While you can add plenty of different serums, treatments, and other skincare products to your routine, they’ll only do their best work when paired with a high-quality moisturizer. We’re discussing our top five favorite facial moisturizers that you can use to seal in your skincare products for the best possible results.
How Does a Moisturizer Improve Skincare Products?
To understand exactly how a moisturizer improves the function of your serums and other skincare products, we need to first define exactly what a moisturizer is. A moisturizer works to prevent water loss and maintain the skin’s barrier to promote soft, healthy, and balanced skin. At the same time, it also acts as a protective barrier to defend the skin against environmental aggressors that can cause damage and irritation.
By comparison, face serums are made with higher concentrations of active ingredients that target specific issues, such as vitamin c serum for dullness, coQ10 serum for signs of aging, and hyaluronic acid serum for wrinkles and dehydration. By applying a moisturizer after your serums and other skincare products, you create a seal over the other formulas to ensure these active ingredients are better able to penetrate into the skin and deliver the best results. A good moisturizer will also counteract dryness from more aggressive ingredients, such as retinoids and exfoliating acids.
Top Moisturizers for Sealing in Products
Now, let’s discuss five of our favorite moisturizers for sealing in skincare products and supporting overall skin health.
Best Overall:Tula 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream
This gentle, super hydrating, and anti-aging moisturizer from Tula is one of our top choices for all skin types. The lightweight and non-comedogenic formula doesn’t feel greasy on the skin, yet is able to deeply moisturize as it seals in serums and other skincare products. It’s loaded with ingredients like peptides, squalane, and prebiotic and probiotic extracts that hydrate and enhance barrier health.
Best for Dry Skin:Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream is the perfect solution for anyone with dry skin looking for a deeply moisturizing facial lotion that layers well with other skincare products. The gentle formula is crafted with ceramides, marula oil, hyaluronic acid, and other ingredients that replenish the moisture barrier and strengthen the skin. At the same time, the rich cream locks in skincare products while blocking out environmental aggressors.
Best for Oily Skin:Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer
Anyone with oily skin knows how important it is to find a moisturizer that supports the skin without leaving it looking and feeling greasy. This Peter Thomas Roth moisturizer has a super lightweight cream-based formula that provides weightless moisture for supple and comfortable skin. Hydrolyzed silk, three different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients draw in water and soften the skin while locking skincare products into the complexion.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin:Paula's Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer
If you are prone to breakouts, you need a quality moisturizer that will boost moisture levels, support barrier health, and seal in any acne treatments and serums you may be using – all without further contributing to blemishes. This Paula’s Choice formula is specifically made for acne-prone skin. This oil-free moisturizer is made without pore clogging ingredients, and lightly hydrates as it soothes, reduces redness, and supports the skin’s barrier.
Best for Sensitive Skin:Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin
Sometimes simple is best, and that’s especially true when it comes to formulas specifically made for sensitive skin. This Vanicream moisturizer has a super basic yet highly effective formula that is designed to seal in skincare products as it hydrates, supports moisture retention, and softens the skin. It’s also free of any potential irritants that may aggravate sensitive skin, such as fragrances, dyes, and parabens.
