Ranked by ingredients
Best Moisturizers
The 10 highest-scoring of the 157 moisturizers we scored, ranked on what is in the bottle rather than what is on it. Every score comes from the product's own ingredient list; no brand pays to be here.
- 1
CeraVe$12.49 · 237 mlCeraVe SA Smoothing Moisturising Lotion4 high-impact actives: Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide +1 more. Fragrance-free
Actives: Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
A92 - 2
COSRX$25.00 · 15.2 ozCOSRX Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream For Face & Body1 high-impact active: Phytosphingosine. Fragrance-free
Actives: Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine
A92 - 3
Dr. Jart+$26.99 · 50 mlDr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream2 high-impact actives: Phytosphingosine, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free
Actives: Phytosphingosine, Niacinamide
A92 - 4
Dr. Jart+$24.99 · 50 mlDr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream1 high-impact active: Niacinamide. Fragrance-free
Actives: Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid
A92 - 5
EltaMD$51.00EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer1 high-impact active: Niacinamide. Fragrance-free
Actives: Niacinamide, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
A92 - 6
First Aid Beauty$49.00First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Firming Night Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal + Niacinamide5 high-impact actives: Lactobacillus Ferment, Niacinamide, Brown Algae +2 more. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.7/5)
Actives: Lactobacillus Ferment, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal
A92 - 7
IT Cosmetics$49.00 · 2.0 ozIT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Barrier Boost Skin Barrier Repair Daily Moisturizer2 high-impact actives: Niacinamide, Ectoin. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.8/5)
Actives: Niacinamide, Ectoin, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phytic Acid
A92 - 8
La Roche-Posay$32.99 · 3.38 ozLa Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Soothing Therapeutic Multi Purpose Cream1 high-impact active: Titanium Dioxide. Loses points on safety: moderate comedogenic potential (avg 1.7/5)
Actives: Madecassoside, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide
A92 - 9
La Roche-Posay$14.99 · 40 mlLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Night Moisturizer7 distinct ingredient classes — well-rounded formula. Fragrance-free
Actives: Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Carnosine
A92 - 10
Philosophy$69.99Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Multi-Rejuvenating Cream SPF 303 high-impact actives: Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, Retinol. Loses points on safety: 2 moderate-irritation ingredients: Retinol, Vitamin C
Actives: Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, Retinol, Vitamin C
A92
147 more moisturizers are scored in the Formulate app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best moisturizer?
CeraVe SA Smoothing Moisturising Lotion by CeraVe scores highest of the 157 moisturizers Formulate has scored, at 92/100 (grade A). 4 high-impact actives: Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide +1 more. Fragrance-free.
How are these moisturizers ranked?
Each product is scored out of 100 on its formula: how well-researched its actives are, whether the label discloses their concentration, the research behind them, and how complete and well-built the formula is. Safety is checked separately — irritants, fragrance, EU-listed allergens, endocrine concerns and pore-clogging ingredients — and only costs points when it falls below 95. No brand pays to be listed.
Are these moisturizers fragrance-free?
133 of the 157 moisturizers scored contain no synthetic fragrance. 59 lost points on the safety check.
Best skincare by type
Educational only. Scores rate a product's formula, not how it will suit your skin. Patch-test new products, and see a dermatologist for persistent skin conditions. Some links are affiliate links; they never affect a score.