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The Best Face Moisturizer for Glowing Skin in 2025

My biggest 2025 beauty goal was to streamline my skincare routine and focus on a smaller routine of core products. It may seem counter-intuitive for someone who writes a blog all about new products, but it’s made a world of difference for my skin.

Trying too many new products left my skin in a constant cycle of breakouts and irritation, so I realised that things needed to change and a simpler approach would suit me better, and my skin thanked me for it.

One of said core products is moisturizer. I don’t think I need to tell you that you should be using moisturizer, it’s a given, but have you found your perfect one yet?

For a simple product, finding a great moisturizer can be really difficult. But, if I’ve learnt one thing from trying lots of skincare, it’s how to find a great product. 

I’ve scoured my shelves and pulled 10 of the best moisturizers I’ve used that are great for all skin types. Some are particularly great for dry skin, others for boosting your skin barrier, and others for oily skin or acne-prone skin.

10 of My Best Face Moisturizer Picks

A good moisturizer should lock in your other skincare products, keep your skin hydrated all day and not feel thick and heavy.

It’s a short list of requirements, but I’m sure you know that so many moisturizers miss the mark. Here are some of the best dermatologist-recommended moisturizers that seriously deliver.

SOME BY MI AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream

If you’re someone who has acne-prone skin or combination skin and wants to clear up blemishes and reduce redness, look no further than the SOME BY MI AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream.

This facial cream has a mix of exfoliating acids, soothing plant extracts and moisturizing oils that leave skin feeling incredible. I find that exfoliating acids can sometimes be too harsh, but by combining the hydrating ingredients this facial moisturizer is perfect.

NATURIUM Multi Peptide Moisturizer

The whole Naturium line has always impressed me, and I’ve loved quite a few of their products; the NATURIUM Multi Peptide Moisturizer is probably my favourite of the lot. 

It’s a simple moisturizer that has a light texture, full of peptides to hydrate the skin and also contains vitamin C to reduce fine lines and smooth the skin texture of mature skin. It’s an elevated version of your basic moisturizer; it’s a no-brainer.

APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Facial Cream

Summer is getting closer, but I still feel like my skin looks dull from winter, so a product like the APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Facial Cream is a perfect pick for this time of year.

This face cream contains ingredients like glutathione and niacinamide which deliver antioxidant properties to make skin look brighter. It also has Centella Asiatica, one of my favourite ingredients for calming irritated skin.

Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment

I don’t often recommend products over $100, but this Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment is totally worth the higher price tag.

I’ve spoken about this before in my Allies of Skin round-up post, and my thoughts on this product haven’t changed. This is a great face moisturizer for dry skin and mature skin as it contains ingredients for brightening, hydrating and firming. It’s a powerhouse product, and my skin loves it.

Purito SEOUL Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream

The ‘skin barrier’ is something every dermatologist and beauty enthusiast is talking about at the moment. Essentially, it’s just important to protect the skin without causing irritation.

A moisturizer like the Purito SEOUL Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream is a good place to start for barrier repair. It contains an ingredient called Damyang bamboo, which mimics our body’s natural moisture. It’s a gel-like texture that works particularly well for sensitive skin, but that’s not to say any skin type would enjoy it.

DR SAM’S Flawless Moisturiser Intense

I don’t care much for celebrity skincare brands, but when a board-certified dermatologist or doctor starts their own line, I’m interested – which is the case with Dr Sam’s range.

This range of products is made to be simple yet effective, which is exactly true for DR SAM’S Flawless Moisturiser Intense. It may not be the most glamorous moisturizer, but it provides the deep hydration all skin needs. It won’t clog pores, strengthens the skin barrier and is clinically proven to be safe for sensitive skin.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream 

The Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream is a great all-around moisturizer that focuses on hydrating and calming the skin. Although it targets sensitive and compromised skin, I think I would call it the best facial moisturizer for oily skin as it provides the hydration that we all need without being too thick and greasy.

It also contains many calming ingredients to soothe and smooth skin, which is exactly what you need when you’re breaking out.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+

I’ve lost count of how many bottles of the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ I’ve gone through now; it’s a must-have on my skincare shelves. When my skin isn’t doing too well, whether because of cold weather, breakouts, or just healing after a chemical peel, this is always the product I lean on.

It’s a thick consistency, so I only use it at night, although people with extra dry skin may also benefit from using this during the day. It locks in moisture, hydrates the skin and leaves it looking brighter and healthier.

iUNIK Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream 

Another K-beauty favourite is the iUNIK Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream, a non-sticky and lightweight cream that sinks in immediately. 

I like to use this in the day, as I prefer something a little thicker in the evening, but it gives my skin that boost of moisture to keep it looking glowy and healthy all day. If daily skin hydration is your goal, this moisturizer is perfect. Because it’s a little thicker than your typical day cream, it would also be one of the best moisturizers for mature skin who need more moisture in their routine.

Beauty Pie Happy Face Extreme Relief Cica Moisture Cream

This is a new addition to my skincare lineup, and I’m already incredibly happy with the results. My feelings about Beauty Pie are well-documented on this blog, but I’m consistently impressed with the quality of their products. 

The Beauty Pie Happy Face Extreme Relief Cica Moisture Cream promises to relieve highly sensitive and dry skin. With hyaluronic acid, ceramide-gel and Centella Asiatica, it’s the perfect combination of ingredients to improve skin, address my skin concerns and soothe compromised skin.

What Should You Use After Facial Moisturizer?

If you thought your routine was finished after applying your moisturizer, you’d be wrong!

SPF is an extremely important product that should be applied right after your moisturizer. Sure, you can find some of the best moisturizers with SPF, which will provide some protection, but it’s always best to use a separate SPF too — SPF 50, ideally.

I’ve spoken about some of my favorite K-beauty sunscreens and sunscreen sticks before, but as a reminder, these are my top 3 picks:

• Beauty of Joseon – Matte Sun Stick
• ROUND LAB – Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
• MISSHA – All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun

Have You Found The Best Moisturizer For Your Skin Type in 2025?

In this article, I’ve shared some of the best face moisturizers of 2025 to help you find the best overall facial cream for your skin type.

What’s your favorite moisturizer?