Whether you follow a 10-step skincare regimen every night or you’re more of a minimalist, moisturizer should always hold a spot in your skincare routine. However, finding the best face moisturizer for your skin can feel tricky when there are so many different types to choose from. Lightweight facial lotions can be a great pick for those with oily skin, while richer cream formulas that provide deep hydration are ideal for those with dry or sensitive skin types. If you’re having trouble discerning which type of moisturizer is best for your needs, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’re sharing some of our favorite moisturizers for every skin type, from budget-friendly drugstore buys to luxe options we’ve deemed worth the splurge. How To Determine Your Skin Type The first step to finding the best face moisturizer for you is to identify your skin type. Generally, skin can be classified as either oily, dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, or “normal” (which simply means your skin is well balanced). Each skin type has its own characteristics and needs. Here’s how to determine which category your skin falls into: Oily: Oily skin is characterized by a higher-than-average production of sebum, your skin’s natural oil. It may appear shiny or greasy—particularly around the T-zone—and may coexist with skin concerns such as large pores, blackheads, or breakouts. If you have oily skin, you’ll typically fare best with lightweight water-based moisturizers that absorb quickly. Dry: If your skin often looks parched, dull, or flaky, you likely have dry skin. Those with this skin type should reach for richer cream moisturizers that contain emollient ingredients, such as squalane, and humectants like glycerin. Combination: Having both dry and oily areas on different parts of your face simultaneously is typically indicative of combination skin. Finding the best face moisturizer for combination skin is a bit of a balancing act—you want something lightweight enough to not weigh down your oilier areas, but moisturizing enough to nourish those drier patches. We suggest opting for nourishing yet lightweight moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin without leaving it feeling greasy. Sensitive: Skin that’s reactive or easily irritated is typically described as sensitive. Often, sensitivity is an indication that your skin barrier could use some extra TLC. To help hydrate your skin and support your skin barrier, we suggest looking for gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers that contain soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or colloidal oatmeal. Acne-prone: Acne-prone skin can be oily, dry, or sensitive—its main characteristic is that it’s prone to breakouts. The best moisturizers for acne-prone skin tend to be non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog your pores or worsen breakouts. Moisturizers that contain salicylic acid can also be beneficial, particularly if you’re looking for something that can help address existing breakouts. Normal: Well-balanced skin that’s neither too oily nor too dry likely falls into the normal category. This skin type doesn’t frequently experience breakouts or irritation. Most gentle moisturizers will work well for normal skin—just steer clear of anything with strong acids or oils, which could potentially throw your skin off-balance. Our Favorite Moisturizers for Oily Skin You still have to moisturize if you have oily skin—in fact, skipping moisturizer could make your skin more oily, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Here are some of our top picks for hydrating oily skin.
