11 Face Moisturizers ELLE Editors Can’t Shut Up About

“I recently got serious about exercising and have been rewarded with…unprecedented skin drama. My SPF moisturizer melts into my eyes when I sweat (this stings), running outside leaves my face red and dry, so much as looking at a hot yoga mat breaks me out. Tatcha Water Cream brought much-needed relief to my suddenly-combination, suddenly-sensitive skin. It melts into your complexion and doesn’t slide off, and it has a kind of mattifying effect. Which is good, because now that I’m a Tatcha girl I can’t afford primer. “—Katherine Stoeffel, Features Director

“I prefer my skincare routine to be as uncomplicated and unobtrusive as possible. I’ve been using Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for years and it delivers exactly this. I have dry skin, so this moisturizer helps to soften and soothe irritation while also remaining light after application. I dab a small amount twice a day and let the serum do the rest—not much maintenance required for this moisturizer.”—Savannah Walsh, Editorial Fellow

“The Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Water Cream and I have only been seeing each other for a few weeks, but I think it’s the one. The lightweight, creamy texture feels like a splash of cold water on a hot summer day. If my skin had feet (stay with me) it would be doing the happy dance all day long.”—Nerisha Penrose, Assistant Editor

“I’ve been using Olay Complete as a morning and evening face moisturizer for as long as I can remember. It’s also a staple in my mom’s skincare routine, which she says is the reason she’s been able to maintain a glowing, poreless complexion for years! Olay Complete’s oil-free formula protects your skin from the sun (SPF 15), plus it has vitamins E, B3, and C.” —Rose Minutaglio, Staff Writer

“I’m the type to risk— er, spend —it all on skincare, and after being graced by the #GiftedByLaMer gods, I’ve made it a point to budget for the brand’s Moisturizing Soft Cream. It’s a lighter version of the super-rich La Mer Crème, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, soft, and smooth, without unwanted dewiness (read: oil-slick free). It’s worthy to note that my skin rests at the intersection of sensitive, oily, and dry, and this is a moisturizer I can use year-round, no matter what tricks my epidermis is trying to pull. Plus…let me be honest…it makes me feel r i c h! And feeling is halfway to actually being, right?”—Angel Lenise, Supervising Video Producer

“This moisturizer is an instant pick-me-up for dry, tired skin. Just a small amount goes a long way in getting a perfect glowy look, without an oily aftermath. It has natural ingredients like camelia oil and aloe vera—which is what gives it a pleasant, mild sunscreen-like scent—but also packs a punch with hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E as well. It’s  a staple in my nighttime and morning routine!”—Mia Feitel, Design Director