Our Editors’ Go-To Moisturizers

We've told you the best lip products on the market, the bestselling anti-aging creams, and where to find clean and cruelty-free skin care and makeup. But what you haven't heard are the products we love and use every single day. Editors and writers from Unique Beauty and other Optimism brands came together to share our favorite moisturizers, from affordable drugstore finds to pricier luxe options. And we all have different skin types and concerns — from dry with acne to fine lines and wrinkles to oily-combination — so there's something for everyone on this list. These are the hydrators we swear by to keep our skin in shape all year long.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Body and Face Lotion

"I use this every morning and night, but also before I apply my makeup. My skin type has changed from super oily five years ago to normal now, and this adds just the right amount of moisture without feeling greasy. I love that the bottle lasts me over three months." —Zoie Griffin, Staff Photo Editor, Optimism

Skin Type: Normal

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream

"A couple of years ago, I figured out my skin really doesn't get along with fatty alcohols. This moisturizer is fatty alcohol-free (which is pretty tough to find). It also sinks in quickly so my face doesn't feel greasy when I go to bed, and it leaves my skin feeling super soft in the morning!" —Brooke Robinson, Associate Editor, Inspiring Quotes

Skin Type: Combination, dry in T-zone

Shani Darden Skin Care Hydration Peptide Cream

"Since I moved to dry Los Angeles from the more humid climate in New York City, my skin has been craving extra moisture. But when I use heavy creams, I break out. I was so happy to find this peptide-enriched moisturizer from esthetician-to-the-stars Shani Darden. It's oil-free and formulated without any pore-clogging ingredients, but still feels rich with squalane and hydrosella." —Elizabeth Denton, Editor, Unique Beauty

Skin Type: Dry-combination, sensitive

Rhode Barrier Restore Cream

"When I've been using too many acids and exfoliators and my skin needs calming, I reach for Hailey Bieber's lightweight cream moisturizer. It's packed full of essential fatty acids, peptides, and squalane for rich hydration that still doesn't clog my pores. Plus, it's a surprisingly good deal." —Elizabeth Denton

Skin Type: Dry-combination, sensitive

Caldera + Lab The Base Layer

"I started using Caldera + Lab years ago, when the brand first launched. Their fortifying moisturizer diminished the few wrinkles I did have and helped stabilize my skin's baseline, which meant making my oily areas less so and hydrating my dry spots. When I moved to a drier mountain climate (Utah), it was a lifesaver when my skin went fully dry, especially since the brand wild harvests its main ingredients around the Teton Mountain Range in nearby Wyoming." —Evan Malachosky, Editor, Curatorial Brands

Skin Type: Combination, oily T-zone

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Refillable Moisturizing Cream

"It's lightweight, doesn't make you feel greasy, and a little goes a long way. I carry a travel size in my purse so I can always keep my skin hydrated, especially when flying." —Kim Messina, Senior Editor, Better Report

Skin Type: Normal

"I use it every night before bed and can tell it's made my skin look smoother and less dry. I love that it never feels thick or greasy and absorbs quickly before bed." —Rachel Callahan, Assistant Photo Editor, Optimism

Skin Type: Normal

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

"Except for my T-zone late in the day, my skin tends to be on the dry side, and I love how rich (but not greasy!) this cream is. It's a splurge, but it makes my face feel instantly softer and more supple, and it reduces the flakiness of my dry patches for better makeup application." —Allie Takeda, Senior Managing Editor, Optimism

Skin Type: Dry-combination

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Night Face Moisturizer

"I started using this a few times a week at night after a friend told me his dermatologist recommended it as a good starter retinol, and it's been my go-to night cream for two years now. I really love how it absorbs into my skin, and how smooth my face feels after I use it." —Allie Takeda

Skin Type: Dry-combination

Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 25

"Neutrogena's Hydro Boost line is a go-to drugstore fave for lightweight moisture, and the added SPF lies perfectly under makeup with no white cast and no pilling. The gel absorbs quickly, and while I usually try to avoid scents, this one is light enough that it doesn't bother me." —Jennifer Freeman, Senior Editor, Word Daily

Skin Type: Combination, oily T-zone

Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream

"I’ve tried so many moisturizers over the years, and because my skin is so, so dry, I always end up having to reapply 20 minutes later. This is the first moisturizer I’ve used that keeps my skin hydrated for a long time without feeling thick and greasy. I love it so much!" —Kellie Stewart, Deputy Managing Editor, Optimism

Skin Type: Dry

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

"Drunk Elephant's Whipped Cream moisturizer is my go-to for dry weather, such as wintertime or dry climates. It’s a moisturizing powerhouse that still doesn’t upset my super-sensitive, breakout-prone skin." —Meg Neal, Senior Editor, History Facts

Skin Type: Acne-prone, sensitive

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

"My skin tends to get really dry in winter, and a lot of lightweight moisturizers still leave it dry and flaky. This one is made with colloidal oatmeal and is intensely hydrating, and I like that it's scentless and gentle enough for sensitive skin." —Peter Vanden Bos, Lead Editor, Daily Passport

Skin Type: Dry-combination

Etude House's SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream

"Basically any moisturizer I've tried before this one ended in a breakout, but not SoonJung's Barrier Cream. I love this moisturizer because it's calming and soothing. It made a very visible difference for my troubled skin type within a few days of introducing it into my routine. It is also heavily moisturizing without becoming too greasy or oily." —Sumayyah Uddin, Associate Editor, Optimism

Skin Type: Combination, sensitive, acne-prone

Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream

"Most moisturizers leave my skin feeling tight and dry by the afternoon. This is the first one I’ve found that really nourishes me all day long, and it seems to soften out my fine lines. Yet there’s no oiliness or greasiness — it just disappears into my skin immediately. I also really like that there’s no fragrance." —Bess Lovejoy, Senior Editor, Interesting Facts

Skin Type: Dry-combination, sensitive

Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream

"It feels so soothing and it actually works for my dry Colorado skin!" — Jordan Amchin, Managing Photo Editor, Optimism

Skin Type: Dry