Moisturising is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the skincare routine. If you have dry skin, moisturising helps to soothe and smooth skin, while oily-skinned people need moisturiser to stop their skin overcompensating with oil.
My (potentially unpopular) skincare opinion is that people spend far too much money on their moisturiser, compared to other products. Moisturiser is a crucial aspect of the skincare routine and because of that I think some people think that they really need to splash out for it, but the reality is that, as long as the ingredients within are good, the price doesn’t matter. Most expensive skincare products have wildly inflated prices, so it’s very unlikely you actually need to spend more than £30 on a product.
But finding out what these good moisturisers are is a bit tricky and you’d be forgiven for thinking that more expensive equalled better quality. To offer a bit of help, I’m sharing some of my favourite moisturisers here and the pros and cons for each!
So, without further ado, here are my fave moisturisers! Prices shown are accurate as of time of writing, August 2020.
Patchology Aquaflash
£30 for 50ml
I’ve written about this before and I’ll write about it forever. This is hands down my fave moisturiser I’ve tried that is “affordable”.
I have combination skin, so need a good hydrating moisturiser, but also the oiliness of my skin leaves me looking quite greasy and shiny whenever I wear a thicker, cream-based moisturiser. The Patchology moisturiser is water-based, making it super light and refreshing.
It is packed with hyaluronic acid, making it intensely moisturising and smoothing. The Neem Tree extract offers antioxidants and the Aloe Vera is soothing and helps to repair the skin.
Personally, I also really like the texture, scent and colour (blue!) of this product and it is my go-to for daily use. Using this, my skin feels clean and refreshed and looks clearer and smoother.
Essano Superfoods Kale Regenerating Night Creme
$24 for 50g
One of the most nourishing night creams I’ve tried, this natural product is made from kale, carrot and rocket. It is organic and cruelty free, as well as having no parabens, GMOs or phthalates.
It’s a pretty thick cream, so it’s definitely one to put on at night. When I wake up in the morning after using this, my skin is super soft and feels hydrated.
The Essano superfoods range also includes a daily moisturiser, which has worked well for me too.
Wake Skincare Face Cream
£19 for 50ml
As a full disclosure, this product was previously gifted to me, but I have continued to use it long beyond the initial review period because I like what it does.
It contains stearic acid, which helps to hydrate and soften, as well as Vitamins A and E, hyaluronic acid and shea butter.
It makes my skin really smooth and clear and has been especially good at reducing the appearance of my milia.
While it can be used both day and night, it is pretty thick. I choose to use this as a night cream, especially during the winter months when my skin can handle a thicker cream.
Avant Pro-Intense Hyaluronic Acid Illuminating Day Cream
£98 for 50ml ?
I know I said I didn’t rate expensive moisturisers, but this one came in a beauty box and it is fantastic. Retailing at £98 (!!) for 50ml, it is far more expensive than anything I’d buy myself.
It works wonders on my skin with hyaluronic acid, marisaqua, jojoba oil, lecithin and avocado. It smells great, it’s light and absorbs really quickly. My skin is incredibly soft and smooth after using this and I do love it a lot!
The Avant Pro-Intense really is an incredible moisturiser, and if it was like £40 or less I would buy it regularly and make it my daily moisturiser. However, I really cannot say that anything is worth £98! The effects I get from this versus my Patchology moisturiser are not drastically different enough to justify the expense. There also doesn’t appear to be anything in the ingredients that does, but I’m not an expert on that.
Maybe one day if I win the lottery though!
Estee Lauder DayWear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant 24H-Moisture Creme SPF 15
£45 for 50ml
Another one a little too out of my price range to buy normally, I received this moisturiser in an Estee Lauder gift set.
It is a good cream for smoothing skin and getting a good glow, but I think it’s a bit thick for me to use day-to-day, especially in the summer months, as it leaves my oily skin quite greasy and shiny looking. I’m sure it would be perfect for less oily skin types though.
While the product contains SPF, I am always wary of this. SPF in moisturiser is rarely strong enough to give good sun protection and I feel people may be under the false impression that they don’t need a dedicated SPF product as well and will just rely on this. In the summer I wouldn’t be able to wear this, plus a sun cream and foundation without my skin massively breaking out.
I save this one for the winter nights, when I need extra moisturisation and don’t have to show how shiny my face is when I put it on!
Natura Estonica Bio Iceland Moss Oil Control Matt Face Cream
£4.25 for 50ml
This is a great bargain product – one I picked up very cheaply in TK Maxx ( a great place to find affordable skincare). It includes Iceland moss, which reduces inflammation and bio clary sage, which reduces oiliness and smooths the skin.
It’s fairly light for a cream and I think it smells faintly like marzipan. It is created with sensitive and combination skin in mind, and it has certainly helped to soothe and balance my skin.
The Matt Face Cream absorbs fairly quickly but retains a slightly tacky feel for a while after application. It does provide a mattifying effect, but remains hydrating.
Pixi pHenomenal Gel
£24 for 50ml
As the name may suggest, the pHenomenal Gel helps to balance the pH of your skin. Each skincare product we use changes the pH of our skin. Using this to rebalance has been helpful on days when I’ve used things like exfoliator or vitamin C.
It also includes horse chestnut, which soothes skin; aloe vera, which hydrates; and ginseng and witch hazel, which both balance the complexion. This combination of ingredients and the pH balancing aspect makes this the product I reach for when I’ve had a bit of a heavy skincare day or I’ve reacted to something and my skin is left a bit red.
While this product is £24 alone, I did get this in a set from Boots for £30 which included the Glow Tonic and Cleansing Gel as well, which was a really good deal considering each product is around £20.
Polaar Nuit Polaire
£38 for 50ml
Another firm favourite of mine, the Polaar night cream uses boreal algae to stimulate skin cell regeneration and remove impurities and toxins. This leaves you with a fresh and smooth face come morning.
Everytime I use this, my skin feels incredible in the morning – so smooth and clear! As with many of my skincare faves, I also think it has a really nice scent – this one in particular adds to the soothing qualities.
It’s a fairly thick cream, but it absorbs into the skin very quickly so you won’t have to wait around ages for it to sink in before bedtime.
Polaar Ice Source
£28 for 50ml
I have another from Polaar in my collection as I love the brand so much! This moisturiser is in gel format and is made with glacier water, so it is much lighter and instantly makes skin feel hydrated.
Of the two, I do prefer the Nuit Polaire cream. But this is a close second, and is perfect for the daytime and summertime when you want a lighter moisturiser.
Have you tried any of these or do you have any recommendations for moisturisers for combination skin? If so, please drop me a comment below!
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