How to Find Your Perfect Moisturiser
The humble moisturiser is fundamental to all of our skincare routines. As a skincare staple, finding the right one for you is key to achieving a healthy, hydrated complexion. In this short guide, we'll delve into the essentials of selecting the perfect moisturiser for you and introduce a curated list of recommended products that promise to elevate your skincare game.
The key to finding your ideal moisturiser is understanding your skin type. Is it oily, dry, combination, or sensitive? Because each skin type has unique needs, choosing a moisturiser tailored to your specific requirements is the foundational step toward radiant skin. When scrutinising moisturiser options, pay attention to the ingredient list with your skin type in mind. Here are some key ingredients to look for based on different skin types, paired with our moisturiser recommendations:
For Dry Skin
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For Dry Skin 〰️
When choosing a moisturiser for dry skin, it's important to look for ingredients that provide intense hydration and help repair the skin's natural barrier, like: Hyaluronic Acid, known for its ability to retain moisture, it helps hydrate and plump dry skin. Glycerine, a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated. Ceramides, that help restore the skin's natural barrier, preventing moisture loss.
We recommend…
innisfree | Intensive Hydrating Cream with Green Tea Seed
The innisfree Intensive Hydrating Cream with Green Tea Seed 50ml is the ultimate day and night moisturiser for lasting hydration and a revitalized complexion.
Crafted with potent ingredients from Korea's Jeju Island, it replenishes skin with 'Fresh Green Tea Water 2.0' technology, packed with 16 minerals and amino acids. This lightweight, non-greasy cream strengthens your skin's lipid barrier, doubling as a makeup base for radiant, protected skin.
Available at Cult Beauty.
Skinstitut | Moisture Defence for Ultra Dry Skin
This advanced formula delivers deep nourishment and antioxidant protection while stimulating the skin's natural Collagen and Elastin production, effectively minimising fine lines and plumping the skin.
Enriched with Biomimetic Peptide Progeline™ and Oat Extract this moisturiser provides intense hydration and soothes dry, irritated skin, leaving it calm, soft, and beautifully moisturised.
Available at Skinstitut.
For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin
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For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin 〰️
When choosing a moisturiser for oily or acne-prone skin, it's important to look for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas that won't clog pores or exacerbate oiliness. Consider: Oil free formulas that offer lightweight moisture that won't clog pores. Salicylic acid which helps exfoliate and unclog pores, reducing acne breakouts. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) known for regulating oil production and reducing inflammation.
We recommend…
Glow Hub | Super C Slayer Vitamin Enriched Priming Moisturiser
This richly hydrating and glow-enhancing priming moisturiser is packed with vitamin C and tranexamic acid to instantly illuminate, protect, and target dark spots and discoloration while providing an energizing burst of moisture.
While it provides rich hydration, it is formulated with ingredients like tranexamic acid and vitamin C, which help to control excess oil production and regulate sebum levels. Additionally, the lightweight texture of the moisturiser ensures that it won't feel heavy or greasy on the skin, making it suitable for oily skin types.
Available at Glow Hub.
Emma Hardie | Vitamin C Radiance Gel Moisturiser
Emma Hardie's Vitamin C Radiance Gel Moisturiser is an essential skincare companion for radiant, youthful complexion. Formulated with a potent blend of vitamin C and antioxidants, this moisturiser works tirelessly to brighten, protect, and rejuvenate your skin.
With daily use, it helps to diminish dark spots, even out skin tone. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, the gel is ideal for oily skin types.
Available at Emma Hardie.
indu | Clarifying HydroGel Moisturiser
This is a go-to solution for oily or blemish-prone skin. The ultra-lightweight gel hydrates, removes excess oil, and leaves skin soft and balanced..
Powered by bakuchiol and birch extract, it improves texture and reduces blemishes. indu's Tribiotic complex maintains skin pH, while inulin attracts moisture and probiotics fortify the moisture barrier. With lactic acid for gentle exfoliation, black cumin oil for soothing, and organic grapefruit extract for oil control, it also features zinc PCA to reduce sebum and bakuchiol to revitalise the skin.
Available at indu.
pH-In | The Moisture Treatment
Formulated with Bio-Succinic acid, E. Saggittatum extract, and Polypeptides, this treatment selectively targets and weakens acne-causing bacteria while preserving the skin's natural microbiome.
It reduces the appearance of acne and breakouts, significantly decreases the production of sebum, and brightens the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. This treatment also balances the skin’s microbiome and natural pH, relieving itchy, flaky, sensitive skin while delivering instant and long-lasting hydration.
Available at Indeed Laboratories.
For Sensitive Skin
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For Sensitive Skin 〰️
When choosing a moisturiser for sensitive skin, it's essential to look for gentle, soothing ingredients that help to calm and protect the skin's barrier. Consider: Fragrance-free formulas that won’t irritate sensitive skin. Allantoin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe sensitive skin. Ceramides that can reinforce the skin's barrier, protecting it from irritants.
We recommend…
Lumene | Weightless Moisturizer
This fragrance-free lotion moisturizer instantly soothes sensitive skin and strengthens damaged skin barriers. Developed in cooperation with the Finnish Allergy, Skin, and Asthma Federation, it's clinically tested and proven to strengthen the skin barrier while providing 100% agreement that dry and tight feel is instantly reduced.
Powered by skin barrier-supporting Nordic oat ceramides and soothing bilberry oil, this ceramide-boosted emulsion delivers soothing care without leaving skin feeling oily or heavy.
Available at Lumene.
Oxygenetix | Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix Moisturiser
The Oxygenetix Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix Moisturiser is a breakthrough skincare solution developed to soothe and conceal various skin conditions, including acne scars, rosacea, acne, psoriasis, eczema, burns, and post-surgery treatments.
Infused with Ceravitae, a super-charged oxygen complex, this lightweight moisturiser provides full coverage while promoting collagen and connective tissue growth.
Available at Dermacare Direct.
For Combination Skin
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For Combination Skin 〰️
When choosing a moisturiser for combination skin, it's essential to find a product that balances hydration without exacerbating oiliness in the T-zone or drying out other areas of the face. Think: Hyaluronic Acid to provide hydration without feeling heavy on oily areas. Lightweight emollients like squalane or jojoba oil can moisturise dry areas without causing excess oiliness. Aloe Vera to soothe and hydrate without clogging pores, suitable for both dry and oily areas.
We recommend…
Scentia | Ceramide Skin Repair Balm
Scientia's Ceramide Skin Rescue Moisture Barrier Balm is a soothing solution designed to restore and strengthen the skin barrier.
“One of the most important components within the skin barrier is ceramides – ceramides strengthen the skin barrier, prevent hydration and moisture from evaporating, and prevent harmful aggression from getting in.” explains skincare expert Fiona Brackenbury.
Formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients including ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this cooling balm delivers intense hydration without causing break-outs.
Available at Cult Beauty.
e.l.f. | Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Moisturizer
The e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Moisturizer offers a refreshing surge of hydration that balances and plumps the skin.
This bouncy gel moisturiser features a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture infused with allantoin and prickly pear, providing intense moisture without the heaviness of a rich face cream. Ideal for oily and combination skin types, its non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, leaving your skin soft, hydrated, and perfectly balanced for a radiant complexion.
Available at e.l.f.
For Aging Skin
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For Aging Skin 〰️
Finally, when choosing a moisturiser for aging skin, it's essential to look for ingredients that target multiple signs of aging and promote overall skin health, including: Retinol (Vitamin A), which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides that stimulate collagen production, improving skin firmness and elasticity. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to exfoliate the skin, reducing the appearance of age spots and promoting cell turnover.
We recommend…
Slow Ageing | Essential Face Balm
Infused with intensively nurturing shea and cocoa seed butters, along with beeswax, hazelnut, and jojoba seed oils, this spa-in-a-jar balm restores plumpness to the skin while you sleep.
Packed with vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidant essential oils, it transforms dry, depleted skin into visibly nourished, comfortable, and glowing skin. Use at night after cleansing to soothe, soften, and calm skin while quenching it deep down to re-set moisture levels.
Available at Slow Ageing.
EviDenS de Beauté | La Creme Riche (The Rich Cream)
This luxurious formula instantly replenishes moisture, filling in superficial lines and deep wrinkles while soothing sensitivity and restoring suppleness, radiance, and vitality to the complexion.
Highly concentrated in Triple Collagen, the brand’s exclusive anti-aging ingredient, it intensely moisturises, protects, and revitalizes the skin while attenuating signs of aging. Formulated with refreshing La Foux Spring Water and the QAI® Complex combined with nourishing agents like Squalene, Jojoba Oil, and Meadowsweet, it erases fine lines, delivers nutrients, and restores firmness, comfort, and radiance to dehydrated, lackluster skin.
Available at EviDenS de Beauté.
RoC | Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream
Formulated with pure RoC® Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid, this fast-absorbing moisturizer deeply hydrates skin for 48 hours while visibly reducing lines and wrinkles in just one week.
Clinically proven to improve skin firmness, 100% of testers experienced supple, soft-to-the-touch skin and a visibly smoother, refreshed complexion.
Available at Boots.
iS Clinical | Reparative Moisture Emulsion
iS Clinical's Reparative Moisture Emulsion is a rich hydration solution meticulously formulated for dry skin.
Enriched with pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and powerful antioxidants to provide deep nourishment and rejuvenation.
At the heart of this skincare elegance lies hyaluronic acid - botanically derived, a natural marvel renowned for its innate hydrating prowess.
As one of the first generation of products to contain Extremozyme®, clinically proven to help prevent DNA damage, iS Clinical's Reparative Moisture Emulsion offers unparalleled protection against environmental stressors.
Available at iS Clinical.