Even if you don't wear makeup every day, you should take care of your skin.
Moisturizer is one of the most important steps in any morning beauty routine, and generally speaking, everyone should use one, regardless of their skin type, says Dr. Annie Chiu, a board certified dermatologist at The Derm Institute in California.
"The moisturizer prevents the skin from drying out, retaining water in the outermost layer," he explains.
"Without this moisture, we would age faster and the skin would not look flexible."
And sure, finding the best moisturizer for your skin type doesn't sound like a difficult task - try a few, find one you like, and go.
That is, until you end up looking like an oil stain, or worse, irritated, dry, and peeling skin.
"Most people should use a moisturizer designed for their skin type," he says.
"Even people with oily skin can benefit, as light formulas can control the natural production of oils in your skin."
There are also good reasons to re-evaluate the products you are using as you age, as skin often dries out and becomes less light over time.
"As our skin ages, losing water is more common, and therefore the need for hydration becomes more prevalent," says Dr. Jordana Herschthal Heber, a dermatologist in the Florida-based office of Aesthetic Dermatology.
So here are the best moisturizers for your skin type, even the most sensitive ones.
The best facial moisturizer for dry skin
"Effective moisturizers for dry skin typically contain a mixture of water for hydration, an occlusive to block further evaporation of water, and moisturizers to attract more water," says Herschthal Heber.
SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream ($ 69;
amazon.com
)
According to Herschthal Heber, "Lipids, ceramides, and cholesterol are examples of ingredients that help restore a dry skin barrier."
This SkinMedica moisturizer checks the first box.
Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore ($ 129, originally $ 146.62;
amazon.com
)
This Skinceuticals moisturizer can be expensive, but both Frank and Herschthal Heber recommend it by name;
It has ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to help restore the skin's moisture barrier.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($ 42;
sephora.com
)
Loved by Sephora shoppers, this First Aid Beauty moisturizer uses a cocktail of shea butter, colloidal oatmeal, and allantoin to target extra-dry skin.
Sente Dermal Repair Cream ($ 158;
dermstore.com
)
The green tea and hyaluronic acid in this repair cream offer maximum hydration.
The best facial moisturizer for oily skin
"Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, salicylic acid, retinol, niacinamide, clay, and grapeseed oil," says Chiu, adding that you should never try to strip your skin of its natural oils, but rather work to balance them.
Ghost Democracy Lightweight Daily Face Moisturizer ($ 28;
ghostdemocracy.com
)
Ideal for oily and sensitive skin types, this editor-favorite formula uses niacinamide probiotics and oat seed extract to provide non-greasy, non-glowing hydration that instantly sinks into skin.
Glossier Balance Hydrating Primer ($ 25;
glossier.com
)
This moisturizer from cult favorite brand Glossier controls oil, with a creamy gel formula that uses niacinamide and willow bark extract to not only help visibly reduce shine, but also to improve the appearance of pores.
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Moisturizer ($ 178;
amazon.com
)
Chiu loves this moisturizer, which has vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and peptides, for its ability to offer non-greasy hydration.
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 ($ 112;
dermstore.com
)
SkinCeuticals Moisturizer contains a whopping 5% Niacinamide and 15% Pure Glycerin.
The best facial moisturizer for sensitive skin
Dry skin and sensitive skin are similar, but not the same.
"Hyaluronic acid and ceramides attract water to the skin for moisture," says Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, cosmetic dermatologist, medical director and founder of PFrankMD and author of "The Pro-Aging Playbook."
He adds that while none of these ingredients should irritate even the most sensitive skin, you should instead "avoid AHAs and BHAs, as they can sensitize the skin," he says.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($ 16.08, originally $ 18.99;
amazon.com
)
Frank loves CeraVe's moisturizer for its simplicity, and also because it's packed with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, all of which are great for sensitive skin.
EltaMD Intense Face and Body Moisturizer for Very Sensitive and Dry Skin ($ 12.50;
amazon.com
)
Herschthal Heber recommends that those with sensitive skin avoid fragrance, alcohol, and essential oils.
This selection of Elta MD is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and safe for sensitive skin.
Avene Skin Recovery Cream ($ 35;
amazon.com
)
This selection from Herschthal Heber is one of Avene's best-selling creams, and it's fragrance and paraben free, as well as soy and gluten free.
The best facial moisturizer for combination skin
Combination skin generally means oily skin in some areas and dry in others.
Still, the urge is usually to attack oily skin, which is often near the T zone.
"If oily skin is stripped of its natural oils, it will produce more oil and cause sebum accumulation," says Chiu, who recommends that those with oily or combination skin find an oil that can balance the skin.
Herschthal Heber recommends jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, and squalane oil, thanks to their "antibacterial and sebum-regulating properties that can help control oil production," he says.
Amara Beauty Squalane Oil Hydrating ($ 19.95;
amazon.com
)
The squalene in this oil is formulated to stimulate the natural in your skin.
Sturm Face Cream (starting at $ 68;
nordstrom.com
)
Sturm also includes squalene, plus vitamin E and shea butter to help keep oil in check and dry skin hydrated.
Glamglow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer ($ 37, originally $ 49;
amazon.com
)
Glamglow Illuminating Cream is half hydrating, half illuminating.
It has jojoba oil, green tea, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated.
The best facial moisturizer for men
"Male skin is thicker than female skin and has more sebaceous glands, the glands that produce oil," says Chiu.
"In general, men have oilier skin than women, so often the preferred type of moisturizer is a light gel, lotion or emulsion."
Frank adds that hormonal fluctuations are more likely to wreak havoc on a woman's skin, while shaving could irritate or cause dryness for some men.
Paula's Choice Electrolytic Water Infusion Moisturizer ($ 35;
nordstrom.com
)
"Men's skin tends to lose less water and has more collagen," says Herschthal Heber, and this water-infused moisturizer from Paula's Choice is so light, you won't even notice it's helping your face stay hydrated all day .
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Hydrating Gel ($ 52;
sephora.com
)
This gel moisturizer practically melts into the skin without leaving any residue or shine.
Probiotics help keep skin clear and free of ingrown hairs, while ginger extract and red algae help reduce redness and relieve irritation.
Kiehl Facial Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men (Starting at $ 28;
kiehls.com
)
A cult favorite among men, this Kiehl's moisturizer is formulated specifically for men's skin.
The best pharmacy facial moisturizer
You don't have to spend a lot of money to find a product that works.
CeraVe skincare products are recommended by most dermatologists including Frank and Herschthal Heber to save money - here are a few more options too.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Soothing Repair Moisturizer ($ 29.99;
amazon.com
)
The
There's a reason this fragrance-free, no-frills moisturizer is a favorite with dermatologists like Herschthal Heber - it works.
ROC Retinol Corrextion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($ 17.95, originally $ 23.99;
amazon.com
)
Chiu recommends ROC's Retinol Moisturizer "as an all-in-one with anti-aging ingredients and an SPF."
Just be sure to use it at night as the sun oxidizes the retinol and renders it useless.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel ($ 15.42, originally $ 18.98;
amazon.com
)
Sure, this Chiu pick is more of a serum than a moisturizer, but the hyaluronic acid in it makes it hydrating enough to skip the moisturizer all together.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of publication of the article.