Best Overall

The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer

$44

$40 at Amazon$44 at NordstromView on Theoutset.com

Active Ingredients: Squalane | Skin Type: Dry, combination, normal, acne-prone | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You can thank squalane, edelweiss extract, and the brand’s proprietary Hyaluroset™ Complex (a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid) for the amazing boost in hydration that this formula gives to the skin. A little goes a long way with this formula; you only need half a pump to cover your entire face thoroughly. Once applied, you’ll notice how fast this formula sinks into the skin (we’re talking seconds here), and we love that it leaves no greasy residue. It plays well with other skincare and makeup products and makes our skin look healthy and vibrant. One thing to note is that this pick offers a dewy finish, so if you have really oily skin, you might not like this pick.

Bianca, tester with sensitive skin prone to monthly breakouts: “I can tell an immediate difference after I apply this moisturizer—my skin looks more radiant and feels smooth to the touch. The hydration lasts all day without my skin becoming an oil slick. Plus, I don’t get any breakouts with this formula.”

Best for Oily Skin

CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream

$20

$16 at Amazon$20 at Ulta$17 at Target

Active Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 3 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Calling all oily folks, this noncomedogenic moisturizer from CeraVe is for you. Featuring silica and other powders to help absorb excess oil on the skin, this gel cream is super lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly. You’ll also find ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to add lightweight moisture without overdoing it. Our tester, Lauren, loves that this formula is mattifying and works beautifully under makeup. Plus, it doesn’t leave any type of residue behind. The only thing we would change about this product is the nozzle; if only it were bigger to allow more product to come out.

Lauren, tester with oily skin and occasional breakouts: “It left my skin fairly matte, which is great because my skin can get shiny. Immediately after application, my face feels lightly moisturized. If my skin is a bit dry on a certain day due to a lack of water intake or something of that sort, I’ll add another layer of the moisturizer just to give my skin a boost.”

Best Splurge

Tatcha The Water Cream

$72

$69 at Amazon$72 at Sephora$72 at Ulta

Active Ingredients: Japanese wild rose, Japanese leopard lily, hadasei-3 complex | Skin Type: Combination, oily, mature | Size: 0.34, 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rich in nutrients and botanicals, this plush Tatcha formula feels like heaven on the skin. Infused with green tea, algae, and protein-packed rice water, this cream deeply hydrates and restores dull, lackluster skin to a healthy radiance. It has a water-like gel texture that absorbs quickly, making it a great choice for those with oily skin or anyone who prefers ultralightweight skincare. As if it wasn’t luxurious enough, it also includes a hint of 23-karat gold for the ultimate gorgeous glow. We also appreciate that it includes a luxe spoon to keep things hygienic. Just keep in mind that because it’s so light, it might not be enough for super dry skin types.

Shannon, tester with dry skin and occasional breakouts (not shown): “The Tatcha Water Cream sunk into my skin instantly, but in a way where you can still feel the hydration without a sticky or greasy feeling. My skin looks supple and hydrated, and it seems like it even slightly plumped the fine lines across my forehead.”

Best Budget

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer

$27

$18 at Amazon$30 at Ulta$20 at Target

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 50 | Cruelty-Free: No

There’s a lot to love about this pick from Neutrogena. An SPF moisturizer from the brand’s popular Hydro Boost line, it’s loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants to hydrate and protect your skin. The formula feels lightweight to the touch (aka, it isn’t too heavy and doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy). It absorbs quickly and hydrates the skin almost instantly. When our tester, EnJanae, tried it, she found that she didn’t need a lot of product to moisturize her face thoroughly. Also nice: The formula contains SPF 50, so you can count on it to protect your skin while you wear it; and while it doesn’t impart a white cast, it does smell a bit like sunscreen.

EnJanae, tester with oily skin and weekly breakouts: “There’s been a decrease in breakouts since I started using this product. My skin has been more hydrated and glowy, with a noticeable improvement in texture. The product leaves a dewy finish that’s a great base for makeup or bare skin.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV

$25 at Amazon$27 at Ulta$26 at Dermstore

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and niacinamide | SkinType: All | Size: 3.38 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No

La Roche-Posay is well known for its products formulated for sensitive skin, and the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 falls right into that category. Our tester, Shannon, loved that this formula didn’t irritate her skin, leave a white cast, or make her face look greasy. It stays put, too, even when it comes into contact with sweat or water. This pick would be a good option if you sweat a lot or do many outdoor activities. Note: The formula can leave the tiniest bit of sheen on the skin—not anywhere near greasy—but those with oily skin should be aware that it could contribute to extra dewiness. The brand makes a matte version, though, which might be up your alley.

Shannon, tester with dry skin and occasional breakouts (not shown): “The gel-cream has a nice texture. It squeezes out and spreads easily, but has enough heft that it feels hydrating. Plus, I like that it almost has a cooling effect when you apply it. The formula absorbed really quickly (within a minute or two) and left my skin with a matte finish. I was surprised how quickly it got matte, since it’s a fairly thick cream and looked dewy on immediate application.”

Best for Enlarged Pores

Skinfix Barrier+ Gel Cream

$54 at SephoraView on Skinfix.com$54 at Kohls.com

Active Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Skinfix knows a thing or two about creating excellent noncomedogenic moisturizers for a range of skin types. This formula, in particular, is ideal for oily skin because it has a super light gel texture that absorbs quickly and delivers weightless hydration. The formula contains peptides and niacinamide to nourish, absorb excess oil, and even out skin tone. We also love that it gives the skin a subtle glow that never looks greasy and creates a soft, smooth canvas for makeup. The only negative note is that it has a bit of a funky smell. We bet you’ll love the rest of the formula if you can get past that.

Mikey, tester with combination skin and occasional breakouts: “I noticed immediate hydration after applying this moisturizer. In the long term, I’ve noticed that my pore size and the redness in my complexion have improved.”

Best With SPF

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum

$16

$13 at Amazon$21 at Ulta$16 at Target

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: All | Size: 3 oz | SPF: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

If you want to make your morning skincare routine a bit more streamlined, consider adding this moisturizer with SPF into the mix. This pick has broad spectrum SPF 35 coverage that protects against UVA and UVB rays. You can find ingredients like vitamins E, B3, and B5, as well as edelweiss flower to protect against environmental aggressors. Our tester, Shiri, loves that this formula protects against the sun and adds a good amount of hydration but notes that the smell might be off-putting to some. She said it smells a lot like a chemical sunscreen, so if that bothers you, you might want to use a moisturizer and then a separate SPF afterward.

Shiri, tester with acne-prone, combination skin: “It was easy to apply this moisturizer—I like that I didn’t have to dip my fingers into a jar to apply it. Once fully absorbed, it didn’t feel heavy.”

Best Lightweight

Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions Blur + Repair Cream

View on Drdennisgross.com

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, ceramides, peptides | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.67, 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Whether you struggle with oily skin or prefer a featherlight product during warmer months, having a lightweight moisturizer in your skincare arsenal is always a smart idea. This ultralight cream spreads like butter across the skin, but don’t let its airy texture fool you. The cloud-like moisturizer contains four different weights of hyaluronic acid, giving your skin a moisturizing surge. Plus, this pick minimizes fine lines and inflammation thanks to peptides and ceramides. Beyond its creamy texture and blurring abilities, our tester loved how much brighter her complexion appeared. It provided her with some much-needed nourishment and created an illuminating effect on the skin. While it did take some time for the product to fully absorb, she appreciated that it added a hydrating boost and shine.

Ashley, tester with sensitive, combination skin: “The Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions Blur + Repair Cream is exceptionally hydrating and leaves my skin glowing. The repair cream revived my dull, dehydrated skin within seconds. My skin looks healthier and vibrant after every use of the moisturizer.”

Best for Makeup Prep

Dieux Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream

$44 at SephoraView on Dieuxskin.com

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, lipids, vegan collagen, amino acids | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 2.53 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Finding a moisturizer that doesn’t irritate your skin and sits beautifully under makeup is not an easy feat. To our surprise, this baby does just that while giving your skin a plump and dewy glow. Infused with hydrating glycerin and plumping amino acids, this gentle gem is a huge hit in our tester, Saleam’s, eyes. He adored the juicy moisturizer’s ability to blend effortlessly with his skincare and makeup routine. It never caused any pilling or patchiness when paired with makeup. Plus, it created a bouncy base that instantly perked up his skin. The hydrating effects are intense with this one, as our tester never needed to reapply (which we are all about). If you’re looking for a product that will blend seamlessly into your routine without causing any flare-ups, this is the pick for you.

Saleam, tester with combination skin: “The consistency works really well for layering with other skincare products and makeup. It leaves the skin pretty plump and juicy, which complements a concealer, foundation, or other complexion products by providing a nice hydrated base.”