Between the whiplash of braving icy winds and retreating to heat-blasting apartments, nearly every skin type can start to feel off-balance. Ouch! Cue the best gentle moisturizers: an easy solution to calming down even the angriest of skin. Before swapping anything in your routine, though, it helps to understand what actually qualifies as a gentle formula.
Consider these simple formulas as a sort of path of least resistance to hydration. “A gentle moisturizer is one that hydrates and supports the skin barrier, without common irritants. Its job is simple: replace lost moisture, reinforce the skin barrier, and calm the skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, tells Vogue. “When a patient tells me that their skin feels comfortable and normal again, that’s exactly when I know a gentle moisturizer has worked.”
Vogue’s Favorite Gentle Moisturizers
In this Article
- What is a gentle moisturizer?
- Who should use a gentle moisturizer?
- What ingredients should be avoided in a gentle moisturizer?
- How we tested
- Meet the experts
And even if winter weather isn’t part of your daily reality (we’re looking at you, Southern Californians!) skin can still become reactive. An irritating product or excessive use of active ingredients can quickly push skin into a state of hypersensitivity. So how do you know when it’s time to switch gears? “A simple rule is: If your skin burns, stings, flushes, flakes, or is breaking out while also irritated, use a gentle moisturizer until things calm down,” board-certified nurse practitioner Tama Tran tells Vogue.
Below, shop nine expert- and editor-picked formulas, with options for every skin type and sensitivity level.
Best for Very Dry Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
- Why We Love It: The SkinCeuticals formula relies on a balance of essential skin lipids to restore hydration cycles without a heavy feel. “It mimics the ratio of different hydrators in the skin, which is where the 2:4:2 comes from,” Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology, previously told Vogue. That ratio speaks to a blend of 2% ceramides, 4% cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. “This is as close as a guaranteed drink for your skin when it’s super dehydrated.” That said, she warns that those with acne-prone skin might find this pick a bit too heavy due to the blend of natural oils.
- Key Ingredients: Pure ceramide, natural cholesterol, fatty acids
- Texture: Thick and rich
- Best For: Mature or very dry skin types
- Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived from essential oils)
- Size: 48 ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Paraben-free, dye-free, and formaldehyde-free | Various blends of natural oils may be too heavy for acne-prone skin |
| Effective skin-barrier hydrating | A pricier pick |
| Nongreasy and fast-absorbing |
Best for Slugging: Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream
- Why We Love It: Despite the name, you’ll find that Dr. Althea’s 345 Relief Cream has a more ointment-like texture, making it a great option for slugging to lock in moisture while you sleep. The formula blends niacinamide, resveratrol, and plant extracts to help soothe. “This is a solid option for sensitive or inflamed skin,” says Dr. Shirazi. “It’s barrier-focused, calming, and well suited for redness, irritation, or post-procedure recovery. I’d recommend this to patients whose skin feels reactive or ‘angry.’” With that in mind, this pick is best used as part of your nightly skin-care routine or on freshly cleansed skin only. Otherwise, layering under makeup may cause your cosmetics to separate.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, coptis japonica root extract, evening primrose flower extract, resveratrol, lavender flower extract, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, tocopherol, ceramide NP
- Texture: Emollient, like an ointment
- Best For: Slugging overnight to soothe irritated skin.
- Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived)
- Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Cruelty-free, artificial-fragrance-free, and vegan | Blend of naturally derived oils may be too heavy for acne-prone skin |
| Emollient texture works well for slugging | Not to be worn under makeup |
| Soothing formula |
Best Luxury: Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel
- Why We Love It: Just 10 ingredients make up Chanel’s moisturizer, formulated with sensitive skin in mind. “This is a beautifully formulated moisturizer—it works well for normal to dry skin that wants comfort and hydration,” says Dr. Shirazi. Though, with luxury products, she always advises patch testing, especially if you have truly sensitive skin. Tran agrees, adding that the formula doesn’t have any “big common irritants,” such as added artificial fragrance, drying alcohols, or treatment actives.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, glycerin, camellia sinesis leaf extract, shea butter extract
- Texture: Lightweight, milky cream
- Best For: Normal to dry skin types
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Free from artificial fragrance and dyes | Shea butter isn’t suitable for acne-prone skin types |
| Simple, soothing formula | A pricier pick |
| Nongreasy feel |
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
- Why We Love It: For a truly gentle gel-cream moisturizer with no risk of clogging pores, it’s hard to beat this underrated K-beauty pick. The powerful combination of amino-acid-packed bamboo, squalane, and panthenol as a humectant offer maximum hydration. Skin feels refreshed, and never greasy, thanks to the water gel texture that absorbs near instantly. Plus, it plays well with other skin-care products in a routine; when layered under makeup and SPF, there’s no pilling.
- Editor’s Note: “This is my all-time-favorite moisturizer because it’s completely noncomedogenic and so lightweight. I use this pick everyday because it doesn’t irritate my acne-prone skin type, instantly absorbs, and layers well under makeup. Plus, it leaves behind a lovely dewy finish.” —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
- Key Ingredients: Panthenol, squalane, bamboo extract, hydrolyzed jojoba esters
- Texture: Lightweight gel-cream
- Best For: Sensitive, acne-prone, and oily skin types
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Intensive soothing thanks to 10% panthenol and bamboo extract | May not be intensive enough for very parched skin |
| Entirely noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free, and hypoallergenic |
Best French Pharmacy: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: While its fragrance-free nature makes La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer a safe bet for sensitive skin, that’s not the only reason dermatologists love it. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hope Mitchell, MD, this drugstore pick is great for strengthening the skin’s barrier. “The inclusion of ceramides and prebiotics helps to restore the skin’s natural balance, which is essential for a healthy complexion,” Dr. Mitchell previously told Vogue. Plus, this French pharmacy classic is an integral part of Keke Palmer’s skin-care routine.
- Key Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, peptides
- Texture: Light and creamy
- Best For: All skin types
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 40 ml; 100 ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Soothing formula thanks to high concentrations of prebiotic thermal water and ceramides | Some find that this pick can be prone to pilling |
| Fragrance-free, oil-free, and alcohol-free |
Best for Mature Skin: Augustinus Bader The Cream
- Why We Love It: Augustinus Bader’s gentle moisturizer does more than just hydrate. Bader’s patented TFC8 technology (a complex blend of amino acids and antioxidants) is said to help promote faster healing, all while supporting the cell’s renewal process and moisture barrier. “It’s an antiaging cream with heavy-hitting moisturizing ingredients, including ceramides, squalane, and vitamin B5, among others,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazarian previously told Vogue.
- Key Ingredients: TFC8, vitamin A, vitamin C
- Texture: Silky, lightweight cream
- Best For: Dry, combination, and mature skin types
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 30 ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| TFC8 combats dryness and reduces fine lines through antioxidant benefits | A pricier pick |
| Lightweight and nongreasy feel |
Best Lightweight Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid
- Why We Love It: Neutrogena’s water cream absorbs instantly, feeling like a refreshing splash of water to your face (kind of like those 2000’s Neutrogena commercials—do you remember, millennials and zillenials?). Dr. Mitchell also cosigns the product’s refreshing feel, thanks to its oil-free, lightweight formula that’s packed with hyaluronic acid. Plus, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line is one that fellow board-certified dermatologists Dr. Dhaval G Bhanusali, MD, and Dr. Dara Spearman use in their own skin-care routines.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Texture: Gel-like
- Best For: Dry, acne-prone, and combination skin
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 1.7 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Fast-absorbing hydration | Not silicone-free (contains dimethicone) |
| Noncomedogenic, fragrance-free formula |
Best Derm-Approved: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Vanicream is a classic gentle moisturizer dermatologists love, Dr. Shirazi says. “It’s no-fragrance, no-nonsense and has a very low risk of irritation,” she says. “This is often my go-to recommendation when someone’s skin barrier is compromised or when I want to eliminate potential irritating variables in someone’s skin-care routine.” Tran agrees, referring to this pick as a formula that’s “made sensitive skin, while focusing on hydration and barrier support.”
- Editor’s Note: “A little over a month ago, I had a rough bout of perioral dermatitis. Apparently, an acne cream prescribed by a dermatologist to treat closed comedones (I was really going through it) sent my skin into overdrive. Sure, the closed comedones were gone; however, my whole face stung when I applied any of my usual gentle and noncomedogenic OTC products. Plus, my face was extremely parched. I instantly paused my usual routine and swapped it for Vanicream’s cleanser and moisturizer. Within a week, my skin was back to being soft and hydrated.” —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Water, squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramide blend
- Texture: Milky cream
- Best For: Severely dry, reactive, or sensitive skin
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 3.8 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Safe for skin that’s prone to eczema, rosacea, and acne | Some may find their skin just a bit on the shinier side after use |
| Formulated without common irritants like dyes, fragrance, parabens, and lanolin | |
| Affordable price point |
Best With Colloidal Oatmeal: Dieux Skin Mercy Recovery Cream
- Why We Love It: Certified OTC with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, Dieux Skin’s latest launch imparts deep hydration and soothing—thanks to a formula powered by 1% colloidal oatmeal extract. “[Dieux chemist Becca Perry] chose to build the formulation around what we call a ‘crystal lamellar’ base,” Joyce de Lemos, Dieux cofounder and chief of product, previously told Vogue. “This has a similar structure to skin and can help with reducing TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and increasing active efficacy. The experience is soft, supple skin with a nourishing, cloud-like after feel.”
- Key Ingredients: 1% colloidal oatmeal, 3%+ soothing complex (tazman fruit, bisabolol, allantoin, panthenol), 10%+ glycerin, 0.1% licorice root
- Texture: Comforting, mid-weight cream
- Best For: Irritated and inflamed skin types
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 1.75 fl.oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan, noncomedogenic, non-acnegenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance-free, and ophthalmologist-tested | Some may find their skin just a bit on the shinier side after use |
| Highly soothing formula | |
| Nongreasy feel |
Everything You Need to Know
What is a gentle moisturizer?
Long story short, it’s a moisturizer with a simple formula. “It hydrates and supports the skin barrier while being unlikely to sting, irritate, or trigger breakouts,” says Tran, noting these formulas are especially beneficial for sensitive, dry, or reactive skin types. “They are usually fragrance-free, have minimal additives, and [are rich in] non-stripping, barrier-supporting ingredients.”
That said, Tran reminds us that even the most gentle products can irritate someone, depending on their unique skin concerns. “Some very reactive folks can still react to certain preservatives and humectants,” she explains. “If you’re extremely acne-prone, any moisturizer can become too rich depending on how generously you apply it.” To play it safe, she advices applying in small amounts and patch testing.
Who should use a gentle moisturizer?
A gentle moisturizer is a smart addition to any skin-care routine, though certain skin types tend to benefit from it the most. According to Dr. Shirazi, those with reactive, rosacea-prone, or eczema-prone skin should make gentle formulas a consistent part of their regimen.
It’s also essential for anyone with post-procedural skin (think: lasers, microneedling, or chemical peels) when the skin barrier is temporarily compromised. The same applies to those using retinols or potent acne treatments, which can leave skin more vulnerable to irritation. “Gentle hydration helps restore balance instead of triggering rebound irritation,” she says.
What ingredients should be avoided in a gentle moisturizer?
According to the experts, for a truly gentle formula, certain ingredients should be avoided altogether. While fragrance isn’t bad for skin full stop, Dr. Shirazi notes it’s one of the most common irritants for sensitive skin types—this includes natural fragrance, derived from essential oils.
Other ingredients to be wary of? “Denatured alcohols can dry and disrupt the skin barrier, while strong exfoliating acids like high-concentration AHAs or BHAs belong in treatment products, not daily moisturizers,” she says. “Furthermore, unnecessary dyes or colorants add no benefit while increasing the risk of irritation.”
How we tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists and nurse practitioners, to estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to gentle moisturizers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, lather, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the experts
- Hope Mitchell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Perrysburg, OH.
- Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York.
- Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in La Jolla, California.
- Tama Tran, MSN, NP-C is a Dallas-based board-certified nurse practitioner and aesthetics expert.
