Between braving the onslaught of icy winds and retreating to the scorching heat of your apartment, just about every skin type can start to feel off-balance. Ouch! The best gentle moisturizer is recommended, a simple solution that can calm even the angriest skin. Before you incorporate anything into your daily routine, though, it helps to know what a truly gentle formula is.
Think of these simple formulas as a path of least resistance to hydration. “A gentle moisturizer is one that hydrates and supports the skin barrier without common irritants. It does a simple job: It replenishes lost moisture, strengthens the skin barrier, and calms the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Azideh Shirazi, MD. Fashion. “When a patient tells me that their skin feels comfortable and normal, I know a gentle moisturizer is doing its job.”
FashionFavorite gentle moisturizer
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Even if winter weather isn’t part of your daily routine (we’re looking at you, Southern Californians!) skin can still become sensitive. Harsh products or overuse of active ingredients can quickly put your skin into an irritated state. So how do you know when it’s time to shift gears? “A simple rule is if your skin is burning, stinging, flushing, flaking, or getting a rash along with inflammation: Use a gentle moisturizer until things calm down,” Tama Tran, board-certified nurse practitioner, tells us Fashion.
Below, shop 9 expert- and editor-picked formulas for every skin type and sensitivity level.
Best for very dry skin: Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Recovery 2:4:2
- why we like it: SkinCeuticals’ formula relies on the balance of skin’s essential lipids to restore hydration cycles without a heavy feeling. “It mimics the ratio of different moisturizers in the skin, which is where ‘2:4:2’ comes from,” Dr. Rachel Nazarian, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology, previously told us Fashion. This ratio represents a mixture of 2% ceramides, 4% cholesterol, 2% fatty acids. “When your skin is extremely dehydrated, this is like a guaranteed drink for your skin.” That said, she warns those with acne-prone skin may find this option a bit too heavy, since it contains natural oils.
- Main ingredients: Pure ceramide, natural cholesterol, fatty acid
- texture: thick and rich
- most suitable: Mature or very dry skin types
- fragrance: Yes (naturally extracted from essential oils)
- size: 48ml





