We explain what creams you should buy to give your face only the best.
Skin care is essential for it to stay healthy and slow down aging as much as possible. Within the facial care routine, the use of moisturizing creams is of tremendous importance. Even so, given the enormous amount of offer on the market, we can feel a bit overwhelmed when choosing the best moisturizer.
For this reason, in this article we are going to list the 15 best moisturizing creams for the face according to an analysis by the OCU, the Organization of Consumers and Users, which analyzes different products on the market to provide reliable information to consumers.
What is a moisturizer for?
Its name reveals the function of the cream: Moisturize our skin. The explanation of why we are interested in using products with moisturizing properties involves understanding a little about the structure of the skin.
The skin has an outer layer of hardened dead cells, which act as protection and isolate our body from the outside. These cells contain filaments of keratin, the hard substance from which the hair, nails, and horns of some animals are also made .
Beneath this layer of dead cells, our skin stores the water it needs. If we don’t have enough water stored, our skin will be rougher and more susceptible to damage, which translates into skin that ages faster and more pronounced wrinkles .
If we moisturize our skin daily after washing our face (ideally in the morning and before bed), the benefits of the moisturizer will be more pronounced.
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How was the analysis of the best moisturizers carried out?
The OCU looked at various factors to assign scores to 17 moisturizing creams available on the market. The main factor was the moisturizing capacity of the different creams , but the labeling, the opinion of the users, whether the cream offered sun protection apart from its moisturizing function was also assessed, and those who used products with dubious benefits were penalized .
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What are the best moisturizers?
We list the 15 best creams that were analyzed in the OCU study, in order of the score received.
1. Hundred Aqua Moisturizing Crème SPF 4
Moisturizing cream that we can buy at Lidl, a supermarket brand of German origin. It is indicated for all skin types, in addition to providing sun protection and having a very low price of €2.99.
That’s quite a bargain for the best moisturizer on the market! It received a score of 65 out of 100, the highest in the study. The rest of the creams have a very similar score and they are all considered good quality products, but this one stands out above all of them.
2. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream
This moisturizing cream is especially indicated for people with delicate skin or with a tendency to allergic reactions , and its labeling indicates its hypoallergenic properties.
The price of this cream is €17, much higher than the cream marketed by Lidl. The OCU already tells us in the study, a higher price is not necessarily equivalent to a better product.
3. Garnier Skins Naturals, Moisturizing + Smoothing
A moisturizing cream that offers a smoothing effect on the skin along with the moisturizing effect (which already softens the skin itself). Indicated for normal skin and priced at €4.89, it is a good moisturizing cream option within reach of all budgets.
4. Nivea Moisturizing Day Care SPF 15
This Nivea brand moisturizer has in its favor the provision of sun protection , a factor that is increasingly appreciated that moisturizers have. It is advertised as capable of providing us with intense hydration that helps us face the day with skin in the best possible condition.
We can find it in the market from €5.48.
5. Avene Hydrance Optimale Light
A light category moisturizer, which means that its application does not feel sticky or weighing down. It is also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (meaning it does not cause acne) .
It is indicated for all skin types and we can find it for sale for €15.85.
6. La Roche-Posay Hydreane Light
Moisturizing cream from La Roche cosmetic laboratories, ideal for sensitive skin. We can buy it for €11.88. This light moisturizer contains thermal waters, which could be the extra boost we need in our facial routine.
7. L’Oreal Triple Active Moisturizing Cream
Moisturizing cream with ceramides, UV protection and vitamin E, this L’Oreal product is advertised as capable of keeping us hydrated 24 hours a day . Perfect for those who prefer not to use moisturizers more than once a day.
We will find it for sale from €6.39.
8. Biotherm Aquasource Gel
This moisturizing cream from Biotherm ensures the ability to keep us hydrated for 48 hours through a system of continuous diffusion of its components. Indicated for normal and combination skin, its minimum market price is €28.74.
It may be worth it if you’re looking to stay hydrated but don’t want moisturizer to be part of your daily skincare ritual.
9. Clarins Gel Fondant Desaltérant
Moisturizing cream for normal or combination skin, priced at €34.82. On its label it announces that it contains beneficial plant extracts for the skin.
At this point in the OCU list we can see that the products with a higher cost are not necessarily those with a better moisturizing effect .
10. Estée Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme
Position number ten in the OCU ranking is closed by this facial cream from Estée Lauder laboratories, with a minimum price of €31.80.
We can get it in two formats, one for combination or normal skin and another for skin with a tendency to dry out.
11. Yves Rocher Hydra Végétal 24h Intense Moisturizing Cream Gel
This Yves Rocher moisturizing cream gives us 24-hour hydration, thanks to its wise “hydrocapturing” vegetables, which slowly release their moisturizing compounds. This product would cost us at least €8.95
12. Diadermine Essential Moisturizing Mattifying Care
From this position, the OCU considers these creams to be of medium quality (that is, neither better nor worse than most creams on the market). This Diadermine cream has moisturizing and mattifying functions (which helps balance skin oils).
It is recommended for normal and combination skin, and we can find it for €6.90.
13. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
Clinique moisturizing cream that sells for €20.94, ideal for combination or very dry skin.
14. Eucerin AquaPorin Active
This Eucerin cream offers us long-lasting deep hydration, but the OCU study states that none of these creams have a deep hydration effect (that is, they reach the innermost layers of the skin).
Despite this, it is a moisturizing cream of medium quality, with a value of €14.72 on the market.
15. Vitesse Hydra Mineral Complex 24h Moisturizing Cream
The last cream on our list costs €6.10 and comes from Vitesse. Ideal for combination skin, it also claims to have balancing mattifying effects of facial oils.
Bibliographic references
- OCU analysis, extracted from https://www.ocu.org on 06/28/2019
- Spada, F., Barnes, TM, & Greive, K.A. (2018). Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturizing systems. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 11.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.