Best Facial Moisturizers

Olay, Neutrogena are best bets

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream (*Est. $14 for 1.4 oz.) wins kudos in reviews and from consumers because it's a less-expensive alternative to higher-priced retinol formulas at the department store. Good Housekeeping recommends Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Cream for women in their 40s, when wrinkles usually start to appear. Editors at Allure magazine also claim that it softens existing fine lines but that it can be even more beneficial for women in their 20s by helping them to delay the appearance of aging. Because of this, Neutrogena's Anti-Wrinkle Cream has won a Best of Beauty award from Allure for six years and has been inducted into its hall of fame. Only 24 other beauty products currently hold that honor. It was formerly called "original formula" and is now sometimes listed as "night formula."

Paula Begoun, the most credible expert in this area, does not recommend the version with sunscreen, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream with SPF 15 (*Est. $14 for 1.4 oz.), because it lacks the UVA-protecting ingredients of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl SX or Tinosorb. UVA rays are responsible for long-term skin damage, and experts say your skin-care moisturizer cream should protect against both UVA and UVB light. She does recommend the original formula for its stable packaging which protects the efficacy of antioxidants and retinol. It is recommended, however, that a broad-spectrum sunscreen be used in addition to this formula.

Olay Regenerist is another line of products at the drugstore that is touted for its anti-aging properties. One reviewer found Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion SPF 15 (*Est. $19 for 2.5 oz.) to be among the best at reducing the appearance of wrinkles but admitted that results varied greatly and were barely visible to the naked eye. Olay Regenerist UV Defense lacks retinol, but is packed with antioxidants and provides both UVA and UVB protection with avobenzone and other active sunscreens, making it an option for users of all ages. Experts say that antioxidants are an important part of any skin-care regimen, and studies show that they are actually effective at protecting the skin from damage from free radicals. 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 improve skin discolorations. Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream (*Est. $18 for 1.7 oz.) is similar to the UV defense lotion, but has no sunscreen and is designed to be used at night.

If you don't need an anti-wrinkle formula, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (*Est. $24 for 4.2 oz.) has long been favored by consumers. It has been inducted into Allure's hall of fame for winning a Best of Beauty award nine times. Editors there say that "it disappears into skin, yet is very hydrating and it's fragrance-free, which is a plus for sensitive skin." Clinique calls it "the moisture drink" and claims that it maintains moisture balance for very dry skin.

According to Paula Begoun, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (*Est. $24 for 4.2 oz.) is a better option. She says that the lotion formula is terribly 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, even though they are meager. Users at MakeupAlley.com claim that the gel is perfect for combination or oily skin because it provides just the right amount of moisture, without feeling thick and heavy on the skin. The lightweight moisturizer is oil-free and doesn't have any heavy thickeners that can clog pores.

Some find RevaleSkin Night Cream (*Est. $110 for 1.7 oz.) to be a better high-end option. Ounce for ounce, you'll pay much more, but the formula is full of antioxidants in stable packaging. The moisturizer contains 1 percent coffeeberry extract, which some experts at Allure and Women's Health insist is "the most potent antioxidant to date". Reviewers at InStyle claim that RevaleSkin's silky formula "sinks in twice as fast as most other night creams." Paula Begoun points out, though, that coffeeberry and vitamin E are the only antioxidants contained in RevaleSkin. Although she agrees that it is a good moisturizer with emollient ingredients, she insists that it isn't worth the hefty price tag. RevaleSkin Day Cream SPF 15 (*Est. $100 for 1.7 oz.) is also available, but unfortunately it does not contain any of the ingredients (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, tinosorb or Mexoryl SX) that provide adequate UVA protection, which is somewhat surprising considering the many dermatologists that promote the line.