These Moisturizers Give Skin That Lit-From-Within Glow (2024)

There’s the glow of newfound love, and of stepping out of a luxury spa. But if storybook romance and the Swiss Alps aren’t happening, the best moisturizer for glowing skin might serve you well. Infused with hydrating ingredients that make skin cells plump and juicy, these face moisturizers help your skin reflect light and lend a more luminous look. And, while they’re at it, they also nourish skin with active ingredients that tackle dullness, wrinkles, dark spots, and more.

To ensure that your face cream gives your skin the (literal) glow-up you’re after, we asked three board-certified dermatologists to share their go-to creams for dewy skin. We also asked Allure editors to share their picks—luckily, they would never gatekeep a glow. Ahead, find the best face creams for glowing skin of any type, in any season.

Our top picks:

• Best moisturizer for glowing skin overall: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer, $69
• Best tinted: Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50, $50
• Best for pores: Clarins Multi-Active Day Face Cream, $59
• Best for dullness: Laneige Radian-C Cream, $35
• Best for mature skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, $155
• Best for dry skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $39
• Best for oily skin: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $86

Frequently asked questions:

• How can I make my face look glowy?
• Ingredients to consider
• What to look for in the best moisturizer for glowing skin
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best moisturizer for glowing skin overall: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer

Why we love it: Bobbi Brown’s moisturizing primer plays well with makeup. As a base for foundation and concealer, it provides a smooth and silky canvas by flooding the skin with hyaluronic acid for instant hydration; it’s also infused with softening shea butter. While it can be used under a foundation, the cream also acts on its own to provide a radiant, plumped-up glow. The tint doesn’t just offer cosmetic results, mind you: It also lives up to its name by nourishing the skin with conditioning active ingredients, including vitamins B, C, and E. As an added perk—for those who like fragrance, at least—the cream has a light and peppy, grapefruit-and-geranium scent.

Tester feedback: “As you can see, I'm scraping the last bits of this moisturizer out of the bottle—that's how often I use this stuff,” says Talia Gutierrez, associate manager of special projects. “I'm not much of a foundation gal, so I rely on this vitamin-enriched moisturizer to hydrate my skin and add a touch of glowiness, without pilling when I add my concealer, contour, and cream blush on top.”

Key ingredients: vitamins B, C, and E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter| Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: those with dry, sagging, or wrinkled skin

Best tinted: Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50

Why we love it: SPF and vitamin C are a power couple for sun protection. When used together, SPF provides a physical barrier between the skin and UV rays, while vitamin C helps fight off any free radicals that manage to seep through. Both ingredients are in Iris & Romeo’s tinted SPF, which not only wards off sun damage (as if that’s not enough) but also gives the skin a dewy glow. Formulated with niacinamide to even out the skin tone and give pores a silky, blurred effect, the cream comes in three luminous shades: Universal Glow (sheer), Warm Glow (sheer gold), and Bronze Glow (sheer bronze.)

Tester feedback: “It may be called ‘weekend skin,’ but I use this beauty every single day. This moisturizer hydrates, provides impressive SPF 50 coverage, and leaves me with a natural radiance that’s glowy, not glittery,” says shopping director Shanna Shipin. “I have acne scars, flakiness, and fine lines; still, Weekend Skin leaves me looking airbrushed, well-rested, and, frankly, I'm flabbergasted at how it does all I need it to do so elegantly and effectively.”

Key ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide, non-nano mineral zinc oxide | Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: those with uneven texture, dull, or dry skin

Best for pores: Clarins Multi-Active Day Face Cream

Why we love it: Infused with organic strawberry tree fruit extract, which can regulate sebum production and tighten the pores, This Clarins day cream contributes to a glowy, silky skin texture. It also has niacinamide, which helps even out the skin tone, and an organic sea holly bio-extract designed to support the skin barrier. Once applied, the melty, powder-pink cream can keep the skin hydrated for 24 hours. Pro tip: The brand recommends applying it using a press-and-release motion. This will prevent pulling and tugging on the skin (never recommended, as that can contribute to wrinkles). The motion also helps those active ingredients sink in and get to work.

Tester feedback: “As someone with acne-prone skin, I need a moisturizer that really restores my complexion after cleansing with harsh chemicals,” says Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development. “The Clarins Multi-Active Day Face Cream is absolutely perfect for this, breathing vitality and hydration back into my skin almost instantly and lasting all day long. The niacinamide helps even dark spots and reduce the appearance of scarring, and the nutrient-rich formula really leaves my skin soft and glowing.”

Key ingredients: organic sea holly bio-extract, organic strawberry tree fruit extract, niacinamide | Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: those with enlarged pores, uneven skin texture, or sagging skin

Best for dullness: Laneige Radian-C Cream

Why we love it: Laneige’s overnight lip mask—a fruity, pillowy balm that floods lips with moisture while you sleep—has achieved cult status. (Allure readers will have heard more than once about our editors’ fondness for it.) Less hyped but no less effective, the K-beauty brand’s hypoallergenic cream turns up the brightness dial on dull skin. It uses vitamins C and E to even out dark spots and brighten the face, giving it that coveted, radiant glow. The product has a silky, quick-to-seep-in texture that makes it a solid choice as a makeup base, plus SPF protects the skin from UV damage. But, it’s not just for sunny days. This also works well as a night cream.

Tester feedback: “I aspire to have gleaming, bouncy skin without makeup—a feat that's only achieved with the help of this moisturizer,” says senior editor Jesa Marie Calor. “It quenches my thirsty skin and leaves behind a dewy radiance. After using it for two weeks, my skin looked healthier, as if I get more sleep than I actually do.”

Key ingredients: vitamins C and E, ascorbic acid| Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: those with dry and dull skin or dark spots

More moisturizers we love for glowing skin:

Best for mature skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Why we love it: Gather ‘round for a crash course in epidermal lipids: The natural fats, composed of cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides facilitate glowing skin by helping with moisture retention and protecting the skin from environmental aggressors. Over time, lipid production decreases, which leads to a dry, rough texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, billed as a lipid moisturizing cream, aims to restore the skin’s natural lipids using a ratio of 2% cholesterol, 4% ceramides, and 2% fatty acids. (In case you were curious about the “2:4:2” in the name.) “I like this for anyone with sensitive skin or very dry skin,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. “The formula is very hydrating, with a mix of ceramides, fatty acids, and natural cholesterol. The addition of Vitamin E also helps aid the skin in the natural restoration process.”

Editor's tip: When applying the cream, try warming it by pressing it gently onto the skin before using circular motions to rub it in. This will make the cream spread more easily and help the ingredients penetrate the skin.

Key ingredients: ceramides, natural cholesterol, fatty acids | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: those with mature, sensitive, or dry skin

Best for dry skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Why we love it: When below-zero temps and frosty winter winds kick in, this creamy salve is like a cozy coat for the skin. “Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream has been a favorite of mine for a long time,” says Dr. Hartman. “It’s lightweight when applied to the skin, it absorbs quickly, and the formula with squalane and pro ceramides replaces moisture loss, helps repair the skin barrier, and prevents water loss.” Another ingredient—and one that will appeal to adventurers—is glacial glycoprotein. Derived from glaciers in Antarctica, the compound can help skin retain moisture and prevent it from drying out in the face of frigid air.

Editor's tip: If any mountaineering treks are in your future—or if you just live in an especially cold climate—note that the formulation has been tested in extreme weather.

Key ingredients: squalane, glacial glycoprotein, pro-ceramides| Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: those with dry or dull skin

Best for oily skin: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Why we love it: “I absolutely love this oil-free gel cream for patients with oily or combination skin,” says Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey. “It’s one of my favorites not only because of its effectiveness but also because the consistency and lightweight formulation feel so good on the skin.” She adds that its mix of hydrating ingredients, including the “powerful humectant” hyaluronic acid, supports the product’s claims of delivering 100-hour hydration. According to the brand, the hydration lasts (and lasts) because of a combination of activated aloe water and caffeine, which helps the skin continually replenish itself with water. “The texture is lightweight, does not feel greasy, and delivers a beautiful glow,” Dr. Lolis says.

Editor's tip: The cream contains a special aloe bio-ferment, which helps with moisture absorption and retention, and two weights of hyaluronic acid. In short, it contains an army of ingredients ready to attack dryness.

Key ingredients: aloe, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: those with combination or oily skin

Best with SPF: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV Broad Spectrum 30

Why we love it: For starters, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer UV Broad Spectrum 30 contains silica, which absorbs excess oil and dries with a silky finish that gives the skin a blurred, velvety look. “I often recommend this to acne-prone patients,” Dr. Hartman says. Plus, the French pharmacy classic is bolstered with UV protection. “With SPF 30, it helps streamline your morning skin-care routine,” Dr. Hartman says. “It absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast and it’s unscented, which works well for patients with sensitive skin or for anyone who prefers a fragrance-free option.” Another key ingredient is thermal spring water, popular in French creams—and for good reason. That Parisian glow might just be due to the minerals and antioxidants that flow through France’s natural springs and infuse some of its most iconic products.

Editor's tip: How do you know if you’re using enough SPF? Try the two-finger technique: Squeeze the cream onto the lengths of your index and middle fingers, then use a circular motion to apply it to the neck and chest. And don’t forget to reapply! Even in the winter, it’s best to apply SPF every two hours.

Key ingredients: ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: those with sensitive or oily skin

Best K-beauty: Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Why we love it: Think of the super-lightweight cream as a tall, icy glass of lemonade—from your bathroom cabinet. “During the summer, The True Cream Aqua Bomb's consistency is a hydrating, lightweight dream come true," one tester previously reported. "The gel-like formula absorbs in seconds leaving skin feeling instantly refreshed." Also a staple in many an Allure editor’s warm-weather skin-care regimen, the Korean moisturizer doesn’t just cool the skin on contact. It also keeps inflammation at bay with tiger grass and oat kernel extract. And if cool-as-a-cucumber skin isn’t enough, consider the added perk of plump, bouncy skin, thanks to the glycerin and squalane.

Editor's tip: Gel moisturizers tend to suit oily skin particularly well because they have a lightweight texture that runs little risk of clogging pores.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide| Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: those with oily or combination skin

Best from the drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Why we love it: Neutrogena Hydro Boost, another gel moisturizer, “is a great drugstore pick,” says Dr. Lolis, who adds that it’s really good for those who could use a little oil control.“Since it’s a gel-based moisturizer, it’s light and nongreasy, so it doesn’t leave your skin looking overly shiny,” she says. “The product also contains hyaluronic acid, which deeply hydrates without clogging pores, and delivers an instant glow.” Hyaluronic acid, a common ingredient in glow-inducing creams, can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a superhero for plump, light-reflective skin. The formula is also noncomedogenic, oil-free, and won’t clog your pores.

Editor's tip: While some wonder whether an oily complexion even needs moisturizer, the answer is an emphatic, yes. Moisturizer helps the skin balance oil production, so it won’t produce too much.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, olive extract | Fragrance-free: no| Who it’s for: those with oily or combination skin

Best for dark spots: Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream

Why we love it: An Allure Best of Beauty Award-winner, Caudalie’s Premier Cru The Rich Cream is truly, well, la crème de rejuvenating face creams. It’s infused with patented TET8 technology designed to boost radiance and hydration, plump and firm the skin, and minimize the appearance of dark spots. (The ingredient targets eight signs of aging, which explains the name.) The glow factor is due to its intensely moisturizing ingredients, which include shea butter and bio-ceramides. Shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis—a Rich Cream loyalist—loves the stuff. “Within seconds of massaging, the white, creamy formula turns clear and there isn't any residue or greasiness in sight—just a glowy, plump finish,” she says.

Editor's tip: Notice the tiny grape logo on the refillable purple packaging? It’s a nod to Caudalie’s signature ingredient, Viniferine. The grapevine-derived compound regulates melanin production, so it can help diminish and prevent dark spots while evening out the skin tone.

Key ingredients: TET8, shea butter, bio-ceramides| Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: those with dull, dry, or mature skin

Best for eczema: Alpyn Beauty SuperPeptide & Ghostberry Barrier Repair Cream

Why we love it: If you’ve never heard of ghostberry, you’re not alone. It simply indicates that you haven't wildcrafted in the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. (May we all check that off the list someday.) Alpyn’s formulations combine those wild plant extracts with clinical ingredients. Here, soothing ghostberry and Tasmanian pepper mingle with a 5-ceramide complex and 14 peptides. The result? “This provides excellent skin protection and nourishment,” Dr. Lolis says. “This cream not only hydrates but also reinforces the skin's moisture barrier improving its ability to retain hydration. The natural botanical blend soothes irritation and inflammation making it ideal for maintaining a healthy, balanced complexion.”

Editor tip: The fragrance-free cream is gentle on sensitive skin and has been approved by the National Eczema Association.

Key ingredients: peptides, ghostberry, ceramides | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: those with dry skin or wrinkles

Best under makeup: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream

Why we love it: Legendary makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is known for that Hollywood glow—you know, the contoured, soft-focus, illuminated look embodied by so many of her clients. (She’s worked with Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, and many other perennially glowing celebs.) The cream aims to bottle the promise of camera-ready skin with plumping peptides, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and—if that doesn’t do it—a special “Cushion and Lift Mesh” technology that makes it an ultrasmooth makeup base. The rose-scented cream has the consistency of thick, whipped butter and feels luxurious when you spread it on. If you want to take the rarified experience up a notch, follow the brand’s advice and apply it with a face massage geared toward de-puffing and stimulating circulation.

Editor's tip: The aforementioned massage ritual: Use your fingers to swipe the cream onto a clean face. Using swift strokes, move upwards and out. This should boost circulation; if you start to look pink, you’ll know it’s working. To de-puff, tap your cheeks and your undereye area, then massage the cream into your forehead using a circular motion. Finally, use your fingers to sweep upwards under your cheekbones and jawline to add a touch of contouring.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamins C and E| Fragrance-free: no| Who it’s for: those with dull or dry skin

Frequently asked questions:

How can I make my face look glowy?

As with most topical regimens, the path to glowy skin starts with clean skin. “Wash your face morning and night to remove all debris and makeup,” says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. (This is your cue to make sure you have the right cleanser.) Once your face is clean, using a toner can help remove any last traces of dirt and debris and help the ingredients from serum and moisturizer sink in. Dr. Rabach advises using creams with active ingredients, which can help the skin glow by decongesting pores, boosting collagen and elastin production, hydrating, and exfoliating. (More on which specific ingredients, below.)

Dr. Lolis adds that “consistency is key,” in any skin-care routine. “Second, pairing the proper products together can enhance effects,” she says. “Moisturizers work best when paired with regular exfoliation and hydration serums, like hyaluronic acid, to lock in moisture and achieve that glowing, dewy look.”

If you want to supplement your home care with an in-office procedure, Dr. Rabach says treatments that resurface the skin, including microneedling, IPL (intense pulsed light), and chemical peels, can all make the face look, in a word, glowy. And, lest you need one more reminder to apply SPF religiously, let it be this: In addition to helping prevent skin cancer, sunscreen can protect the skin from glow-dulling signs of photoaging, including dark spots, dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Ingredients to consider

When selecting a cream to get you glowing, “Look for ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalene, and peptides,” says Dr. Lolis. “Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can brighten your skin and fight hyperpigmentation. However, because it is unstable it's crucial to look for stabilized forms such as ascorbic acid or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. It also has the potential to be irritating, so start slow with a lower concentration and work your way up.” For reference, Laneige’s Radian-C Cream contains 8.5% vitamin C, which is a comparatively low concentration. Generally, dermatologists recommend starting with about 5% if you have sensitive skin (10% is also okay to start for those with less sensitive skin) and working your way up to 20%.

And don’t forget exfoliating ingredients: “Alpha hydroxy acids gently exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells and revealing brighter skin,” Dr. Lolis says. “Lactic acid is gentler than glycolic, so if you have dry or sensitive skin, I would start off with lactic acid.” Dr. Rabach adds that retinol can level up a glow by exfoliating the skin, unclogging pores, and boosting collagen and elastin production.

What to look for in a moisturizer for glowing skin

Dr. Lolis says that buzzwords such as “hydrating,” “brightening,” “radiance-boosting,” and “dewy finish” are all signs that a cream has been designed to make skin glow. By contrast, products that are marketed as “mattifying” or “oil-control” are not the best options when the goal is glowing skin. There’s also consistency to consider. “As a rule of thumb for dry skin, look for rich cream-based moisturizers. For oily skin, lightweight gels and water-based moisturizers are preferred because they hydrate without adding excess shine and clogging pores,” says Dr. Lolis. “Normal skin types may want to use gel-based moisturizers because they balance hydration without being too heavy.”

Meet the experts

• Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
• Margarita Lolis, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey.
• Morgan Rabach, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical in New York City.

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who are preeminent in their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best moisturizers for glowing skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine or you may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the Allure Beauty Closet.

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