A new generation of products incorporating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and hemp oil are bringing some next-level hydration straight to your face.
It dawned on me recently that I have no clue, really, what kind of skin I have—whether it’s dry, oily, combination, etc. Essentially from puberty onwards, I’ve tried all manner of skin-drying in hopes of vanquishing my acne. But in the end, this actually resulted in my skin becoming super oily, because my sebaceous glands felt the need to work overtime to compensate for all that straight-up alcohol (hi, Sea Breeze—you were terrible to me).
I then latched on to the school of thought that oily skin should be combated with heavy moisturizing elements, so my sebaceous glands could learn to chill the eff out a little. But sure enough, after a period of time, it seemed like said glands just got plain lazy, with my skin drinking up moisturizer so quickly, that I swear it was taking notes on my Friday evening happy-hour routine.
It wasn’t until the last year or so that I came across some moisturizers that were able to finally get rid of the persistent dry skin right around my mouth—so cute, when you reach that point at the end of the day when your skin starts flaking off any time you smile—while at the same time not making me feel like I’m competing with a sea otter over whose face is shinier.
I still have no idea what my “natural” skin type is. And let’s just all acknowledge this much: Skincare is personal. The condition of someone’s skin can vary wildly depending on genetics, environmental factors, diet and products. But these five moisturizers have worked like a dream for me—though it definitely bears mentioning that they’ve almost always been paired with a hydration-boosting serum like The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid or Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Oil, which help accentuate all the moistness these moisturizers are offering up.
Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Crème, $48
The name isn’t leading you astray here—the texture of this gorgeously hued creme is indeed light as a cloud. But it somehow manages to pack the punch of a much heavier moisturizer, gliding onto your skin smooth as a dream and absorbing quickly.
The key ingredient that brings the moisturizing power is sodium hyaluronate, and the addition of rosewater gives it a heavenly scent. As with all Herbivore products, the ingredients are all organic and food-grade, and the packaging is pretty gorgeous to boot.
Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich, $35
Back when Glossier was but a wee, couple-product company I tried out their OG Priming Moisturizer, which I liked, though not enough to keep using it—by the end of the day, that dreaded around-the-mouth crispiness would start to set in.
You can imagine how stoked I was, then, when they dropped the Priming Moisturizer Rich—the souped up version of their super smooth moisturizer. It’s a tad heavier to the touch than the Herbivore, and correspondingly, it provides a little dewier finish.
Tapping into the moisturizing properties of shea and murumuru butters, it absorbs into the skin quickly, yet still manages to stay rich in texture, as its name suggests.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, $68
Contrary to what the name “protini” suggests, this is not, in fact, some miracle pasta that has swapped out carbs for protein. If someone can invent that though, that’d be great. Rather, this is the latest product from the cult-favorite skincare company that’s made a name for itself with products that only include active ingredients—no extraneous scents or fillers.
This moisturizer is comprised of amino acids that already form proteins in the skin. And while I haven’t, admittedly, noticed a reduction of any fine lines, as the product purports, it doesprovide serious hydration and, dare I say, bounce.
The texture isn’t quite as airy as DE’s other moisturizer, the Lala Retro Whipped Cream, but it goes on super lightweight nonetheless. And it comes in a cool pump format that dispenses the perfect amount, while keeping the product inside from getting contaminated.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, $52
Somebody get this cream certification as an SEO expert, because the name touches on pretty much everything we’re all looking for in a face cream right now. Comprised of a whopping 30 percent hyaluronic acid, the product description claims that it provides 72 hours of hydration.
I’m not sure how one exactly puts that to the test, considering a shower or at least a facial cleansing will most certainly be in order for most of us over the course of three days, but I can vouch that it does indeed do some dermal drenching over the course of a normal day. It absorbs into your skin super quick and works like a dream under makeup.
Cannabliss Moisturizing Face Lotion, $80
First things first: No, this moisturizer will not get you high. Its feature ingredient ispure hemp oil, but it’s in there to provide moisturizing benefits via its omega 3 and omega 6 acids. It also contains schisandra, goji berry, and peony, which are all cited as “Korean herbs,” somewhat puzzlingly, but overall, everything comes together for a moisturizer that packs impressive hydration.
It’s by far the most lightweight on this list as far as texture goes—so much so that it’s almost liquid-like when it comes out of the pump dispenser. But don’t let that fool you; apply this stuff overnight, and wake up with dewy, hydrated skin the next morning.
