Finding the perfect moisturiser feels like searching for the Holy Grail itself; and sometimes just when you think you’ve finally found ‘the one’, your skin changes its mind. Why? Well, it’s imperative that you have a clear understanding of your skin type, your skin’s needs and your environment to get your moisturiser choice right.

Moisturisers are designed to work on the top layer of the skin and generally contain occlusives, aka moisturising agents that form a protective layer on the surface of your skin that prevent moisture loss. They’re also made up of humectants like hyaluronic acid that draw water from the lower levels of the skin up to the surface, emollients such as plant oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, and fatty acids that soften and leave skin feeling smooth, and finally ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide that help repair and maintain a health barrier function.

However, this is where the one size fits all approach should end as each skin type will need a targeted medley of the above and specific youth boosting actives to achieve your best complexion yet. Read on to discover our fab five…

Best for oily and acne prone skin

ZO Skin Health Renewal Crème
Light weight and formulated for oily and acne prone skin this super hydrator calms, soothes, and repairs. Plus, it contains skin cell sloughing and collagen and elastin boosting retinol. As well as powerful antioxidants vitamin c and coenzyme-Q10 that work to block and reverse sun damage, the skin’s biggest ager.

Best for dry skin

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
As the name suggests this moisturiser feels like whipped cream, but is more akin to a glass of water for your skin. It’s light – so can be won comfortably under make-up – yet bursting with protective ceramides and fatty acids, deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid, and a dose of potent youth boosting antioxidant vitamin C.  

Best for sensitive skin

Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
This face cream is a triple threat. Pact full of lipids the ingredient list ­– 2 per cent ceramides, 4 per cent cholesterol and 2 per cent fatty acids – will ensure your barrier remains strong which will stop accelerating ageing in its tracks. Plus, its clinically proven to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture while boosting firming and tightening too – all while being as gentle on sensitive skins as can be.
 

Best for normal skin

CeraVe Facial Moisturisng Cream with SPF
The sun is one of the skin’s biggest agers, so this already packs a mighty selfcare punch thanks to its broad-spectrum factor 25 protection. This is further bolstered by three naturally occurring ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to protect your barrier and thoroughly hydrate your skin for 24 hours so say CeraVe.

Best for combination skin

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
This is the sister to Clinique’s cult favourite the Dramatically Different Moisturiser, but it’s well on its way to being as iconic. The water-jelly texture is light and penetrates quickly which is great for the oilier areas of a combination complexion. Clean Shield Technology filters out skin agers like pollution, while sunflower seed, barley extract, cucumber fruit extract and hyaluronic acid acts as a natural moisture magnet for normal to oily skin, strengthens the skin’s barrier, and improves its resiliency.