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Facial MoisturizersYou are here: Family >> Facial MoisturizersUpdated February 2008Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream (*est. $13 for 1.4 ounces) 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 20's, 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. Paula Begoun, the most credible expert in this area, notes that the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream with SPF 15 (*est. $13 for 1.4 ounces) isn't recommended, however, because it lacks the UVA-protecting ingredients of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, Meroxyl 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. $18 for 2.5 ounces) 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, making it an option for users of all ages. Experts say that antioxidants are an important part of any skin-care regime 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 a cell-communicating 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 is designed to be used at night. If you don't need an anti-wrinkle formula, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (*est. $23 for 4.2 oz.) is favored by some reviewers and 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. Although we found a number of positive reviews for this facial moisturizer, it was Paula Begoun's opinion that ultimately kept us from including it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. She says the 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 prefers the new gel formula, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel in a Tube (*est. $12 for 1.7 oz.) , which still has a "meager antioxidant content" but is a big improvement over the lotion. Some find Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion (*est. $40 for 1.7 oz.) to be a better department store option. Ounce for ounce, you'll pay much more, but the formula is full of antioxidants in stable packaging. It also provides adequate UVA and UVB protection in both its SPF15 and SPF 30 formulas. Paula Begoun, who normally doesn't recommend a moisturizer for those with oily skin, states that the SPF 15 formula is "worth auditioning if you have oily skin and have not been able to find a foundation with sunscreen that works for you." She does caution, however, that there's no guarantee that it won't cause breakouts, as is true of all sunscreens. While Begoun states that those with oily skin types do not need a moisturizer, except in areas of the face that may be dry, other experts recommend moisturizers for everyone regardless of skin type. Essence magazine editors are in the latter camp, but emphasize that those with oily skin need to choose more carefully, picking lotions or gels as opposed to creams which are heavier and more emollient. Products should be oil-free and should not clog pores. This is especially true for those that suffer from acne. People in this category should look for moisturizers that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid or lactic acid. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can also be beneficial ingredients for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates the skin and can clean the pores. It is preferred over alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) for oily skin because it can penetrate oil, but it is not recommended for people who are allergic to aspirin. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical disinfectant that kills bacteria and fights blemishes. It is available in 2.5-percent, 5-percent and 10-percent strengths. Experts say that most people should start with a lower strength and move up only if it is not effective. If you have acne prone skin, you might also be interested in the ConsumerSearch report on acne treatments. Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer (*est. $16 for 1.7 ounces) is a top pick with reviewers because it is said to fight acne and hydrate skin at the same time. Cosmopolitan editors call it a "clear favorite" and say that it "dries up breakouts (but not the rest of your face)". The moisturizer only has a 2.5-percent concentration of benzoyl peroxide so that it can be applied liberally over the entire face. It also contains a soothing algae extract that calms and reduces redness. Paula Begoun calls Clinique's Clearing Moisturizer "one of the most state-of-the-art benzoyl peroxide lotions available today," but complains about its unnecessary inclusion of peppermint extract, a potential irritant. Begoun also raves about Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel Lotion (*est. $14 for 0.5 oz.). This product, however, contains a 5-percent concentration of benzoyl peroxide and may be better as a spot treatment than a moisturizer. Clean and Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer (*est. $5.50 for 4 oz.) is another option for acne-prone skin. Users at iVillage and Drugstore.com offer mixed opinions with many saying that it treats breakouts without irritating even dry skin. Others complain that it is too drying. Differences may be due to differing skin types and the degree of acne they are treating. The Dual Action Moisturizer contains salicylic acid to heal blemishes but only in a 0.5-percent concentration, which Paula Begoun says is not strong enough to be effective. Those with dry, sensitive skin must also use a lot of prudence when choosing a facial moisturizer. Reading product labels might not be enough on its own. Labels in and of themselves can be deceiving. Experts at Shape magazine, for example, explain that the term "hypoallergenic" only means that there are fewer irritants and not that the product is entirely free of them. Flare magazine states that emollient ingredients like lanolin, petrolatum, mineral oil and glyceryl stearates are good options for dry skin. Fragrance should be avoided, especially by those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology notes that fragrance is the most common cause of irritant contact dermatitis. Reviews point to Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 (*est. $15 for 4 ounces) as an answer to red, irritated skin. It contains feverfew, which according to Aveeno, helps to reduce redness and soothe irritation. It also uses avobenzone sunscreen to provide broad spectrum protection, but one expert states that titanium oxide and/or zinc oxide would have been better sunscreen ingredients for sensitive skin because they pose almost zero risk of irritation. Avobenzone, on the other hand, can potentially be more irritating. Other experts say that the ingredients in Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer are especially gentle. A dermatologist at InStyle magazine said that the moisturizer calms "redness and irritation on contact with the help of soothing ingredients like feverfew, oatmeal and moisturizing soy." Although Clinique Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer (*est. $40 for 1.7 oz.) for very dry to dry skin was not reviewed as often, it is another viable option for dry, sensitive skin, even though it costs more than others. Clinique claims that its ingredients include eight antioxidants, both rapid and delayed release. One expert says that those antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can actually help dry skin to heal itself. It is also available for dry/combination and oily skin types. Important Features: Facial MoisturizersExperts say a good moisturizer should contain the following ingredients:
Experts also say the following about facial moisturizers:
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our * Also see our Comparison Chart.
Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion is the best-reviewed moisturizer overall, for people of all ages. Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion is more expensive than some drugstore alternatives, but is hailed for its antioxidant packed formula. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer is recommended for sensitive skin because it contains soothing ingredients and Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer earns kudos for acne-prone skin. Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream wins the most top picks from reviewers in the anti-aging moisturizer category.
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Facial moisturizers should only be applied to clean skin; see the ConsumerSearch report on facial cleansers for information on the best commercial cleansers. Other ConsumerSearch skin-care reports are in the works, including reports on eye cream, body lotion and acne treatments. We found the following sources particularly helpful when researching facial cleansers: The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep cosmetic safety database lists safety assessment ratings for about 2500 moisturizers based on carcinogenic ingredients, pregnancy concerns, safety violations, penetration enhancers, unstudied ingredients, harmful impurities and allergens. The details presented about products and their ingredients are impressive (and sometimes slightly overwhelming), with many links to further information. Daily skin care guidelines can be found at Skinsite.com. Manufacturers' websites are also helpful sources of information: Advertisement
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© 2008 ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
