9 Best Face Moisturizers That Really Work, According to Beauty Lab Testing
According to our scientists, these dream creams are proven to hydrate all skin types, day or night.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior ChemistReviewed by Sabina WizemannBeauty Lab Director
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If I had to choose one beauty product to bring to a deserted island, it would be face moisturizer: I don’t go a morning or night without applying it. Experts agree that for healthy, glowing skin, applying face moisturizer is one of the most important steps (besides SPF!) in any daily skincare routine, no matter the season, your age, or your skin type.
“Day-to-day life—including exposure to dirt, oil, air pollution, and stress—can irritate skin and contribute to accelerated aging,” says Fatima Fahs, M.D., a dermatologist in Canton, Michigan, and the founder of Dermy Doc Box. “Moisturizing regularly gives skin a chance to repair, provides necessary hydration, and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and signs of aging by improving elasticity.”
Our top picks:
✔️ Best overall: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
This potent cream outperformed a $440 competitor.
✔️ Best value: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Despite being lightweight, this bargain buy delivers major moisture.
✔️ Best for dry skin: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
A cult classic, it raised moisturization by an impressive 47% in six hours.
✔️ Best for sensitive skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Cream
Safe for delicate complexions, it earned top testing scores for not irritating or causing redness.
✔️ Best luxury: Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer
Ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, plant oils, and hyaluronic acid soothe and soften skin.
But not every moisturizer hydrates skin effectively. That’s why our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab scientists constantly test face moisturizers using both Lab instruments and consumer tester feedback to determine which really work. In the GH Beauty Lab’s most recent face moisturizer test, scientists tallied 1,920 skin hydration measurements to find the top performers for all skin types, from dry skin to oily skin. Your most hydrated skin ever is just a click away: Here are the best face moisturizers and creams you can buy, tested by the GH Beauty Lab.
Best Deal
Pros
- Measurably and powerfully hydrates skin
- Lasting moisturization
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
- Scent was polarizing
The newest version of the iconic Olay cream is boosted with three peptides, panthenol, and niacinamide to hydrate, firm, and smooth skin. In GH Beauty Lab moisturization testing, this GH Beauty Award winner increased hydration by 47% in six hours using the Corneometer device, which measures skin moisture levels. Additionally, consumers noticed improved skin appearance and feel. In a study of 100 women over four weeks, 85% said it left their skin looking firmer; our Lab data evaluation confirmed.
The formula is boosted with anti-aging ingredients like peptides and niacinamide. "It felt like satin on my skin," a tester enthused, and many praised that it "absorbed quickly." While many testers liked the "pleasant" fragrance, one called it "too highly scented."
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, peptides |
| Best for | Dry or mature skin; anti-aging |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Highly hydrating
- Soaks in quickly
- Can be used on the body
Cons
- Some testers didn't like thin consistency
Lightweight lotion, heavy-duty hydration: Fragrance-free CeraVe outperformed many formulas in the GH Beauty Lab’s face moisturizer test for hydrating skin—for a bargain price. Made with nourishing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, it also ranked well for fast absorption (some users didn’t like that the product was thin, however).
A winner in our face moisturizer study, the formulation, which can also be used on the body, increased skin’s hydration by a near-record 48% in Lab measurements in six hours with the Corneometer machine. It earned points with users for easy absorption and for leaving skin feeling soft. “I didn’t have any dry or flaky skin,” a tester remarked. A second raved: "It was very moisturizing but not greasy and left my skin feeling hydrated for hours."
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Size | 12 oz. |
Pros
- Intensive moisturizing effects
- Gentle formula
- Not greasy or sticky
Cons
- A few testers said it left residue on their skin
Another winner from our face moisturizer study, the cult classic Kiehl’s cream—infused with hydrating squalane, glycerin, and six botanical oils—lived up to its reputation, excelling in Beauty Lab face moisturizer testing for providing strong skin hydration with a rich texture testers loved. Measurements with the Corneometer device showed an impressive 47% increase in moisturization in six hours.
It also ranked highly for not causing redness or irritation and leaving skin feeling plump. Among testers, 90% agreed that the formula’s texture wasn’t too heavy, greasy, or tacky, but some found it left residue on skin. Many said they would buy the product or continue using it. “It kept my skin hydrated all day!” one exclaimed. Another called it “the best I’ve used in a long time—I usually buy medical-grade moisturizers, and this is much better.”
| Key ingredients | Squalane, glycerin, plant oils |
| Best for | Dry or sensitive skin |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Light formula absorbs fast
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
- Soothing and non-irritating
- Great value
Cons
- The bottle is difficult to open without product spilling out
The affordable, fragrance-free Aveeno face cream—which contains glycerin, fatty acids, and the brand’s signature calming oat flour—was a star in the Beauty Lab’s face moisturizer test for smoothing skin and soaking in quickly, thanks to its water-light formula. It scored highest in several respects, including for not irritating or causing redness. 100% of users agreed it absorbed quickly and left skin feeling hydrated and smooth.
The cream also tied for best texture, ranked high for soothing skin, and upped moisturization by 23% in Lab testing. It “felt very sheer” and “didn’t leave a residue like others,” two testers said. One reported: “I have rosacea and it did not irritate my skin at all.” They did note that the bottle was tricky to open without having cream squirt out.
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, fatty acids, oat flour |
| Best for | Sensitive or oily skin |
| Size | 5 oz. |
Pros
- Appealing scent and texture
- Soothes and plumps skin
- Works well under makeup
Cons
- Some testers said it felt tacky upon application
Enriched with a range of softening ingredients (shea butter, glycerin, plant oils, hyaluronic acid) and antioxidant vitamins C and E, Philosophy’s luxurious moisturizer earned the highest rating in Beauty Lab testing for soothing both skin and senses. The lotion ranked top for its herbal aroma and ability to soothe skin and leave it feeling plump. It also tied for the best texture, which a tester described as “very light.”
In our Lab assessment, the formula boosted skin hydration by 28%. Testers also reported that it wore well under makeup, though some said it felt tacky when applied. “My skin feels more vibrant and better than ever,” a user raved. Another said, “I’ve tried dozens of face creams, and this is a keeper.”
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, plant oils and butters |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Size | 4.7 oz. |
Pros
- Contains anti-aging, antioxidant ingredients
- Firms and smooths skin
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Could be too light for very dry skin
With an extensive list of antioxidant, age-fighting actives tailored to mature skin, this Good Housekeeping Seal star and Beauty Award-winning Mary Kay formula is not your average moisturizer. In a study of 50 women, skin firmness and forehead lines improved significantly after two weeks, per GH Beauty Lab data.
The lightweight, oil- and fragrance-free cream also comes in versions for combination-to-oily and oily-to-dry skin types. Note, though, that it could be too light for those with extremely dry skin. "I love that this can be used as your one moisturizing and treatment product on busy days for both morning and night," GH's beauty director says.
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, niacinamide, vitamin E, peptides |
| Best for | Mature skin; anti-aging |
| Size | 3 oz. |
Pros
- Powerful hydration
- Light feel
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some reviewers reported breakouts
A gold standard and GH Beauty Award winner, the classic Clinique lotion stands the test of time, hydrating even very dry skin for hours in a GH Beauty Lab assessment, despite its light feel. Measurements with the Lab’s Corneometer device showed that it increased skin’s moisture by an impressive 43% on average over 24 hours after application.
“This is one of the few moisturizers that deeply hydrates my dry skin over time, so the visible flaking is gone,” GH’s beauty director says. Some reviewers reported breakouts and that it left their skin greasy, though.
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, plant oils and extracts |
| Best for | Dry, combination skin |
| Size | 4.2 oz. |
Pros
- Provides sun protection
- Measurably increases hydration
- Fast-absorbing, non-oily formula
Cons
- A few users saw skin reactions after use
This GH Beauty Award-winning Olay lotion is a rare formula that delivers both sun protection and the real hydrating effects of a regular moisturizer. GH Beauty Lab tests found that it increased skin moisture levels by 31%—more than any facial SPF 30 previously evaluated. While a few reviewers reported reactions, testers praised the lotion for being "fast-absorbing" and "non-greasy."
RELATED: Best Face Moisturizers with SPF
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, vitamin E, panthenol, niacinamide, peptides |
| Best for | All skin types; anti-aging |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Measurably hydrates skin
- Increases firmness
- Not irritating
Cons
- May take time to absorb
Soften skin in your sleep with this mild Philosophy cream, made with hyaluronic acid, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s night cream test for its powerful moisturizing properties. It raised skin moisturization by 34% and firmness by 29% in four weeks, per Lab measures, and 95% of testers said it didn’t irritate.
Many testers raved about the "luxurious" texture, although some said it took time to soak into skin. "My skin looked better after the first night I used this," one marveled. Another commented that it left skin feeling "soft and moisturized."
| Key ingredients | Squalane, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, peptides |
| Best for | Dry or mature skin; anti-aging |
| Size | 2 oz. |
How we test face moisturizers
GH Beauty Lab scientists has been testing skincare products, including face moisturizers, for more than 100 years.
When skincare products make hydration or moisturization claims, Beauty Lab scientists measure performance using a Corneometer, which assesses skin moisture levels before applying a precise amount of product and again six hours later (unless otherwise specified). This lets the team determine whether—and by how much—a formula increases skin moisture levels.
The Beauty Lab also conducts consumer-use studies, sending moisturizers to testers to incorporate into their regular skincare routines. After a set testing period, participants evaluate factors such as absorption, texture, scent, and how their skin looks and feels after use. Scientists combine these results with the instrumental hydration measurements to identify the top-performing formulas.
In the Beauty Lab's most recent face moisturizer test, formulas were evaluated on 240 testers, and Lab experts tallied 4,089 data points (2,160 consumer survey questions plus 1,920 skin moisturization measurements) to identify the winning products.
What to look for when shopping for the best face moisturizer
Moisturizing lotions and creams are emulsions of oil and water (along with other ingredients for nourishment, treatment, and preservation) that help replenish hydration, keep moisture in the skin, and prevent dryness.
GH Beauty Lab scientists recommend seeking out face moisturizers with these key categories of skincare ingredients for optimal efficacy in formulas for all skin types and needs:
✔️ Emollients, which are hydrating ingredients like plant oils, squalane, fatty acids, and triglycerides that moisturize and soften skin. “They lightly coat skin, smoothing dry texture,” explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.
✔️ Humectants draw moisture into skin from the environment or skin's deeper layers. Common examples include glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
✔️ Occlusive ingredients form a barrier over the skin to lock in hydration and prevent moisture loss. They can include waxes (derived from plants or beeswax), plant butters (like shea and cocoa), petrolatum, and silicones.
How do I find the best face moisturizer for my skin type?
“Moisturizing protects the skin barrier,” explains Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. This is important for all skin types: The healthier your barrier, the better your skin’s defense against inflammation and damage. Beyond the basics above, here’s what to consider for specific skin types when choosing a face moisturizer formula:
- Dry skin: Instead of lotions, choose richer creams; Wnek recommends them because they're usually made with more occlusive ingredients.
- Oily or acne-prone skin: Formulas labeled “noncomedogenic” or “oil-free” are less likely to clog pores, Wnek says. Lean toward lotions or gels, which generally are thinner and lighter than creams. For acne-treatment products, be sure the drug facts label lists an active ingredient like salicylic acid.
- Combination skin: Opt for more lightweight formulations like lotions and use creams on dry areas such as the cheeks as needed, Dr. Fahs suggests.
- Sensitive skin: Choose products labeled “hypoallergenic,” which claim to be made without ingredients that are potential irritants (these can include fragrance and alcohol). Look for words like “calming,” “soothing,” “redness-reducing,” and “anti-redness” on packaging.
What's the best way to apply a face moisturizer?
For maximum benefits, apply moisturizer to your clean face daily (morning and/or evening, as needed for your skin type) after any other treatment products, like serums. Be sure to cover your entire face, including the areas around your eyes, nose, and mouth, and “don’t forget to smooth it down to your neck,” Dr. Fahs says. Try massaging it in as you apply: “This will increase its absorption and effectiveness, plus improve circulation,” Dr. Engelman advises.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Director April Franzino has over 15 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare-related content. She worked closely with the GH Beauty Lab to report on their face moisturizer test results and expert insights for this story.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann and Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek develop and execute the testing of face and body skincare product categories, including face moisturizers. Wnek conducted the GH Beauty Lab's most recent face moisturizer test and shared expert commentary for this story. Wizemann provided an expert review of the piece to ensure accuracy.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 15 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and performance testing. The number one skincare rule she lives by: never go to bed with makeup on.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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