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It’s Time to Change Your Moisturizer

16 of the very best creams on the market

You’ve swapped sandals for boots and sundresses for sweaters. Now it’s time to switch over your skincare wardrobe, starting with the cold weather MVP.: moisturizer. Think of it as a coat for your face. A denim jacket may have sufficed on those late summer evenings, but you need something heavier now, perhaps an oversized wool topper or jaunty shearling jacket. In other words, that featherlight gel you daubed during heatwaves isn’t going to cut it anymore. To help you find your perfect new “face coat,” we’ve rounded up 16 tried and true moisturizers for every skin type. (And in case you need an actual coat coat, we’ve got you covered here, too.)

best moisturizer
EmbryolisseEmbryolisse Lait Crème Concentré, $39, amazon.ca

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The French pharmacy one

Before LCC made its way to Canada, beauty editors (like yours truly) used to stuff their suitcase with the stuff before returning from Paris. Its career highlights include being lauded by makeup artists (they used it as primer before primer was even a thing) and counting Jane Birkin as a longtime fan. Très impressive.

 

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CerVeCeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $26, amazon.ca

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The ultra-gentle one

It’s fragrance-free and non-irritating, making it suitable for even the fussiest skin types. And while it’s rich enough to nix serious dryness, it’s also non-greasy and non-comedogenic. Here’s how it works: First, hyaluronic acid draws in moisture, and then ceramides (a.k.a. the stuff that makes up 50 per cent of your skin barrier) lock it in.

 

best moisturizer
WeledaWeleda Skin Food Original Ultra Rich Cream, $23, thedetoxmarket.ca

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The natural one

The iconic green tube has been around for nearly 95 years and boasts a loyal following that includes Julia Roberts and Victoria Beckham. Its balm-like texture, and blend of lanolin, beeswax, calendula and chamomile, make it ideal for soothing parched skin all over, but if you find it too thick for your liking, there’s also a lighter version

 

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SkinCeuticalsSkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, $157, skinceuticals.ca

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The derm-approved one

You’ll find this jar stocked at many medi-spas, with pros raving about its dryness-beating powers. That’s because it goes straight to the source of the problem, strengthening the skin barrier with ceramides, natural cholesterol and lipids so that moisture stays in and doesn’t seep out.

 

best moisturizer
NeutrogenaNeutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream, $25, shoppersdrugmart.ca

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The lightweight one

If adjectives like “thick” or “rich” make you shudder, this formula will be right up your alley. Banking on hyaluronic acid instead of oils, it replenishes moisture like a cream yet absorbs quickly like a gel. 

 

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TatchaTatcha The Water Cream, $89, sephora.ca

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The J-beauty one

Water-burst technology releases moisture upon application (it feels amazing!) and nourishes skin with Japanese botanicals like wild rose, leopard lily, green tea, rice and algae. Oh, and it’s also laced with 23-karat gold to impart a subtle glow.

 

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OlayOlay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, $40, shoppersdrugmart.ca

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The classic drugstore one

It may be humble, but its reputation is solid (more than a billion jars sold!). Infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, antioxidants and amino-peptides, this cream not only plumps skin with moisture but also gives it a firmer, lifted look.

 

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Kiehl’sKiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $23, kiehls.ca

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The super simple one

This fluff-free formula gets the job done fast, instantly making dry skin smoother and softer. Its glycoprotein and squalane sink right in to safeguard moisture, even in extreme environments. 

 

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Drunk ElephantDrunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides, $79, sephora.ca

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The whipped one

A delightfully frothy pick that wraps skin up in cushy moisture. It’s billed as a rescue cream and does just that, saving even the most parched complexions with plant ceramides, lipids and oils. 

 

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FreshFresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer, $65, sephora.ca

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The anti-aging one

The star of the show here is “super lotus,” an antioxidant powerhouse that targets signs of aging. Over time, skin becomes more supple and youthful looking, lines appear reduced and radiance is through the roof.

 

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Charlotte TilburyCharlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, $125, charlottetilbury.com

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The priming one

Charlotte Tilbury used to mix up a DIY cream and massage it on celeb clients before doing their makeup. So when she launched her line a few years ago, she made sure to include her signature salve in the offering. You’ll see why it’s called “Magic” once you witness how dewy and rested it makes you look.

 

 
best moisturizer
CliniqueClinique Moisture Surge 100H, $31, clinique.ca

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The long-lasting one

Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H works the long game, keeping skin hydrated for a full 100 hours—even after you’ve washed your face! The secret’s the special auto-replenishing technology, which actually helps skin create its own water source. Teach a man to fish, as they say.

 

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The OrdinaryThe Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, $6, sephora.ca

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The really affordable one

It’s $6, recommended for all skin types and packed with potent, proven ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, dermal lipids and amino acid. It’s also non-greasy and free of oil and fragrance. What’s not to love?

 

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BelifBelif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, $50, sephora.ca

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The K-beauty one

Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb is a warm-weather staple, quenching skin with water-like hydration. But as it starts to get colder, consider opting for its slightly heftier counterpart. It contains comfrey leaf, an herb used by farmers to treat calloused hands, and leaves flaky dermises baby soft.

 

La Mer
La MerLa Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizer, $255, sephora.ca

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The fancy one

Considered by many to be the holy grail of moisturizers, Crème de la Mer is favoured by the likes of Beyoncé, Chrissy Teigen, Kim Kardashian West and even The Rock! So what’s so special about it? It’s called the “Miracle Broth,” a fermented blend of seaweed that takes three years to create. (Bubbling sounds are actually played during the process to encourage the broth to be “more active.”)

 

Augustinus Bader
Augustinus BaderAugustinus Bader The Cream, $112, augustinusbader.com

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The other fancy one

It only launched two years ago, yet “The Cream” has already reached cult status. Kate Bosworth and Ashely Graham have declared they’re obsessed with it, and famed facialist Joanna Czech swears by it, too. It allegedly works by kicking cells into healing mode to increase turnover as well as collagen production. Users rave about how it refines skin’s texture and makes more taut and less shadowy. 

 

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