The Best Moisturizers For the Summer-to-Fall Transition, According to Editors
Moisturizer is a key step in your skincare routine — whether you are dry, oily, combination, or sensitive, you should be using one. Unsure how to choose the perfect formula? We're here to help. At POPSUGAR, we're constantly trying the latest and greatest skincare products hitting the market, so we asked our editors to dish their all-time favorites. Keep reading to find out which ones made the cut.
Tatcha The Water Cream 
Skin Types: dry, combination
"I recently started using Tatcha's The Water Cream ($68), and wow — it's the answer to my dry-skin woes. Water bursts onto your skin as you apply, so you feel hydrated all day long. Plus, the gorgeous packaging makes it feel so luxurious. I know it will especially come in handy during the cold months." — Macy Williams, assistant editor, Shop
"I swear by Tatcha's The Water Cream ($68) for my combination skin. It keeps it moisturized without completely breaking me out, so it's a super-rare find for me. I just ran out and am so sad. It's 100 percent worth the money." — Murphy Moroney, assistant editor, Moms
Tatcha's The Water Cream $68 from sephora.com Buy Now First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum 
Skin Type: dry, sensitive
"I added the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum ($36) to my regimen a few month ago, and it's absolutely improved my skin's texture. With semidry, sensitive skin, I've always leaned on slightly heavier moisturizers, but I've loved the combination of this serum's silky formula plus the brand's lightweight Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer ($24)." — Laura Meyers, senior editor, Trending and Viral Features
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum $36 from sephora.com Buy Now Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer $24 from sephora.com Buy Now Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream 
Skin Type: combination, sensitive
"My skin is a little persnickety — it can never decide if it wants to flake, slick, or have a fit when I introduce a new product to my routine. But the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream ($68) is different: not only is the packaging genius (you just press down like you would a Pez dispenser to get the just-right amount of product), but it also manages to be hydrating and efficacious, without breaking me out. Win-win." — Kelsey Castañon, senior editor, Beauty
"I live for Drunk Elephant's Protini Polypeptide Cream ($68). I use it every morning under my makeup because it creates the smoothest base. Ever since I started using it, I've noticed my dry patches disappearing and how much better my makeup goes on. People have even commented on how great my skin has started looking since using it. Honestly, all of the Drunk Elephant products are amazing, but the Protini Cream is definitely something I can't live without. It's light enough to wear all day without clogging my pores or making me oily." — Amanda McKelvey, social media strategist
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream $68 from sephora.com Buy Now Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Cream 
Skin Type: combination, sensitive
"I have pretty sensitive skin; almost every single moisturizer I've ever tried either clogs my pores or breaks me out, and I can tell instantly. That is why I swear by the Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Cream ($30). The texture is thick but feels lightweight on your face. When the cold weather comes and I get dry patches, this is the only moisturizer I've ever found that hydrates without irritating or feeling too heavy. I cannot recommend this enough." — India Yaffe, editorial assistant, Shop
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Cream $30 from sephora.com Buy Now SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 
Skin Type: combination, sensitive
"I had a facialist explain that my skin as oily has a very dry layer on top that tends to trap the oil underneath, thereby causing breakouts even late in life. As a result, I swear by SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 ($128). It's neither too heavy nor too light, and it works no matter the season — not something I can say about any other moisturizers I've tried. It sinks in and restores my flaky skin while leaving no obvious slick residue. This brand also refrains from utilizing intense fragrances, which tend to exacerbate my sensitive skin." — Cynthia Puleo, copy editor
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 $128 from dermstore.com Buy Now Red Earth Deep Dive Water Cream 
Skin Type: combination
"Anyone with combo skin needs this Red Earth Deep Dive Water Cream ($25), STAT. I always struggled when it came to finding the right moisturizer for my skin, simply because I suffer from both oily spots and rough eczema on my face. After trying an endless amount of products, I stumbled upon this one and thought I'd give it a try since gel moisturizers are often the best for me. After a few days, I noticed that my dry spots would no longer flake throughout the day, and I also realized that my skin wasn't getting as shiny as usual. If you, too, have combination skin, I would definitely give this one a try because I don't think I've ever been this impressed with a moisturizing product. Plus, the consistency is super lightweight, really jelly-like, and dissolves into a water consistency like magic when applied onto the face. Totally a 10/10." — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, assistant beauty editor, Makeup.com
Red Earth Deep Dive Water Cream $25 from urbanoutfitters.com Buy Now Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer 
Skin Type: combination
"I keep coming back to the Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer ($25). It goes on smoothly, hydrates, and is just the right consistency to be worn underneath my makeup." — Lauren Hendrickson, director, Editorial Product Management
Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer $25 from sephora.com Buy Now Caudalie Vinosource Mattifying Moisturizer 
Skin Type: oily
"I have oily skin, and this Caudalie Vinosource Mattifying Moisturizer ($39) has changed my life. It's lightweight but moisturizing; it also works well in the Winter and doesn't dry out my skin." — Zarreen Siddiqui, audience development manager
Caudalie Vinosource Mattifying Moisturizer $39 from sephora.com Buy Now Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Night Cream 
Skin Type: combination
"I've recently been introduced to Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Night Cream ($145), and RIP all my other night creams. More reminiscent of a gel than a cream, it's like the 2018 version of the Mary Kay goop my mom used to slather on her face every night (though full disclosure, I do have a tube of that in my bathroom cabinet as well). If the price tag is too much to stomach, dip your toe in with the $51 travel size. It's so worth the soft, plump skin you'll wake up with." — Maggie Panos, editor, Voices
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Night Cream $145 from shop.nordstrom.com Buy Now Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Crème 
Skin Type: dry
"I'm super into Herbivore's Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Crème ($48) right now. It's rich and ultramoisturizing, but it melts right into my skin without leaving any greasy residue. And the rosewater scent is lovely. (My dog agrees — his new mission is trying to lick it off my face.) I have normal skin but work out and wash my face a lot, so my face tends to be dry — especially at night." — Lindsay Miller, director, News and Culture
Herbivore's Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Crème $48 from sephora.com Buy Now Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum 
Skin Type: combination
"I used a drugstore moisturizer for years until it sadly got discontinued and left me scared in a new world of moisturizers I didn't understand. Reviews on Sephora's site turned me on to this Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ($52), and now I'm never going back. I was turned onto it because I have combination skin that has always taken better to water-like textures over thick creams. This gel is just that. It is super hydrating and makes my face feel fresher than ever every time I use it, but its lightweight texture doesn't feel too heavy. Since using it, my overall skin and breakouts have cleared up so much too." — Krista Jones, assistant editor, Shop
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum $52 from sephora.com Buy Now Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream SPF 30 
Skin Type: combination, oily
"I am obsessed with Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream SPF 30 ($22). I have been using it for years on my combo (borderline oily) skin. I love that it has SPF 30 but is somehow really lightweight and not greasy. I really want to switch to an all-natural moisturizer, but every time I try to make a change, my skin misses No7. I swear it helps with the elasticity and I'm going to assume lines, because I probably should have more by now." — Sabrina Eldredge, VP, Product
Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream SPF 30 $22 from amazon.com Buy Now Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer 
Skin Type: combination
"I use the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer ($40) after much experimenting. My skin type is combination — oily with odd dry patches — and the hyaluronic acid in this moisturizer does wonders for me. My skin feels soft and bouncy but not overly oily, and the rose extracts smell wonderful. Despite how light it is, I can literally feel it working on my skin to soothe and hydrate. I've never loved a moisturizer more." — Rachel Crowley, senior copy editor
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer $40 from sephora.com Buy Now Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb 
Skin Type: combination
"My all-time, never-fails-me moisturizer is Belief's The True Cream Aqua Bomb ($38). It was recommended to me by one of Sephora's makeup artists when I told her my woes about my weird combination skin — dry T-zone and oily cheeks — and she immediately handed me this glorious product. I haven't used anything as hydrating or cooling since. If I could, I'd marry it because no man can ever fix as many of my problems as this has." — Charisandra Perez, assistant social and partnerships coordinator
Belief's The True Cream Aqua Bomb $38 from sephora.com Buy Now
