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Ever looked at someone and wondered what they did to achieve that lit-from-within glow? Chances are, they’re relying on one of the best moisturizers for glowing skin. While there’s no shortage of hydrating options on the market, true luminosity requires more than just hyaluronic acid and “thoughts and prayers.” The secret often lies in a mix of ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, and ceramides, which together help strengthen the skin barrier, calm redness, and create a smoother, more supple surface.
Vogue’s Favorite Moisturizers for Glowing Skin
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Skin type matters also here. There’s a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer, but the truth is that every skin type benefits from the right formula—it’s all about choosing one that makes sense for your complexion and your budget. Ahead, find a curated edit of our favorite moisturizers, from lightweight gels to vitamin C–enriched creams, selected by Vogue editors, dermatologists, and estheticians.
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Best for Skin Barrier Repair: Augustinus Bader The Cream
- Why We Love It: Lighter in texture than Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream, this formula still delivers a bountiful experience, blanketing the skin with a protective barrier of non-irritating actives and hydrators from peptides to vitamin A and rice protein. These rebalance and retexturize, soothing and repairing even the most sensitive and fragile skin barriers. “This is a great one-and-done product for someone looking for a simplified routine that works both morning and night. The best results come from long-term use,” says Susca.
- Key Ingredients: TFC8, aloe vera leaf juice, amino acids, hydrolyzed rice protein, shea butter, vitamins A, B, C and E
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 1.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrates and plumps skin | Pricey compared to other serums |
| Mid-weight texture works for all skin types |
Best Korean: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream
- Why We Love It: Sulwhasoo, one of our favorite K-beauty brands, delivers this cream packed with ginseng, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and salicylic acid to nourish the skin while addressing fine lines and wrinkles. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Bowles describes it as “a rich and nourishing option for anyone looking to target dryness and visible signs of aging. With ginseng and peptides, it helps skin feel firmer and more resilient while smoothing the look of fine lines. The added vitamin C derivative brings a healthy brightness, and squalane provides deep, lasting hydration without being heavy.” The ginseng scent adds a relaxing touch, transforming your morning routine into a makeshift spa experience if you take a moment to breathe in the aroma. Stop and smell the ginseng, am I right?
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, retinol, salicylic acid
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles
- Size: 2.02 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces the appearance of wrinkles | Strong fragrance may bother some users |
| Supports firmness |
Best Cooling: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Creme
- Why We Love It: Chanel Beauty’s entire lineup is worth shopping, but its gel water cream is a noted expert favorite. “It’s instantly hydrating and plumping, loaded with clinically proven antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for those concerned with hydration and anti-pollution,” says Susca. Its moisturizing benefits are long-lasting, especially considering how light the texture is upon application. Pro tip: Susca likes to keep this cream in the fridge for an extra therapeutic cryo-effect application.
- Key Ingredients: Camellia oil extract, camellia alba, blue ginger
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Dry skin
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Absorbs quickly into skin | Fragrance may be irritating for sensitive skin |
| Lightweight feel that layers well under makeup |
Best Gel Cream: Clinique Moisture Surge
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- Why We Love It: “Clinique’s Moisture Surge is an ideal choice for those seeking lasting hydration in a lightweight, refreshing formula,” says Dr. Bowles. She explains that its combination of hyaluronic acid and aloe bio-ferment penetrates deeply to deliver up to 100 hours of continuous hydration, helping skin bounce back from daily stressors like lack of sleep, travel, or sun exposure. Antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, provide an extra layer of protection against environmental damage. The result is a soft, dewy glow that makes it especially useful for skin that leans dry or looks dull.
- Key Ingredients: Aloe bio-ferment, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Texture: Gel cream
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 30 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Feels weightless, making it great for under makeup | May not be ideal for very oily skin types |
| Keeps skin hydrated throughout the day |
Best with Vitamin C: Paula’s Choice Skincare C5 Super Boost Moisturizer
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- Why We Love It: Someone in search of a face moisturizer with brightening benefits and antioxidant protection should consider this option by Paula’s Choice. Powered by 5% vitamin C, this lightweight gel-cream helps even out skin tone, brighten dullness, and combat free-radical damage with consistent use. Its hydrating features arrive via a blend of peptides and polyglutamic acid to bring radiance into the skin. Dr. Bowles notes, “The lightweight gel-cream texture makes it easy to wear daily, whether under makeup or on its own, and it leaves skin feeling refreshed rather than heavy.”
- Key Ingredients: 5% Vitamin C, peptides, polyglutamic acid
- Texture: Gel cream
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Brightens and evens skin tone | Not ideal for very dry skin |
| Lightweight texture |
Best for Evening Skin Tone: Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Moisturizer
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- Why We Love It: If you’ve ever wanted to emulate Miranda Kerr’s porcelain skin, she credits much of it to noni oil, the hallmark of her brand Kora Organics. But it’s not just noni doing the heavy lifting here. According to Dr. Spearman, this organic moisturizer also includes turmeric and licorice, making it a smart choice for anyone concerned with hyperpigmentation or uneven tone. “It works to hydrate the skin for a plumper, firmer, more radiant look, while also helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Turmeric, licorice extract, noni fruit extract
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Brightens and evens out skin tone | Strong scent may be off-putting |
| Can tackle hyperpigmentation |
Best for Oily Skin: Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: This moisturizer-meets-face primer sets the stage for whatever you decide to layer on next. Hyaluronic acid is the star here, providing ample hydration while orange peptides and pomegranate seeds help to smooth the look of pores. “It uses orange peptides and pomegranate spheres to create a breathable, smoothing barrier without relying on silicones, making it especially appealing for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Bowles. It’s lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for oily skin types or humid days when you want a fresh, natural feel without the heaviness of traditional creams.
- Key Ingredients: Orange peptides, pomegranate spheres, macro hyaluronic acid, sugar carbohydrate complex
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Oily skin, dryness, hyperpigmentation
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Sinks into skin quickly | Higher price point |
| Silicone-free formula |
Best Japanese: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
- Why We Love It: Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream is a personal favorite and I’m not alone in loving it. Aesthetician Samantha Susca gives it her stamp of approval, noting that it works well as a daytime cream for those seeking a richer texture. It layers beautifully with essences and serums, and the light, pleasant fragrance is neither irritating nor overpowering. “It’s perfect for dry or dehydrated skin,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red algae, hadasei-3, biomimetic squalene, Japanese purple rice
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Deeply hydrating | Can feel too heavy for oily skin |
| Lightweight, non-sticky texture |
Best Retinol-Alternative: Ranavat Renewing Bakuchi Face Cream
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- Why We Love It: Ranavat is one of those brands you’ll be thrilled to have discovered—the ingredients are so potent that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. A go-to from its lineup, its Renewing Face Cream is nourishing and hydrating, featuring a blend of Ayurvedic ingredients like bakuchi seed (nature’s retinol alternative), lotus flower, and ashwagandha. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman gives it her stamp of approval, noting, “This cream is great for replenishing the skin barrier and is very hydrating.” Clinically proven to deliver 12-hour hydration, it leaves your skin luminous for hours of wear, with a noticeable softening of fine lines and wrinkles. Apply day and night for best results.
- Key Ingredients: Lotus flower, bakuchi seed, ashwagandha, niacinamide
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles
- Size: 1.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces the look of fine lines | Takes some time to notice results |
| Gentle enough for sensitive skin |
Best Brightening: Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer
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- Why We Love It: “The Caudalie Vinoperfect is an excellent choice for achieving glowing skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. Its key ingredient, viniferine, is a natural brightening agent derived from grapevine sap, known to be 62 times more effective than vitamin C at reducing dark spots. This lightweight moisturizer not only enhances overall radiance but also evens out skin tone while being gentle on sensitive skin. “I often recommend this to patients who want a luminous complexion without compromising hydration.”
- Key Ingredients: Viniferine, niacinamide, natural mineral pearlizers
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Dark spots, scars, discoloration, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation
- Size: 1.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Boosts radiance and hydration | Not as effective on dark spots |
| Lightweight texture |
Best for Travel: Dieux Instant Angel Hydrating Gel Cream
- Why We Love It: An excellent choice for sensitive skin, this moisturizer offers rich, nourishing hydration via a blend of squalane, fatty acids, and amino acids. Providing lasting moisture while reinforcing the skin barrier, its lightweight formula makes it ideal for travels when you want to streamline your routine. It pairs well with makeup, but your skin will look so dewy that you can go au naturel and still receive a stream of compliments. If you’re cautious about trying something new, Dr. Spearman explains that it also strengthens the skin barrier and is noncomedogenic, making it suitable for all skin types. “This is particularly nice for acne-prone patients who also deal with dryness,” she notes.
- Key Ingredients: 3% moisture complex, 0.5% dipalmityl hydroxylproline, 2% barrier repair complex, 4% phytosterol, 2% meadowestolide
- Texture: Gel cream
- Best For: Dehydrated skin, compromised barrier
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Leaves a lasting dewy glow | Can feel greasy |
| Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free |
Best Viral: CosRx Snail Mucin 92% Repair Cream
- Why We Love It: Fans of the viral snail mucin essence will be pleased to learn that CosRx also offers a repair cream from the same collection powered by 92% snail mucin, allowing you to double down on your love for the ingredient. Like the serum, this gel cream hydrates and plumps the skin, strengthens the skin barrier, and soothes any irritation. It’s great for dry and dehydrated skin, as well as acne-prone and sensitive skin types, thanks to its relatively straightforward formula. Dr. Spearman notes that while the texture feels slightly tacky at first, the cream absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy finish.
- Key Ingredients: Snail mucin
- Texture: Gel cream
- Best For: Dry skin, acne-prone, sensitive skin
- Size: 3.52 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Repairs and strengthens the skin barrier | Slightly sticky texture |
| Calms redness and discoloration |
Best for Dry Skin: U Beauty The Super Hydrator
- Why We Love It: “Probably the richest in texture on this entire list, this product has a specific client,” says Susca, who describes it as “the ultimate rich cream.” The texture is thick like a balm but feels almost watery when worked into the skin, delivering a glazed donut finish. “I love using this when cycling a retinoid into my routine or after a professional peel. Its intense richness also provides unmatched relief for dermatitis.”
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, fatty acids, argan oil
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Anti-aging
- Size: 15 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Packed with barrier-supporting oils and peptides | Texture may feel too thick for some |
| Leaves a “glass skin” effect |
Best Luxe: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: You might enjoy caviar with your champagne, but just wait until you get this luxurious ingredient onto your skin. Rich and velvety, this revitalizes tired skin, leaving it soft and supple. “This is a great option for mature skin, as it is known for improving firmness and elasticity,” says Dr. Spearman. Aside from the caviar extracts leading the formula, La Prairie also pairs it with squalane, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, plus botanical oils and extracts for a face cream sure to leave skin fresh and glowing after each use.
- Key Ingredients: Caviar extract, caviar micro-nutrients, hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter, ginseng root extract
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 3.4 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Firms and tones the skin | Pricier than other options |
| Silky texture |
Best Firming: iNNBeauty Project Extreme Cream
- Why We Love It: “This cream is a great option for patients looking for deep hydration paired with visible results,” says Dr. Bowles. The formula works on multiple fronts—smoothing deep wrinkles, plumping the skin, and visibly contouring areas of sagging—so the complexion looks healthier and more lifted. “For those wanting both barrier support and anti-aging benefits in one step, this cream strikes a really nice balance,” she adds. It also leaves behind a luminous finish that feels weightless rather than greasy.
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, bio-retinol, ceramides
- Texture: Cream
- Best For: Mature skin
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Firms and lifts skin for a more sculpted look | Some customers report issues with packaging |
| Absorbs without greasiness |
Everything You Need to Know
What to Look For in a Moisturizer for Glowing Skin
- Ingredients: When shopping for a moisturizer, board-certified dermatologist Nkem Ugonabo, MD, advises looking for ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, which typically indicate hydrating and gentle properties.
- Texture/Finish: Regarding texture, Ugonabo generally tells patients that a cream is often more moisturizing than a lotion. “So if you have dry skin or eczema, I would likely recommend a cream. If you have oily skin, you might prefer a lightweight lotion or gel-based moisturizer.”
- Skin Type: “Moisturizers are key for hydrating the skin and can also help repair damage to the skin barrier, such as that caused by harsh ingredients like exfoliants,” explains Ugonabo. People with oily or combination skin may prefer a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy on the face. Sensitive skin types should look for moisturizers with simple ingredients (e.g., fragrance-free, dye-free) to minimize irritation. Dry skin types should opt for thicker, richer cream moisturizers that help lock in moisture.
Does moisturizer make your skin glow?
“Regular use of a moisturizer can definitely contribute to your skin ‘glowing’ by giving it a hydrated, supple appearance,” Ugonabo. Your choice of face cream locks in moisture—boosting the efficacy of the essences, serums, and other hydrating elixirs that come before it. With dryness kept in check, skin can appear fresher, plumper, and yes—glowing.
Meet The Experts
- Dr. Nkem Ugonabo is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York.
- Dr. Dendy Engelman is a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Samantha Susca is the lead esthetician at Casa Cipriani New York Spa.