The Best Facial Moisturizers of 2020

Once you try this anti-aging drugstore face cream, it'll be hard to go back to using anything else. And that's simply because it works really, really well—addressing the appearance of wrinkles from day one, and we're not kidding around about that. Thank the hyaluronic acid-, amino-peptide complex II- and niacinamide- rich formula for that, which corrects signs of aging and reveals a more youthful-looking complexion.

People often ask, "does La Mer really work?" and the answer is yes, absolutely, it does. Creme de La Mer is the brand's hero product, and it's the product fans of the brand just keep going back to time and time again.  

Most beauty editors keep a jar on hand and supplement it with another moisturizer because Creme de La Mer isn't cheap. But few formulas stand up to their beloved "Miracle Broth," the signature ingredient in all of their products, which is brought to life through a biofermentation that combines vitamins, oils, and minerals.

Packed with powerhouse hydrator hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer is beloved by high-end beauty aficionados and drugstore dwellers alike. The fact that it's non-comedogenic and lacks alcohol and oil means it's suitable for oily skin types. If you're a fan of the cooling benefit of gel moisturizers, this lightweight formula should be front and center on your vanity.

If you're really into the science behind what makes a product work the way it does, prepare to be blown away by this revolutionary formula—and no, we're not using the word revolutionary lightly. Professor Augustinus Bader has created a cream with technology so unique, it'll make the beauty nerd in you geek out.

It's a cream, so you can already guess that this formula doesn't skimp on hydration. It features a Trigger Factor Complex which is essentially a combo of natural amino acids, vitamins, and molecules that encourages the regeneration of the body's own stem cells.

Not surprisingly, it has the seal of approval of celebrities, editors and Hollywood's elite. We'll just go ahead and confirm that the hype is very real; your skin will be left feeling luxuriously soft and supple.

Byrdie senior editor Hallie Gould calls this one her "most treasured moisturizer." She uses it twice a day religiously and loves that it results in youthful-looking skin by morning. As for what's inside, it's a hard-hitting mix of antioxidants like vitamin E and purslane, skullcap extract to promote cell renewal and rich oils that ensure long-lasting hydration.

The numbers in the name correspond to an optimal lipid ratio—2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids—responsible for making this anti-aging cream one of the best out there. You can bet that all those essential skin lipids lost from natural aging or environmental aggressors (or a combo of the two) make their way back onto the skin and support restoration and self-repair. The result is skin that feels softer and looks more radiant, smooth, and full.

This heavy-duty moisturizer contains glycerin, which is a great humectant. The wild yam extract, sea algae and soy in it work to restore moisture overnight. Yes, it's a pricey moisturizer, but like all good products, it's luxurious and almost addictive. Once you start on it, you may never go back to your old mainstays.

La Roche-Posay tested this moisturizer on people with skin allergies, just to make sure they got the formula right. It provides the right amount of hydration without irritating sensitive skin. In fact, the entire Toleriane line is suited for sensitive-skinned folk. If your skin is easily freaked out and you don't want to take any chances, this is absolutely a lifesaver.

If your complexion is prone to dryness and flaking, this moisturizer will be your new skin savior. Celebrities, editors, and skin experts alike are obsessed with it because it truly does what it promises. It intensely hydrates the skin (credit a thick base of oils and beeswax for that) and leaves it looking healthy and glowy. Pro tip: Dab a bit of this cream on the high points of your face to replace a highlighter when you're in a pinch. It's also worth noting that this rich cream pulls double-duty as a body lotion on rough, dry areas like elbows, hands, and feet.

This night cream is a dream, and not just because it's in the name. It has the perfect consistency for a night cream: thick enough that it'll keep hydrating your skin while you're asleep, but thin enough that it won't rub off on your pillow when you finally lay your head down. The best part about this cream is, of course, what it does overnight. Even if you're not looking for an anti-aging effect, this cream utilizes lotus and peach to make skin brighter and more even. This means it's just as good for tired skin as it is for aging skin. It also smells absolutely phenomenal.

Farmacy is one of the most beloved non-toxic brands out there, and for good reason. Their moisturizer, made with their trademarked Echinacea GreenEnvy Complex, works for all skin types—a rare quality in a moisturizer.

Honey Drop is perfect to pat on under foundation primer, or when you want a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quick but won't require reapplication. It's also super useful for days you're just spending at home when your skin isn't at its driest but you don't intend on putting on much more than a moisturizer. 

This is the bestselling facial cream for Kiehl's and one we at Byrdie HQ can't get enough of, especially during winter weather. A potent hydrator, this formula boasts a glacial glycoprotein to deeply hydrate and prevent water loss from the skin, as well as squalane to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. All of that translates to 24-hour hydration and softer, smoother skin.

Quick disclaimer from the jump: This is not an acne-fighting cream. It's an uber-soothing formula that can help combat the dryness and irritation that often results from continued use of powerful acne treatments and products. Use this in conjunction with your acne treatment to quell some of those awful side effects by calming and soothing your fragile skin. After all, treating acne is hard enough, you shouldn't have to deal with even more irritation. Amen to that.

If you have oily skin, your best bet is a moisturizer that’s lightweight but hydrating enough to balance your complexion. Peter Thomas Roth’s Water Drench moisturizer contains an impressive 30% hyaluronic acid as well as ceramides to smooth out and repair skin. While most moisturizers might be too emollient, this one comes in a whipped, cloudlike texture that feels like a smooth gel on the skin. Reviewers said it plumped up their skin without leaving a greasy residue (an enduring part of having oily skin), and that makeup glides over the moisturizer with no issue.

With this moisturizer, a little goes a long way. The Ceramidin Liquid contains the same moisture-barrier-repairing ingredients as the cream moisturizer. With a few drops, the liquid sinks into the skin for all-over hydration while reducing redness. It feels weightless on the skin, doesn’t exacerbate oily patches, plumps up the skin and even layers well under makeup.

As you age, collagen and elastin production slows, which results in more visible lines, wrinkles, and overall dullness. And while you can't pause time, or even slow it down, you can protect your skin against premature collagen loss with this moisturizer. It features two adaptogens—ashwagandha and schisandra plant extracts—to help support natural collagen and protect against the environmental aggressors that can cause it to break down.

Bring your glowing "glass skin" dreams to life with this K-beauty favorite. The gel-like texture lends itself to quick and easy absorption without leaving behind a greasy or thick residue. It immediately plumps the skin with hydration and imparts a dewy glow that'll turn heads. And thanks to the affordable price tag, you can apply this baby with a heavy hand and not worry too much about the cost.

​Finding a non-comedogenic moisturizer that is also suitably hydrating is hard. Often, people with combination or acne-prone skin have to settle for something that either gives them acne or doesn't properly moisturize their face. Tatcha has solved this problem with their Water Cream. 

The brand makes a point to have clean ingredients, so it's no shock that this formula is free of irritants, including parabens and synthetic fragrances. The Water Cream specifically uses ingredients you likely won't find in other brands—like Japanese leopard lily and Japanese wild rose—to keep skin hydrated without leaving excess oil behind. For a bonus shine, there's a little bit of 24k gold in the formulation as well.