In a world that constantly seeks the secret to radiant skin, moisturizers stand at the forefront of daily beauty routines. Each year, beauty enthusiasts and novices alike are inundated with new products, touting promises of hydration, anti-aging effects, and a healthy glow. Finding the perfect moisturizer can be a journey, and who better to guide us on this path than those who make beauty their life’s work?

Twelve beauty experts and content creators have decided to lift the veil on their most cherished skincare secrets. From drugstore gems to luxury brands, these influencers reveal their favorite moisturizers that have earned a coveted spot in their daily regimen. Their choices reflect not only the diversity in product preferences but also the individual needs and skin types they cater to.

The search for the ideal moisturizer doesn’t have to be a solitary quest. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned beauty expert, these insights may lead you to discover the moisturizer that fits seamlessly into your skincare routine!

Are there any ingredients you try to avoid in skincare products? If so, which ones and why?

Honestly, not really! I’m not a huge fan of an overpowering floral fragrance, but I’m not anti-fragrance as long as it’s not offensive to my nose. 

What’s your favorite moisturizer, and why?

Currently, hands down, it has to be La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+. I recently got back from overseas, and my skin went crazy coming back into the Melbourne winter. This reaction was picked up by my facialist, and she encouraged a very simple but hydrating routine that included this product.

Luckily for me, I was already a big fan and have since been using it daily in my nighttime routine, and my skin has never received more compliments. It’s one of the best multipurpose products to soothe dry, sensitive skin. Everyone needs one in their cupboard. 

It’s extremely versatile as well. Also, I have to shout out the Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask. This is marketed as a mask, but it can 100% be used as a normal moisturizer too. It’s one of my favorite options that is both lightweight and soothing. 

---

Are there any ingredients you try to avoid in skincare products? If so, which ones and why?

At the moment, I’m not using salicylic acid or retinol because I’m pregnant, but generally, there aren’t any ingredients I have a hard line against. My skin is pretty tough, so I can use most products, and if anything, I just won’t use products that have no benefit to my skin e.g. blemish fighting products when I’m not breaking out, anti-shine products when I’m not oily, etc.

What’s your favorite moisturizer, and why?

I can’t pick one! There are so many I love. Here are my top two at the moment: Jurlique Moisturising Day Cream – on the other end of the spectrum, this cream is incredibly rich and nourishing. It goes on as a cream and melts into an oil, and I absolutely love it when my skin needs some TLC and mass amounts of moisture. I slather this on day and night in the colder months and when I fly.

Clinique Moisture Surge 100Hr – a staple in my routine. This gel cream is oil-free, lightweight, plumps and rehydrates while also fighting oiliness, sits so well under makeup, and works for all skin types.

---

Do you have a skincare tip or trick that you think doesn’t get enough attention? 

A skincare tip that I wish I knew sooner is that oily skin still needs moisturizer. As an acne-prone teen, I used to steer clear of any and all moisturizers because I thought my skin didn’t need it. But moisturizer actually helps regulate oil production and is so important as skin ages as well. So don’t be afraid to use moisturizer and lots of it! 

What’s your favorite moisturizer, and why does it hold that spot? 

My favorite moisturizer at the moment is Cocokind’s Texture Smoothing Cream. It provides lightweight hydration while minimizing pores, improving skin texture, and minimizing shine. It’s affordable, gentle, suitable for all skin types, and a staple for my oily skin.

---

What’s your skin type, and how do you typically cater your routine to it?

My skin type has changed over the years, I used to be quite dry, but I’m now combination skin (oily around the nose!).

As a beauty content creator, I get sent a lot of skincare products to try, so I try to swap out one product at a time, but on a base level, I know Aveeno is safe if I react to anything or if I’m traveling and want to keep it minimal I use the Fenty Skin travel size because the products are multi-functional and suit my skin type with no reactions.

We all have that one moisturizer we can’t live without. Can you tell us about your go-to product and why it holds a special place in your heart?

I have to say the Clinique Moisture Surge has always been a staple since my teen years, and I like how it’s been revamped over the years for more intense hydration with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. I also recently discovered I can use it on top of makeup to rehydrate after powdering too much — a game changer!

Ingredient-wise, what do you typically look for?

Hyaluronic acid is a fairly safe ingredient for me, and I quite like niacinamide or products with fruit AHAs for gentle exfoliation. I’ve always been quite cautious with my skin and prefer more natural-based ingredients where I can help it.

---

Are there any surprising skincare or moisturizer ingredients that work wonders for you?

Centella Asiatica is the number 1 ingredient I’m looking for. It’s anti-inflammatory, calms rednesses and soothes the skin. Most important, it promotes collagen production to give the skin elasticity to prevent wrinkles and replace dead skin cells. 

I mostly use it during my nighttime routine because I like this ingredient in a thick formula. Glazed donut is the PM look! 

Which moisturizer do you find yourself reaching for again and again, and why?

As rosacea-prone, I always go back to the Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Moisturizer, especially formulated for sensitive and reactive (aka red) skin. It’s formulated with Glycerin which is an amazing humectant, Mango seed butter to deeply moisturize the skin, and red sage roots to limit the hyper-reactivity of the skin.  

For example, after my workout, my redness is out of control, and I really need something to calm it down before putting on a full face of makeup and going on with my day. It’s not super fancy or luxurious, but it works amazingly and makes me feel so confident. I’m totally able to go out without makeup on! I think that your moisturizer should be the one item you must really focus on. It can really affect how your skin reacts to other products, whether it’s skincare or makeup.

---

Could you tell us about your skin type and how you nurture it?

While I have oily skin, I believe any and all skin types’ main goal in order to nurture their skin is to hydrate it. I’m talking about drinking water, using hydrating serums/moisturizers, and maintaining water retention by using an oil, or my favorite, the Cerave healing ointment, as the last step in their nighttime routine.

What is your skin’s best friend when it comes to ingredients in your skincare products?

I can’t really emphasize certain ingredients because formulation differs amongst products, so while I might love the hyaluronic acid formula from one brand, my skin might freak out with another brand’s version. But if I had to say one thing that I’ve used for years that my skin has never rejected, it’s the COSRX snail mucin essence.

Could you share about your all-time favorite moisturizer and why it won your heart?

To be honest, I have no moisturizer that I truly love, and it’s probably the one skincare product that I’m always changing in my routine because I’m never satisfied. However, I will tell you my other favorite skincare products. My favorite cleanser is the Elemis resurfacing facial wash, my toner is the LANEIGE cream skin, and serum would be the COSRX snail mucin essence.

Lastly, the most important product in my routine is sunscreen, as it should be for everyone, and Black Girl Sunscreen is absolutely top tier.

---

Could you tell us about your skin type and how you nurture it?

My skin type is normal (it used to be oilier when I was younger). I don’t lean particularly dry or oily these days, but I am very acne prone. The way I take care of my skin is by listening to and paying attention to how it feels each day rather than approaching the types of products I pick and routines I do based on what a “normal” skin type might require.

How do you handle those days when your skin feels a little off?

What I used to do was go crazy with actives and exfoliating acids when my skin felt off( and I admit sometimes that is still tempting) but what I do when that happens now is really dial back my routine and take it back to basics. It feels counterproductive, but when my skin is acting up, the best thing to do is tone it back to a gentle cleanse, lightweight moisturizer, and SPF.

What’s your all-time favorite moisturizer, and why do you love it so much?

This is an impossible question!! I have so many favorites! But I have to say that Eucerin’s Redness Relief Night Cream is AMAZING. I discovered it in the winter of 2022, and I’ve not put it down since. Even if you don’t deal with redness, I recommend this product. It feels incredibly luxurious for the price point, and it melts gorgeously into the skin, leaving a super silky finish.

---

How do you pick skincare products that complement your skin’s needs?

I look for specific ingredients that will help me work towards my goals! When I have hormonal acne, I incorporate salicylic acid or lactic acid. When I know my skin is a bit more sensitive, I add in all the hydration and soothing ingredients: glycerin, Centella, and ceramides.

---

Whether it be from your own personal experience or learning from others, how do you handle skin breakouts or sudden skin issues?

Sudden skin issues? I become a detective. What have I changed? What have I introduced? Is it as simple as a new skincare product my skin didn’t agree with- have I *overused* an existing product that should have been used with more restraint (like an exfoliant or a vitamin A).

It also tells me it’s time to switch back to tried and true. The fewer steps, the better, too. Spot treatments are ideal, alongside supporting my skin barrier with a moisturizer I love.  My favorite spot treatments are Dermal Therapy’s Acne Spot Treatment, Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion, and MCoBeauty’s Pimple Patch.

Could you share your favorite moisturizer and why it’s a staple in your skincare routine?

Favourite is not only a big word, it’s hard for us Aussies to spell. I’ll settle on two that I adore and will make almost everyone happy. Avene’s Hydrance Gel Cream (typically) and First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Moisturiser (for winter! Or when I’m a little dry).

These are awesome- they don’t break me out, and they’re reliable. They’re deeply hydrating and have a finish that’s comfortable and not tight on the skin. The best part is they’re both easy to find where I shop. Moisturizing my skin gives it the best chance to protect itself from outside nasties better- it restores anything stripped away from cleansing and helps strengthen my moisture barrier. A strong moisture barrier means less breakouts, less irritation, and better tolerance for my exfoliation and vitamin A products!

---

How often do you switch up your skincare products, and why?

I am always switching my products around when I’m not strictly testing out a particular product, firstly because it’s my job to test and review what’s new to the market but also because, from day to day, my skin will have a variety of needs. One day it may feel very dry and require more emollients, and others, it may be more congested and need more detox-focused products.

Is there a specific ingredient that you find most beneficial to your skin?

My skin likes hydrating and barrier-building ingredients like hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and ceramides. 

---

What’s your response to a bad skin day? Any recommended remedies?

When I’m having one of those days where my skin is doing everything it can to piss me off, the number one thing I do, is nothing. Literally nothing, well, apart from cleansing and moisturizing. Sometimes our skin just needs us to chill out with all the serums and toners and masks, and so on. So when my face is looking like it just went through war, I give it a break. I reach for a gentle cleanser and a really basic moisture like Tower28’s SOS Cream or La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast.

What’s your favorite moisturizer, and why does it hold that title for you?

 Oh gosh, how do I even begin to pick a favorite moisturizer? Let me chat about the one I’m currently loving! SkinFix’s Gel Cream is what I’m reaching for the most lately. It’s designed for acne-prone skin, so it’s packed with niacinamide and antimicrobial peptides! The texture is absolutely gorgeous and almost feels like silk on the face. I think it’s a product every combo skin person should have in their collection!