12 of the best moisturisers for every skin type, need, and mood

TextKaleigh Fasanella

Whether you’ve got dry skin or oily skin, are eco-conscious, or on a tight budget – we’ve got you covered through 2021 and beyond

As far as skincare golden rules go, moisturising is a major one, as it helps to replenish and protect the skin from a number of environmental stressors, including but not limited to: pollution, blue light, and aired indoor heat (all of which we’re exposed to on a daily basis).

For this reason, anyone and everyone can benefit from using a moisturiser – yes, even you folks with oily and acne-prone skin. But because the market is so inundated with options, it can definitely be difficult to determine which one will be best suited for you.

That’s where we come in. To help you find the perfect moisturiser for not only your complexion but for your lifestyle, too, we compiled a list of tried-and-true face creams and broke them down by different needs – whether you’ve got dry or oily skin, are eco-conscious, or are on a tight budget.

Without further ado, scroll to find your new favourite moisturiser to see you through 2021.

01 / 12

BEST FOR DRY SKIN

Weleda – Skin Food

This ultra-thick emollient cream contains a slew of skin-loving ingredients like sweet almond oil, glycerin, and beeswax, which work wonders on dryness and stubborn flaky patches of skin. With just a few dots, it leaves skin hydrated, soft, and glowing to the heavens. Additionally, it’s amazing at soothing redness and irritation, as it’s made with a calming blend of calendula, chamomile, and zinc sulfate. As if that wasn’t enough, it also happens to smell sublime, albeit it doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances, so even folks with super-sensitive skin will be able to tolerate it.

Verdict: It’s a superior hydrator that smells incredible and won’t break the bank.

Buy here (£7.95).

02 / 12

BEST FOR DRY SKIN

Tatcha – The Dewy Skin Cream

This decadent Japanese cream was formulated with help from Kim Kardashian’s go-to makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, and it delivers serious hydration but without leaving any greasiness behind – thus, it’s a great option for those who hate heavy moisturisers. It’s made with top-notch ingredients like Japanese purple rice, which is rich in protective antioxidants and nutrients that feed the skin, as well as hyaluronic acid for moisture retention and algae for its soothing benefits. It also has a subtle-yet-noticeable plumping effect, so it’s an excellent formula for mature skin that could use a bit of a firming boost.

Verdict: It’s a luxurious cream that's rich in powerhouse antioxidants.

Buy here (£50).

03 / 12

BEST FOR DRY SKIN

Drunk Elephant – Lala Retro Whipped Moisturiser

As its name suggests, this moisturiser has a lovely whipped consistency, which makes the application experience feel truly spa-like. To combat dryness, it contains a blend of six African oils, as well as plant-derived ceramides that help repair the skin and protect it from moisture loss. What’s more: It’s free of potentially irritating ingredients like essential oils, silicones, dyes, and fragrance, so if your skin tends to be on the sensitive side of the spectrum, this moisturiser will be your best friend. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free if that matters to you.

Verdict: It has a luxurious texture and doesn't contain any harsh ingredients.

Buy here (£50).

04 / 12

BEST FOR OILY/COMBINATION SKIN

Kiehl’s – Ultra Face Cream

This no-frills moisturiser is amazing for oily and combination skin types alike because, despite being supremely hydrating, it’s featherlight and sinks into the skin super-quickly. It’s made with a nourishing blend of glycerin for hydration, squalane and avocado oil for added moisture, and vitamin E for a hefty dose of antioxidant protection. It also layers beautifully under make-up since it keeps skin so plump and hydrated all day – that, and it's devoid of common irritants like artificial fragrance and parabens. Oh, and it will not clog your pores – we pinky promise.

Verdict: It’s a weightless cream that looks amazing under make-up or on its own.

Buy here (£23).

05 / 12

BEST FOR OILY/COMBINATION SKIN

Youth to the People – Superfood Air-Whip Moisturiser

Packed with antioxidant-rich kale, which contains vitamins C, E, and K, this weightless cream works overtime to protect your skin from environmental stressors that cause dehydration and congestion. Additionally, it contains another potent antioxidant: green tea, which is famous for its soothing properties. Hyaluronic acid also helps to hold water in the skin, so your complexion stays hydrated and supple. Other ingredients to note include panthenol – a form of vitamin B5 that hydrates and relieves irritation – glycerin, squalane, and vitamin E.

Verdict: It’s an award-winning cream packed with antioxidants and powerful hydrators.

Buy here (£35).

06 / 12

BEST FOR OILY/COMBINATION SKIN

Innisfree – Orchid Youth-Enriched Gel Cream

If you’re a fan of gel-cream formulas that sink into the skin in mere seconds, this moisturiser is the one for you. It feels completely weightless, yet doesn't fall short on hydration because it’s loaded with ingredients like – you guessed it – hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. Additionally, it features orchid extract, which helps to firm the look of the skin, as well as protect it from free radical damage and other environmental factors that negatively impact our complexions. This one is a great option for mature skin, or anyone struggling to find a moisturiser that's both hydrating and lightweight.

Verdict: It’s a gel-cream moisturiser that delivers intense hydration, without feeling greasy or heavy.

Buy here (£22.80).

07 / 12

BEST ON A BUDGET

The Ordinary – Natural Moisturising Factor + HA

This incredible moisturiser costs less than some specialty drinks at Starbucks – and yet, it’s just as effective as many of its expensive competitors. The uber-hydrating, non-heavy formula features a failsafe blend of amino acids, glycerin, ceramides, urea, and hyaluronic acid, which all work in tandem to nourish and refresh the skin. Urea, in particular, acts as a natural exfoliator, so any excess dead skin on the surface will be swept away to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. It’s also a fabulous one for fussy skin because it’s formulated without alcohol, silicone, nuts, and fragrance (sensitive skin babes, take note).

Verdict: It’s a highly affordable, nutrient-rich moisturiser that gives pricey creams a run for their money.

Buy here (£4.75).

08 / 12

BEST ON A BUDGET

The Inkey List – Peptide Moisturiser

Perfect for morning and night, this quick-absorbing moisturiser supports your natural collagen production with an innovative peptide complex. It leaves skin looking softer, smoother, and firmer with continued use, so if you’re hoping to tighten up your skin, definitely consider giving this one a go. In addition to peptides, it contains glycerin and shea butter for added hydration, as well as betaine, an ingredient that helps to soften skin texture and fill in fine lines and wrinkles.

Verdict: It’s packed with peptides and helps combat dryness and dehydration.

Buy here (£14.99).

09 / 12

BEST ON A BUDGET

Cetaphil – Rich Hydrating Night Cream

Due to the fact it’s technically a nighttime moisturiser, this formula is ultra-rich and creamy, making it most ideal for dry and very dry skin types. That being said, it’ll work for oily skin, too because it’s non-comedogenic and therefore won’t clog pores or cause any type of congestion. Ingredient-wise, it contains hydrators like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and olive fruit oil, as well as antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E, which can help brighten the skin and fade hyperpigmentation due to sun damage and acne scarring. It's also an excellent one for sensitive skin because it’s free of fragrance.

Verdict: It’s an overnight moisturiser that features vitamin C for brightening benefits.

Buy here (£7.99).

10 / 12

BEST FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS CONSUMER

Cocokind – Texture Smoothing Cream

This eco-friendly option contains the brand’s signature ‘celery superseed complex,’ which helps refine skin texture and reduce concerns like large pores, fine lines, and stubborn dry patches – for this reason alone, it’s a fabulous pick for almost any skin type. In addition, it’s made with calming cucumber fruit water, squalane, glycerin, and shea butter, all of which work to comfort the skin and soothe any redness or irritation. Above all, this moisturiser does a number on unwanted texture, so if you’re battling bumps or blackheads, this cream has got you covered.

Verdict: It’s a lightweight creamy moisturiser that calms skin and reduces texture.

Buy here (£15).

11 / 12

BEST FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS CONSUMER

Tata Harper – Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser

If you’re down to splurge, you simply can’t go wrong with this divine formula by Tata Harper, AKA the original queen of green skincare. It’s made with rare and high-quality botanical ingredients like chia seed water and tremella mushroom, which replenish moisture levels in the skin, as well as hyaluronic acid for a mean punch of hydration. 100 per cent of its ingredients are naturally derived, so if you’re someone who likes to stick to purely organic ingredients found in nature, this one is a solid option for you. It’s also especially great for oily skin because it helps control sebum production – though it never leaves your complexion looking lackluster.

Verdict: It’s made with rare botanical ingredients found in nature and helps control sebum.

Buy here (£101).

12 / 12

BEST FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS CONSUMER

REN – Ultra-Moisture Day Cream

Enriched with a powerhouse blend of glycerin, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E, this rich formula was made with dry skin types in mind. It also kicks redness and irritation to the curb thanks to camellia seed oil, rosemary leaf extract, and betaine, so if you're sensitive or have rosacea, you'll definitely fancy this soothing formula. Another reason it slaps? It smells like a rose garden, yet doesn’t contain any artificial fragrance, so if you’re someone who loves skincare that smells good but you can’t typically handle perfume, look no further.

Verdict: It’s great for rosacea and smells like roses – without any artificial fragrance added.

Buy here (£34).

00 / 12