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The 12 Best Moisturizers for Glowing Skin, Tested and Reviewed by Cosmo Beauty Editors
These are basically glass skin in a bottle.
One thing about me: I strive to have the glowiest, glass-like skin out there. And I've tried it all to get there—Hydrafacials, microcurrent devices, you name it. But IMO, the easiest way to maintain a daily glow without the pricey treatments or gadgets is a meticulous skincare routine with tons of hydrating and radiance-inducing products. Specifically, a moisturizer with ingredients designed to give you glowy skin.
To help you find the perfect glowy skin moisturizer, I tapped a whole bunch of Cosmo editors (with a variety of skin types) to test dozens of new and old moisturizers designed to improve skin tone and texture. I also consulted dermatologist Sara Hogan, MD, for her recommendations on the best brightening and smoothing ingredients to look for and her advice for achieving radiant skin.
Our top picks for the best moisturizers for glowing skin in 2025:
But Glowy Face Moisturizer with Vitamin C
OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer
Read more
Ahead, the 12 best glow-boosting moisturizers that are loaded with ingredients that work overtime for that just-had-a-facial look.
Pros
- Safe for acne-prone skin
- Comes in a refillable jar
Cons
- Since it's on the richer side, those with oily skin should use it sparingly
One Cosmo editor says: "Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Serum is beloved for its signature grape extract, which helps brighten and even skin tone over time, and that same powerhouse ingredient is packed into this rich moisturizer. Hydrating and radiance-boosting ingredients work hand in hand to leave you with the glowiest skin imaginable. I love slathering it on at night when my skin feels extra dry, or in the morning when I'm having a makeup-free day."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, grape extract, pearlescent minerals |
Pros
- Safe for acne-prone skin
- Also works great with the Banana Bright Eye Cream
Cons
- Not ideal for nighttime use
One Cosmo editor says: "When I think of glowy skincare, Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright line is the first that comes to mind. It’s packed with luxe vitamin C (the line was my personal introduction to the ingredient a few years back) and infused with banana-esque pigments that reflect light, instantly making skin look more luminous and even."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, niacinamide |
Pros
- Works well under makeup
- Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award Winner
Cons
- Those with extra dry skin should use a hydrating serum underneath
One Cosmo editor says: “This lotion saves me time and steps in the morning by combining moisturizer with SPF and vitamin C. It’s extremely lightweight, so it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all but gives my skin a nice glow—almost like I have a filter on."—MADELINE REEVES, FORMER SENIOR SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, glycerin |
Pros
- 2024 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
- Good for all skin types
Cons
- Jar gets a bit messy
One Cosmo editor says: “I despise the feeling of my face sticking to my pillow. But Tula Skincare’s bedtime bright treatment is a genius lightweight gel that doesn’t feel goopy or tacky as it helps brighten and firm my skin with vitamin C and niacinamide.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, niacinamide |
Pros
- 2024 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
- Four types of hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Might not be the best option for super oily skin
One Cosmo editor says: “My skin gets so dull and dry in the winter months, and this brightening cream was like a wakeup call. It is so hydrating and light and doesn’t feel too oily but gives the perfect amount of moisture to make my skin glow.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Great for all skin types
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Largest bottle size is 2 oz. (so on the small side)
One Cosmo editor says: "Not to brag, but I get compliments on my glowy skin all the time, and honestly I owe it all to Face Reality's products. This lightweight moisturizer helps regulate sebum, is packed with brightening ingredients like niacinamide and licorice root extract, and skips pore-cloggers, making it perfect for acne-prone skin."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, licorice root extract, cranberry extract |
Pros
- Contains moisture-rich, three-lipid blend
- Dr. Hogan loves this pick
Cons
- On the pricey side
One Cosmo editor says: "As an acne-prone girlie, I use retinoids and AHAs. And I've learned that lipids, like ceramides and fatty acids, are essential to replenish your skin's moisture levels and support the skin barrier, they're also great for smoothing mature skin. Soooo, I love this moisturizer because it's packed with 'em. It feels luxurious when I massage the cream into my skin, but it really is a workhorse to hydrate my skin, even when it's extra dry and irritated."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, vitamin E, glycerin |
Pros
- Great introduction of vitamin C for anyone who may be new to using it
- Sensitive-skin friendly
Cons
- The smell may be off-putting to some
One Cosmo editor says: "Because I have always used a vitamin C serum every morning, I was initially hesitant to try this vitamin-C-rich moisturizer. However, the brightening and hydrating effects I experienced have made me think there may be something to using a vitamin C cream after all, especially for those who aren't getting vitamin C elsewhere. The cream’s 3 percent stabilized vitamin C delivers the brightening and evening effects of the ingredient, plus its protective benefits, without potential irritation. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid nourishes and moisturizes skin for the day ahead."—GABBY SHACKNAI, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Doubles as a long-wearing makeup primer
- Immediately evens out skin tone
Cons
- Contains fragrance
One Cosmo editor says: "This hydrating cream makes you instantaneously glowy while also boosting radiance over time. It boasts a combination of plant-based vitamin C (from sea buckthorn) and stabilized vitamin C that brightens and protects the skin. The formulation works as a makeup primer because of its ability to create smooth and firm skin, so it layers beautifully under makeup and other products, resulting in that glowing, radiant look."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, ginseng extract |
Pros
- Increases cellular turnover with lactic acid
- Seals in moisture with ceramide blend
Cons
- Testers with oily skin prefer Dieux's Air Angel due to this one being a richer formulation
One Cosmo editor says: "I instantly adored the texture of this moisturizer. I've tried a lot of barrier creams, and because of how rich and thick many are, I can feel them on my skin long after I apply. Instant Angel couldn't be more different from those. Its texture is substantial and velvety, yet it melted right into my skin and didn't leave any sort of residue or gloopy film behind. TBH, it's kinda like my skin is chugging a tall glass of water when I smooth this on—it feels refreshing, and my complexion looks extra plump and inherently luminous."—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides |
Pros
- Pearlescent pigments add a glowy sheen that looks natural
- Reviewers say it is a great base for makeup
Cons
- On the pricey side
One Cosmo editor says: "She's pricey, I know, but there are very few products I would drop this much money on, and this is one of them. The light-reflecting pearl pigments that impart a gorgeous glowing sheen upon application is just the beginning of the reasons I love this cream. The second: It contains sodium hyaluronate—otherwise known as hyaluronic acid's just-as-effective cousin that binds up to 1000 times its weight in water. So between the light-reflecting, pearlized pigments, and deeply hydrating ingredients, you're bound to have the glowiest skin ever."—SIENA GAGLIANO, FORMER ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, squalane, vitamin E |
Pros
- Provides instant hydration and ceramides lock in moisture
- Dr. Hogan recommends a moisturizer with tons ceramides, like this one
Cons
- Not the best option for acne-prone skin
One Cosmo editor says: "I've tested drugstore moisturizers and ultra-high-end $$$$ ones. And this mid-range pick from Farmacy is still one of my favorites. The rich, creamy consistency spreads all over my face well and leaves it feeling so moisturized and plump. But it's not so heavy that it's greasy on my oily skin either. It's perfect for the depths of winter for me, but would be fab on dry skin all year 'round."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Buckwheat honey, ceramides, shea butter |
How we selected our favorites:
For this story, team Cosmo used insights from months of testing dozens of glowy face moisturizers as part of our Holy Grail Beauty Awards (and we test products year-round). We evaluated each formula on how well it addressed specific skin concerns like dryness, dullness, or uneven tone. We also researched brightening ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C, and spoke with a dermatologist for her expertise. Finally, we factored in our editors’ tested favorites to narrow down the best moisturizers for glowy skin.
How to choose the best moisturizer for glowing skin:
Evaluate the ingredients
Board-certified dermatologist Sara Hogan, MD, breaks down the key ingredients (and their functions!) that you should look for while choosing a moisturizer for glowing skin:
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that buffers free radicals in the skin from external stressors like the environment, pollution, and UV radiation. It brightens dark spots, smooths fine lines, and can even induce collagen with long-term use.
- AHAs: Chemical exfoliants work by increasing skin cell turnover. And AHAs gently dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, revealing newer, fresher, and brighter skin with consistent use over just a few weeks.
- Ceramides: Lipids, or fatty molecules, are present in large amounts in our skin. They act as a waxy seal between the skin cells in our stratum corneum (outermost layer). Ceramides are occlusives, meaning they seal in moisture and prevent water loss in our skin.
Understand that glowy skin is also a product of your lifestyle
I hate to break it to you, but you can slather on every $$$ skincare product with the highest-rated reviews in pursuit of radiant skin, but if you're not taking care of yourself from a health perspective, your skin is likely to still suffer. "Glowing skin is not only determined by a great skincare routine, says Dr. Hogan, adding that a healthy lifestyle is equally as important. "Regularly getting good rest, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking all contribute to achieving glowing skin."
Meet the expert:
- Sara Hogan, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist based in Washington, D.C. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Why trust Cosmo?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about everything from drugstore skincare to LED devices. Her most prized possession is her skincare routine, so she's very particular when it comes to moisturizers. For this story, she spent hours researching the best ingredients and moisturizers for glowy skin, and used her years of expertise testing products to select the best formulas.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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