Our Moisture Guide for Winter
We love all our moisturizers, but different skin has different needs – especially in different seasons. Find your match with our ultimate guide to moisture and hydration below, where we break down our hydrators and moisturizers from the lightest to the heaviest weight. You can dig in to find your perfect match based on where you fall in the spectrum of dry skin.
And here’s your answer to the age-old question, “Do I need an AM and a PM moisturizer?” Of course, you always want sun protection, but if that is a separate step from your moisturizer – you can use the same moisturizer twice a day. It’s all about preference. And know that it’s okay to use something rich in the morning and at night; these days, there is no such thing as too much glow. But if you are “old school,” you can certainly opt for a lighter AM option and a heavier PM option to support you through the night.
If you are oil-rich and / or dehydrated:
Vivant Totaloe Calming and Hydrating Gel ($52)
This is more of a hydrator than a moisturizer, but very oily skin may do okay with only Totaloe in the months in and around summer. Otherwise, it is a great option to layer underneath Allantoin in the other dryer months.
Face Reality Hydrabalance ($28)
This water-based hydrator is a great price point for someone looking for more hydration underneath their moisturizer or an acceptable moisturizer for young clients or clients with oily skin using benzoyl peroxide medicine.
Face Reality Daily SPF30 Lotion ($32)
A matte two-in-one option for lightweight moisturizer and SPF. This is for people who don’t prefer a greasy SPF finish. It will help balance oil levels but won’t add too much hydration to the skin, so if you are dry, you will want to layer a hydrator under or opt for a different daytime moisturizer option.
Vivant Day Treatment Lotion SPF15 ($52)
A great oil-free lightweight AM moisturizer with the added benefit of some sun protection. Day Treatment calms and hydrates irritated, acne-prone skin and is a really safe formula for those struggling with acne. It's great to layer over Totaloe or your normal PM moisturizer in the dryer months.
This affordable acne-safe moisturizer isn’t overly light or heavy – it’s a great midweight option. Also, the formula is free of pore-clogging ingredients to help you achieve clear skin.
Le Mieux Sheer Hydration ($38)
Le Mieux is an excellent line with fragrance- and filler-free products that are straightforward and approachable. If you find Dual Barrier Lotion too heavy, don't like the orange blossom aroma, or like to switch it up in the summer, this is for you. It pairs well with Le Mieux's Hyaluronic Serum underneath if you need a little more hydration boost.
If you are normal and / or acne-prone:
Vivant Allantoin Hydrating Lotion ($40)
We still haven’t recovered from the reformulation of Vivant’s original Allantoin several years ago. However, we do still stock Allantoin because we love the ingredients. If Dual Barrier Lotion is too much for you or you like the travel-friendly size and pump, try Allantoin. You can layer Totaloe, Hydrabalance, or Lavender Mask underneath if you need a little extra.
SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment($150)
If you are acne-prone but want a luxurious moisturizer – this is one of your options. While it feels light, it works overtime to balance your skin and strengthen your barrier. Its sleek pump application will never feel greasy on the skin but will replenish you from the outside. It is an excellent option for anyone with a budget.
ClearStem Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer ($56)
This formula is rich but still light and acne-safe. ClearStem is growing a cult following, and we have been eyeing their moisturizer for a while (and Kaila has used it for YEARS). You never outgrow acne, so if you want the anti-aging power of a night cream at an affordable price point – this is a great choice. You will love the natural scent that pomegranate and frankincense give this cream.
Dr. Esthe Dual Barrier Lotion ($60)
Our best-seller for a reason, Dual Barrier provides real and deep hydration. A little goes a long way so that you will get several months of product despite a medium price tag. The moisturizer has a slight orange blossom essential oil scent, but it is not an added fragrance.
Face Reality Cran-Peptide Cream ($27)
Here is your budget-friendly moisturizer that is heavier than Face Reality's Clearderma but still not heavy. A great choice for dry and acne-prone skin.
SuperGoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF40 ($44)
Get your glow on with this rich but still acne-safe moisturizer that also offers SPF protection. Supercreen protects against free radicals and has real titanium powder to give you that disco-ball look that we all want to see on your skin.
House of PLLA Promotor Repair Cell Moisturizer ($140)
If you have the budget and hate the winter, try this new Korean, medical-grade skincare moisturizer. It has peptides, growth factors, PLLA (natural fillers), and snail mucus to give you a moisturizer unlike anything you've tried. Despite its richness, it quickly soaks into the skin. Often expensive, designer nighcreams don't do a thing – but this one is worth the cost. And yes, it's acne-safe!
If you are normal to dry or just looking for anti-aging, healthy skin options:
Le Mieux Essence Moisturizer ($48)
We love all the moisture options from Le Mieux. This one might be your daytime moisturizer if you like Bio Cell or 24 Hour at night time. This is also great for sensitive, but normal to oily skin, as all Le Meiux’s products are filler- and fragrance-free. It’s also a great price for what you get!
Le Mieux Bio Cell Rejuvenating Cream ($48)
The perfect weight moisture for transforming your skin goals into healthy and anti-aging. This is just the ideal cream, and even though it may give night cream vibes – it's acceptable for twice a day. It's excellent for dry, oily, and rosacea-prone skin. And with all the ceramides, hydration, moisture, and peptides stuffed in – we think it's a steal at $48.
Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisture ($78)
If you love the smell of citrus and love an intensely hydrating moisturizer, this antioxidant-rich emollient moisturizer will be your match. We love it when moisturizer formulas have additional ingredients (like antioxidants) above the moisturizing ones.
House of PLLA Promotor Repair Cell Moisturizer ($140)
It’s an anti-aging formula with many key ingredients to support cell renewal and repair. If you are struggling with irritated skin, this is a must-try.
Le Mieux 24 Hour Age Defying Cream ($65)
You won't find a better or more affordable anti-aging night cream than this. If you looked up night cream in the dictionary, you would hope to see this. It's scent-free and loved by all. This is the cream of your dreams right here, folks.