because it's formulated with barrier-supporting ingredients, like omega fatty acids and ceramides, to replenish moisture without feeling overly occlusive," says Dr. Graf. She adds, "It’s especially helpful for patients using acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating acids or retinoids since those treatments can compromise the skin barrier and lead to dryness and irritation."
10. Best Fragrance-Free Moisturizer: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, $23
Amazon
Shop It on Amazon"When skin reacts to everything, this is the [moisturizer] to reach for," says Dr. Obayomi. She notes that it's fragrance-free and doesn't contain dyes or parabens, explaining, "Bland is the goal here, in the best possible way."
11. Best Hydrating Cream Moisturizer: Image Skincare Ormedic Biopeptide Crème, $84
Amazon
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Sources:
Dr. Erin Carty, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in PhiladelphiaDr. Gabriela Soza, a board-certified dermatologistDr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York CityDr. Aderonke Obayomi, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at Mount Sinai.Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of AziMD SkincareDr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of MedicineHence then, the article about this drugstore moisturizer is a dermatologist favorite and it s only 20 was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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