We Tested the Best Face Moisturizers, and These 21 Hydrate Without Clogging Pores

Face Moisturizers We Also Tested

We tested 64 face moisturizers for dry and oily skin, but not all of them made our list. While these five didn't make the final cut, we did find some noteworthy features:

• We like that you can use Weleda’s Skin Food Moisturizer on your body and face, especially for extremely dry skin. However, we found the cream thick and tough to apply. Because of this, we were also a bit concerned about how it would layer under makeup or sunscreen.
• First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream left our skin feeling hydrated, boosting our moisture levels by 11% to 31%. But it felt heavy and greasy, feeling more like a night cream than an everyday moisturizer.
• Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream increased our skin's hydration by 9% to 23% during our test. However, the heavy and greasy texture meant it took a while to fully absorb into our skin. Given the premium price, we'd rather invest in a cream that absorbs more efficiently.
• Although Glossier's After Baume Cream left our skin feeling hydrated, it became oily and greasy, taking a while to fully absorb. We’d happily use the moisturizer to spot-treat dry patches, but it felt too heavy for everyday wear. 
• We put Shiseido’s Waso Mega Hydrating Moisturizer to the test on oily skin. While it did prove hydrating, it unfortunately left our skin feeling even oilier. The moisturizer was also slow-absorbing and prone to pilling, but we think it may be effective for combating excessive dryness.

Where We Stand

After testing 64 face moisturizers, Vanicream's Daily Facial Moisturizer is our clear favorite because it's lightweight, fast-absorbing, and suitable for a variety of skin types. We also like that it's fragrance-free, good for sensitive skin, and available at a budget-friendly price. As we continue to test face moisturizers at home, we will update our list with any new recommendations.

What to Look for When Shopping for Face Moisturizers

• Ingredients: To find a face moisturizer that won’t clog your pores, look for something with non-comedogenic ingredients. Our experts specifically recommend ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and squalane because they moisturize your skin without clogging pores. They also recommend avoiding comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients, like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and lanolin. If you’re especially prone to clogged pores, you may also want a moisturizer made with pore-clearing ingredients, like salicylic acid.
• Skin Type: The four most common skin types are normal, dry, oily, and combination. Normal skin feels balanced, dry skin gets tight and flaky, oily skin is greasy and shiny, and combination skin often gets oily in the T-zone (along the forehead and nose). Finding the right moisturizer for your skin type and lifestyle may take some trial and error, says dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD, FAAD. But generally, the dermatologists we spoke to recommend heavier creams for dry skin, oil-free moisturizers for oily skin, and combination products for combination skin. 
• Moisturizer Type: Moisturizers typically contain three types of ingredients: humectants, occlusives, and emollients. Humectants (like hyaluronic acid) attract water and hydrate your skin. Occlusives (like beeswax) form a protective layer that seals in moisture. And emollients (like vitamin E) smooth out and support your skin. Great moisturizers contain a combination of these ingredients, King says. And you can find non-comedogenic versions of each.
• Size and Price: You don’t have to splurge to score a great moisturizer, Galaria says. And we agree. During our test, we found great moisturizers at every price point—from drugstore to high-end options. When considering price, be sure to note the size of a moisturizer. Some are much bigger than others, and a 12-ounce tub for $18 is a better buy than a 1.5-ounce tube for $9.
• Additional Features: Humectants are ingredients that help hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules from the dermis like a magnet, drawing them closer to the epidermis to create that moisture barrier. They make your skin look less flaky and cracked and encourage the shedding of dead cells. Popular natural humectants include hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, alpha hydroxy acid, and honey. Popular synthetic humectants include butylene glycol, urea, and glycerin. Emollients are ingredients that help smooth and soften the skin by repairing cracks in the skin barrier and preventing water loss. Emollients work best when paired with humectants. Common emollients include cocoa butter, shea butter, oils like olive oil, and colloidal oatmeal. People with different skin types and lifestyles prefer different weights—usually lighter products for morning use and heavier products for evening and overnight use.
  

How We Tested the Face Moisturizers

To simplify your search for a great face moisturizer, we put 64 face moisturizers to the test in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home. We tested 29 moisturizers for oily skin and 35 moisturizers for dry skin. When testing moisturizers, we evaluated each one based on the following key categories:

• Texture: To test the texture of each face moisturizer, we note how it feels on our skin: Is it sticky? Is it thick or lightweight? Does it feel gritty or smooth? We also pay attention to how easily it spreads and rubs into our skin.
• Absorption: During our testing, we actively assess each face moisturizer's absorption by measuring the time it takes for the product to be fully absorbed into the skin. We also take note of whether it leaves any sticky or greasy residue, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of its performance.
• Dryness or Oiliness: To evaluate this category, we first cleanse and dry our faces. Then, we use a moisture meter to measure the initial moisture and oil levels of our skin. After applying the moisturizer, we wait for 15 minutes and re-record moisture and oil levels. We document the percentage changes to indicate the product's effectiveness in addressing dryness or oiliness.
• Appearance: Next, we actively observe the post-application appearance of each product on our skin: Does it leave a tint or visible residue? We also take note of any fragrance and whether it's pleasant or overpowering.
• Value: To give each face moisturizer an accurate value score, we look at the cost of the product after testing is complete. Moisturizers that receive a high overall score typically align with or cost less than what we deem reasonable, considering their performance in the key categories mentioned above.

Our Experts

We sought advice from five experts, including three dermatologists and two personal trainers, to ensure our recommendations for the best face moisturizers are well-informed. Some experts helped us identify important ingredients to seek or avoid based on specific skin types, while others provided guidance on how to best use and evaluate each product during our testing phase.

• Hadley King, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Noreen Galaria, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder and CEO of Inner Glow Vitamins
• Gloria Lin, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
• Jessica Paris, NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and master instructor at SLT Pilates
• Taylor Sanders, CPT, certified personal trainer and trainer at Rumble Boxing
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good to moisturize your face every day?

To keep your skin hydrated and healthy, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using moisturizer and sunscreen daily. This is especially true if you have dry or mature skin. If you’re prone to dry skin, the AAD says you may want to moisturize as often as twice a day.

Should I moisturize my face at night or in the morning?

Dermatologists recommend moisturizing your face after it’s been cleansed—like right after you wash your face or shower, both at night or in the morning.

What happens when you don't moisturize your face?

If you don't moisturize, you'll miss out on benefits such as hydrating your skin, supporting your skin barrier, and sealing in moisture, King says. Without moisturizer, your skin may dry out—especially if you have already dry or mature skin.

What is the most effective face moisturizer?

The most suitable face moisturizer for you will depend on your individual needs and skin type. We offer recommendations tailored to different skin concerns, including options for dry and acne-prone skin. If you're uncertain, opt for a moisturizer that's versatile for all skin types, feels fast-absorbing, and aligns with your budget.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Lindsey Lanquist is an experienced health and fitness writer who cares about connecting people with products they’ll love. Lindsey hates clogged pores as much as the next girl. And as someone who wears moisturizer every morning and works out every day, she knows how important it is to have a great go-to product.

Additional reporting by Michelle Parente.

Michelle Parente, CYT, is a New York City-based yoga sculpt instructor and lifestyle journalist specializing in health, wellness, and fitness content. As a commerce writer, Michelle makes it her mission to provide researched and reliable product recommendations. She uses Clearstem's Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer every morning and night, noticing that it helps keep her acne-prone skin hydrated and glowy.