Best Facial Moisturizers

Olay, Neutrogena face creams are best bets

Experts say the best facial moisturizers contain hydrating ingredients appropriate for your skin type: lightweight emollients, such as glycerin and silicones for oily skin and denser emollients, such as shea butter, cocoa butter and various essential oils for dry skin. Other beneficial ingredients include antioxidants (which protect skin from environmental damage), niacinamide (which increases fatty acid levels in the skin and prevents water loss), glycerin and hyaluronic acid (both of which are humectants that draw water to the skin). For daytime use, a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) is essential to protect skin from sun damage that leads to skin cancer and premature aging. Experts suggest looking for one that contains avobenzone, Mexoryl SX, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection. (For more information on those ingredients, please see the ConsumerSearch report on sunscreen.)

Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion SPF 15 (*Est. $20 for 2.5 oz.), is lauded for its solid moisturizing and its anti-aging properties. Paula Begoun, author of the book, "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me," gives this formula her highest rating and says that it's "loaded with beneficial extras for skin." One caveat: Olay Regenerist UV Defense lacks collagen-boosting retinol, but it is packed with protective antioxidants and provides UVA and UVB protection with avobenzone and other active sunscreens, making it an option for users of all ages. The Regenerist line is recommended because of its inclusion of niacinamide. Niacinamide is an ingredient that prevents skin from losing water content. Studies show that it works with antioxidants to improve skin-cell function and may also reduce skin discolorations. Users at TotalBeauty.com and MakeupAlley.com give Olay high ratings and say that the moisturizer is lightweight and leaves skin feeling soft but never greasy. A few say they don't like the smell and wish there were a fragrance-free option. Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream (*Est. $20 for 1.7 oz.) is similar to the UV defense lotion but has no sunscreen and is designed for nighttime use. The daytime lotion is also available in an SPF 50 formula (*Est. $29 for 1.7 oz.), but it isn't reviewed as often.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 (*Est. $16 for 2.5 oz.) does well in professional reviews. It receives beauty awards from Allure, InStyle and Women's Health magazines, where editors laud it for containing soy and light diffusers to even out skin tone. Reviewers at MakeupAlley.com and TotalBeauty.com like the high SPF that Aveeno provides. Many also appreciate the natural glow that it gives to skin -- likely due to the light diffusers. Begoun, however, gives Aveeno Positively Radiant a mediocre rating, saying that it is merely "an okay option". It lacks the high level of antioxidants found in other moisturizers, but she says that it does have a dry, lightweight finish.

If you have oily skin, we also found good facial moisturizer reviews for Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (*Est. $25 for 4.2 oz.). It takes its name from Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (*Est. $25 for 4.2 oz.), a long-time favorite of consumers. Begoun says the gel has the better formula, however. She says that the lotion version is outdated, containing water, mineral oil, sesame oil, slip agent, thickeners, Vaseline, preservatives and coloring agents, but none of the state-of-the-art moisturizing ingredients or antioxidants that some other moisturizers have. She says that the gel version, however, is a big improvement with its inclusion of antioxidants, though they are meager. Reviewers say that the gel has a light and silky texture because of its silicone content. It also contains glycerin, butylene glycol, cucumber extract and vitamin E. Users at MakeupAlley.com say the gel is perfect for combination or oily skin because it provides just the right amount of moisture, without feeling thick and heavy. The lightweight moisturizer is oil- and fragrance free and doesn't have any heavy thickeners that can clog pores.  

Philosophy Hope in a Jar (*Est. $60 for 4 oz.) has enjoyed cult status for several years. It is marketed as a therapeutic moisturizer, but reviews for the formula are mixed. Thousands of reviewers at Sephora.com and Drugstore.com give it a high overall rating, praising it for its lightweight, whipped texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. Many, however, say that it doesn't smell very good. Users at MakeupAlley.com aren't as enthusiastic, giving it a mediocre overall rating. Many complain about the high price, the smell and the jar packaging. Begoun concurs that the jar packaging isn't a good feature because it can't keep the antioxidants stable. She says that for all of the hype this product has received, it is "a rather ordinary formula" that doesn't contain many good-for-skin ingredients.