Best Moisturisers For 2024 – All Skin Types & Budgets

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Having a good moisturiser that suits your skin is key when it comes to protecting and strengthening the all important skin barrier. Here’s my list of the best moisturisers for 2024 for all skin types and budgets.

Do you need a moisturiser?

A good moisturiser that suits your skin with help to prevent hydration loss and the associated potential inflammation, both of which compromise the skin barrier.

It is important to look after the moisture barrier because when it is weakened, it is less able to protect itself from environmental aggressors, stress, and the natural ageing process.

Your serums can provide targeted and concentrated treatment to the skin to work on specific concerns, (see Best Serums 2024), however, you also need a moisturiser to strengthen the skin and lock in surface hydration.

Best Moisturiser 2024 for Lines & Wrinkles

Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin-Renewing Water Cream

This cream is one of my ultimate skincare discoveries of 2023. I am absolutely in love with it and have almost finished two pots. It is excellent.

This is a really powerful retinol cream but the secret to success is in the formulation which allows extremely gentle delivery of super potent anti-ageing ingredients. It uses PURE Retinol plus HPR (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate) and this combination has been proven to be 10 times more powerful than retinol alone.

I noticed improvement in tone, texture and the firmness of my skin really quickly, and the texture is a true joy to use. What makes it unique is that is a strong retinoid product but you can use it twice a day without experiencing any of the usual downside associated with retinol. This means you get super fast results because you can use it so consistently. I am literally obsessed with this stuff.

For more information, read: Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin-Renewing Water Cream Review.

It is available to buy via the following links:

Lancome Renergie HPN 300 Peptide Cream

This new moisturiser from Lancome contains 300 different types of peptides which is pretty incredible.

This moisturiser has the most beautiful buttery texture and it melts effortlessly into the skin leaving the most beautiful glow. See it in action in this TikTok. It is super firming and consistency use will really help to increase skin density and smooth out lines and wrinkles. I also love the Lancome Renergie Triple Serum. Check that out in Best Serums for 2024.

You can buy Lancome Renergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream via the following links:

Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer

Naturium is one of Space NK’s best-selling skincare brands and this moisturiser is excellent.

This cream features a blend of peptides with vitamin C and panthenol to target the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It has a rich yet light texture that sink in quickly and gives an instant feeling of comfort and a softly glowing look. It’s really nice and super affordable too.

Best Moisturisers 2024 for Dry Skin

Dry skin is a skin type that lacks natural oils and lipids, and tends to need a richer texture moisturiser to ensure that all essential hydration is locked in.

Farmacy Honey Halo Ceramide Face Moisturizer

Until I tried this, I had only really used Farmacy’s brilliant cleansing balms, but this moisturiser is such a treat for dry skin or those that love a rich texture.

This is a gorgeous intense moisturiser that’s great for stressed or dry skin. It uses ceramides, buckwheat honey, and sweet fig to deliver deep nourishment and antioxidants to the skin. It leaves skin dewy and plump.

It is available to buy via the following links:

Rhode Barrier Repair Cream

This rich cream from Hailey Beiber has lots of plumping and hydrating ingredients including shea butter, squalene, peptides, and niacinamide.

This formula has a lovely softening and nourishing texture and it melts into the skin really nicely. This will fit into pretty much any skincare routine and it will work to protect the barrier and lock in hydration. The packaging is simple and chic.

Weleda Skin Food

If you have dry skin, and have never tried Skin Food, you absolutely must. It is gorgeous.

A little goes a long way and it creates a beautiful barrier on the skin to protect it from the elements and moisture loss. It has a blend of lanolin, beeswax and glycerin, plus sweet almond and sunflower oils to soften, smooth and repair the skin. And it smells amazing.

You can purchase Weleda Skin Food via the following links:

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

This is a great choice for dry or mature skin types if you want a good dose of hydration with a nourishing feel and a dewy glow.

The Dewy Skin Cream is formulated with Tatcha’s special blend of hyaluronic acid and Okinawa algae, plus antioxidant-rich Japanese purple rice, which helps to protect skin against stress and pollution. It’s the perfect under makeup moisturiser for glow lovers.

Shop it via the following links:

La Mer Creme de La Mer

I couldn’t write a post about moisturisers without mentioning the original Creme de La Mer because it has been one of my all time favourites for so long now.

If my skin is feeling dry, tight, or irritated, this is the cream I reach for. It is extremely thick and because of this, you only need the smallest amount. There’s a trick to getting the best out of it. You need to really warm it up between your fingers to allow the cream to transform and release all the soothing, healing ingredients.

After it is warmed up, you feel the texture loosen up between your fingers and then it glides over the skin, leaving a juicy and calm-looking complexion. I love it.

You can buy it via the following links:

Best Moisturisers 2024 for Dehydrated Skin

Whereas dry skin is a skin type, dehydration is a condition that can happen to all skin types. These moisturisers are great for adding an intense hit of hydration.

Vichy Mineral 89 72Hr Moisture Boosting Cream

This was a brand new addition to Vichy’s line up in 2023, and it joins the already iconic Vichy Mineral 89 serum. Check out Best Serums for 2024 to find out more.

This is such an easy to use moisturiser that will slot into any routine, even if you have sensitive skin. It is all about boosting and maintaining hydration and it is packed with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins E and B3 (niacinamide) and Squalane.

The texture is rich yet light and it is instantly soothing and plumping on the skin. Love it. For more information, read: Vichy Mineral 89 72Hr Moisture Boosting Cream Review.

It is available to purchase via the following links:

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream

This was a brand new launch from Charlotte Tilbury skincare and a new addition to the Magic franchise.

I wasn’t actually expecting to like this moisturiser when I first heard about it but I have nearly made it through a whole pot and really love it! It has quite a unique, almost bouncy texture that’s super light yet still feels like you are drenching skin with hydration.

It gives skin a lovely glow and plumpness, and is great under makeup. Perfect for day time.

You can buy Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream via the following links:

Sisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream

This is one of my favourite moisturisers. It is super light in texture (it reminds me of raspberry yoghurt to look at!) yet it really does deeply hydrate and soothe the skin.

It contains Black Rose oil extract, May Rose water, Shea and Camelina oils to hydrate and moisturise the skin. It makes skin super soft, and delivers long lasting hydration and comfort. 

Shop it via the following links:

Ule Fraiche Cloud Hydra Fortifying Water Cream

Ule is a fairly new skincare brand and it has some really interesting products. The Fraiche Cloud Hydra Fortifying Water Cream is one of their newest launches and it is really good.

It uses Aquaplenish Technology which works to reinforces the skin’s hydration and seal in water plus lots of other hydrating and plumping ingredients. There are even gentles AHAs (from fermented raspberry extract) to smooth and illuminate the skin.

It has a similar texture to the Magic Water Cream but it feels slightly lighter and more watery. It’s lovely.

You can buy the Ule Cloud Cream via the following links:

Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream

This is my favourite moisturiser from Korean skincare brand Curel because it has a lovely rich texture that deeply hydrates the skin.

It combines Curel’s Ceramide Care system with squalane and eucalyptus leaf extract for an extra hit of hydration. It is rich, but not heavy at all, so you can use it both day and night if you feel your skin needs it. I love it because although it is the richer option, it is not at all heavy.

You can buy via the following links:

Best Moisturisers 2024 for Sensitive Skin

Dermalogica UltraCalming Calm Water Gel Moisturiser

This is a super light water-gel moisturiser formulated specifically for sensitive skin.

This formula uses Dual Hyaluronic Acid technology which means it hydrates at different layers in the skin to lock in moisture for lasting hydration. It feels super light, yet still is a very effective moisturiser.

You can buy it via the following links:

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

This is cream will deliver the perfect moisture boost for sensitive skin.

It is packed with ceramides and glycerin and is formulated to strengthen and restore the natural barrier of the skin. The cream has a beautiful soft texture that feels calming and hydrating and leaves the skin with a lovely glow.

You can buy it via the following links:

Marie Reynolds Butter Balm

Although this has been formulated as a mask, this balm makes a beautiful night cream for sensitive skin.

It’s a gorgeously indulgent formula that feels instantly soothing, calming and quenching. You can use the tiniest amount spread over the skin for immediate relief from dryness and a calming effect.

It contains lots of repairing antioxidants and a blend of butters to deeply nourish the skin and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. If my skin is having a moment, I know that this won’t irritate it at all.

Read Marie Reynolds London Butter Balm Antioxidant Mask Review.

You can buy it at Marie Reynolds London*.

Best Moisturiser 2024 for Combination & Oily Skin

Chantecaille Oil Free Balancing Moisturiser

This is an oil-free and non-comedogenic super lightweight moisturiser that uses a mix of botanical extracts, marine postbiotics, and plant stem cell extracts to maintain and boost skin’s moisture whilst working to reduce oil, refine pores and promote more even texture.

It also contains Polyglutamic Acid which boosts the skin’s own Hyaluronic Acid to increase skin hydration. There are also ingredients that help reduce shine and the look of enlarged pores.

You can buy it via the following links:

La Mer Hydrating Infused Emulsion

This is one the newest incarnations of La Mer’s classic moisturiser and it’s really very lovely.

This is a super-hydrating featherlight formula that gives the skin a really beautiful glow. This product is actually designed to be a pre-moisturiser hydration step, and can be sealed in with a layer of cream, however, I think it works very well alone, over a serum, for combination and oily skin.

It has all of the La Mer soothing and antioxidant properties with a completely weightless finish on the skin.

Read La Mer Hydrating Infused Emulsion Review.

You can buy it via the following links:

Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer

If you are looking for a moisture boost that comes in a very lightweight veil, this is one to consider.

This light formula launched in 2023 and was designed specifically for combination-to-oily skin types. It is a gel-cream texture that uses three different weights of Hylaluronic Acid and ceramides, minerals and amino acids to deliver lightweight yet deep hydration and skin protection.

You can buy via the following links:

Best Moisturiser 2024 for Dull Skin

TULA Skincare Bright Start Vitamin C Antioxidant Moisturiser

TULA is fairly new to the UK and it is going down very well with us.

This has been designed to address dull skin and dark spots works to improve the look of dull skin and dark marks with a blend of vitamin C, tranexamic acid and mandarin orange. It also uses Japanese mandarin, yuzu and hyaluronic acid work to hydrate the skin.

It has a really nice gel-cream texture that feels weightless on the skin and sinks in really quickly. It’s lovely.

Buy it via the following links:

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream

If you are looking for a rich moisturiser that’s still fairly light on the skin and boosts your glow factor, then this could be the one. It’s so good.

The texture melts into the skin so beautifully and leaves it looking instantly smoother and more radiant. The formula is thick without being too heavy – it has almost a hint of a honey-like texture but isn’t sticky.

The brightening come from 5% high-potency, advanced vitamin C (THD ascorbate) which is the gold standard form of vitamin C and is very stable against oxygenation. It promises to stay stable even in a jar. I love this stuff.

You can buy it via the following links:

Best Moisturisers with SPF

Although I prefer to use a separate sunscreen for proper protection from UV rays, I do think that moisturisers with SPF can serve a purpose in the winter months.

CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50

This is a brilliant affordable moisturiser with high sun protection.

Like all of Cerave’s products, it is packed with ceramide to help restore the skin barrier and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate. What is really great about this is that the texture is lightweight in spite of the high protection. It sinks in effortlessly.

It is available via the following links:

Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C SPF 30

This cream gives a lovely glowy finish to the skin along with a healthy dose of Vitamin C plus SPF30 UV protection.

It has a really rich texture that’s loaded with Hyaluronic Acid which means it is brilliant at keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day.

You can buy it via the following links:

Vichy Liftactiv B3 Anti-Dark Spots SPF50 Day Cream

This is a great all round high protection moisturiser designed to help correct pigmentation, and also work on wrinkle appearances of all types. It includes Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and LHA which work together to fade dark spots, while broad-spectrum SPF50 to helps prevent further hyperpigmentation.

It has a lovely light texture yet it feels really nourishing and moisturising. The finish is a soft and velvety, and it creates a lovely base for makeup.

Shop it via the following links:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30

This product is one of the beauty industry’s true icons and this version has SPF30.

It uses a blends a powerful blend of ingredients, including Padina Pavonica and Ginkgo Biloba which works to address lines and wrinkles, super-boost hydration, and firm up the skin.

SPF30 protection comes courtesy of a next generation micronized sunscreen that leaves no white cast while delivering broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

Shop it via the following links:

Best Budget Moisturisers 2024

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides

This one is the most nourishing of all the moisturisers from The Ordinary and in my opinion, the most luxurious one.

This is one of my favourite products that The Ordinary have made – it is such a beautiful moisturiser that it could be 10 times the price. The luxurious consistency is perfect for dry skin or if you like a super dewy look.

The Ordinary have two other moisturisers to choose from, so this guide may help: The Ordinary Moisturiser- Which One Should I Use?

You can buy The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides via the following links:

CeraVe Moisturising Cream

No matter what you are looking for within the CeraVe brand, you will find a good value solution packed with barrier strengthening Ceramides.

The CeraVe Moisturising Cream is a a great moisturiser particularly well suited to dry skins. It has three essential ceramides plus Hyaluronic Acid in a non-greasy formula to lock In hydration all day long.

You can buy it at:

I hope you found this round of of the Best Moisturisers for 2024 helpful. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

You may also want to check out:

• Best Cleansers
• Best Exfoliators
• Best Eye Creams
• Best Serums