What to look for in the best hydrating cream

Choosing the right hydrating cream can make a big difference in your skin’s comfort and appearance.

1. Skin Type Compatibility

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Select a hydrating cream that matches your skin type—whether it's dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. Lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas are ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, while richer creams benefit dry or mature skin.

2. Key Hydrating Ingredients

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Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and ceramides. These help attract and lock in moisture to keep your skin plump and hydrated throughout the day.

3. Texture and Absorption

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Consider how the cream feels on your skin. Some prefer lightweight gels that absorb quickly, while others need thicker creams for deep hydration—especially overnight.

4. Added Benefits

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Many hydrating creams offer extra benefits such as antioxidants, SPF protection, or soothing botanicals. Choose one that addresses your specific concerns for an effective multitasking product.

  1. 1
    Crème de La Mer Face Cream
    8,182 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    An ultra-rich cream that helps heal dryness and energize repair to unlock a rejuvenating transformation. In 2 weeks, visibly reduces fine lines.
  2. 2
    Ultra Facial Cream

    Kiehl's Since 1851

    8,004 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A lightweight moisturizer that provides 24-hour hydration.
  3. 3
    The Hydrating Infused Emulsion
    5,000 REVIEWS
    A nourishing emulsion to protect and defend skin from dryness, helping it feel more soft and supple.
  4. 4
    Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

    SkinCeuticals

    2,794 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Reveal radiant, hydrated skin with this nourishing cream corrector designed to help support natural self-repair.
  5. 5
    Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation
    2,317 REVIEWS
    A 16-hour natural-glow foundation with buildable medium coverage to hydrate, smooth, blur pores, and brighten skin.
  6. 6
    Crème de Corps

    Kiehl's Since 1851

    1,924 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A superb quality body moisturizer.
  7. 7
    The Moisturizing Soft Cream
    1,459 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A silky-soft cream that delivers all-day healing moisture for profound rejuvenation: visibly plumper, healthier, firmer, lifted-looking skin.
  8. 8
    The Moisturizing Fresh Cream
    1,387 REVIEWS
    A feather-light gel cream that renews skin’s youthful bounce for a firmer feel and balances sebum.
  9. 9
    Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream
    1,149 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream is a moisture-rich cream that ups the hydration intensity of Clinique's best-selling face lotion.
  10. 10
    Charlotte's Magic Water Cream

    Charlotte Tilbury

    1,094 REVIEWS
    A fragrance-free gel water cream that immediately drenches the skin in hydration, refines the look of pores, and visibly reduces redness over time.

What to look for in the best hydrating cream

Choosing the right hydrating cream can make a big difference in your skin’s comfort and appearance.

1. Skin Type Compatibility

Citrus catapult arrow

Select a hydrating cream that matches your skin type—whether it's dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. Lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas are ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, while richer creams benefit dry or mature skin.

2. Key Hydrating Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and ceramides. These help attract and lock in moisture to keep your skin plump and hydrated throughout the day.

3. Texture and Absorption

Citrus catapult arrow

Consider how the cream feels on your skin. Some prefer lightweight gels that absorb quickly, while others need thicker creams for deep hydration—especially overnight.

4. Added Benefits

Citrus catapult arrow

Many hydrating creams offer extra benefits such as antioxidants, SPF protection, or soothing botanicals. Choose one that addresses your specific concerns for an effective multitasking product.