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We all know that a daily facial moisturizer is necessary for healthier, line-free, and smoother skin. We also know that with the never-ending number of face moisturizers available on the market, it may be difficult to choose the right one.
Below we have listed a few great daily facial moisturizers of 2024 options that are a great mix of tried and true brands and will have your skin looking firmer and feeling more hydrated than ever before.
Our picks include a premium retinol-based option that will not only moisturize, but will also target your fine lines and wrinkles, plus a couple of hyaluronic-acid-based options including a brand-new gel technology formulation that will instantly boost skin’s hydration level. We have also thrown in the all-important, SPF-based cream that in addition to preventing future sun damage, will also give your skin a nice glow and more intense winter hydration for those times when your daily moisturizer may just not be enough.
Comparing the Top Daily Facial Moisturizer of 2024
LilyAna Naturals Cream — Best Overall
Retinol is one of the few game changers in skincare and is an important part of any nighttime skincare regime, plus, when combined with a moisturizer, it will produce the visible results you are seeking. The Retinol Cream by LilyAna Naturals contains the maximum concentration of retinol without all the flaking, peeling, and dry skin that is commonly associated with retinoid-based skincare products. Effective for both day and night use, this formula also contains organic Vitamin E, green tea, shea butter, and jojoba oil to hydrate without leaving a greasy residue.
Pros
- This contains the fresh, chemical-free scent of Aloe Vera and Green Tea
Cons
- Sensitive-skin types may want to gradually incorporate this cream into their skincare regimen
LilyAna Naturals Face Cream — Runner Up
The LilyAnas Natural Face Cream is a premium, organic daily moisturizer that works to treat dry patches, fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. This facial moisturizer will hydrate and soften the delicate facial skin to stop the advancement of aging with ingredients such as rose oil which helps regenerates skin and reduces scarring, pomegranate extract is an antioxidant to protect the skin from premature aging, and Vitamin C to help boost collagen. Great for all skin types, this moisturizer can be used day or night, is quick to absorb, and won’t clog pores.
Pros
- This cream can also help improve eczema, rosacea, and dermatitis
Cons
- If you have extremely dry skin, this may need to be combined with a heavier moisturizer
TruSkin Naturals Moisturizer — Honorable Mention
In addition to retinol (above), Vitamin C is another must-have to include in your daily skincare regimen. The Vitamin C Moisturizer by TruSkin gives you the benefits of 15% Vitamin C combined with a lightweight daily facial lotion that makes getting this potent antioxidant fast and easy. The addition of Vitamin C will help brighten your skin tone, diminish signs of sun damage and hyperpigmentation, and will refine skin texture, helping to fade the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This moisturizer also combines Vitamin B5, jojoba oil, and green tea to help hydrate while giving skin a radiant and healthy glow.
Pros
- This product comes with a push-top, airless pump to keep the product as fresh as possible
Cons
- This cream contains a slight fragrance
Neutrogena Water Gel — Contender
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line of products is infused with purified hyaluronic acid to refresh and rehydrate your skin. Hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin, acts as a sponge for dry skin cells and can absorb up to 1,000 times its weight in water. What does that mean for you? Ultra hydrated, smoother, and suppler-looking skin after day one. Their Hydro Boost Water Gel-Moisturizer uses this magic ingredient to boost the skin’s hydration level and lock it in all day. This daily face moisturizer absorbs quickly, is oil-free, and can be worn comfortably under makeup.
Pros
- This formula is also dye-free and non-comedogenic
Cons
- This does not contain any SPF
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream has a unique formula that provides 24-hour hydration and helps restore the protective skin barrier with three essential ceramides. These ceramides not only help to rebuild the skin’s protective barrier but are also delivered slowly over time through a patented, controlled-release technology to ensure all-day hydration. Ideal for all skin types, this cream would work especially great on sensitive skin types as CeraVe is known for its gentle, non-irritating formulas that are free of any fragrances and oils, are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
Pros
- CeraVe also includes hyaluronic acid to attract hydration to the skin’s surface, helping it to retain moisture
Cons
- There is no SPF
Aveeno Moisturizer — Great for Glowing Skin
The Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 15 is a daily moisturizer with Aveeno’s proprietary Total Soy Complex that has been shown to help improve tone, texture, dullness, and brown spots with continued use. In addition, this moisturizer contains natural light diffusers that will not only visibly smooth imperfections but will leave you with that dewy, lit-from-within glow that is so popular nowadays. And with SPF, this moisturizer will help fight future sun damage while giving you a two-in-one approach to your morning skincare routine.
Pros
- This moisturizer is oil-free, hypoallergenic, and will enhance your makeup with a healthy glow.
Cons
- It contains a chemical sunscreen
Vanicream Cream — Great for Day and Night
If you have extra dry, irritated skin and want something a bit more healing than a daily moisturizer, the Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream might be a great option. This is a thicker formulated cream that will help to restore and maintain normal moisture levels in the skin while being gentle and effective on even the most sensitive of skin types. This cream is also ideal for dry skin associated with eczema, psoriasis or just plain old winter itch is non-greasy and can be used day or night.
Pros
- This cream comes with a convenient pump dispenser for easy and fast use
Cons
- This product may take some time to fully absorb
Brandefy Water Cream Facial Moisturizer — Best Water-Based Choice
This facial moisturizer from Brandefy will elevate tired, older-looking skin with its amazing ingredients and vegan formula. The facial moisturizer will make your face feel refreshed and hydrated as it combines the powers of niacinamide, apple extract, and purple tea to make you both look and smell great! The non-greasy, oil-free formula ensures the cream is lightweight and not sticky to the touch once you apply it.
Purple tea will give your skin such a radiant glow, as it’s rich in antioxidants to clarify the skin and refine its texture. The apple extract works to plump up aging skin to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles as well. Additionally, the niacinamide targets oil production to reduce oil on your face and give you a more fresh, clean look! Not to mention this product is vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Targets oil production
- Vegan formula
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Doesn’t sink into skin quickly
Buyer’s Guide for Finding a Daily Facial Moisturizer
The top daily facial moisturizers in 2024 are required to add moisture to the skin in winter and maintain the softness and radiance throughout the year. However, with so many great options available in the market, it's not easy to get the right one for yourself. Moreover, your skin will be at stake, which is why you need to pay close attention while selecting the moisturizer. Bearing this in mind, we have crafted a complete buying guide for you, explaining all the necessary factors you should consider.
How Is a Daily Facial Moisturizer Different From Facial Cream?
People often get confused between the daily facial moisturizers and creams, which is why they get the wrong product. We have explained some of their differences to prevent you from doing so.
- The primary purpose of a daily facial moisturizer is to add moisture and hydrate your skin, while creams act as a lubricant and prevent friction.
- Your skin can easily absorb a facial moisturizer, but when it comes down to facial creams, the dermal tissues will take a long time to absorb.
- Daily facial moisturizers won’t make your skin greasy and sticky, which cream would.
- You can wear moisturizer under your makeup, but that isn’t possible with creams.
In What Ways Daily Facial Moisturizers Can Be Differentiated Based on Core Ingredients?
Daily facial moisturizers can be segregated into four groups based on the prime ingredient added to the product. In the below section, we have briefly explained these three ingredients for your better clarification.
- Retinoid is added to enhance the moisturizing and hydration ability of the product as this ingredient can reach deep into the dermal layers. It also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles while brightening the dark spots at the same time.
- Hyaluronic acid is a gel-based moisturizer having a higher absorption rate. It can help lighten the skin tone, keep your skin soft for a long time, and reduce sagginess.
- SPF is added to the daily facial moisturizers so that your skin can stay safe against harmful UV radiation. It will also prevent tanning, loss of moisture, and darkening of certain areas of the skin.
How to Choose the Right Daily Facial Moisturizer From Endless Options?
Skin type
Even though the daily facial moisturizers are meant to keep your skin hydrated for a long time, not all products are suitable for any skin. For example, if moisturizer A can work well with dry skin, moisturizer B may be suitable for sensitive skin only. Therefore, you must ensure that the chosen product yields better results according to your skin type and won't trigger any adverse reactions. For example, when applied to oily skin, a heavily concentrated daily facial moisturizer can cause acne breakouts. So, be very careful at the time of selecting the product.
Purpose
There are so many unique and result-driven daily facial moisturizers not all of them will meet your purpose. For example, if you want to hydrate your skin and keep it soft for a long time, go for a product where the ingredients can help the dermal cells retain moisture without forming cracks or peeling skin. But, when you need a moisturizer for moisturizing and adding a subtle glow to the skin, go for a product that will serve both purposes.
Fragrance
A few daily facial moisturizers have subtle fragrances like rose, vanilla, sandalwood, and more, based on the ingredients used for making the products. If you want such a product, ensure that the scent is natural ingredients and not any additional chemicals.
Moisturizing ingredients
In daily facial moisturizers, a myriad of ingredients is added to add moisture to the skin cells and keep them hydrated for a long time. For example, aloe vera is an excellent natural moisturizer that can soften the skin and make your face glow at the same time. Vitamin C, shea butter, vitamin E, jojoba oil, and others also play a crucial role in the hydration of the dermal tissues and lock in moisture. It would help if you kept in mind not to choose a moisturizer that will block your skin pores and cause excessive sweating, no matter whether it has a light texture or not.
Antioxidants
Many daily facial moisturizers have antioxidants that can facilitate skin cell regeneration, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even lighten up the dark spots over time to improve the skin's health. For example, rose oil can help in the regeneration of dermal tissues and reduction in scarred spots. Pomegranate extract also acts as a fantastic antioxidant that works on wrinkles and reduces visibility. Vitamin C is one of the best antioxidants to prevent acne and brighten up your skin tone.
Time of application
Most daily facial moisturizers can be used both day and night. However, a few moisturizers are there in the market that can be used during the daytime only. Their formulas are developed so that if you apply them during the night, the results won't be as per your expectations. These products serve as a day cream and a night cream, thereby eliminating the need to buy other skincare products and invest your money unnecessarily.
Texture and feel
No matter how beneficial the chosen daily facial moisturizer is, it's imperative to choose a product having a light and smooth texture. On application, your skin should be able to absorb it quickly without leaving a greasy and sticky surface. Also, make sure it can keep your skin's surface smooth by reducing the cracks, peels, and sagginess.
What Is the Best Way to Use a Daily Facial Moisturizer?
To use a moisturizer, you must follow specific steps properly. Failure to do so won't yield the fruitful results you expect.
- Clean your face with a face wash properly. You can use a scrubber to remove the dirt and unclog the skin pores.
- Pat your skin with a soft towel while it is mild and damp.
- Apply the moisturizer on specific spots of your skin like the cheeks, chin, jawline, upper lips, nose, forehead, and more.
- Once done, use your fingertips and start massaging the skin in circular motions.
- Spread the moisturizer evenly and continue the motion to improve the absorption rate.
- Once done, leave it for a few minutes till your skin feels smooth and soft.
