Best moisturizer for summer

Light moisturizing for summer

Best Summer Moisturizers

With summer around the corner, some people may notice having oilier skin. Your skin tends to be drier in the winter because humidity levels decrease. Similarly, increased temperature and humidity can cause your skin to produce more oil.

Dermatologists recommend that regardless of your skin type, it’s helpful to use a lightweight or gel moisturizer in the summer to avoid clogged pores while hydrating the skin. Moisturizers are considered to be an important step in any skincare routine. Read on to find the right one for your skin type.

Important ingredients in moisturizers

A moisturizer should have three main ingredients: humectant, emollient and occlusive.

• Humectants attract water and moisture into the skin. Examples of these include hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

• Emollients soften the skin texture by restoring the skin barrier. Colloidal oatmeal and shea butter are both emollients.

• Occlusives create a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture and maybe things like oils or waxes.

According to the weather and your skin type, it’s important to moisturize your skin to keep it hydrated and healthy. Remember to also wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

Best moisturizers for the summer

Best for normal skin

Embryolisse Hydra-Cream Light This lightweight cream has white water lily and hyaluronic acid to give your skin lasting hydration. It's also free of parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

Best for dry skin

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel

This gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and glycerin is specifically made to hydrate and soothe dry skin. It has cactus pear to relieve sensitivity and irritation.

Best for combination skin

Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel This lightweight, oil-free gel moisturizer has vitamin B3 to prevent dryness and copper for a healthy-looking skin tone. It can help your skin retain moisture for up to 5 days.

Best for oily skin

Skinfix Barrier Balancing Water Cream

This weightless moisturizer gives intense hydration that absorbs instantly and lasts 3 days. With balancing complex that absorbs oil, it doesn't clog pores and is safe for acne-prone skin.

Best for sensitive skin

Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer This light cream can lock in hydration with hyaluronic acid and ceramides without your skin feeling greasy. It reduces redness, calms irritation and keeps skin barrier healthy without clogging pores.

Best for mature skin

Augustinus Bader The Cream Powered with TFC8, this cream nourishes mature skin by fading fine lines and wrinkles, and improving cellular renewal. You'll notice improved results with this luxury cream.

Best for eczema

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer If your skin is prone to eczema, this daily moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid and five different ceramides can keep your skin hydrated without causing any irritation. It's free of dyes, fragrances and parabens.

Best for dark spots

KORA Organics Turmeric Glow Facial Moisturizer Turmeric and lactic acid help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation while licorice extract and marine microalgae also helps hydrate skin while reducing fine lines.

Best for acne-prone skin

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Azelaic acid gently exfoliates to smooth and brighten the skin and keeps blemish at bay while keeping the skin hydrated.

Best tinted moisturizer

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream This is a multitasking tinted gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin while protecting it from the sun with SPF 30. It provides a natural, radiant finish and is available in 20 shades.

Best moisturizer with SPF

Supergoop! Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40 This 3-in-1 moisturizer, featuring hyaluronic acid, ectoin, and glycerin, hydrates, supports, and protects the skin with SPF 40 protectionagainst UV rays and blue light.

Summer moisturizer FAQ

How can I tell if a moisturizer is oil-free?

A. Check the ingredients list on the moisturizer label. If the first ingredient is water, it's a water-based moisturizer. If the first ingredient is oil, it's an oil-based moisturizer.

Do I have to wear moisturizer in the summer?

A. Yes — summer heat can dehydrate your skin, so it's still important to moisturize your skin in the summer.

Q. Are gel and cream moisturizers different?

A. Yes, gel moisturizers are usually oil-free and have a watery, light texture. They can hydrate without clogging your pores. Cream moisturizers tend to have a heavier texture for extra hydration in the winter.

*This article was originally published on Best Reviews in 2021. Last updated in August 2025.