You may have heard of water-based moisturizers but are not sure exactly what they are. To put it simply, water-based moisturizers contain water as the main ingredient, in which other water-attracting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, are included. The result is a lightweight hydration formula that thoroughly moisturizes dehydrated skin.
If you can’t wait to try out one, check out these 10 recommended water-based moisturizers in various forms such as cream and gel. They all work to replenish your skin and give it a natural dewy look on a daily basis.
Table of Contents
Why It’s Our Top Pick
Living up to its name, the L'Occitane Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Gel quenches dehydrated skin by providing immediate and day-long hydration. It’s suitable for dry, normal, and combination skin, working to give the skin a natural healthy glow.
Overview
One of its key ingredients is Reotier Water, which contains high calcium content and works to reinforce the skin’s hydration barrier in order to more effectively retain moisture. A bonus point is that it has a pleasant fragrance, as shared by several users. Overall, despite its priciness, it does an excellent job of recharging the skin.
Details
- Has high calcium content to help maintain the skin hydration barrier
- Non-oily formula
- Produced with Provence water with hyaluronic acid
Who is this for?
As this L’Occitane water-based moisturiser is suitable for combination skin, you’d be pleased to know that its ultra-hydrating ingredients leave glowing skin with moisture all day long.
Overview
The Neutrogena Combination Skin Moist is made of a lightweight, non-greasy formula that moisturises the skin without leaving it shiny or oily. One of its specialities lies in its clinically-proven oil-absorbing “microsponge” system that controls oil in the T-zone, or wherever the skin tends to be oily.
In addition, it’s oil-free, meaning that the formula gets absorbed into the skin quickly without clogging pores. Because of this, you can be assured that no breakouts will occur.
Details
- Clinically proven oil-absorbing Microsponge™ system
- Oil-free formula absorbs quickly and won't clog pores
- Skin radiance
Who is this for?
An affordable option for water-based moisturiser, rest assured that after applying the product, your skin will definitely feel and look softer, smoother, and healthier! It’s a great moisturiser for those with combination skin, be it oily, dry or sensitive.
Overview
The moisturiser is formulated with bamboo charcoal, which cleans dirt and debris on the skin, unclogs pores, and removes impurities and dead skin, resulting in skin that is smoother and more even-toned.
Another key ingredient is salicylic acid which is good for exfoliating the skin and reducing sebum secretion. Overall, it’s a great moisturiser for people with acne and blemishes.
Details
- Formulated with Bamboo Charcoal and Salicylic Acid
- Free from parabens and other chemical additives
- Non acnegenic and oil-free
Who is this for?
Oil-free moisturisers are great for oily skin as it doesn’t contain the extra oil that will complicate oily skin. The Origins Clear Improvement Oil-Free Moisturizer with Bamboo Charcoal is a highly sought-after oil-free moisturiser due to its ability to clear up your complexion.
Overview
The Cerave Moisturizing Cream is specially made for people with dry and ultra-dry skin. Built with Cerave’s patented technology that releases hydrating ingredients for 24-hour hydration, the moisturiser helps to restore and fortify the skin’s natural barrier, which is essential if you wish to cultivate healthy skin.
Furthermore, the cream includes hyaluronic acid, which is known for alleviating dry skin by trapping water and collagen in the skin, resulting in skin that appears dewier, plumper, and more hydrated.
Details
- Utilises patented MVE delivery technology to release a steady stream of moisturising ingredients
- Contains includes 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in the skin's moisture
- The nourishing treatment moisturises the skin for 48 hours
Who is this for?
The moisturiser can be applied to both the face and body and is perfect for dry and very dry skin in adults and children. In fact, several users have shared that the cream is good for eczema!
Overview
SomeByMi is a quality yet affordable Korean skincare brand that has been positively reviewed by many Youtubers. One of their moisturisers is the Somebymi AHA.BHA.PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream, is known to improve the overall appearance of skin due to its tea tree leaf ingredient.
Tea tree leaf extracts are praised for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why they are excellent for treating acne and reducing acne scars.
Details
- High-enriched 4 kinds of cica extract (Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, Asiaticocaid, Madecassoside)
- No artificial additives
- Contains tea tree leaf extracts for firming the skin barrier
Who is this for?
Those looking for a Korean option for moisturisers to kickstart their skincare routine can give this SomeByMi product a try. With all the natural ingredients in the formula, the moisturiser is well-received because of its calming effect that soothes the skin and reduces any redness, swelling, or inflammation.
Overview
The secret to moisturising oily skin is to ensure that you’re hydrating it without extra oil from skincare products. Due to its oil-free formula, the La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer is ideal for those with oily skin and acne. It’s a lightweight sebum-regulating moisturiser, with the ability to reduce the size of enlarged pores, prevent shine, and keep the skin feeling smooth.
Details
- Oil-free & non-comedogenic with a light matte finish
- Sebulyse technology provides dual action targeting by reducing shine and large pores
- Lightweight Sebum-regulating moisturiser
Who is this for?
This highly-rated moisturiser is not exactly the most affordable but is still reviewed by many to be a value buy, as it has the ability to keep acne and oily skin at bay. So if you’re struggling with oily skin and acne, this one’s the best choice for you!
Overview
Apart from just retaining moisture in the skin, the moisturiser also effectively controls excess sebum and oil on the skin. One of its main ingredients is Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, known to repair redness & sunburn-damaged skin. Another key ingredient is niacinamide, or vitamin B3, which has anti-ageing properties and helps to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
Details
- Has skin whitening function while hydrating your skin at the same time
- Free from Paraben, Sulfate and Alcohol
- Contains 17 types of natural plant extracts
Who is this for?
The Hansaegee Aqua Whitening Water-Based Moisturizer is highly recommended if your main concern is sensitive or irritated skin. This product is paraben-free, meaning that it doesn’t contain any preservatives to make the product last exceptionally longer. With that, the product is as natural as it gets.
Overview
Water-based tinted moisturisers offer the best of both worlds. They provide ultra-hydration along with a sheer base that’s easy to build makeup on. The Halo Healthy Glow All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 is one such tinted moisturiser, featuring ingredients such as rose extract, hyaluronic acid, goji berries, peptides, and various fruit extracts.
Apart from just offering hydration, this moisturiser contains SPF20 which is useful in protecting the skin against the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
Details
- The breathable, vegan & oil-free formula is boosted with 81% skin-caring ingredients
- Primer-powered for all-day wear & a healthy glow
- Gives natural-looking dewy coverage that hydrates skin for up to 24 hours
Who is this for?
To sum up, the Halo moisturiser provides antioxidant benefits, revitalising and hydrating the skin while giving it a smooth, radiant finish if you’re looking for the best water-based tinted moisturiser. Also, it’s a 3-in-1 primer, SPF, and tinted moisturiser.
Overview
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost increases skin cell production and repairs the skin barrier, helping it to better retain moisture. This results in smoother, firmer, and more flawless-looking skin complete with a healthy glow.
The moisturiser also gives your skin a cooling effect, as many users have commented on how their skin feels “minty” and fresh after application. It’s also suitable for oily skin, as many have praised how their skin doesn’t feel oily at all after use.
Details
- Contains patented cleansing technology combined with Hyaluronic Acid to cleanse effectively
- Lightweight gel formula
- Lathers away dirt, oil and make-up while quenching skin with a boost of vital hydration
Who is this for?
Another oil-free moisturiser, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is recommended for people with acne-prone skin. The hyaluronic acid content protects the skin’s barrier to help lock in hydration.
Overview
Delivering an impressive 174% instant moisture boost, the Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is a popular moisturiser, frequently reviewed by Youtubers. As stated in its title, it provides 100 hours of hydration, even after you have washed your face!
The secret behind its hydrating effect? An auto-replenishing complex to help the skin create its own internal water source to continuously hydrate itself. The gel also locks in all the skin’s natural moisture in order to achieve plump and dewy-looking skin.
Details
- Activated aloe water infused with aloe barbadensis leaf extract helps the skin absorb moisture more easily
- Contains aloe bio-ferment made of lactobacillus plumps skin for a smoother appearance
- The formula is expertly blended with two different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid
Who is this for?
The Clinique Moisture Surge gives a moisture-boosting facial treatment and is suitable for any skin type. Coming at a high price point, however, its oil and 100% fragrance-free formula helps enhance skin's moisture level & restore skin's balance. Overall, it’s highly praised for its excellent hydration.
Benefits of a water-based moisturizer:
Better hydration
Compared to their oil-based peers, water-based moisturizers help your skin lock in more moisture, since they provide hydration from within the skin as opposed to trapping moisture from the outside. This means that they work best with dry and dehydrated skin.
Doesn’t clog pores
Because water doesn’t stick to the skin as oil does, water-based moisturizers also prevent your pores from being clogged, which in turn, prevents breakouts and acne. Some water-based gel moisturizers are infused with antioxidants, which is especially beneficial for hydrating oily and acne-prone skin.
Gets absorbed easily
We won’t forget to mention that water-based moisturizers tend to be more lightweight, which means that they get quickly absorbed into the skin when applied. Many users have found it easier to apply makeup after using a water-based moisturizer, suggesting that these moisturizers work as a hydrating primer to plump the skin.
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