These Face Moisturizers From $9 Are Proven to Hydrate Skin

We updated this article in March 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. Our original top-rated picks, selected by the GH Beauty Lab, remain the same.

Applying a face moisturizer daily is one of the number one keys to healthy, glowing skin no matter what the season, your age, or skin type. Experts say that hydrating is crucial for keeping skin youthful and healthy, even if you don’t have dry skin. “Moisturizing protects the skin barrier," explains Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. The healthier your barrier, the better your skin’s defense against inflammation and damage, which can protect skin from signs of dehydration, irritation, redness, and even hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles over time.

But just because a product is called a moisturizer doesn't mean it will be effective at hydrating skin. So Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists are constantly putting face moisturizer formulas to the test, using both Lab instruments and consumer tester feedback to determine which really work. In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent day cream test, scientists tallied 4,434 Lab data points to find the best face moisturizers you can buy for all skin types, including combination skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and dry skin, and for all ages, whether you're looking for an anti-aging formula or one for glowing skin.

Here, read all about the best face moisturizers and creams , as tested by the GH Beauty Lab, backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal or recommended by dermatologists:

Our top picks

[product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]