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- Best Light Moisturizers
The Best Light Moisturizers for this Summer

Lightweight moisturizer has been on the radar for oily-skinned beauties for a while now, but we think it’s about time we all got acquainted – especially with summer right around the corner.
Yep, in just a few weeks we’ll all be suffering with a case of sweaty, sticky skin. Heavy makeup will be off the cards and the thick, rich creams that got us through winter will go into hibernation.
While the extra dose of vitamin D and a natural tan will no doubt inject some life back in to our dull complexions, our skin care routine remains just as important. In fact, the transition from cold to warm weather can really affect our faces – just think of the all the extra oil clogging pores, harmful UV rays and intense dehydration.
So, to help you correctly tailor your skin care according to the season, we’ve compiled a list of light moisturizers that are seriously worth the coin.
Best light moisturizer for oily skin:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat
Cosmetify HQ is a huge fan of La Roche Posay and their incredible oily skin expertise. This moisturizer is ideal if you’re familiar with the midday meltdown. Boasting a light, matte finish, it tightens pores and reduces sebum production, so shine is kept to a minimum on more humid days.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
This cream is an intelligent one. Bursting with three molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid, it holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water and attracts pure moisture from the Earth's atmosphere in order to keep skin continuously hydrated. Pretty cool, right? Oil, alcohol and fragrance free, it's perfect for oily and acne-prone skin types.
GLAMGLOW Waterburst Hydrated Glow Moisturizer
Water creams are a great lightweight option for those that have oily skin. This moisturizer from GLAMGLOW drenches skin with moisture, thanks to a triple hyaluronic acid complex. Skin is left radiant, glowing and healthy-looking all day long, minus the shine.
Best light moisturizer for combination skin:
AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer Combination
Those with combination skin tend to have an oily T-zone and drier cheeks, making it difficult to find a moisturizer that will remedy both. Luckily, AHAVA have a lightweight formula that leaves your complexion soft without any greasy textures. A blend of 21 minerals adapt to your skin to reveal a radiant finish.
Augustinus Bader The Cream
Okay, so we know this one has a hefty price tag but trust us when we say it's totally worth it. 30 years of research and innovation has been poured into this iconic formula, so you can expect nothing but the best results. The Cream itself is light, refreshing and deeply hydrating, plus it leaves skin stronger, healthier and protected.
Best light moisturizer for dry skin:
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30
We know what you’re thinking – the only way to combat dry skin is to lather on the rich creams with intense ingredients. Let CeraVe change your mind as they provide a lightweight lotion that’s just as effective. The oil-free formula uses ceramides, which are ace at repairing skin affected by conditions such as eczema and hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty complexions.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant to the rescue! This whipped cream is made for skin that is thirsting for a hit of hydration. Ceramides and six African oils have been blended and whipped together to create an intense, hardworking formula that never feels suffocating or heavy. Dry skin is instantly soothed, nourished and brightened.
Weleda Skin Food
This little green tube of magic is all you need to nurse dry and dehydrated complexions back to optimum health. Calendula, chamomile, oils and beeswax work together to restore, revive and nourish skin. And, although this cream is a little richer, it still feels comfortable.
Best light moisturizer for acne-prone skin:
Vichy Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care
Warmer weather can be a nightmare for acne-prone skin as excess sebum and humid air can cause breakouts and irritation. Keep flare-ups and hormonal acne at bay with Vichy’s anti-imperfection moisturizer. This global superstar combines salicylic acid, glycolic acid and LHA for a targeted treatment, but also keeps skin hydrated and protected for 24 hours – it's a win-win.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream
If anyone knows a thing or two about how to care for acne-prone skin, it's Dr. Barbara Sturm. She's created the ultimate lightweight formula that keeps breakouts and irritation at bay, yet still delivers a tonne of much-need hydration. The Clarifying Face Cream balances, purifies and replenishes skin, leaving it soft, smooth and stress-free.
Best light moisturizer for sensitive skin:
Avène Hydrance Aqua Gel
Sensitive skin, we might have just found your summer savior. Boasting high-quality ingredients, this refreshing moisturizer uses spring water to deliver long-lasting hydration, SPF to protect skin from harmful UV rays and Meiboserin to limit moisture evaporation. Indulge in soft, supple and soothed skin.
Dermalogica Calm Water Gel
A moisturizer that doesn't cause irritation, redness or dryness. We'll take it. The Dermalogica Calm Water Gel is specially designed for sensitive skin types. The ultra-calming formula is made with a dual hyaluronic acid technology that locks in moisture, apple fruit extract, glycerin and cactus pear extract - a superstar when it comes to soothing skin.
Best light moisturizer for anti-aging:
Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturizer Spf 50+
Switch up your daily moisturizer for this super-lightweight warrior and reveal your youngest-looking complexion yet. Putting up a good fight against premature aging, this three-in-one anti-aging cream shields against sun damage, prevents wrinkles and saves collagen, all whilst hydrating skin.
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
It's one of the most loved skin creams for a reason. The ELEMIS Pro Collagen Marine Cream tackles fine lines and wrinkles, reducing their appearance in just 14 days. Thanks to its ultra-hydrating marine ingredients, such as seaweed and padina pavonica, you'll notice that skin is visibly firmer, as well as toned and nourished.
Best natural light moisturizer:
Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer
14 sources of hydration, including marsh samphire, tremella mushroom and chia seed water, are packed into this natural formula in order to deliver ultimate moisture. Whether you choose to use this moisturizer as part of a daily skin care routine or when your complexion needs a big dose of hydration, it's guaranteed to leave your skin softer, plumper and smoother.
Dr Hauschka Revitalizing Day Cream
Give your skin a dose of the good stuff with a moisturizer that's developed with premium botanical extracts, including witch hazel and carrot. This 100% natural (and organic) formula supports your oil barrier and leaves skin supple, fresh and balanced. Perfect for all skin types, but especially dry and dehydrated, the light emulsion doubles up as a primer and makes an ideal makeup base.
Best organic light moisturizer:
Pai Pure Hydration: Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream
Dubbed as 'an infinity pool for parched skin', this day cream is your fast-pass to a nourished complexion. With organic ingredients such as avocado and jojoba oils leading the formula, the cream takes skin from dry and dehydrated to quenched and supple in minutes.
Green People Neutral/Scent Light Day Moisturizer
Wave bye-bye to skin that's easily irritated. Ticking all the boxes, Green People are the organic experts you can trust. Completely free of all artificial ingredients, this gentle formula is bursting with vitamins and minerals that soothe, hydrate and protect your skin. Wearing comfortably on your complexion with a non-sticky feel, your skin will be able to handle whatever the day throws at it.
Best tinted light moisturizer:
NARS Cosmetics Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Every beauty regime can benefit from the likes of a tinted moisturizer, and oh, have we found you a good’un. Summer is the perfect excuse to ditch heavy-duty foundations and go for a subtle bronzing, and this popular tinted lotion does just that. Packed with the qualities of both makeup and skin care, a single application provides you with radiant color and that all-important hydration.
Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
Drunk Elephant never miss a trick, which explains why they're featured twice in our roundup. This time round they present a stellar tinted, physical SPF sunscreen that also doubles up as a moisturizer. You can rest knowing that skin is hydrated, protected and beautified with just one sheer application.
The smallest change can make the biggest difference, and we know that both you and your skin will appreciate a lighter moisturizer throughout the hotter months, so make sure you check out our guide to day cream for more tips!

Written by Carly Cochrane
Carly is a beauty editor at Cosmetify and has been a part of our family for three years. She has over five years of experience in health, beauty and wellness writing.