The 18 best moisturizers in India for all types of skin

No matter what type of skin you have, if there is one thing no one can escape from, is from the need to have clean, moisturized skin. Of course, not everyone will wear the exact same moisturizer, because no two skins are the same, but there is definitely a wide range of options to choose from. Since each skin is different, we’re here to break down on some of the best moisturizers in India for sensitive, dry, and oily skin, and afterward, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions on skincare.  

Best Moisturizers in India

Many people skip on skincare and think their life won’t get better when they moisturize and take care of their skin. Clearly, those people have not tried actually taking care of it, and don’t know how awesome it could be. Avoiding wrinkles, acne, dull skin, dark spots, and many other issues that no one wants in their skin could be just as easy as following simple steps like, of course, moisturizing your skin. It is not the cure for all evils, but at least is a cure for many skin issues, which is nearly close to that.

Moisturizers for Dry Skin

When you have dry skin, dullness, dark spots, discoloration, and even wrinkles are a constant issue on your skin. Besides, the feeling of tight, uncomfortable skin is always there, and you don’t have any idea how to solve that. Luckily for you, we actually have the answer for that, and as you might imagine, the answer is MOISTURIZER. One of the most important parts of skincare, and there is no surprise since moisturizers are the 8-glasses-of-water for our skin. So, let’s check the best moisturizers for dry skin. 

Jeju Cherry Blossom Jelly Cream, by Innisfree 

We’ll kick off this list with a  jelly-like textured cream that feels light and cool, and that will take you to heaven when applied to your skin. It contains Cherry Blossom Extract, right from Jeju Island. 

You might have never heard of this component, and it is not as common as you’d think, but the truth is that it is a skin-repairing, antioxidant-rich extract that not only helps moisturize your skin, but it does that while reducing inflammation and giving a bright touch to your skin.

 It absorbs quite well and doesn’t feel like clogging your pores, so it is one of your best options when looking for a gentle moisturizer. 

Skin Science Vitamin C Face Cream, by WOW

Back when we were kids, our parents were obsessed with us having vitamines and all kinds of stuff to grow healthy. Now we know that vitamins are an important part of us and that they actually did us greatly by forcing us to have vitamins. Our skin needs those vitamins, especially Vitamin C, and luckily, WOW has thought of this and created the perfect moisturizer for you. Enriched with argan, jojoba, almond oil, and, obviously, Vitamin C, this light moisturizer will hydrate your skin and give it a healthy look with no much effort.

Ultra Facial Cream, by Kiehl’s

This one is especially great for people with dry, acne-prone skin since it is capable of removing scars and blemishes while it profoundly moisturizes the skin. It is a lightweight cream that offers up to 24 hours of hydration and nourishment and gives the skin a whole radiant, healthy look. With the help of avocado oil, squalane, and salicylic acid, this cream is perfect for those people who have thick skin and struggle with acne, it helps to remove all imperfections without clogging your pores.

Nuskay Illuminating Face Elixir

If you’re looking for an extra-lightweight product that is easily absorbed by the skin and makes your face look like a silk blanket, you should definitely try Nuskay’s Illuminating Face Elixir. It helps your skin look naturally radiant and glowy, while it deeply hydrates each pore without clogging it or making your skin feel too tight. 

It contains rosehip oil and carrot seeds, that work along a mixture of essential oils like Frankincense and Geranium to give a rejuvenating look and reduce wrinkles and imperfections masterfully. It is definitely one of the best options for more mature skin that needs more caring and moisture than other skins. 

Glow Iridescent Brightening Moisturising Cream, by Myglamm

This exquisite, soft cream is perfect for moisturizing, nourishing, and giving dry skin a glowy, healthy look. This moisturizer has a hydro crystal complex system that gives your skin an iridescent, magical glow you’ll definitely love. 

Besides, we must not skip the fact that it has excellent hydrating properties that, with the help of rosehip oil, give your skin all the vitamins and antioxidants it needs and maintains it healthy. It is one of your best options to wear under makeup and your skin doesn’t get too tight or too greasy as the hours pass. With anti-wrinkle properties, this cream is definitely one to become your favorite soon.

Eladi Hydrating Ayurvedic Face Cream, by Kama Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic world certainly has plenty of moisturizers of high quality to offer, and as proof of this statement, we present Eladi Hydrating Ayurvedic Face Cream, by Kama Ayurveda. This is a delicious, soft, ayurvedic cream that contains rose and jasmine flowers. 

These flowers work along with coconut milk, sesame oil, cardamom, and aloe vera, to give your skin a beautiful, healthy look while it nurtures it profoundly and prevents imperfections like acne, blemishes, and scars, and it protects against harmful UV rays. 

It has a soothing effect on the skin and it is light enough to stay on your skin for hours and not getting it too tight or greasy, just perfect for purifying your skin and maintain it hydrated and soft. Definitely, one of the best ayurvedic products for dry skin. 

Best moisturizers for oily skin

One of the biggest myths you could ever hear in terms of skincare is that oily skin should -and can’t- be moisturized. This is all lies. ALL types of skin should and need to be moisturized, in order to get the healthy, glowy, and beautiful look you want. You might have thought that moisturizing was a big no for people with oily skin because it would get all greasy and clogged, but you should know that there are plenty of creams that are specifically made for your type of skin and that this whole no-skincare thing is just a myth. So, with no further introduction, let’s have a look at the best moisturizers for oily skin. 

Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer, by Plum

Plum is not only an expert in organic things, but it is also an expert in organic things that are perfect for oily skins. Better yet, this all-vegan organic moisturizer is one of the most excellent choices when it comes to oily skin. It has an effective action against acne and it is extremely lightweight. 

One of the best things you could get when you have oily skin, which is actually really acne-prone by nature, is a non-greasy moisturizer that helps to maintain your skin hydrated while it gives it a non-shiny look that most oily skins will thank for. With its paraben-free, silicone-free, and non-comedogenic formula, this moisturizer is perfect for daily use and can even be used under makeup.

Super Light Gel Moisturiser, by Pond’s

Pond’s is one of the most well-known brands in the beauty industry, and there is no surprise in this: they have the perfect cream for each type of skin and all of their products are lightweight and soft. 

This divine gel contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which give the skin a glowy, yet non-greasy appearance, and it’s fast-absorbing, so it doesn’t get sticky at any point. 

It provides moisturizing and hydration for up to 24 hours and it is definitely perfect for daily use. As with most of Pond’s products, it comes in handy packaging that makes it travel-friendly, so you won’t have to quit having beautiful skin, even on your vacations. 

Morning Nectar Flawless Skin Lotion for All Skin Types, by Biotique

Even though this one is suitable for all types of skin, oily skins will see this lotion make wonders in just a few uses. This ayurvedic lotion finds the perfect balance between hydration and restoration of the skin. 

It is perfect for oily and mixed skins since it helps to nourish and hydrate your skin, and its paraben-free, all-natural formula is soothing and really lightweight. Morning Nectar Flawless Skin Lotion might just be the perfect one for you, since its combination of wheat, seaweed, honey, and aloe vera create a delicious and soft lotion that does not clog your pores or lets your skin feel too tight. 

9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aquagel, by Lakme

Have we told you how great is Aloe Vera for skin? If we haven’t, let us say it: Aloe Vera is THE greatest thing for your skin. This natural gel will protect your skin from all the damages and dirt it could get from a busy day in the streets, while it soothes, hydrates and cools down your skin.

It is lightweight, as many more on this list, and it has a non-sticky formula that allows your skin to look bright and glowy without feeling greasy and uncomfortable. It is definitely an excellent choice when you have to face hot, humid weather and gives you the freshness needed to maintain your skin looking healthy and hydrated.  

Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, by Neutrogena

When you have to go out every day and face pollution, and even sun rays, you should be prepared. This Neutrogena Moisturizer might be your best weapon to face anything that might come across your way. Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer contains SPF 15, which is fair enough for moderate sun exposure.

So, keeping your skin protected while it still gets hydrated and nourished is a big bonus of this cream. As you would expect for an oil-free moisturizer, it is really lightweight and not greasy, so it doesn’t clog your pores and makes you feel fresh and cool. It is dermatologically proved as non-comedogenic and offers complete moisturizing for up to 12 hours. 

Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, by Clinique

Clinique is another well-known brand that specializes in lightweight products that are dermatologically approved and will definitely do wonders for your skin. On this occasion, we present the Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, which relies on the magnificent Aloe Vera, along with Hyaluronic Acid and other humectants, to hydrate your skin and keep it soft, without getting too heavy or greasy.

It feels like water when applied to your skin, and it works by allowing your skin to replenish and keep rehydrating itself by just moisturizing with its own internal water, which keeps it plumped and dewy for up to 72 hours straight. This moisturizer is excellent in strengthening and repairing your skin while keeping all of the pollutants from the environment away. 

Moisturizers for sensitive skin

Now, we get to that one type of skin that needs the most attention. If you often get burns, blemishes, irritations, allergies, and many other problems in your skin, then you know sensitive skin isn’t one to play around with. Since it is sensitive (obvious, isn’t it?), there is a smaller range of products you could use without getting any kind of undesirable reactions. However, this doesn’t mean that there is absolutely none for you. So, let’s check out some of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin.

Moisturizing Skin Cream, by Vanicream

When you have sensitive skin, you know that you need a gentle cream, and this surely meets the criteria for what we’d call “gentle”. When choosing a moisturizer for sensitive skin, it is easier to look at what cream shouldn’t contain: dyes, parabens, artificial fragrances, lanolin, formaldehyde, and other acids.

Luckily, Vanicream’s Moisturizing Skin Cream contains ceramides, that help to hydrate and take care of the skin. It is really lightweight and contains none of the big-nopes for sensitive skin, so it might be an excellent choice for maintaining your skin moisturized and healthy. 

Skin Calming Cream, by Eucerin

If your biggest struggle with sensitive skin is itchiness, this is the perfect moisturizer for you. Eucerin is one of the greatest brands when it comes to sensitive-skin products, and this is just one of many of them. This moisturizer contains colloidal oatmeal, which is widely used for relieving eczemas.  

It is free of common irritants, like dyes or artificial fragrances, and it is really lightweight. If you’re not struggling with a condition way too severe, you might want to apply it over the night, since it might be a little too heavy for your day-to-day. 

PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, by CeraVe

You might have noticed that ceramides are excellent when you have sensitive skin, and the truth is that CeraVe takes this seriously: all of their lotions and products contain ceramides developed with lipids -or as we call them, fats-. 

So, this night-time lotion is not the exception, and it also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump your skin, and niacinamide, known for calming inflammations. This non-comedogenic lotion is fragrance-free and it’s extremely gentle. You can also find the day-time version of this cream, which has SPF, but we actually prefer this one to act all night and wake you up all hydrated and plumped. 

Ultra Repair Cream, by First Aid Beauty

The most difficult, sensitive skins, will find in Ultra Repair Cream, by First Aid Beauty, their perfect ally. This moisturizer is extremely gentle, and it will work wonderfully on skins that have eczema and psoriasis, reducing considerably the flaking associated with these conditions.

It contains moisturizing and soothing elements like ceramides -we told you these ones were important-, oatmeal extract, squalane, shea butter, and feverfew, which is a medicinal plant. It is perfect for soothing irritated skin and it doesn’t get greasy or heavy. 

Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream, by Aveeno

Another night-time cream that will make you feel like you’re flying to heaven, is Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream, by Aveeno. This moisturizer is oil-free and has no artificial fragrances or dyeings. 

It also contains ceramides, as well as feverfew and oat kernel flour, ingredients that all blend in together to calm inflammation on your skin. This non-comedogenic cream might be perfect for your night-time skincare routines and will repair your skin just while you sleep, allowing you to have a calming, relaxing night without any discomfort on your skin. 

Defense All Day Moisturizer SPF 30, by Olay

Last, but not least, we find this exquisitely light moisturizer with SPF 30. Olay’s Defense All Day Moisturizer is a fragrance-free, oil-free cream that contains Aloe Vera, that helps soothe your skin, along with glycerin to hydrate each and every pore of your skin, and niacinamide, which helps to calm irritations and other issues. 

If all of this wasn’t enough, it has SPF 30, so it maintains your skin hydrated and protected from sun rays, all at once, and without giving you a greasy, sticky sensation. So, as you must have guessed, it is light enough to wear under makeup, and it absorbs really quickly, giving you up to 16 hours of complete hydration and protection against damaging agents.

 How to choose the best moisturizer?

No matter what type of skin do you have, there are some things you should aim for when looking for the perfect moisturizer for you. In the first place, you should take into account the number of sulfates, alcohol, preservatives, or parabens it has, which ideally is low. That is why many people prefer all-natural and even vegan moisturizers. 

Ceramides don’t only work perfectly on sensitive skin, all types of skins could be benefited from them, just like from hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, soy, and oatmeal. But ultimately, the best advice we could give you is to always listen to what your skin is saying, see how it reacts, and don’t be afraid of trying with thousands of different moisturizers until you find the one that makes your skin look healthy and beautiful.

What is the best time for my skincare routine?

You must have probably guessed this, but the perfect time for getting all of your heavy artillery is at night, right before bedtime. One of the best -and more relaxing- things you could do is take a late-night shower and then following your preferred skincare routine.

It is no secret that the night is when the body does all of the processes it can’t do in the daytime, and repairing all your skin cells is one of those tasks. That’s so, the best moment to give yourself a little treatment and apply your favorite lotions to repair and hydrate your skin is just before sleeping, no matter if this is at 10 pm or at 2 am, your body will still get the job done. 

Is it bad to over-moisturize?

A common feeling amongst all of the newly-entered to this skincare world is: “Oh, the more the better, right?”. Well, the sad news is that skin, just like almost everything, doesn’t work this way. In fact, it could have terrible consequences to over-moisturize your skin.

So, letting the anxiety pop up and applying moisturizer every five seconds will not solve your problems, in fact, it will probably bring some more. You can tell if you’re over-moisturizing your skin when your pores are clogged, when blackheads start to come up, when your skin is bumpy, and even when it has an unusual oil excess. 

How often should I moisturize my skin?

We’ve already told you that the best time for skincare is at night, but actually, you should apply moisturizer not once, but twice a day: in the morning, right before heading out of your house, and in the evening, right before sleeping. 

You might think this is more often than needed, but actually, the moisturizer you apply in the morning has already passed out of your skin when you start your skincare routine at night. 

By moisturizing your skin twice a day, every single day, you make sure your skin is always hydrated and it doesn’t get dried out. Of course, we shall point out that only twice is enough, no need to reapply moisturizer several times a day, or you’d be over-moisturizing, which is just as bad as not moisturizing at all. 

Should I apply moisturizer first or last?

When following your skincare routine, you should know that there’s actually a specific order for applying correctly each of your products, and many people don’t know this and apply first the moisturizer so it has time to settle down. 

Actually, moisturizer would have all night to settle down, so you won’t need to worry about it, but the truth is that the right way to layer skincare is by applying first any cleanser you have, then exfoliating (although this step is recommended just once a week so it doesn’t tire your skin), then applying the toner, then your preferred serum, and then your moisturizer. It is important to give each part of the skincare process some time to be absorbed by the skin, but lastly, going from the thinner to the thicker texture will help your skin to get the hydration and care it needs to have a repairing night. 

Final recommendations

Your skin should be the most sacred part of your body, after all, it is the most extensive organ and it is your presentation card to the world. So, taking care of it correctly could avoid many problems and discomforts you might have. 

While it is necessary to choose the right moisturizer for your skin, it should always be one you feel comfortable with and the one that gives you the results you’re looking for, and there’s no one else but you (and your dermatologist) that can determine what’s the best thing for your skin. 

So, don’t rush things out, and don’t think of skincare as torture, just think of it as something necessary, like brushing your teeth. We tend to underestimate our skin, but the truth is maintaining our skin hydrated and cared for could make it look better and, of course, could make us feel way better.