The 12 Best Moisturisers For Every Skin Type In 2025, Reviewed

As any dermatologist will tell you, your moisturiser is one of the most essential elements in your skincare routine. The best moisturisers don’t just hydrate, they also help lock in all those other active ingredients you apply, from vitamin C to retinol and the all-important hyaluronic acid.

Vogue’s best moisturisers at a glance

Best moisturiser for dry skin

Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream

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Best moisturiser for extremely dry skin

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense

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While serums, essences and sheet masks each have their role, nothing quite compares to the power of a great moisturiser. “Hydrating the skin supports the skin’s barrier function, which is key to maintaining overall health,” says Dr Anita Sturnham, skin expert and founder of Decree.

Read more: 20 Best Retinol Creams & Serums To Achieve A Youthful Glow

Best moisturiser for dry skin: Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream

Murad

Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream

• Key ingredients: nourishing bilberry seed oil, fatty acids – including omega 3 and 6 – as well as allantoin to retain moisture
• Benefits: a complexion-boosting blend that leaves your skin feeling soft and supple
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Packed with fatty acids, nourishing oils and fast-absorbing ingredients that mimic soothing botanicals, this formula leaves skin feeling refreshed, hydrated and protected. Though it’s especially beneficial for dry skin, it’s suitable for all skin types – from oily to combination.

Best moisturiser for extremely dry skin: Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense

Medik8

Ultimate Recovery Intense

• Key ingredients: calming arnica, healing allantoin and reparative beta-glucan
• Benefits: eases inflammation, redness, and protects against bruising. Free from parabens, synthetic colourants and fragrances
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Designed to nurture the skin following professional treatments, this Medik8 moisturiser works wonders on dry and broken skin. Made with ingredients clinically proven to support the skin’s natural repair processes, it speeds up cell renewal and locks in moisture to shield weakened skin from the environment. The rich cream consistency is one we love in icy weather – it leaves a lasting barrier that protects against cold and moisture-whipping winds.

Read more: Why Hydrating Serums Are The Ultimate Skincare Boost, According To Experts

Best moisturiser for oily skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat

• Key ingredients: glycerin, mattifying perlite, sebum-controlling Sebulyse
• Benefits: moisturises and exfoliates clogged pores, thanks to a non-comedogenic formula
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: To moisturise skin while tackling excessive shine, this cream contains perlite – a mineral from volcanic rock that effectively absorbs oil. Also in the mix is thermal spring water to calm irritation, glycerin to draw in moisture, and Sebulyse to regulate sebum production. This hypoallergenic formula comes well rated by anyone who’s suffered persistent spots and acne – it’s a safe bet for hydrating oily skin that errs on the sensitive side.

Best moisturiser for acne-prone skin: Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream

• Key ingredients: tri-ceramide complex, niacinamide, blue tansy and polyhydroxy acid
• Benefits: gently exfoliates dull skin with PHA, delivers lightweight moisture, plus fragrance and alcohol-free
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: With a weightless consistency and blend of skin-balancing ingredients, this serum-like moisturiser is a safe pick for combo skin. Whether your skin leans on the oily or drier side, its complex of ceramides and fatty acids is well placed to bolster your moisture barrier and keep hydration where it’s needed most.

Best moisturiser for rosacea: Eucerin Anti-Redness Soothing Care

Eucerin

Anti-Redness Soothing Care

• Key ingredients: SymSitive (a sensitivity-regulating ingredient), soothing panthenol and anti-inflammatory licquorice root extract
• Benefits: hypoallergenic formula developed to be well tolerated by sensitive skin; provides antioxidant defence
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Best for dry complexions prone to rosacea flare-ups, this hydrating lotion is great for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. It’s completely free from alcohol, fragrance, parabens and offending ingredients known to trigger redness, and has a softening and smoothing effect when applied. What’s more, should reactivity strike, the intelligent SymSitive active is on hand to stop it at the source, providing relief from itching and burning by regulating hyper-responsive neurons in the skin.

Best moisturiser for combination skin: Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser

Paula’s Choice

Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser

• Key ingredients: potassium, magnesium and calcium electrolytes, glycerin, antioxidant fruit extracts and squalane
• Benefits: electrolytes transport hydration into the deepest layers of the dermis to quench dehydrated skin, while non-greasy emollients ensure moisture is locked in
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: This lightweight lotion boasts an intelligent electrolyte formula that drenches the skin with moisture well past surface level. It’s a real dream to apply and sinks in quickly, leaving skin soft. Plus, it’s also non-comedogenic making it perfect for skin that’s oily and blemish-prone, as well as dry.

Best moisturiser for sensitive skin: Beauty Pie Happy Face Extreme Relief Cica Moisture Cream

Beauty Pie

Happy Face Extreme Relief Cica Moisture Cream

• Key ingredients: calming centella asiatica, anti-inflammatory Japanese grass extract and ceramide gel matrix
• Benefits: soothes redness and swelling while rebuilding the moisture barrier. Vegan-friendly and paraben-free
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Designed for those with fussy skin, Beauty Pie’s cream is totally free from irritants and resurfacing actives. The simple but effective formula champions a soothing blend of botanicals, including centella asiatica and Japanese grass extract, which both have inflammation-quelling qualities. In addition, there’s betaine to reduce wrinkle depth and sodium hyaluronate – a form of HA – that deeply hydrates to restore supple skin.

Best affordable moisturiser: CeraVe Intensive Moisturising Lotion for Very Dry Skin

CeraVe

Intensive Moisturising Lotion for Very Dry Skin

• Key ingredients: three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, 5% hydro-urea, shea butter, glycerin and dimethicone
• Benefits: repairs and strengthens the skin barrier, locks in hydration, supports moisture retention
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: A brilliant option for anyone who wants a simple moisturiser that does what it’s supposed to (moisturise, hydrate and support the skin barrier) and doesn’t cost the earth – this CeraVe number hits all the marks. A favourite among many of the Vogue staffers, it’s a day-and-night must-try for anyone with dry or combination skin.

Best moisturiser for glowing skin: Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream

• Key ingredients: plumping Okinawa algae, antioxidant-rich purple rice bran, gold and humectants (glycerin & hyaluronic acid)
• Benefits: plumps, deeply hydrates and protects skin from pollution and oxidative stress
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: This Tatcha moisturiser is gaining cult status for its ability to deliver instant radiance and plumper, firmer skin over time. A pearl-sized amount is all you need for a dewy glow, thanks to a rich formula that cocoons skin in camellia extract and moisture-magnetising ingredients. Gold-infused, it leaves skin gleaming and helps reduce inflammation, with further antioxidant protection courtesy of Japanese algae and purple rice.

Best moisturiser for mature skin: Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Moisturiser

Estée Lauder

Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Moisturiser

• Key ingredients: cactus stem cells, hibiscus and moringa extracts, plus hyaluronic acid
• Benefits: nourishes skin with a plumping, firming and tightening effect
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Velvet-soft and ultra-nourishing, this cream is formulated with plant extracts to help strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier and smooth lines for a radiant, youthful complexion. Rich but not greasy, it absorbs easily into the skin.

Read more: 14 Best Acne Treatments & Products For Spots

Best moisturiser with SPF: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30

Best luxury moisturiser: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

• Key ingredients: nourishing evening primrose oil, as well as strengthening vitamin E, antioxidant-rich argan oil, plus avocado oil and hyaluronic acid
• Benefits: proven to reduce signs of ageing whilst also promoting elasticity and hydration
• Why it’s Vogue-approved: With a starry fan base that includes Jennifer Aniston, Eva Longoria, Victoria Beckham and Hailey Bieber, The Rich Cream comes heavily A-List approved – for good reason. Formulated with the brand’s patented TFC8 technology designed by stem cell specialist Dr Augustinus Bader, it’s a science-backed moisturiser which is clinically proven to reduce signs of ageing, including fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

FAQs

How do I choose a moisturiser?

Choosing the best moisturiser means considering more than just your skin type — external factors play a big role too. Is the weather cold and dry? A richer cream might be your best bet. On warm, humid days, a lightweight lotion is often enough. And sometimes, regardless of the weather, your skin might simply need a little extra care. That’s why Dr Anita Sturnham suggests keeping a few options on hand. “Your skin’s needs can vary daily, influenced by things like stress, hormonal changes, travel and lifestyle — all of which can affect hydration levels and lead to dryness. I usually recommend having two moisturisers: one lighter and one more nourishing.”

The best face moisturiser will contain both humectant and emollient properties to support the skin. Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane are brilliant ones to look out for, adds Dr Sturnham. “Even if your skin is oily and often breaks out, it’s a myth that you should skip the moisturiser step. The key is just to ensure you are using a well-formulated product, which performs the protective function without clogging pores.”

If you are concerned about oily skin, however, she suggests opting for a water-based product – look for the words ‘aqua’, ‘water’ and ‘deionised water’ at the top of the ingredients label. Meanwhile, those with drier skin types should look to moisturisers that contain ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and urea.

Should I moisturise in the morning or at night?

It really comes down to how your skin feels and what works best for your routine. Some people prefer moisturising in the morning, others at night — but ideally, you’ll do both. Most dermatologists recommend using a lightweight moisturiser during the day and a more nourishing night cream in the evening. That’s because moisturisers play a key role in protecting the skin’s outermost layer — the epidermal barrier — against environmental stressors like UV rays, blue light, pollution, bacteria and temperature changes, all while locking in essential moisture. Consistent application, morning and night, can significantly improve your skin’s texture and overall health.

What moisturisers do dermatologists recommend?

Most experts recommend products that have been made in collaboration with dermatologists, which is why CeraVe is a very popular brand. In particular, its moisturisers contain a healthy dose of nutrients – ceramides, hyaluronic acid and patented MVE delivery technology – which keep the skin hydrated for longer. Other brands derms recommend include Dr Sam Bunting’s, La Roche-Posay, Medik8 and Skinceuticals.

When in your routine should you apply moisturiser?

Moisturiser should be applied as the final step in your skincare routine at night — after cleansing, toning and applying any serums or treatments. Think of it as the seal that locks in all the hydration and active ingredients you’ve layered underneath. In the morning, follow it up with sunscreen; at night, let it be the last thing your skin drinks in before bed. The key is to apply it while your skin is still slightly damp to maximise absorption and keep moisture locked in.

How we chose the best moisturisers

Every moisturiser in our edit comes approved by at least one of the Vogue team, having been tested for a month (minimum), and used twice a day. Our editors tried a number of different formulas or shared the ride-or-die formulas they already use daily. Below are our most trusted recommendations, sorted according to what skin concern they best treat.

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