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Moisturizing is not only great for your appearance but also plays an important part in keeping your skin healthy. When your skin is dry, it has fewer protective oils. This makes it more susceptible to damage. Many things can damage your skin, including UV-rays and various pollutants. This damage can lead to premature aging, sunburn and even skin cancer. Everyone’s skin is different and will require a specific type of moisturizer and skincare routine. It may seem challenging to choose the correct moisturizer cream for yourself, which is why we’ve made a list of the best moisturizing creams in 2024 to help you out.
If you naturally have dry skin or you are experiencing dry and cold weather, you should try moisturizing every day. Read on for our favorite moisturizers and pick up tips on how to choose the right product for yourself.
Compare the Top Moisturizers of 2024
Caldera The Base Layer Cream — Best Overall
Key Features
- Immortelle flower for reducing early-aging and filling fine lines and wrinkles
- Encapsulated microalgae to improve your skin’s immunity power
- Plant-based squalane to increase the moisture content of your skin
- Tara Tree complex to help protect your skin from IR radiations
If you are looking for an organic and vegan skincare product, this will be the right cream for you. It contains a blend of plant-based nutrients that nourish skin cells and help to brighten with a natural glow and radiance. The cream will also help moisturize your skin from within so that you don’t have to suffer from dry, scaly, or peeling skin.
If you want to protect your skin from environmental stressors, such as pollution or poor air quality, we'd recommend Caldera. It contains plant stem cells that have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, your skin will stay safe from the sun’s radiation and the natural aging process. What’s more? You won’t find allergens or harmful chemicals in this cream. There are no parabens, animal-based ingredients, toxins, GMOs, or silicone, making it safe for your skin.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream — Runner Up
Key Features
- Non-comedogenic
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Gentle, non-irritating formula
This CeraVe moisturizing cream contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides - substances found naturally in the body that retain water. It also uses MVE technology. This provides a slow release of critical ingredients over time, meaning your skin will stay hydrated for longer. In addition, the ceramides found naturally in the skin are shown to increase after four weeks of using the Cerave moisturizing cream. This means you are not just covering your skin but improving it gradually, even when you think you aren’t wearing the product. Â
CeraVe Skincare was developed with dermatologists to create products for every skin type. This product can be used on the hands, body and face, and it's also safe to use if you suffer from eczema.
Pros
- Long-lasting hydration
- Safe on all skin types
- Dermatologically tested
- Ceramides increase the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture
Cons
Although this product is dermatologically tested, check with a doctor if you experience symptoms of skin changes
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream — Honorable Mention
Key Features
- Enriched with sweet almond oil and vitamin E
- Fragrance-free
- Clinically tested
- Suitable for dry skin
Cetaphil is a moisturizing cream intended for use on the body. It is specifically for people with dehydrated skin. This cream will restore and heal dry and damaged skin within one week of use. Its non-greasy formula is great for those who suffer from large-looking pores. Also, it is fragrance and paraben-free, so suitable for those with sensitive skin. Cetaphil is also a favorite product among dermatologists.
Pros
- Recommended by dermatologists
- Non-greasy formula
Cons
- The formula seems to have changed and isn’t as moisturizing as the older one
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream — Most Convenient
Key Features
- Free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde
- Non-comedogenic
- Gluten-free
- Dermatologically tested
The Vanicream moisturizing cream is dermatologically tested and is great for sensitive skin. It contains no dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, or formaldehyde. Some of these ingredients are believed to be carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).Â
This moisturizing cream won’t block your pores which could result in blackheads or a zit outbreak. In addition, Vanicream was awarded a seal of acceptance from the national eczema association. If you have eczema, this is a guarantee the product will not cause an eczema outbreak and is a great product for you to use.
Pros
- Awarded the seal of acceptance from the national eczema association
- Free of carcinogens
Cons
- The scent is mild but slightly offputting
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream — Most Reliable
Key Features
- Formulated with oat flour, oat oil extract and ceramides
- Fragrance-free
- Steroid-free
- Non-comedogenic
The Aveeno skin relief moisturizing cream provides intense moisture to relieve extra dry skin. It is fragrance-free, so you don’t need to worry about having an allergic reaction to it. This moisturizing cream will restore your skin's natural moisture barrier with regular use. It contains ceramides to restore the skin’s ability to maintain moisture. It is clinically proven to moisturize the skin for up to 24 hours. Apply this dry skin moisturizer cream generously over your body to relieve and restore extra-dry skin.
Pros
- Perfect for extra dry skin
- Clinically proven 24-hour moisturization
Cons
- A light formula that may not be strong enough for use during the dry and cold winter months
Eucerin Advanced Repair Moisturizing Cream — Also Consider
Key Features
- Made from ceramide-3 and natural moisturizing factors
- Dermatologically tested
- Fragrance free
- Paraben free
The Eucerin advanced repair moisturizing cream contains ceramide-3, a substance that keeps moisture on the top layer of skin and creates a barrier against irritants. It also repairs dry and broken skin. In addition, this moisturizing cream also contains a mixture of ingredients that are known as NMF. These ingredients are the same chemicals that the skin naturally creates to protect and repair its outermost layer of skin. This cream is non-greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin. It is intended for use on the body only.
Pros
- Works with the skin to build up natural oils
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Can’t use this product on your face
Buying Guide for Finding the Top Moisturizing Cream
Although using moisturizers is considered by many to be an aesthetically inclined habit, it should be treated as part of your routine for healthy skin. You wouldn’t dream of not washing your skin, and you shouldn’t consider not moisturizing it either.Â
We’ve done the research to bring you our top picks for moisturizers. However, you may find other options in your own research. Finding the right moisturizer amongst a sea of options can seem like a daunting task. We’ve put together some key considerations to help you with your quest of finding a moisturizer, including listing several ingredients and their benefits to your skin.
Benefits of Using Moisturizing Creams
Reduces skin problems
Using a well-suited moisturizer cream on your skin can help maintain its oil balance. When skin is too oily, it can cause blocked, larger-looking pores, spots, and acne outbreaks. Adding a moisturizer to your skin will signal your skin to stop creating oily sebum. Eventually, your skin will start to produce less sebum and become more balanced.Â
Dry skin can become damaged and have no barrier between harmful factors such as pollutants and UV rays. In addition, sun damage can cause the breakdown of collagen in your skin. This causes wrinkles to form and larger-looking pores. Moisturizers help prevent this.
Reduces appearance of blemishes
Using a moisturizer cream creates a healthy sheen on your skin when it is first applied. This sheen hides some of the blemishes by reflecting light. Many moisturizers also possess a self-tanner or tint which can offer a little coverage like a mild foundation.
Things to Consider When Buying a Moisturizing Cream
To find the best moisturizing cream for your skin, there are a few things you should consider. There are also some ingredients you should seek out and others you should avoid.Â
Skin type
This is the most important question to ask yourself when choosing a moisturizer cream or lotion. Opt for a moisturizing cream if you have dry skin, as this will be a bit thicker. On the other hand, opt for a lighter moisturizer such as a lotion if you have oily skin.
Season and weather conditions
In humid conditions, you will not need to use as thick a moisturizer as when it’s cold and dry. However, you may need to purchase a thick moisturizing cream and a lighter moisturizing lotion if you are swapping between environments throughout the day. For example, your office may be dry and cool, and your journey to the office may be warm and humid.
UV protection
During the day, apply a moisturizer cream with UV protection. As aforementioned, UV protection is essential in slowing down the aging process. UV protection is also proven protection from skin cancer.Â
Daytime VS nighttime
In the evening, you should use a moisturizer cream that does not contain an SPF. Instead, look for a moisturizer with repairing antioxidants. Some of the best antioxidants include grape extract, resveratrol, green tea extract, licorice extract, vitamin C, superoxide dismutase, vitamin E, epigallocatechin-3 gallate, ferulic acid, willow herb extract, quercetin, and feverfew extract.Â
Skin replenishing ingredients
To maintain healthy skin, you should do what you can to help replenish it. Some of the best skin-replenishing ingredients include hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, glycerin, ceramides, glycerol, petrolatum, silicones, alpha hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid.
Age
Don’t assume that you need the same moisturizer cream in your 50s or even 30s that you did in your twenties. Our skin changes as we age. You may have drier or more oily skin now. Listen to your own body and what it needs. If you are worried about wrinkles and aging skin, find a moisturizing cream with collagen-boosting ingredients. Look for hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin C, retinol, and ginseng.
Bad ingredientsÂ
Some ingredients found in moisturizing creams can be harmful to your skin. Avoid the following ingredients.
- Mineral oils can be a trigger for acne-prone skin. Mineral oils are also known allergens and human immune system toxicants.
- Propylene glycol can irritate the skin with regular exposure.
- Fragrances are a known irritant and allergen. So it is always better for your skin to use fragrance-free products - no matter how gorgeous they smell.
- Synthetic dyes and colors are known as allergens and are suspected carcinogens. Therefore, it is wise to avoid anything labeled as a carcinogen (cancer-causing).
- Parabens are used to preserve cosmetics. However, they are suspected of interfering with hormone production and may be a contributor to breast cancer.
- Alcohol is used in many moisturizers, which is surprising because it dries out the skin.
- Petroleum blocks pores, trapping dirt and repelling moisture from the outside. This is simply a double whammy of everything you want to avoid in a moisturizer.
- Rice flour can also dry out your skin and should be avoided.
- Lemon smells fresh and is energizing, but its acidity is too harsh for your skin and should not be an ingredient in any moisturizing cream.
Moisturizing Creams Price Range
Moisturizing creams cost as little as $7 and as much as $140. When working out if your product is good value for money, work out the price per ounce. You may find buying moisturizing creams in bulk is a cheaper option in the long run.
