Must Have Monday: Top 10 of the Best Moisturisers
Welcome to our new weekly feature, Must Have Monday. We are sharing our top ten products of certain categories, starting with essential makeup and skincare items. After fifteen years of reviewing and trialling beauty products, we are going to share our favourite skincare and beauty products with you. This week we are sharing our top 10 moisturisers!
Using moisturiser on the face is essential to hydrate, nourish, and strengthen the skin barrier, which prevents moisture loss and protects against environmental damage. Daily application helps prevent dryness, reduces the appearance of fine lines by plumping the skin, balances oil production, and minimises sensitivity or irritation, leading to healthier-looking, more youthful skin.
Here are our highest rated moisturisers:
Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion+ ($40)
I have been using the Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion on and off since my early 20s (hello Clinique three step skincare system!) and it is a firm favourite. I’ve been using the new 50+ SPF version over summer and loved it. Not only has it been a a fantastic moisturiser but it has protected my skin from the sun and prevented pigmentation. Usually this time year I will have pigmentation on my cheeks and, I’m happy to say, there is very little evidence of it.
The dermatologist-developed lotion is Clinique’s #1 face moisturiser. Silky, fast-absorbing moisturising lotion with pure urea and pure glycerin rapidly strengthens the skin barrier. Dermatologist tested. Allergy tested. 100% fragrance free.
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre ($33.39)
Lait-Crème Concentré is an ultra-simple formula with recognised ingredients used in just the right amounts. Nothing more, nothing less. Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, it makes sure that the skin is always properly hydrated, nourished and protected against external aggressions. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre is a mutli-tasking, six-in-one product that works for all skin types. This viral sensation can be used as a moisturiser, mask, cleansing milk, makeup base, after-shave balm and after-sun soother. It is the “Swiss army knife” for celebrities who use it to fight the effects of jetlag, quickly remove make-up and rehydrate their skin in a flash. It is a fountain of youth for stressed skin!
Lancome Hydra Zen Day Cream ($130)
I used Lancome’s Hydra Zen over winter last year and found it up to the task of combating drying heating and cold outdoor weather. My skin was hydrated and healthy over the cold months (which is about six months in Melbourne). You only need a small amount too, which makes the cost per use not too bad for a high end product. It also helped that I bought it on sale at Myer and received a gift with purchase pack with it (usually a full sized Lancome product and smaller samples).
The Lancome Hydra Zen Day Cream offers intense hydration to soothe and protect the skin from dryness and environmental aggressors. Formulated with Rose and Peony extracts, this lightweight cream provides instant hydration and long-lasting comfort leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth and refreshed. Designed to combat tightness, dryness and dullness, Hydra Zen restores your skins natural glow and ensures it stays hydrated throughout the day.
Olay Total Effects ($19.99)
I used Olay Total Effects for years in my 30s and it was my go to moisturiser as a busy working Mum. Inexpensive, easy to use and it works. Olay’s Total Effects is probably the best grocery store moisturiser you can buy. Total Effects formulas, with nourishing ingredients like vitamins and antioxidants, give seven benefits in one to help fight signs of ageing for younger looking skin. Olay Total Effects Anti-Ageing Daily Face Moisturiser SPF 15 deeply hydrates to nourish and replenish skin’s moisture barrier. The vitamin-rich formula delivers seven skin benefits in one: replenishes moisture, evens skin tone appearance, enhances brightness, visibly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, minimises the look of pores, restores firmness and visibly reduces dark spots. In just 4 weeks, you’ll notice younger, healthier looking skin.
Dermalogica Powerbright Moisturiser SPF50 ($137)
OK, yes, this moisturiser is on the more expensive side of things, but if you have pigmentation or dark spots I promise you will love it. I have used it and it works! I had pigmentation on my cheeks and it reduced it by a lot and PowerBright prevents it getting worse or coming back. As a bonus, it is a lot cheaper than regular sessions at a beauty salon. If you have pigmentation or dark spots, then you know the struggle. You want to tackle them head-on with all sorts of actives, but you need to protect your face daily thereafter, or your efforts can be undone by one quick trip-to-the-shops sans SPF.
In Dermalogica’s waged war against pigmentation, uneven skin tone, and dark spots, they’ve adopted a simple battle cry: “Fade! Defend! Restore!” Dermalogica Powerbright Moisturiser SPF50 is the “Defend” part of the mantra, and is your daily moisturiser, enriched with high-strength, broad-spectrum SPF50 and a whole host of pigment-punching super ingredients.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors PhytoCeramides Rich Moisturiser for Dry Skin ($35.50)
Natural Moisturising Factors PhytoCeramides is The Ordinary’s most nourishing moisturiser, formulated with nearly four times more moisturising emollients and two times more humectants than their Natural Moisturising Factors HA. This rich and replenishing cream immediately boosts skin hydration by 68%,* helps strengthen the skin barrier, and offers all-day hydration, making it ideal for dry skin.
It offers a triple-action approach to targeting dryness with the inclusion of skin-identical Natural Moisturising Factors, PhytoCeramides and skin lipids. The inclusion of plant-derived PhytoCeramides help to improve the look of skin quality, for a fresher, more plumped appearance.
Skinstitut Moisture Defence Normal Skin ($59)
This daily moisturiser delivers long-lasting hydration while supporting the skins natural barrier. Enriched with vitamin E, aloe vera, and peptide technology, it helps to maintain moisture levels, smooth texture, and protect against environmental damage. Skinstitut Moisture defence also available for oily and ultra dry skin varieties.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($42)
#1 ultra-hydrating daily moisturiser has a unique lightweight texture and lasting 24-hour hydration to leave skin softer, smoother and visibly healthier. Formulated with renewable Glacial Glycoprotein and olive-derived Squalane, this non-greasy, lightweight moisturiser helps repair the skin barrier 55%* faster and delivers 2X** the hydration, even in skin’s driest areas. Perfect for all skin types including men’s skin and sensitive skin, this luxurious daily moisturiser with squalane helps enhance the health of your skin now.
Dermal Therapy Very Dry Face Cream (19.99)
I love Dermal Therapy’s products (I’m currently using their Anti-Ageing Hand Balm, Lip Balm Stick and Overnight Face Repair before bed and have done for quite a while. Essential products.) Very Dry Face Cream is a deeply nourishing formula designed to target extremely dry, flaky, and irritated facial skin. With visible hydration results in just one day, this cream works to restore the skin’s natural barrier, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and calm sensitivity. Enriched with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and colloidal oatmeal, it delivers intense moisture while soothing and protecting the most delicate areas of the face and neck. The addition of 5% urea helps improve skin texture without irritation. Perfect for daily use, this non-greasy cream absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and comfortable.
