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20 best moisturisers for every skin type 2025, tested by Cosmo editors
Sick of stubbornly dry skin? Can't find an oil-free option? You've come to the right place
Finding the best moisturiser for your skin type is like finding your soulmate. Once you’ve found the one, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. Whether you’ve got oily skin or suffer from an ‘as dry as sandpaper’ complexion, a hard-working moisturiser is one product we – and dermatologists – would highly recommend everybody use, day and night.
Not all moisturisers are created equal. Their main job is to protect the skin barrier and to keep it moisturised – errr, obviously. The best way to think of your skin is like a brick wall and lipids act like the cement holding your skin cells (or bricks) together. If your skin barrier becomes compromised, moisture can escape which will cause dry and sensitised skin. So layering up with a moisturiser will ensure a plump and glowy complexion.
What’s more, many are infused with ingredients like vitamin C to brighten, SPF to protect or salicylic acid to fight off breakouts, so there really is a moisturiser out there for everyone. If you’ve been struggling to rebalance your complexion and retain moisture, we asked experts how to keep your skin looking quenched and glowy, no matter your skin type.
Side note: Just like every other skin type, oily skin needs moisture, too, and leaving it parched will only encourage your already overworking pores to produce more sebum (ugh)! So, don't skip this vital step...
What's the best moisturiser?
You’ve come to the right place. We’ve tried and tested *hundreds* of moisturisers on the market, to see which left skin the most dewy and plump. Here are our top hydrating moisturiser picks for all skin types...
Dr Althea’s 345 Relief Cream is the moisture-boosting, skin-calming, antioxidant-rich moisturiser we can’t get enough of.
It’s packed with niacinamide, panthenol (a skin softener) and opuntia ficus-indica stem extract – a type of antioxidant – so it deeply nourishes the skin while also helping to defend it against free-radical damage.
The texture is also incredibly silky, not too rich nor too lightweight but sits perfectly in-between. It really does feel like ‘relief’ for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, so stick to it and your complexion will improve in texture, evenness and tone.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Niacinamide, panthenol (keeps water in the skin), and opuntia ficus-indica stem extract (an antioxidant) |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dehydrated oily skin or acne-prone skin |
| Texture: | Lightweight gel |
No7’s new budget skincare range is all over TikTok, and for brilliant reason. It features a range of cleansers and serums as well as this lightweight cream that’s worth all of the hype – and not just for the cute, pastel packaging.
It’s a great formula to buy if you have oily or combination skin as it has a gel-like texture that instantly sinks in without feeling claggy or rich. It’s also packed with hyaluronic acid and camellia oil – a very light moisturising oil – to keep the skin plump and hydrated. You can’t argue the £14.95 price tag.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid and camelia oil |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Oily or combination skin |
| Texture: | Lightweight gel |
Backed by Japanese research, Curél’s Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is the perfect comfort blanket for those with sensitive or dehydrated skin.
Thanks to barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and eucalyptus extract (which is rich in antioxidants) it helps to prevent dryness or irritation caused from a compromised moisture barrier. The texture of the cream is rich and on the thicker side, but when massaged into the skin it absorbs feeling weightless and refreshing.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides and eucalyptus extract |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dry, sensitive skin |
| Texture: | Rich |
The USP of Aestura’s Atobarrier365 Cream is that it’s packed with ceramides, which will strengthen the skin barrier and keep all moisture locked in.
ICYDK, ceramides are naturally found in the body – they make up a large part of the skin’s lipid layer – which keeps your skin plump and hydrated.
If you have sensitive skin, your skin barrier is likely compromised so it’s a wise idea to supercharge your ceramide production with this cream. Stay loyal to it and your complexion will look brighter and healthier after only a few uses.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dry, sensitive skin |
| Texture: | Lightweight cream |
You’d be mistaken for thinking that your blemish-prone skin doesn’t need a moisturiser. In fact, neglecting dehydrated skin can cause even more breakouts, so a good moisturiser is just as important as the acne-busting treatments you use.
From The Inkey List, the Biome Balancing Moisturiser helps to reduce breakouts and existing blemishes, without feeling thick or claggy. The gel-like texture deeply moisturises to strengthen your skin barrier and to solve your dryness woes (thanks biolin) but it will also keep blemishes at bay and promote a clearer complexion.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Hexapeptide (to reduce blemishes) and green tea (to calm redness) |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Acne-prone skin |
| Texture: | Lightweight, gel-like |
This cult classic is designed to lock in moisture throughout the day, to leave your skin barrier stronger and healthier. Formulated with an array of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this is a great one for keeping moisture levels topped up, even on the warmest of days.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides and hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dry, sensitive skin |
| Texture: | Rich |
The classic Weleda Skin Food. Trust us, peep into any MUA’s kit and you’ll likely find one of these green tubes inside or in the makeup bag’s of big-time celebs like Charlie XCX or Rihanna. The multi-purpose cream is often used as an intensive moisturiser to nourish dry zones, but it can also be used as a primer as it doesn’t pill under makeup and leaves a lit-from-within sheen.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Sweet almond oil and sunflower seed oil, lanolin and chamomile |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dry skin |
| Texture: | Rich |
Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Refillable Moisturiser
The latest product to hit viral stardom is the INNBeauty Project Extreme Cream and – according to these incredible before-and-afters – extreme really is the right word to describe it. This powerful formula is packed with peptides to visibly firm the skin and smooth deep-set wrinkles.
Clinical studies done by the brand show that firmness (we’re talking jowls and sagging skin) improved by 19% while wrinkles improved by 24.1% after 12 weeks of use. Now that’s the most affordable face lift we’ve heard of.
Yes, it may be spenny, but a small amount really does stretch. And JIC you needed another reason to persuade your purchase, it lends a glossy and radiant sheen to your skin.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Peptides, ceramides and bio-retinol |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Mature skin, for firming and brightening |
| Texture: | Rich |
There's no need for skincare to break the bank when brands like Simple provide hardworking formulas at affordable prices. Hallelujah!
This hydrating yet lightweight face cream is, in equal parts, refreshing and nourishing thanks to its ceramide-boosting complex. The result? Skin barrier strength that's built from within, to help keep signs of sensitive skin at bay.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides and aloe |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dehydrated, acne-prone skin |
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF30
This lightweight SPF30 offering from Fenty Skin sinks into the skin to leave it with some serious high-wattage glow. Despite the SPF coverage, it doesn't leave you looking like a greaseball by lunch and plays well under makeup.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Combination skin |
| Texture: | Lightweight cream |
One of my top Rhode products, this barrier restore cream does exactly what it says on the tin. Yep, it's guaranteed to leave you with that enviable glazed doughnut glow.
It features squalane, shea butter, peptides and niacinamide, so you're getting a whole lot of skincare benefits. I couldn't get over how soft this left my skin. 10/10 from me.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Squalane, shea butter, peptides and niacinamide |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for: | Dry skin |
| Texture: | Rich but weightless |
The INKEY List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
It soothes, it hydrates, it restores; this nourishing formula is like rehab for intensely dry or compromised skin. Rich without being heavy, it’s the perfect indulgent treat after a long day battling the British climates.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Very dry skin |
| Texture: | Rich |
Looking for an oil-free option? This is ideal for oily skin. It's jam-packed with barrier-strengthening ceramides to gently soothe and hydrate skin, without leaving it looking slick.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Combination skin |
| Texture: | Lightweight cream |
This lilac pot does what it says on the tin and leaves skin looking as dewy as a freshly steamed dumpling.
Packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich Japanese purple rice, this leaves you looking visibly plumper after just one application.
Key Specifications
| Key Ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid and Japanese purple rice |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dry skin |
| Texture: | Silky, lightweight cream |
Suffering from rough skin texture and dead flakes? Murad has got you covered. This plush moisturiser claims to keep your skin's hydration levels topped up for 24 hours, thanks to a concoction of omegas, rich bilberry seed oil and skin-smoothing allantoin.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Omegas, bilberry seed oil and allantoin (to smooth the skin) |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Sensitive, very dry skin |
| Texture: | Rich |
Thayers Soak Your Skin 80HR Liquid Moisturizer
For a fail-safe skincare option, look to Thayers. All of the brand's products are dermatologist-tested, getting a big tick from us! This moisturiser, in particular, is formulated with Snow Mushroom, Hyaluronic Acid, and Shea Butter to offer heavyweight hydration and moisture but in a lightweight formula.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Snow mushroom (to plump and hydrate), hyaluronic acid and shea butter |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Combination skin |
| Texture: | Gel-like, lightweight |
As gel creams go, this couldn't be any lighter on skin, making it a perfect match for those prone to oiliness. Despite being as light as air, it still contains nourishing ceramides, as well as our fave brightening ingredient, niacinamide.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Ceramides, niacinamide, green tea |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Oily skin |
| Texture: | Gel |
Vichy Normaderm Double-Correction Daily Care
Prone to spots? This contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate, while hyaluronic acid works to quench thirsty skin. It leaves a velvety finish behind (not too dry, not too oily), so skin is left looking smoother and clearer. What more could you ask for?
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Salicylic and hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | All, and blemish prone |
| Texture: | Gel |
Clinique Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
If there was a moisturiser hall of fame, this would 100% be in it. The jelly texture will be a hit if you've got desert-dry skin or oil-slick T-zones.
Packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe water, this soaks in instantly but the moisturising effect will leave skin juicy for hours after. Top tip: Keep this in the fridge during the summer months for a cooling treat.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Combination skin |
| Texture: | Gel |
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Perfect for everyday use, this silky cream melts into skin and just restores all of its juice leaving your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and youthful. When it comes to skin type, it's such an all-rounder and is an ideal consistent base if you adapt the rest of your routine to your skin's changing needs.
Packed with collagen, amino acids, growth factors and nine signal peptides, the results make a lot of sense.
Key Specifications:
| Key Ingredients: | Collagen, amino acids, growth factors and peptides |
|---|---|
| Who's it best for? | Dry skin |
| Texture: | Rich |
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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