People often ask me what I consider the most important step in a beauty routine. My answer will always be skincare!
When it comes to makeup, your face is your canvas, and you will have that same canvas for life. It is something many of us take for granted when we are younger, but taking care of your skin can make a noticeable difference in how it looks, feels, and handles makeup over time.
A good moisturizer does more than make your skin feel soft. Depending on the formula, it can help support your skin barrier, reduce water loss, calm dryness, and create a smoother base for foundation and concealer.
The difficult part is finding the right one.
Nearly every moisturizer promises hydrated, glowing, healthy-looking skin, but skincare is never one-size-fits-all. A lightweight gel that feels amazing on oily skin may not be enough for someone dealing with dryness. On the other hand, a rich cream made for dry skin may feel uncomfortable or heavy on someone with an oily T-zone.
That is why I revisited my original list of the best moisturizers from 2023. After reviewing the current formulas, ingredient lists, updated expert recommendations, and my own experience with these products, five of my original choices still deserve their place on this list. I did, however, replace one older product with a stronger option for mature skin.
Whether your skin is oily, dry, combination, mature, sensitive, or simply in need of extra nighttime hydration, these are the six moisturizers I recommend in 2026.
All product recommendations are independently selected based on my personal experience, testing, and honest opinions. If I include affiliate links, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support my blog, but they never influence which products I recommend or the opinions I share.
How to Choose the Best Moisturizer for Your Skin
Before choosing a moisturizer, pay attention to how your skin feels a few hours after cleansing. Does it become shiny, feel tight, develop dry patches, or seem oily in some areas and dry in others? Because every skin type has different needs, your moisturizer should be chosen based on how your skin actually behaves rather than what is currently trending.
If your face becomes shiny quickly, look for a lightweight lotion, gel, or gel cream that hydrates without leaving a heavy layer behind. Oily and acne-prone skin can still become dehydrated, especially when you are using retinoids or other products that leave the skin feeling dry. Dermatologist Dr. Mara C. Weinstein Velez specifically identified Neutrogena Hydro Boost as a lightweight option when the rest of a skincare routine feels too drying. Current dermatologist-informed recommendations also commonly favor lightweight, oil-free or noncomedogenic moisturizers for oily skin, with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide appearing in many recommended formulas.
If your skin feels tight, rough, flaky, or uncomfortable, you may need a richer cream that combines different types of moisturizing ingredients. Humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid help attract water, emollients soften and smooth the skin, and occlusive ingredients help reduce moisture loss. Ceramides, squalane, shea butter, and certain oils are commonly found in richer formulas made for dry skin.
Combination skin usually requires a little more balance. Look for a moisturizer that is hydrating enough for the dry areas of your face without making your forehead, nose, and chin feel greasy. Your needs may also change with the seasons, so you might prefer a richer cream during colder months and a lighter gel cream when the weather is warm or humid.
For mature skin, look beyond products that simply use the words “anti-aging.” Ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, and peptides can support hydration and help the skin appear smoother and more plump. While a moisturizer cannot erase wrinkles, keeping the skin well hydrated can temporarily soften the appearance of fine lines caused or emphasized by dryness.
Sensitive skin can be more complicated because even a popular or highly rated product may not agree with everyone. Fragrance-free formulas are usually a better place to start, especially if fragrance has irritated your skin in the past. Introduce one new product at a time so it is easier to identify the cause if your skin becomes uncomfortable or irritated.
No matter your skin type, budget, or preferred texture, you should be able to find a moisturizer on this list that fits your needs and feels right in your daily routine!
Best Luxury Lightweight Moisturizer: Tatcha The Water Cream
Tatcha The Water Cream remains one of my favorite and best moisturizers for warmer weather, especially during the summer or when I am somewhere with a lot of humidity.
The texture is exactly what the name suggests. It begins as a cream but feels almost like water as you smooth it across the skin. It absorbs quickly and leaves my face feeling refreshed and hydrated without the heavier finish that sometimes comes with traditional creams.
That lightweight finish is one reason The Water Cream continues to receive praise for oily and combination skin. Recent beauty editor testing has also recognized it as a strong option for oily, pore-prone skin because it layers well, absorbs quickly, and provides hydration without emphasizing shine.
The formula is oil-free and contains Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 complex, made with fermented rice, green tea, and algae. It also contains Japanese wild rose and other botanical ingredients intended to smooth the appearance of the skin.
One important clarification is that a moisturizer cannot permanently shrink your pores. However, keeping the skin hydrated and controlling excess surface shine can make pores look less noticeable. The Water Cream gives my skin a smoother appearance, which is also one reason I enjoy using it underneath makeup.
The biggest downside is the price. This is definitely a luxury moisturizer, and there are more affordable gel creams that provide good hydration. It also contains fragrance, so it may not be the best choice for someone whose skin reacts easily to scented products.
Best For: Normal, combination, and oily skin
Key Ingredients: Green tea, rice, algae, Japanese wild rose, glycerin
Texture: Lightweight water cream
Finish: Smooth and hydrated without feeling greasy
Keep in Mind: It is expensive, contains fragrance, and may not provide enough moisture for very dry skin.
If you are looking for more products from Tatcha that I personally use and recommend, visit my guide to the 17 Best Makeup Products I Actually Use and Recommend.
Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
When my skin needs something richer than Tatcha The Water Cream, Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream is one of the first products I reach for.
This is especially true during colder weather or whenever my skin feels tight and needs more than a lightweight gel. The texture feels rich and comforting without having the thick, greasy finish I usually associate with heavier moisturizers.
Lala Retro is formulated with three types of ceramides: ceramides AP, EOP, and NP. Ceramides are naturally present in the skin and play an important role in the moisture barrier. The formula also includes glycerin, cholesterol, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, and five African oils, including marula, baobab, mongongo, kalahari melon, and ximenia oils.
Together, these ingredients help soften dry skin and reduce moisture loss. Drunk Elephant describes it as a daily moisture-maintenance cream, and I think that is an accurate way to look at it. It is not an exfoliating treatment or a prescription solution for a skin condition. It is simply a dependable, barrier-supporting moisturizer for skin that needs more nourishment.
Another advantage is that the formula does not contain added fragrance, essential oils, dyes, silicones, or drying alcohols. That can make it a more appealing choice for people who prefer to avoid fragrance in their skincare.
Despite the whipped texture, this is still a rich product. Someone with very oily or congestion-prone skin may prefer a lighter moisturizer, especially during hot and humid weather. It is also another expensive option, although a small amount is usually enough to cover the face and neck.
Best For: Dry, very dry, normal, or seasonally dehydrated skin
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, cholesterol, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, and five moisturizing oils
Texture: Airy whipped cream
Finish: Nourished and moisturized without an oily residue
Keep in Mind: It may feel too rich for very oily skin and is one of the more expensive products on this list.
Best Drugstore Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel remains one of the best affordable moisturizers I have found for oily skin.
It gives you that refreshing gel texture people love about luxury water creams without requiring you to spend luxury prices. The formula spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and sits nicely underneath makeup.
Its main hydrating ingredients include hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Both are humectants, meaning they help attract and hold water at the surface of the skin. This can make the complexion look smoother, fresher, and temporarily more plump.
The current Water Gel is made for normal to oily skin and is praised by beauty editors for providing hydration without a sticky or greasy finish. Recent editor testing has also noted that the updated formula is fragrance-free, which is a meaningful improvement for sensitive or fragrance-conscious shoppers.
Over the years, I’ve had friends and family mention Hydro Boost as something that can treat eczema, redness, or dark spots. While I understand why people may associate it with those concerns—especially because hydrated skin can look smoother and feel more comfortable—it is important to remember that Hydro Boost is a moisturizer, not a treatment for a medical skin condition or pigmentation. Its hyaluronic acid helps attract moisture to the skin and can make dehydration lines look less noticeable, but its main purpose is to provide lightweight hydration.
What it does exceptionally well is provide lightweight, comfortable hydration. That makes it a great option for oily, combination, acne-prone, or younger skin that does not enjoy the feeling of a traditional face cream.
For the best results, apply it after cleansing or after your serum and follow it with sunscreen during the day.
Best For: Normal, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin
Texture: Cooling water gel
Finish: Lightweight, fresh, and non-greasy
Keep in Mind: It may not be rich enough for very dry skin, especially during the winter.
Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
Finding the right moisturizer for combination skin can be frustrating.
You need enough hydration for the dry areas of your face, but you do not want a formula that makes your T-zone feel heavy or overly shiny. Many moisturizers claim to work for every skin type, but in my experience, the reality does not always match the promise.
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream does a better job of finding that balance.
The texture is a whipped gel cream that feels more nourishing than Neutrogena Hydro Boost but lighter than Drunk Elephant Lala Retro. It absorbs nicely, gives the skin a luminous finish, and does not leave me feeling like I have a thick layer of cream sitting on my face.
The formula contains five different forms or molecular weights of hyaluronic acid along with polyglutamic acid. These ingredients help attract and retain moisture. It also contains glycerin, squalane, niacinamide, plum-derived ingredients, and ice willowherb. Glow Recipe describes the formula as suitable for dry, combination, and oily skin because it provides hydration with a non-greasy finish.
This is also a beautiful moisturizer to use before makeup when you want a dewy base. It gives the skin that fresh, bouncy appearance without causing my foundation to slide around.
One important thing to note is that the Plum Plump is not completely fragrance-free. Glow Recipe says it does not contain synthetic fragrance, but the ingredient list does include a small amount of natural fragrance. That distinction matters for anyone who knows their skin is sensitive to fragrance.
I would still recommend it for most combination skin types, but those with extremely reactive skin may be better suited to a simpler, completely fragrance-free formula.
Best For: Combination, normal, or dehydrated skin
Key Ingredients: Multi-weight hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, glycerin, squalane, niacinamide, and plum extracts
Texture: Whipped gel cream
Finish: Plump and dewy without feeling overly heavy
Keep in Mind: It contains natural fragrance and may leave a little too much glow for someone who prefers a completely matte finish.
Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free
My original article recommended Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Fragrance-Free with SPF 15. Although that product was popular for many years, it is no longer the Olay moisturizer I would place at the top of this category.
My updated recommendation for mature skin is Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free.
The Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream was reformulated for 2026 with a three-peptide blend. The updated formula also includes niacinamide and panthenol, also known as provitamin B5. These ingredients are intended to support hydration, improve the appearance of texture, and help mature skin look smoother and firmer over time.
Niacinamide is one of the reasons I prefer this formula. It is a versatile ingredient that can support the skin barrier, improve the appearance of uneven tone, and help calm visible redness. Peptides are commonly used in mature-skin formulas to support a smoother and firmer-looking complexion.
I also appreciate that this cream gives you a rich, silky texture without the luxury price tag. Current testing and reviews describe it as deeply hydrating but fast-absorbing, and a fragrance-free version is available for anyone who prefers to avoid added scent.
Unlike the old Olay Total Effects product, this particular version does not need to serve as your sunscreen. I actually prefer keeping those steps separate. Apply the Regenerist cream for hydration, then follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher during the day.
That is especially important because the American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, meaning an SPF 15 moisturizer should not be relied on as your only source of sun protection.
No moisturizer will erase wrinkles or replace a dermatologist-administered treatment. However, consistent hydration can plump dry skin, soften the appearance of fine lines, and help makeup sit more smoothly.
Best For: Mature, normal, dry, or combination skin
Key Ingredients: Triple-peptide blend, niacinamide, panthenol, and moisturizing emollients
Texture: Rich, silky cream
Finish: Smooth and moisturized without feeling excessively greasy
Keep in Mind: Choose the fragrance-free version if you are sensitive to scent, and always apply a separate broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher during the day.
Best Nighttime Moisturizer for Dry or Irritated Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is one of those products that I appreciate having available whenever my skin feels unusually dry, uncomfortable, or irritated.
Although you can use it during the day, I particularly like it as the final step in a nighttime routine. The cream feels soothing and gives my skin the extra layer of moisture it sometimes needs before bed. A little bit also goes a surprisingly long way.
The formula contains 0.5% colloidal oatmeal, ceramide NP, glycerin, shea butter, squalane, dimethicone, and allantoin. Colloidal oatmeal is included as a skin-protectant ingredient, while the ceramide and moisturizing ingredients help support the skin barrier and soften dry areas.
First Aid Beauty says Ultra Repair Cream can be applied from head to toe and is suitable for dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin. The product is also listed in the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance Product Directory as a moisturizer for both the face and body.
I especially like its versatility. You can use it as your regular face moisturizer, apply it to dry patches, or use it on areas such as your hands, elbows, and knees. That makes the larger containers feel more practical than buying an expensive face cream that can only be used in one place.
However, people with extremely reactive skin should still patch-test it. The current ingredient list includes eucalyptus leaf oil, and botanical oils can be irritating for certain individuals, even when the overall product is marketed toward sensitive skin. Everyone’s sensitivity triggers are different.
Those with very oily skin may also find the cream heavier than necessary for everyday facial use. In that case, I would save it for dry patches or use it only when the skin barrier feels compromised.
Best For: Dry, sensitive, irritated, or eczema-prone skin
Key Ingredients: 0.5% colloidal oatmeal, ceramide NP, glycerin, shea butter, squalane, and allantoin
Texture: Rich whipped cream
Finish: Soft, comforted, and deeply moisturized
Keep in Mind: It contains eucalyptus leaf oil, so patch-test it if your skin reacts easily to botanical ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use the Same Moisturizer During the Day and at Night?
Most basic moisturizers can be used both morning and night.
The biggest difference is usually personal preference. You may enjoy a lightweight gel underneath makeup during the day and a richer cream before bed. Someone with dry skin may prefer a cream during both routines, while oily skin may only need a light layer.
The main exception is a daytime moisturizer containing sunscreen. Sunscreen does not provide any benefit while you sleep, while some richer night creams may feel too heavy beneath foundation.
You also do not need a product labeled “night cream” for it to work at night. A dependable moisturizer that agrees with your skin is more important than the wording on the packaging.
Should Oily Skin Use Moisturizer?
Yes. Oily skin can still become dehydrated.
Oil and water are not the same thing. Your skin may produce plenty of sebum while still lacking water at the surface. This can leave the face simultaneously shiny and tight.
Instead of skipping moisturizer, choose a lightweight gel, water cream, or oil-free lotion that absorbs easily. Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Tatcha The Water Cream are the two lightest options on this list.
Should You Apply Moisturizer Before Makeup?
Moisturizer can make a major difference in how makeup applies.
When the skin is dry or flaky, foundation may cling to the texture and look uneven. A moisturizer helps soften the surface so complexion products can blend more smoothly.
Apply a thin, even layer and give it a few minutes to settle before moving on to sunscreen, primer, or foundation. Using too much skincare immediately before makeup can sometimes cause products to pill or slide.
For a dewy makeup base, I would choose Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream. For a lighter finish in hot weather, Tatcha The Water Cream or Neutrogena Hydro Boost may work better.
Which Moisturizer Is Best Overall?
There is no single moisturizer that will be best for everyone.
My personal favorite for hot and humid weather is Tatcha The Water Cream. For dry winter skin, I would reach for Drunk Elephant Lala Retro. Someone looking for an affordable everyday option may prefer Neutrogena Hydro Boost, while Glow Recipe is my choice for combination skin that still wants a dewy glow.
Olay Regenerist is the strongest value for mature skin, and First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is the product I would keep nearby for nighttime use, irritation, or stubborn dry patches.
The best choice depends on your skin type, the climate, your sensitivity to fragrance, and how rich you want your moisturizer to feel.
Final Thoughts on the Best Moisturizers
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my updated guide to the six best moisturizers in 2026!
Looking back at my original recommendations from 2023, I was happy to see that most of these moisturizers have continued to earn positive attention from beauty editors, skincare experts, and everyday customers. That said, skincare information changes, formulas are updated, and some of the claims we accepted a few years ago deserve a closer look today.
The most important lesson is that a moisturizer does not need to make dramatic medical or anti-aging promises to be valuable. Its main job is to keep your skin comfortable, hydrated, and supported.
By finding a moisturizer that fits your skin type, you are not only caring for how your skin looks today. You are also helping create a smoother, healthier-looking canvas for the rest of your beauty routine.
Our skin is our one and only canvas, and it deserves care, patience, and attention. I hope this updated guide makes it easier for you to find a moisturizer that fits your routine, your budget, and your skin’s unique needs.