
Will the best moisturiser please stand up? We found the best moisturisers and face creams for dry and sensitive to acne-prone and oily skin.
Still on the hunt for the best moisturiser for your skin type? No matter your age, looking for The One is no easy feat. But trust us, it’s totally worth it. Applying moisturiser is the most basic and essential item in your skincare routine (yes, even if you’ve got oily skin). It almost acts like a guard for blemishes, oil control, premature ageing and other nasties. Do want the aforementioned? If the answer is a big fat no, get to applying a great moisturiser, stat.
Whether you’ve got dull skin, a never-ending battle with fine lines or acne, or oily skin, we’ve covered all the bases in our guide to the best moisturisers in Singapore.
Best face moisturisers in Singapore: For dry to combination skin
Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream
This addition to Kiehl’s skincare range is great for everyday use. Its star ingredients of Manuka honey and Korean red ginseng root boost skin radiance and strengthen the skin barrier to reduce the appearance of fine lines. The non-greasy product works well in both dry and cold climates. Great for day or night use.
Perfect for: Accelerating cell renewal and reducing fine lines
Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream, $95 available at Kiehl’s stores islandwide.
Thann Rice Extract Moisturising Cream
We like the non-greasy formula that comes with this power-packed moisturiser. Why power-packed, you ask? Well, with a pool of nourishing ingredients like evening primrose, rice bran oil and shea butter, it doesn’t get any better than this. The star of the show, red rice extract, contains antioxidant benefits and enhances collagen production for healthy, supple skin. Brownie points for the relaxing floral scent.
Perfect for: Nourished, healthy skin
Thann Rice Extract Moisturising Cream, $60, available online
Best face moisturisers in Singapore: For oily to combination skin
Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel
Not a fan of your average cream? You might be better off with a gel formula. Aesop’s B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel has fans all over thanks to its high levels of vitamin C and swiftly absorbed formula. It’s sticky to the touch, so it’s best to warm this between your palms and work into cleansed and toned skin until it’s fully absorbed. Great for night use.
Perfect for: Protection in humid or polluted climates
Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel, $155, Available at all Aesop stores including Ngee Ann City and Ion Orchard.
Melano CC Brightening Gel
When it’s humid AF, all you want is a lightweight moisturiser loaded with hydrating ingredients to replenish your skin throughout the day. Melano CC’s Brightening Gel even contains vitamins? C and E that diminish dark spots and acne scars, as well as restore your skin.
Perfect for: Stubborn dark spots and acne scars
Melano CC Brightening Gel, $25.90, available at Guardian, Watsons, Shopee and Lazada
Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream
This one’s perfect for Singapore’s scorching heat – the lightweight formula features an air-wetting formula to draw moisture into skin and mini-hyaluronates to improve moisture retention. It also absorbs quickly and leaves skin non-sticky, and fresh. Great for day and night use.
Perfect for: Light hydration
Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream, $52, Available at Lazada, Sephora, Tangs and Zalora.
Marc Jacobs Youthquake Hydra-full Retexturising Gel Creme Moisturiser
This ultra creamy formula gives you an instant glow, clocks in hydration around the clock, preps your canvas for makeup and smells oh-so-good. After all, it’s known to be a multi-tasking marvel for deep hydration and retexturising results, and it’s filled with good stuff such as pineapple enzymes, sodium hyaluronate, and antioxidant-rich starfruit and dragon fruit extracts.
Perfect for: The ultimate hydration
Marc Jacobs Youthquake Hydra-full Rexturising Gel Creme Moisturiser, $78, available at Sephora
Best face moisturisers in Singapore: For dry skin
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Nighttime Miracle Moisturiser
Rough nights got your skin looking dull? Restore your skin’s natural glow with this new cream, inspired by the legendary Eight Hour Cream. Lightweight and lavender-scented, this overnight cream heaps on the moisture and even soothes sensitive skin. Aside from skin needs, the cream helps relax the senses. Evident from the name – great for night time use.
Perfect for: Tired and dry skin
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Nighttime Miracle Moisturiser, $57, available at all Elizabeth Arden counters, including Metro Paragon and Robinsons Raffles City.
Augustinus Bader The Cream
Behold, this award-winning celeb favourite with a patented technology that has been in the making for 30 years. Ace your anti-ageing skincare regime with Augustinus Bader’s The Cream. The miracle product protects the skin against signs of ageing, environmental stressors and free radicals. And the patented technology we mentioned? It’s TFC8, a compilation of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesised molecules naturally found in skin. It gives these ingredients a little nudge towards the right direction (aka skin cells) for repair and renewal.
Perfect for: Anti-ageing properties
Augustinus Bader The Cream, $123 for 15ml, available at Robinsons and Cult Beauty
La Mer Crème de la Mer
You know you’ve made it in life if La Mer’s creams are part of your daily routine. This crème de la crème of moisturisers contains ‘Miracle Broth’ – a secret ingredient with the power to transform skin – and its devoted fans swear by its ability to reduce wrinkles, pore visibility and improve firmness. Great for day and night use.
Perfect for: Wrinkles and fine lines
La Mer Crème de la Mer, from $490, available at various locations, including Metro Paragon and Tangs at Tangs Plaza.
Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-moisturising Lotion (with Birch Sap)
This heavy-duty moisturiser brings out the big guns when it comes to moisturising – so much so that our only gripe is that it takes a second to absorb into the skin and might delay your skincare routine a little. Our tip: use during the night for the ultimate overnight moisture boost. The birch sap and tea tree optimally enhances skin regeneration, improves skin tone and leaves your skin feeling refreshed.
Perfect for: Sensitive skin
Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-moisturising Lotion (with Birch Sap), $23.50, available at select Watsons outlets.
Best face moisturisers in Singapore: For oily skin
Clinique Anti-blemish Clearing Moisturiser
Best recommended for acne prone skin, this powerful medicated formula regularly wins rave reviews for its quick-acting ability to clear and prevent breakouts, keep oiliness at bay and soothe any redness. It’s also kept lightweight to minimise dryness and peeling. Great for morning and night use.
Perfect for: Blemishes and redness
Clinique Anti-blemish Clearing Moisturiser, $43, available at Clinique counters Sephora, Metro Centerpoint and BHG Bugis.
Tatcha The Water Cream
Packed with Japanese botanicals such as wild rose and leopard lily, this baby gives your tired skin a wake-up call, controls excess oil and increases skin turnover. Your oily and acne-prone skin will drink up this lightweight and hydrating formula in a jiffy. We admit that the 23-karat gold is super extra but hey, no complains if it provides a shine-free glow.
Perfect for: Hydration and oil control
Tatcha The Water Cream, $110, available online and at Sephora stores.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer
A hydrating moisturiser that’s perfect for day time use, this product absorbs well and doesn’t leave any greasy residue – you almost want to dip your entire face into the jar. No surprise that this moisturiser has high concentrations of hyaluronic acid. After religiously applying it for a good three months, the effects definitely shine with a less shiny t-zone, and dry spots. Great for day and night.
Perfect for: A non-greasy finish
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer, $96, available online and at Sephora stores.
Best face moisturisers in Singapore: For all skin types
Eve Lom Brightening Cream
Restore your skin’s brightness with this anti oxidising cream which blocks melanin production and correct hyperpigmentation. Its other star ingredients of plant-derived antioxidants and Rose Otto Oil help fight fine lines, dull skin and other signs of aging. Great for day and night use.
Perfect for: Uneven skin and pigmentation
Eve Lom Brightening Cream, $185, available online and at Escentials, Paragon Orchard and Tangs Beauty Hall.
Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Moisturiser
The hype around this legendary moisturiser is real. The lightweight and whipped formula delivers long-lasting hydration and skin renewal, thanks to a holy trifecta of alpha hydroxy acids, three forms of hyaluronate plus fruit extracts. Great for night use.
Perfect for: Large pores and dull skin
Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar moisturiser, $64, available at Sephora stores islandwide.