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- The Best Moisturisers
The Best Moisturisers for Every Skin Type

A few years of going makeup free during lockdowns and blossoming TikTok trends have turned the tides towards taking extra special care of our skin. Gone are the days when any ol’ cream or lotion would do. Instead, we all want the very best toners and serums to treat and nourish our skin, and of course - the perfect moisturiser to finish off our routines.
But when it comes to finding the perfect moisturiser, it can be a tricky task, especially when there’s so many options to sift through. The first thing you need to consider is what type of skin you have. Is it dry, oily, mature, acne-prone or sensitive? Or a combination of a few different types? No matter your concern, we’re certain there's a cream, gel or lotion perfect for you.
And with a little research, we’ve manged to come up with a pretty hefty list of the very best options. Take a gander at our extensive guide to the best moisturisers for every skin type to find the best option for your routine.
Firstly lets take you through a few handy FAQs to help with your search...
What's the difference between day cream and normal cream?
Day creams are lightweight nourishing formulas that you wear during the day. They often include face sun protection, which shields your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It can also include anti-pollution ingredients to defend your complexion against environmental aggressors. Normal face creams and moisturisers, on the other hand, may not include these components.
What is the difference between night face cream and day face cream?
The main difference is ingredients. Night creams include exfoliating and active ingredients that make your face more sensitive to sunlight, which isn't a problem when you're asleep. Instead they can get to work to regenerate your skin while you rest, so you're left with a glowing complexion in the morning. Day creams, on the other hand, often include sun protection and high SPF to shield you from any photosensitivity.
Night face creams are also richer, heavier formulas, while day face creams are more lightweight. Night creams have the chance to fully absorb during your eight hours of rest, whereas day creams are usually lighter because you will be wearing complexion makeup products on top.
How do you apply day cream?
Make sure you've cleansed your face and applied any toners, serums and oils before applying any moisturisers. Then take a small amount of your day cream in your fingertips and gently massage across the face, using a light and gentle touch.
When working the product into skin you can also use upwards sweeping motions to help drain the face of any lymphatic fluid or even use a face massage tool to treat your skin to a pamper session. Make sure you apply day cream across the forehead, nose, cheeks, as well as on the neck and décolletage.
Best face moisturiser for dry skin
Do you struggle with a parched, dehydrated complexion? This is a very common concern, especially when the cold weather hits. It’s important to use the best moisturisers for dry skin during winter and all year round to be frank. When searching for the best moisturiser for dry skin, look out for rich formulas that offer intensive and long-lasting hydration.
TOP PICKS:
Clarins Hydra Essentiel Silky Cream
£31.05 £33.35 (7% off)Normal to dry skin gets a dose of hydration with this cream from Clarins, which helps your skin retain moisture by boosting your natural hyaluronic acid production and also protects your skin from environmental aggressors.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100h Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
£12.99 £13.00 (1% off)This beauty gives a whopping 100-hours of hydrated, soft and supple results. It’s perfect for dry skin types as it gives an immediate boost, thanks to the hyaluronic acid, humectants and aloe water concoction.
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturiser
£30.93If you've got seriously dry skin or even eczema or rosacea, this moisturiser from Paula's Choice should also be your choice. Plant oils and antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E deliver intense hydration and protect you from harmful pollution. There's also peptides to renew your skin cells and aloe vera to soothe irritated dry patches.
Best moisturiser for oily skin
On the other hand, if you have oily skin you may be nervous applying super creamy formulas. However, moisturising is key. It helps balance your natural oils and ensures a refined, healthy-looking complexion.
When shopping for the best moisturiser for oily skin we recommend lightweight formulations that won’t clog your pores and instead help reduce any unwanted shine.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat
£16.00 £20.00 (20% off)This gel-cream moisturiser helps your face feel fresh all day long. It feels lightweight on the skin and doesn’t clog your pores. It also has a non-greasy texture that leaves your complexion looking and feeling flawless.
Q+A Zinc PCA Daily Moisturiser
£8.50The zinc in this daily moisturiser ensures that oily, blemish-prone skin types are kept balanced from A.M to P.M. The appearance of enlarged pores are minimised and congested skin is calmed, all whilst that all-important moisture is restored.
Purifide Oil Control Moisturiser
£14.99Offering eight hours of shine reduction and a matte finish, this moisturiser is the secret to beating the midday meltdown. Whitewood bark extract keeps blemish-prone skin clear and calm, and controls excess oiliness so that you can enjoy around-the-clock hydration.
Best moisturiser for mature skin
When our skin matures it often becomes drier and duller forming fine lines and wrinkles. Although we believe ageing is a beautiful process, there are moisturisers which specifically target older complexions to help restore a dose of vitality and brightness back into your skin
Some of the best moisturises for mature skin are ones that promise to protect and nurture with healthy dose of hydrating ingredients.
TOP PICKS:
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30
£56.99 £89.00 (36% off)This thick creamy formula uses a clever combo of marine ingredients to address the signs of ageing and improve vitality, elasticity and suppleness. It also has SPF 30 which helps protect your complexion from sun damage, which can cause premature ageing.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
£7.30This is certainly one the best anti-ageing moisturisers, thanks to its nourishing and protective formula. It helps address unwanted skin texture, fine lines and uneven skin tone caused by pollution. To do, it uses a blend of brightening vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
£19.00What's even better than an anti-ageing day cream? An anti-ageing night cream that works while you sleep and lets you wake up to a youthful glow! This cream does everything, from strengthening your skin barrier, shielding you from free radicals, firming fine lines and preventing new ones from forming and restoring hydration to your skin. Enjoy the nourishing blend ofceramides, antioxidants and dragon fruit extract as this cream restores your complexion.
Best moisturiser for acne-prone skin
Acne is a very common skin concern that affects a whole lot of people, which is exactly why more and more brands are waking up and creating soothing, blemish-banishing formulas. Some of the best moisturisers for acne-prone skin ensure plenty of water hydration that doesn’t clog your pores and doesn’t saturate your skin with heavy duty formulas.
Pair with one of our Ten Best Face Washes for Acne-Prone Skin to get the most out of your routine.
TOP PICKS:
Dermalogica Clear Start Clearing Defence SPF 30
£22.70 £29.00 (22% off)REN Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream
£28.50 £30.04 (6% off)This vegan and cruelty-free option is a great moisturiser for acne sufferers. It uses lingonberry seed oil to repair your skin and antileukine (ochroleuca seaweed extract) to calm irritations. Smooth over your face morning and night to help fade previous acne scars and regulate your sebum production.
PIXI Clarity Lotion
£29.16Oily and sensitive skin has found its saviour in this oil-free moisturiser from PIXI. Ceramides keep your skin feeling comfy and moisturised all day whilst aloe vera soothes irritation and kaolin clay absorbs excess oil for a matte finish and minimised pores. On top of that, added salicylic and glycolic acids gently shed your dead skin cells to help smooth out your skin.
Best moisturiser for sensitive skin
People prone to skin irritations, redness or extreme dryness often find it very difficult to find suitable moisturisers. Luckily, we have plenty for you to choose from here at Cosmetify.
Look out for dermatologically tested formulas free from nasties which will react with your skin. For more options, make sure you use our handy drop down to filter your search.
Then check out the best SPFs for sensitive skinto keep environmental aggressors from making your skin worse.
TOP PICKS:
Caudalie SOS Intense Moisturising Cream
£18.99 £26.00 (27% off)Whilst the PIXI lotion we just mentioned is perfect for sensitive, oily skin, this is a dream come true for sensitive, dry skin. Your skin will get the intense hydration it's been crying out for, and the cream will also reduce redness, tightness and damage. Adding samphire extract reduces fine lines so your skin is not only comfy but plump and firm!
CeraVe Moisturising Cream
£4.82 £5.99 (20% off)There’s a reason the CeraVe Moisturising Cream has been flying off the shelves and it’s not just down to TikTok trends – it’s because it’s a great option for all skin types. Those who suffer with sensitivities love it because it absorbs quicky and relieves dry, itchy skin without feeling too greasy or heavy on the face.
Avène Antirougeurs Day Soothing Emulsion SPF 30
£20.50Gaining rave reviews, this Avene cream is one of the best moisturisers for eczema. It’s enriched with Thermal Spring Water, which helps strengthen and soothe your skin’s natural barrier. It’s perfect for dry, itchy complexions!
Take your pick…
Whew, that was a lot! But we want to make sure you’re fully equipped with the best of the best when it comes to moisturisers this season. Taking a little time to nourish the face can be a great way to start and end the day. For more skincare tips take a look the best night creams and every type of face mask explained.

Written by Rebecca Jenkinson
Rebecca is a content writer with over three years’ experience and a keen interest in cosmetics. Cosmetify allows her to combine her blogging skills with her passion for beauty.
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