best buys
The best face moisturising creams 2022
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We’ve all grown up with the same beauty mantra to cleanse, tone and moisturise, but are you choosing the right moisturising cream for your skin's current needs?
Change in hormones, stress and lack of sleep, all of which mums and mums-to-be suffer from, can dramatically affect your skin.
Moisturisers are an essential part of your skincare routine and the foundation of healthy-looking skin, so it’s important to get your choice right.
A moisturiser works as a protective barrier and prevents the loss of water to your skin.
Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, you should be applying a daily facial cream every day.
If it contains sunscreen too, consider this an added bonus, but don’t rely solely on your moisturiser for sun protection.
Contrary to belief, it's possible to find a great moisturiser with an affordable price tag.
Here’s our top five favourites …
1. Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream, £11.62
Best for dry skin
Top dermatologists and skin experts have been raving about this brand since it launched in 1990. Avène is well-known for their uniquely composed Avène Thermal Spring Water, a powerful active ingredient that is naturally soothing and anti-irritating. Although this may sound a little hocus-pocus, their products deliver and quickly, too.
If your skin feels inflamed, irritated, itchy or quite simply needs some TLC, this paraben-free rich moisturising cream will calm, soothe and hydrate all-in-one.
It’s a great choice all year round as it works wonders on sunburnt as well as wind-parched skin.
This is one of the best gentle day creams we’ve tried. Plus, it has a very comforting creamy texture which adds to its appeal and a fresh scent that actually smells like it’s good for you. You can thank us later!
2. Weleda Skin Food, £5.74
Best all-rounder
With one being sold every 23 seconds, this multitasking thick cream has a cult following that includes everyone from Victoria Beckham to Julia Roberts. It’s an absolute godsend for really dry and sensitive skin and any areas that need some TLC.
Packed with plant extracts, such as chamomile and calendula to soothe and protect sensitive skin, it also works well on dry rough areas such as knees, feet or even patches of eczema. In fact, there’s nothing stopping you from slathering it on your whole body or even your baby’s sore bottom. You can even use it as a mask or mix it with your foundation (yes, really).
You may however find the consistency quite thick, so if you prefer a cream that requires less elbow grease, then choose the recently launched Light formula instead. It has all the moisturising and soothing benefits of the original but feels much lighter on your skin.
This little green tube should be a staple in every family bathroom cabinet. You’ll wonder how you coped without it before.
3. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion, £13
Best for sensitive skin
If you haven’t heard about this dermatologist favourite skincare brand, where have you been? Americans have been slathering this on their faces for years and we can confirm the hype is well-deserved.
This simple, no-frills moisturiser (no fragrance, no fancy texture) relies on ceramides and hyaluronic acid to target and banish dryness and keep the skin’s barrier healthy, happy and well-protected.
It’s suitable for all skin types, but particularly soothing on irritated skin as the thick texture feels cool to touch. It feels quite rich but surprisingly sinks into skin quickly with no greasy residue, which is vital if you put your makeup on seconds after your skincare. It can also double up as a night cream as it contains no SPF which can clog skin while you sleep.
Punching way above its price point, we predict you’ll be buying this moisturiser for years to come!
4. Nivea 24H Moisture Mattifying Day Cream, £4.19
Best for oily skin
Nivea has been giving us great skin for umpteen years and it’s still going strong on beauty products that do what they say do.
We particularly love their 24-hour moisture range, that intensely moisturises skin, but can be customised to your skin’s main issues. This mattifying formulation works wonders on combination and oily skins that are prone not only to breakouts but oiliness throughout the day. Think shiny T-zones and makeup that slides down your face by lunchtime. Sound familiar?
Swap your regular moisturiser for this oil-free fast-absorbing cream that will mop up excess oil, leaving you with a shine-reduced complexion that is also beautifully matte.
It’s easy-flip cap means you can even apply it one-handed while nursing or holding your baby, while the pleasant smell is an added plus.
5. Sanctuary Spa Protect & Illuminate Moisture Lotion SPF15, £15
Best for lacklustre skin
Healthy, radiant skin gives the impression you’ve had a good night’s sleep (although this couldn’t be further than the truth!) But you can cheat your way to brighter skin that shines (in all the right places) with this lightweight day cream, that's loaded with hydrating shea butter, skin radiance activator pink pomelo, vitamins A & E and has sun protection too.
It also has a clever skin blurring complex that gives the impression you’re wearing makeup and leaves skin with a soft-focus finish similar to that of a camera filter, banishing signs of fatigue instantly.
Although the handy packaging makes this great for travelling, we would love to see the cream in a bigger tube so it lasts longer and we get more for our money!
Top tips for buying day cream
Day creams are formulated differently to night creams, so don’t be tempted to use the same one for morning and evening. Instead look for ingredients that hydrate, illuminate and give skin a vitamin boost, such as hyaluronic acid, which is famed for its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, niacinamide which strengthens your skin barrier and antioxidants that will help protect your skin against free radical damage.
And go easy when applying your moisturiser, a two pence-sized amount should be enough for your entire face. Using too much can leave your face feeling greasy and potentially lead to breakouts. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Follow Tamara on Instagram @blusherandbabies.
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