The 2023 SELF Healthy Beauty Awards: The Best Moisturizers for Happy, Hydrated Skin

By Sarah Madaus

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There are seemingly three gazillion opinions about skin care on the internet at any given moment. But if there's one thing they’d probably all agree on, it would be that moisturizer is key. Face cream may seem unsexy compared to high-tech devices and in-office treatments, but in reality, this unsung hero is essential to keeping your skin protected and healthy. That's why it's best to find one you love and look forward to using, day and night.

If you’re ready to restock, you’ve come to the right place. For SELF's 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards, we tested dozens of options—for all different skin types and concerns—to help you find your new holy grail. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, dark spots, zits, or eczema, these 20 moisturizers came out on top, and we’re so excited to tell you why.

Want to see more from the 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards? Check out the best cleansers, best makeup, and the best serums, oils, masks, and spot treatments.

Courtesy of Aveeno

A simple moisturizer is great if you have sensitive skin, prefer to keep things low-maintenance, or already have a multistep skin care routine. Our testers loved this affordable pick from Aveeno: It has a soothing formula and it's not too rich, either.

Bonus points, per the experts: It's made with ceramides, which are protective and moisturizing, plus hydrating panthenol and calming oat.

One tester said: "The texture is creamy but not super heavy. It's really great for my fairly sensitive skin and feels moisturizing without sitting too heavily. Long story short, it absolutely soothes dryness."

Courtesy of Mario Badescu

If you’re looking for a glowy complexion, our testers recommend this cream from cult-favorite brand Mario Badescu: A mixture of brightening and hydrating ingredients keep both normal and combination skin types happy and well-balanced.

Bonus points, per the experts: Beyond its 10% concentration of vitamin C, this product is formulated with niacinamide, which evens skin tone and soothes inflammation. You’ll also find bakuchiol, a gentle retinol alternative, and moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil and glycerin.

One tester said: "I’ve never used Mario Badescu before, and this was a good one to start with. The simple white container was well-labeled and beginner-friendly. The lotion is citrusy, and feels good during and after application. My skin soaked it up happily."

Just so you know: This product contains fragrances and dyes, which can be irritating for some people.

Courtesy of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Take it from our tester, whose review of this Dr. Dennis Gross moisturizer began with a simple "Obsessed." It has a thick, rich texture, making it ideal for nighttime use or dry skin.

Bonus points, per the experts: It contains vitamin C, a brightening antioxidant; lactic acid, an AHA that works to reduce hyperpigmentation; squalane, a deep moisturizer that's great for dry skin; and niacinamide, which boosts collagen production.

One tester said: "Obsessed with this rich cream! Very easy to use, and you don't need a lot to do the job. Since I’ve started using it, my skin has looked bright and I’ve had no blemishes."

Courtesy of fresh

This moisturizer received a perfect 10 from a tester in her fifties who says she's looking to treat dry, aging skin. Its rich texture works for day- and nighttime wear, but folks with oily or combination skin might want to save it for p.m. use only.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product is formulated with moisturizing squalane, glycerin, and ceramides.

One tester said: "It feels amazing when it goes on—very cooling, like it immediately calms irritation and inflammation. The hydration was lasting and kept my skin looking fresh and supple."

Just so you know: This product contains fragrances.

Courtesy of Peach Slices

Got redness? Try a color-correcting moisturizer—specifically, one that not only conceals, but soothes inflammation with a few hero ingredients too. Our tester loved this one from Peach Slices, noting that it works best when you take your time to gently rub it in.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains a slew of expert-approved soothing ingredients for sensitive skin, like centella asiatica, panthenol, allantoin, and aloe.

One tester said: "This moisturizer left me breathless—it was like I was wearing full-coverage concealer. I’ve never, ever, EVER had a moisturizer resolve my redness the way this one did."

Courtesy of Codex Labs

If you’re the type to break out if you so much as look at a rich cream, we get it. But don't skip moisturizer entirely. Instead, try this one from Codex Labs, which is formulated with ingredients that keep skin balanced and help reduce the risk of future blemishes.

Bonus points, per the experts: Inside, you’ll find bakuchiol, plus calming centella asiatica and moisturizing glycerin.

One tester said: "I have pretty oily, acne-prone skin, and this oil control cream has been helping a lot. I usually use a 2% salicylic acid acne treatment with varying results, but I paused my daily application of that while testing this and my skin definitely improved. My acne went down, my skin dried, and I felt refreshed after use."

Just so you know: This product contains essential oils, which can irritate sensitive skin.

Courtesy of Dermalogica

If your skin care budget is a little more flexible, consider Dermalogica's cream, which we think is worth the extra bucks. One tester said that it "genuinely sparked joy" while also providing deep moisture.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains squalane and hyaluronic acid.

One tester said: "It's super creamy and felt wonderful going on. It healed my persistently dry spots after just a couple of uses. I’ve genuinely looked forward to using this each day and I'll definitely keep using it after the testing period is over."

Courtesy of Dr. Jart\+

Alas, the holy trinity in one pretty package: SPF, moisturizer, and foundation. Dr. Jart+'s BB cream impressed us with its SPF 40 sun protection, hydrating formula, and solid coverage.

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

By Malia Griggs

Bonus points, per the experts: This product is made with hydrating glycerin and dimethicone, plus soothing allantoin and niacinamide.

One tester said: "It gives medium coverage and is buildable if you’re looking for more. My skin looked just as good at the end of the day as it did at first application: smooth, dewy, and youthful."

Courtesy of Laura Mercier

Achieve the ever popular no-makeup makeup look with this product, which provides light, buildable coverage and does double duty as a moisturizer too.

Bonus points, per the experts: It contains squalane and glycerin, two deeply hydrating ingredients.

One tester said: "This works really well and gives you that ‘I just got back from vacation’ look. There's really no scent to it, which I appreciate, and it's easy to blend."

Courtesy of Eucerin

Can we get a round of applause for hardworking, affordable drugstore beauty finds? This Eucerin moisturizer is a diamond in the rough: It has a lightweight feel but still quenches skin, and its formula leaves out potentially irritating ingredients like dyes and fragrances.

Bonus points, per the experts: It contains moisturizing glycerin and shea butter, as well as soothing panthenol.

One tester said: "This cream was surprisingly light and perfect for nighttime. I almost always wake up feeling dry, especially with the heat blasting in cooler temperatures, but I awoke to my skin feeling more hydrated than usual."

Courtesy of No7

At night, your skin goes into repair mode, so a moisturizer that encourages a productive third shift is one to keep around. Our testers loved this new pick from No.7, thanks to its powerful formulation.

Bonus points, per the experts: It's made with shea butter, dark spot-reducing niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and peptides.

One tester said: "This product feels rich, and it was the perfect treat to myself after a long day. Because I have dry skin, I usually wake up still feeling parched, but now my face feels smooth and refreshed."

Just so you know: This product contains fragrances and parabens, which can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Courtesy of TULA Skincare

If you’re feeling undeniably desert-like (few signs of life, a rough, sandpaper texture…), chances are you need some hydration, stat. This moisturizer was made with dehydrated skin in mind—and our testers say it really performed.

Bonus points, per the experts: Hydrating hyaluronic acid, squalane, and shea butter—as well as peptides, which are great for aging skin—help this cream get the job done.

One tester said: "The consistency is perfect, and I love the way my skin feels after I apply it. It's very smooth—almost silky—but strong enough to really keep me moisturized."

Just so you know: This product contains fragrances, which can be irritating.

Courtesy of Joanna Vargas Skin Care

Joanna Vargas's night cream is a splurge, yes, but our testers say it's worth it thanks to its luxe texture and effective ingredients.

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

By Malia Griggs

Bonus points, per the experts: This product is packed with moisturizing shea butter, plus hyaluronic acid, peptides to keep skin firm, and calming ingredients like centella asiatica and calendula.

One tester said: "This product really performs; it's perfectly creamy and the exact richness I need in a night cream. Yes, I will be putting this on my wish list if someone ever asks if they can buy me anything."

Courtesy of Futurewise

All aboard the slugging train! This Futurewise cream is intended to supply so much moisture that you look like a cute, slimy insect. It works to protect the outermost layer of your skin (called your skin barrier) and seal in moisture so you wake up feeling quenched. That said, it's lighter-feeling than Vaseline or Aquaphor, so people with oily skin can ride the wave too.

Bonus points, per the experts: This occlusive cream (which works by creating a solid, protective layer on top of skin) is formulated with peptides, glycerin, and dimethicone.

One tester said: "The Slug Cream is super hydrating (perfect nights when I’m using retinol) and makes my skin look dewy. After a few weeks of using it, my face hasn't broken out, which is an issue I usually have with heavier moisturizers. Win!"

Courtesy of Peter Thomas Roth

One tester called this Peter Thomas Roth gel cream a "life-changing, holy grail moisturizer." Don't be fooled by its light texture—it feels deeply nourishing for hours on end.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product packs in the hydration with hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, and dimethicone. It's also formulated with lactic acid, a gentle chemical exfoliant.

One tester said: "Here's what blew me away about this dewy gel cream: I applied it before a 10-hour flight. When I got to my hotel room on the other side (15 hours of travel later), my skin still looked flawless—moisturized and glowy. This takes the cake."

Courtesy of Gladskin

Finding a product that soothes the uncomfortable symptoms of facial eczema can feel like an uphill battle—but our testers were impressed by this one. If you need some extra reassurance, know that it's also got the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Bonus points, per the experts: You’ll find a handful of soothing, protective ingredients in this moisturizer, including glycerin, petrolatum, colloidal oatmeal, and mineral oil.

One tester said: "You can feel this thick lotion working as soon as you apply it. It's super hydrating and comes in a travel-friendly size, so you can carry it with you to use whenever your skin feels irritated."

Courtesy of Estee Lauder

After a particularly late night, dark circles and puffiness can make their presence known. Testers say this gel eye cream from Estée Lauder helps out big time. It's formulated with caffeine and several hydrating ingredients.

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

By Malia Griggs

Bonus points, per the experts: The roster of superhero moisturizers here include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, squalane, and petrolatum.

One tester said: "The skin under my eyes now feels remarkably soft throughout the day. I absolutely have a more well-rested look; the effect is subtle but it's definitely there."

Courtesy of Clinique

One tester, who described herself as "the queen of tired, puffy, dark-circled eyes" says she's now adding this Clinique cream to her rotation. It's moisturizing without being sticky, and it's packed with peptides, which experts say can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product also relies on moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter.

One tester said: "It has a rich feel when I apply it, and it absorbs quickly. Upon waking, the skin around my eyes feels a little tighter, brighter, and more awake than I feel inside."

Courtesy of CeraVe

We can't get enough of effective and widely accessible sun care. Case in point: This winner from CeraVe, which combines chemical and mineral UV ingredients for SPF 30 protection and costs just $14.

Bonus points, per the experts: This sunscreen contains soothing and brightening niacinamide, as well as nourishing ceramides.

One tester said: "This sunscreen absorbs nicely, and doesn't dry matte or greasy but rather as a nice in-between. I’ve noticed that my skin stays hydrated throughout the day and isn't oily after hours and hours of wear."

Courtesy of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

If you want your sunscreen to do more than just shield your skin from the sun, this pick from Dr. Dennis Gross is worth a try. The brand's powerful SPF 50 comes from zinc oxide, and it also contains active skin care ingredients to keep you glowy from the inside out.

Bonus points, per the experts: This sunscreen is formulated with tranexamic acid, which is a brightening ingredient; hydrators like dimethicone and hyaluronic acid; and soothing aloe.

One tester said: "I have literally talked about this SPF to anyone who will listen. It's creamy, and it's dreamy—almost like a moisturizer that offers an instant hydrated look and makes you feel better about yourself."