High-achieving professionals know it’s essential to get the fundamentals down before moving on to other things, and it’s true for skin care, too. That means choosing the best face wash for your skin, finding a sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear every day, and—very importantly—picking an excellent moisturizer. To help, we asked our testing team to try a range of face moisturizers and share their thoughts, including which moisturizers absorbed well, which were gentle on eczema-prone skin, and whether any options worked well under makeup. Read on to discover our favorites.

Best Face Moisturizers of 2026

• Best Overall: OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer
• Best Luxury Face Moisturizer: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine SPF 30
• Best Face Moisturizer for Aging Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore
• Best Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
• Best Face Moisturizer for All Skin Types: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer
• Best Drugstore Face Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
• Best Priming Face Moisturizer: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

Best Face Moisturizer Comparison Table

Face Moisturizer	Key Ingredients	Best For	Added Fragrance
OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer	OS-01 Peptide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, oleic pau mulato extract, pracaxi oil, andiroba oil	Aging skin	No
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine SPF 30	Padina pavonica, chlorella vulgaris, porphyridium cruentum, avobenzone 1.0%, octinoxate 1.0%, octocrylene 0.5%	Dry skin with fine lines and wrinkles	Yes
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore	Patented ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids	Dry, normal, combination, oily, sensitive, dehydrated, or aging skin	Contains essential oils
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer	Encapsulated probiotics, fermented bisabolol, vegan allantoin, sugarcane squalane	Redness- and blemish-prone, oily, combination, normal, sensitive, and reactive skin types	No
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer	Ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water	All skin types, including sensitive	No
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream	Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, dimenthicone, petrolatum	Normal to dry skin	No
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream	Hyaluronic acid, red algae, Japanese purple rice, biomimetic squalane	Dry, combination, dehydrated, or aging skin	No

OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer
Key Ingredients	OS-01 Peptide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, oleic pau mulato extract, pracaxi oil, andiroba oil
Best For	Aging skin
Added Fragrance	No
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine SPF 30
Key Ingredients	Padina pavonica, chlorella vulgaris, porphyridium cruentum, avobenzone 1.0%, octinoxate 1.0%, octocrylene 0.5%
Best For	Dry skin with fine lines and wrinkles
Added Fragrance	Yes
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore
Key Ingredients	Patented ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids
Best For	Dry, normal, combination, oily, sensitive, dehydrated, or aging skin
Added Fragrance	Contains essential oils
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
Key Ingredients	Encapsulated probiotics, fermented bisabolol, vegan allantoin, sugarcane squalane
Best For	Redness- and blemish-prone, oily, combination, normal, sensitive, and reactive skin types
Added Fragrance	No
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer
Key Ingredients	Ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water
Best For	All skin types, including sensitive
Added Fragrance	No
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Key Ingredients	Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, dimenthicone, petrolatum
Best For	Normal to dry skin
Added Fragrance	No
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic acid, red algae, Japanese purple rice, biomimetic squalane
Best For	Dry, combination, dehydrated, or aging skin
Added Fragrance	No

Best Overall: OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer

Our Thoughts on OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer

This product promises lightweight hydration, and the company says it’s also clinically proven to firm and smooth skin—which comes with a superscript numeral indicating a footnote with more information. Curious to know more about the clinical research, we looked for that footnote but couldn’t find it anywhere on the webpage.

The company says its proprietary OS-01 Senescence-Blocking Peptide “visibly slows cellular skin aging, resulting in skin that feels and acts younger over time,” and, besides smoothing and softening skin texture, the product supposedly evens skin tone and strengthens the skin barrier.

Our tester, Bella, who has combination skin, tried this moisturizer and reported a very positive experience. “The face moisturizer spreads super easily across my face,” said Bella, explaining she could either gently rub it into her skin or pat it, and it would fully absorb either way. She rated the application a 5 out of 5, and the texture and feel another 5 out of 5. As she explained, “Sometimes super hydrating products can feel slimy, but this moisturizer felt very clean and integrated well into my skin.”

One of this moisturizer’s standout features was how well it worked when combined with other products. Bella explained, “What I love most about this face moisturizer is that it layers well with other products. I am able to use it after my toner and mix it with sunscreen to allow for a barrier to form while also adding extra protection with SPF. I typically apply my foundation after the moisturizer, and it works great.” 

“This is a very lightweight moisturizer,” said Bella, describing it as a mix between a gel and a cream. She said it feels “super breathable” and absorbs quickly, noting, “The hydration lasts throughout the day and helps keep my makeup from getting cakey.” Bella considers this moisturizer extremely hydrating, rating it a 5 out of 5 for hydration. 

Bella also liked the product’s finish, which she described as “a mix between dewy and natural, leaving behind a gorgeous, even finish.” And she was pleased that the moisturizer seemed to lead to skin improvements. As Bella explained, “I think the texture of my skin has definitely improved since using this facial moisturizer. My skin remains hydrated and has not experienced as many breakouts.”

We recommend this moisturizer for professionals who need something effective yet efficient, and that won’t slow down a morning routine. As Bella said, “The moisturizer absorbs quickly so that by the time I’m ready for my next product layer, it has already settled into my skin.” Perfect for when you’re getting ready for work and just want to go seamlessly from one step to the next, without having to wait.

Specs:

• Best for: Aging skin
• Cost per ounce: $68.80
• Added fragrance: No

Best Luxury Face Moisturizer: Elemis Pro-Collagen

Our Thoughts on Elemis Pro-Collagen

This “marine-powered, wrinkle-smoothing day cream” has an SPF of 30 and also purportedly delivers 24 hours of hydration. The moisturizer is made with marine and plant actives and is designed to have a lightweight “gel-cream texture” that works well as a makeup base. It’s also described as having a floral scent, one of the few products in our lineup that isn’t formulated to be fragrance-free.

Charlotte, a member of our testing team, describes her skin as oily and acne-prone, with some redness and uneven texture. She tried Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 and gave it high marks in key categories.

“This moisturizer feels luxurious, like something you would expect to be used during a facial,” said Charlotte, noting, “It feels silky smooth both on my hands and when I put it on my face. I usually find myself having to wipe my hands off after putting on face moisturizer, but with this I can just rub it in on my hands afterward.” She rated the application a 5 out of 5 and gave another 5 out of 5 for this moisturizer’s texture and feel.

Another plus about this moisturizer: “My makeup sits well on top of it,” said Charlotte, explaining that with other moisturizers she often had pilling when adding makeup on top, but that with Elemis Pro-Collagen, “My makeup application is as smooth as if I don’t have anything on under it.” 

Even though Charlotte describes this moisturizer as “so lightweight,” she said it’s very hydrating—but without feeling greasy. Charlotte said, “I love that it doesn’t sit heavy on my face. I feel very hydrated all day after using this product.” She noted that even when she uses it at night, she wakes up with dewy skin, adding, “As someone with greasy skin, this used to kind of scare me, but it’s a different kind of dewy-looking and looks healthy.” Charlotte rated this moisturizer’s hydrating abilities a 5 out of 5.

“My favorite thing about this product is that my makeup application feels as normal as if I don’t have anything else on my skin,” said Charlotte, noting the product’s excellent layering abilities. She’s also noticed changes in her skin, including that it “feels so smooth” and has a more even tone, with Charlotte saying she’s gotten more compliments on her skin since she began using this product. 

This moisturizer layers well with other products, and we love its spa-like feel. We recommend it for busy professionals who like their skincare to feel like self-care time, rather than something to be rushed through.

Specs:

• Best for: Dry skin with fine lines and wrinkles
• Cost per ounce: $88.76
• Added fragrance: Yes

Best Face Moisturizer for Aging Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore

Our Thoughts on SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is a moisturizer that’s “formulated with an ideal ratio of ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids,” all designed to hydrate skin and address visible aging. The company says this product is clinically proven to improve smoothness, skin laxity, and radiance, and that it also helps restore the skin barrier. However, we couldn’t find the relevant research information on the webpage, such as sample size and study funding.

A member of our testing team, Kayla, reports having extremely dry skin. She tried SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore and was generally pleased with the results. When she first applied it, she noticed she had to use slightly more moisturizer than expected, explaining, “I knocked off a half point from the score due to the larger amount I had to use to get a nice even layer across my face.” 

But on the upside, she said she was impressed with how well this moisturizer worked under makeup. As Kayla explained, “Usually with a heavier cream I get more creasing in my makeup or pilling of the moisturizer. This product absorbed into my skin, was hydrating, and not tacky. My makeup glided over it very nicely, and the overall finish was a nice dewy look.” She rated the application a 4.5 out of 5.

Kayla rated the texture and feel a 4 out of 5, saying, “Immediately after applying the product, I noticed how nicely it spread and absorbed into my skin. Sometimes with a heavier cream, you notice it pills on the skin or leaves a film on top. This product was silky smooth, melted in effortlessly, and felt very hydrating.” Kayla reported that the hydration lasted all day, and that she liked the “very soft finish.” She did say it looked slightly shiny at times when worn without makeup on top, which is why she removed one point from the score. 

According to Kayla, who wore this product continuously for two weeks, “Typically, I need to layer multiple hydrating products under my makeup to prep my skin for the day. This product did a good job of keeping my dry areas hydrated and my T-zone not greasy.” She rated the hydration a 4.5 out of 5.

Kayla noticed positive skin benefits, too, explaining, “This moisturizer did a great job of helping some red spots on my face become less prominent and making my face look overall more hydrated. I was also able to see some improvement in redness for some old acne scarring, and my skin laxity looked like it improved as well.” 

Overall, said Kayla, “I loved how I could skip the multiple steps in my routine of layering hydrating products and could just stick with SkinCeuticals. For someone who has extremely dry skin, I was impressed by how well it layered under my makeup—giving me the boost of hydration I needed without making me greasy or leaving my makeup looking creased.” 

Since this moisturizer allows you to cut other products from your routine, we recommend it for high performers who prioritize efficiency, want one product to do the job of multiple, and want a hydrating moisturizer that layers well with other products. 

Specs:

• Best for: Dry, normal, combination, oily, sensitive, dehydrated, or aging skin
• Cost per ounce: $96.88
• Added fragrance: Contains essential oils

Best Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer

Our Thoughts on Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer

Biossance’s Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is formulated with probiotics to help promote skin clarity, reduce oiliness, and keep skin calm. The product is suitable for reddened, congested, blemish-prone skin, and the company says this moisturizer “delivers instant comfort for your skin’s loudest moments.”

Ann, who’s on our testing team, says she has super dry, sensitive skin and eczema. She liked this product, rating it highly in multiple areas.

“The cream is very easy to apply to my skin, and I like that it doesn’t take much to cover my face,” said Ann, adding that the cream felt lightweight and took about a minute to fully absorb. Ann also explained, “Some moisturizers I use tend to pill, but even after excessive rubbing on my skin, this product stays intact. I also love that it doesn’t cause any excess redness.” She rated the application process a 5 out of 5, and the texture and feel a 4.5 out of 5.

Ann said this moisturizer “feels like water as it melts into my skin, leaving behind a small shine,” but that the shine goes away as the moisturizer dries—which she says took about a minute or more. “I could feel a difference as soon as I put this cream on my face,” said Ann, explaining, “The squalane is so hydrating and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. I also love that it contains hyaluronic acid and carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance—I live by those products.” She rated the hydration a 4.5 out of 5. 

One minor drawback, according to our tester, was, “While the text on the jar said ‘visibly calms skin,’ I wouldn’t say that it helped out any existing redness or discoloration.” Ann did say, though, that for the week she used this moisturizer, her skin was consistently hydrated. We think this moisturizer is a great option for professionals with all skin types, but especially those with reactive skin given the gentle hydrating formula. This moisturizer does take a minute or so to dry down, but once it does, the hydration lasts all day, through meetings, lunches, and the after-work gym session.

Specs:

• Best for: Redness- and blemish-prone, oily, combination, normal, sensitive, and reactive skin types
• Cost per ounce: $28.99
• Added fragrance: No

Best Face Moisturizer for All Skin Types: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer

Our Thoughts on La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer

This moisturizer contains ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin, and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, all of which are designed to help repair the skin barrier and offer up to 48 hours of hydration. The cream has a lightweight texture and is suitable for all skin types.

A member of our testing team, Susan, says she has normal skin, and she tried this moisturizer and reported, “The moisturizer applies nicely, and a little bit goes a long way. When I apply it, it absorbs nicely and smoothly into the skin without any residue.” She rated it a 5 out of 5 for its easy application.

“The cream is a nice medium-firm consistency and feels cool to the touch when I apply it to my face,” said Susan, adding, “It’s a welcome refresher in the early mornings! Most importantly, to me at least, it does not feel sticky once applied and dries quickly.” She also said this moisturizer leaves her face feeling moisturized and with a smooth matte finish in just a few seconds. She rated this product a 5 out of 5 for texture and feel. 

The effect of using this moisturizer? In Susan’s experience, “My skin feels smooth and even while still retaining moisture for a large part of the day. It also leaves my skin feeling refreshed.” Susan rated this moisturizer’s hydration a 5 out of 5 and added that this product also made her skin seem brighter and more even, with a glow.

Specs:

• Best for: All skin types, including sensitive
• Cost per ounce: $8.51
• Added fragrance: No

Best Drugstore Face Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Our Thoughts on CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

This product is a rich, non-greasy moisturizer that helps soothe dry, itchy skin and restore the skin barrier. It’s made with hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, and petrolatum for hydration, and it’s suitable for use on both the face and body. 

Bella, from our testing team, tried this moisturizer, noting that she has combination skin. She said this moisturizing cream spread pretty easily, despite being “super thick.” Bella explained, “You definitely don’t need to use a ton of product, as it is pretty dense and just a bit will cover your face.” She rated the application a 4 out of 5.

As for the texture, Bella said, “It felt just a little too thick for my liking. The cream was dense and rich. A good way to think about it was if you turned the whole container upside down, it probably wouldn’t immediately drip out.” She said the moisturizer takes slightly longer to absorb, but she noted that it didn’t feel super heavy or greasy when applied—though it did leave a slight residue. Bella rated the texture and feel a 4 out of 5. 

This moisturizer really shone in hydration. “This is definitely a moisturizing cream,” said Bella, adding, “My skin feels more supple and even when I use it. The hydration helped reduce visibility of lines and made my skin feel stronger and healthier.” She rated the hydration a 5 out of 5.

After using this product, Bella reported that her skin felt “very hydrated” and said her skin texture seemed to improve, which is why we’d recommend it for professionals who want an easily accessible moisturizer that does more than just hydrate.

Specs:

• Best for: Normal to dry skin
• Cost per ounce: $1.70
• Added fragrance: No

Best Priming Face Moisturizer: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

Our Thoughts on Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

This dermatologist-tested face moisturizer by Tatcha is designed to address fine lines and offer maximum hydration, and it claims to boost skin moisturization by 225 percent after one use—which is based on a clinical study involving 36 people, but the study duration isn’t noted.

A member of our testing team, Emily (distinct from the staff writer of the same name), said she has combination skin that’s also slightly sensitive, and she tested this face moisturizer. After trying it, she noted, “You really only need a small amount of this product to cover your face, which is impressive. And it absorbs super well into my skin.” She rated the application a 5 out of 5.

As for how this product felt, Emily said, “It does absorb very quickly and makes my skin feel soft. I’ll probably use this product more in the winter months when my skin is prone to dryness.” She rated the texture and feel a 4 out of 5. 

She was most impressed with this skin cream’s moisturizing benefits, noting, “My skin felt immediately more hydrated, and that lasted well into the morning after applying the cream at night.” She rated the product’s hydrating properties a 5 out of 5. 

Overall, said Emily, “This is a product where I can see myself reaching for it for immediate dryness relief.” She said it feels dewy and natural, not greasy or sticky. “I have also really loved wearing it under makeup as a primer because it helps my makeup glide on,” said Emily, adding, “It also just makes your skin glow, which is good for no-makeup workdays.” 

We think this option would work well for professionals who want a smooth foundation for their makeup but also want glowing skin on days when they skip their makeup routine.

Specs:

• Best for: Dry, combination, dehydrated, or aging skin
• Cost per ounce: $43.53
• Added fragrance: No

Why the Right Face Moisturizer Matters to Professionals

Professionals know that appearance is important, whether you’re in client-facing meetings, doing a company-wide presentation, or even just hopping on your weekly one-on-one Zoom with your manager. If you don’t feel great about your appearance, which includes your skin, that can affect confidence, which in turn can affect performance.

Having a solid skin care routine that leaves you looking great can, in turn, help you feel great. Beyond the confidence boost, feeling good about yourself can sometimes translate into being more proactive at work and spending more face time with colleagues and clients. 

How We Tested and Selected the Best Face Moisturizers

Here’s how we chose our lineup.

Texture and Feel

We looked at each product’s consistency, including examining the texture of each product and how it felt when applied to the face. 

Hydration

Face moisturizer is meant to offer hydration, so we looked for formulas with particularly hydrating ingredients, such as ceramides, squalane, glycerin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. 

Skin Comfort

Everyone’s skin type is different, so we looked for face moisturizers that addressed a range of concerns, from normal or combination skin to dry or reddened skin.

Value

Not everyone evaluates a product based on the same set of criteria. But for many people, cost factors into their overall assessment of value, so here’s a breakdown of the price and cost per ounce of each product. We also want to remind readers that more expensive doesn’t mean a product is better or more effective.

Face Moisturizer	Price	Size	Cost per ounce
OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer	$117	1.7 fl oz	$68.80
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine SPF 30	$150	1.69 fl oz	$88.76
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore	$155	1.6 fl oz	$96.88
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer	$49	1.69 oz	$28.99
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer	$11.49	1.35 fl oz	$8.51
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream	$13.59	8 oz	$1.70
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream	$74	1.7 fl oz	$43.53

OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer
Price	$117
Size	1.7 fl oz
Cost per ounce	$68.80
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine SPF 30
Price	$150
Size	1.69 fl oz
Cost per ounce	$88.76
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore
Price	$155
Size	1.6 fl oz
Cost per ounce	$96.88
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
Price	$49
Size	1.69 oz
Cost per ounce	$28.99
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair with Ceramide Facial Moisturizer
Price	$11.49
Size	1.35 fl oz
Cost per ounce	$8.51
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Price	$13.59
Size	8 oz
Cost per ounce	$1.70
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Price	$74
Size	1.7 fl oz
Cost per ounce	$43.53

How to Find the Best Face Moisturizers for You

If you’re looking for a face moisturizer, here are some things to think about.

Your Skin Type

First, you need to consider your skin type and its needs. Does your face tend to be oily, dehydrated, or maybe even a combination of the two? Be sure to choose a face moisturizer that offers benefits your skin needs. 

Key Ingredients

When looking for a face moisturizer, you want to check for hydrating ingredients. This may include things like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, or any number of other things. Keep in mind, though, that just because something seems hydrating doesn’t mean it absorbs well. For example, oils can seem ideal if your skin is dry, but certain oils may not absorb very well into the skin.

Primary Skin Concerns

Besides thinking about your specific skin type, consider your main skin concern—whether fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, or something else. Then you can shop for a face moisturizer that’s designed to address those exact issues.

Cost

Skincare products range in price from the seemingly astronomical—think hundreds of dollars for a tiny amount of product—to the far more affordable drugstore options. Think about your ideal price range and whether you’re willing to pay more for certain features, like various key ingredients.

What to Avoid in Face Moisturizers

According to Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, here are some things to note when looking for a face moisturizer. 

• Look for ingredients that promote hydration and prevent moisture loss: “Squalane and ceramides are good ingredients, as they protect the barrier of the skin and help prevent trans epidermal water loss,” says Jaliman.
• Focus on ingredients that attract water, too: Besides those ingredients, Jaliman added, “I would look for ingredients that attract water, like hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, and glycerin.”
• Avoid scented moisturizers: “The first thing I would avoid is fragrance,” said Jaliman, adding, “Fragrance can be irritating to the skin; it can cause redness, and it is also drying.”
• Skip the shea if you’re prone to acne: Jaliman said, “If you are acne-prone, avoid shea butter, as it is comedogenic.”

“In the end, the best moisturizer is the one that you’ll actually use, and if you are acne-prone, one that will not break you out,” notes Jaliman.

Fortune’s Final Thoughts

We named OneSkin OS-01 Moisturizer our best overall face moisturizer because of its quick absorption and lasting hydration, not to mention how nicely it layered with makeup. It checked all the boxes that a busy professional might want, including being an easy, low-fuss addition to a morning skincare routine.

Frequently asked questions

What type of moisturizer do dermatologists recommend for dry skin on the face?

Jaliman said, “For dry skin, look for shea butter, as it contains fatty acids that protect the skin barrier. Also look for a product with multiple types of ceramides. Choose a cream rather than a lotion.” She also suggested looking for products designed for eczema-prone skin, “because they are often fragrance-free and super hydrating.”

Can you use body cream on your face?

“You can use a body lotion on the face, but I would say it’s not your best choice,” said Jaliman, explaining, “Often it’s too thin and not hydrating enough for the face. Other times it can have acne-causing ingredients. Some of the body lotions have salicylic acid, so they can be too drying. It is best to find out what type of skin you have and choose a moisturizer that complements it.”

Should you use different lotions in the morning and at night?

Jaliman said, “I recommend using a lighter moisturizer during the day because hopefully a sunscreen will be applied over it. A thicker moisturizer is better at night, especially if you have dry skin, because then you have a good six to eight hours for it to absorb and hydrate your skin.”