Testing notes: Our editors love it, and say it’s one of their favorite skin care products. “I was hesitant to use this cream at first because the texture is on the thicker side and I have combination, oily skin, but after applying thoroughly I’m left with a gorgeous, glowy finish. It’s become a huge part of my prep routine because it really packs in hydration before doing your makeup. Trust me, you won’t even need a primer. So although you really have to rub it in, it doesn’t feel heavy and it’s lightweight enough to add makeup on top,” says Glamour’s senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
“This facial moisturizer is super hydrating while being lightweight,” says Dr. Mian, adding that it doesn’t pill on top of other serums. Plus, she says, its ingredients of fatty acids, glycerin, and ceramides make it the perfect blend for those with dry skin looking for more firmness. In addition to being great for daily use, it repairs the skin barrier over time for lasting hydration and it helps calm redness.
Testing notes: “I go for this hydrator on really cold days when my skin is looking super dull, drab, and tired. It has a ton of lipids and peptides that noticeably softens my skin every time I use it. Not to mention, I love that this is fragrance-free and gentle. I even use it on my arms and hands if I have any areas of dryness that crop up,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Antiaging Night Cream: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Cream with Peptides
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Cream with Peptides
This wrinkle-correcting cream is perfect for nighttime because it blends peptides, soybean seed extract, and hyaluronic acid to plump and firm the skin, especially in areas that tend to sag, like around the mouth and eyes.
Testing notes: “This luscious hydrating night cream made my skin undeniably pillowy soft after a week of daily use and left an unmistakable gleam on my cheeks. After a few days of using this cream, I was so surprised by how soft it left my skin. My wrinkles definitely looked less crepey and defined. But be forewarned, this is a cream that is on the thicker side, and sometimes it took a while to absorb, especially on one of my hot-flashy days,” says Twine.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: InnBeauty Project Extreme Cream
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing iNNBeauty Project Extreme Cream
If you’re looking for an antiaging night cream, this retinol-based pick contains a bio-retinol complex that helps boost skin elasticity and improve signs of aging. It absorbs easily too, so you won’t go to bed with excess residue on your face.
Testing notes: “As someone with combo skin, I tend to get dry patches around my eyebrows and cheeks, and this cream works wonders to hydrate those areas while giving me a subtle glow,” says Kilkeary. “I also have oily spots (on my T-zone and around my nose), and I find that this gives me just the right amount of hydration in those areas without making them look greasy. It’s fragrance-free as well, and my skin simply drinks it up, even on days when it’s feeling extra sensitive or irritated.”
Best for Day and Night: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer
By far one of our favorite moisturizers of all time, you simply can’t go wrong with this Charlotte Tilbury pick. Rebecca Marcus, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, loves it too. “Magic Cream contains hyaluronic acid to pull moisture into skin, as well as vitamins C and E and peptides to support firmer, more youthful-looking skin,” she says.
