Between the whip lash of braving icy winds and retreating to heat-blasting apartments, nearly every skin type can start to feel off-balance. Ouch! Cue the best gentle moisturizers, an easy solution to calming down even the angriest of skin. Before swapping anything into your routine, though, it helps to understand what actually qualifies as a gentle formula.
Consider these simple formulas as a sort of path of least resistance to hydration. “A gentle moisturizer is one that hydrates and supports the skin barrier without common irritants. Its job is simple: replace lost moisture, reinforce the skin barrier, and calm the skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azideh Shirazi, MD, tells Vogue. “When a patient tells me that their skin feels comfortable and normal again, that’s exactly what I know a gentle moisturizer has worked.”
Vogue’s Favorite Gentle Moisturizers
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And even if winter weather isn’t part of your daily reality (we’re looking at you, southern Californians!) skin can still become reactive. An irritating product or excessive use of active ingredients can quickly push skin into a state of hypersensitivity. So how do you know when it’s time to switch gears? “A simple rule is if your skin burns, stings, flushes, flakes, or is breaking out while also irritated: use a gentle moisturizer until things calm down,” board-certified nurse practioner Tama Tran tells Vogue.
Below, shop 9 expert and editor-picked formulas, with options for every skin type and sensitivity level.
Best for Very Dry Skin: Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
- Why We Love It: SkinCeuticals’s formula relies on a balance of essential skin lipids to restore hydration cycles without a heavy feel. “It mimics the ratio of different hydrators in the skin, which is where the ‘2:4:2’ comes from,” Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology, previously told Vogue. That ratio speaks to a blend of 2% ceramides, 4% cholesterol, 2% fatty acids. “This is as close as a guaranteed drink for your skin when it’s super dehydrated.” That said, she advises warns that those with acne-prone skin might find this pick a bit too heavy due to the blend of natural oils.
- Key Ingredients: Pure ceramide, natural cholesterol, fatty acids
- Texture: Thick and rich
- Best For: Mature or very dry skin types
- Fragrance: Yes (naturally-derived from essential oils)
- Size: 48ml