Winter might be sticking around a bit longer, but temperatures are sure to rise at some point. And that means the heavy moisturizer you’ve been using to ward off winter dryness can go! These are some of the best (and lightest) moisturizers for spring.
If you’ve never switched up your moisturizer for spring, you might want to consider it. In warmer weather, your skin is able to absorb more moisture from the atmosphere. Plus, you won’t be running your heating system as much, which also exposes your skin to dry air.
This is why your moisturizer doesn’t need to be quite as rich and heavy in spring to help your skin stay hydrated. We’ve rounded up some of our fave lightweight moisturizers to keep your skin looking dewy this spring (and summer).
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Peach Slices Snail Rescue All-In-One
Prone to breakouts? Peach Slices’ snail moisturizer is for you. This lightweight, gel-cream formula is oil-free, so you won’t need to fear exacerbating breakouts. In fact, this product can even help prevent them, thanks to its blend of calming, redness-reducing cica, and birch juice, which evens out skin tone.
The hero ingredient, though, is snail mucin. It binds to your skin to lock in moisture without becoming overly shiny throughout the day. Peach Slices is also cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified, so the mucin is ethically sourced.
Best for All Skin Types: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Those with dry skin might be wary of switching up their moisturizer for spring, and if you have dry skin year-round it might not be necessary. However, those who only get dry in winter should consider the switch. We recommend using a spring moisturizer that’s appropriate for all skin types, like Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb.
This hybrid gel/cream formula feels lightweight, but is excellent at sealing in moisture thanks to ceramides that protect your skin’s barrier and prevent water loss. The glycerin also helps your skin retain moisture, while lady’s mantle will help keep it nourished. While this product provides significant moisture to prevent dry skin, it’s also not too heavy if your skin is oily.
Best Cult Classic: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Sometimes, the hype over a product is real, and that’s the case with Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost. This water/gel moisturizer has over 83,000 reviews on Amazon and a near-perfect five-star rating. Why? It’s all about the formula.
Packed with hyaluronic acid, this product draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there. Thanks to its gel consistency, it also absorbs quickly, adding some plumpness and bounce to your skin. It also hydrates your face for up to 48 hours.
Because it’s both non-comedogenic and oil-free, those with acne-prone or oily skin can use this product with no breakout worries. Those with normal skin will also find it provides the perfect amount of moisture for daytime wear.
Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin
Dry skin can persist all year, but that doesn’t mean you want to wear the same heavy moisturizer, particularly during the day. At night, slap on that occlusive moisturizer. During the day, though, opt for a lighter option that’s still extremely hydrating, like CeraVe.
This moisturizing lotion utilizes hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain natural moisture for up to 24 hours. Additional ceramides help repair the skin barrier and ensure no hydration is lost during the day. Plus, thanks to a lack of fragrance and comedogenic ingredients, it’s also great for sensitive skin and approved by the National Eczema Association.
Best Pre-Makeup: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
If you wear makeup, you probably already know that some moisturizers just don’t play well with foundation. You also have to be careful which products you pair. That’s why Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow is ideal for those who wear makeup frequently.
First and foremost, this moisturizer includes hyaluronic acid and antioxidants from watermelon, both of which help hydration. The gel-like formula also absorbs into the skin almost instantly, leaving no sticky residue.
It also adds plumpness, making it a perfect makeup primer. While this isn’t the best choice for those with dry skin, it can also be used as a serum with a thicker cream added on top.
Best for Oily Skin: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Clinique is, arguably, the most recognizable skin care brand on the market, as its products have stood the test of time—and the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is no exception. One of the brand’s most beloved products, it’s perfect for anyone with oily skin who’s also looking to switch things up for warmer weather.
This gel helps balance and protect your skin’s moisture barrier so it can retain more hydration for longer. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid helps draw moisture into the skin and lock it in place. This oil- and fragrance-free formula is also well-suited for those with oily skin, as it won’t leave your face shiny.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer
As a brand, Paula’s Choice is nearly always the best bet for those with sensitive skin. The products are all formulated without fragrance and are also highly efficacious without being irritating.
The Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer helps restore the water content in your skin without making it greasy. Electrolytes also strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier, making it appear plumper. While this product does have a lotion-like texture, it’s still lightweight and perfect for both day and night use.
Best for Redness: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream
When it comes to soothing redness and irritation, many people (including us) swear by Dr.Jart+. The key ingredient in the company’s Calming Gel Cream is Centella RX, which calms redness and protects your skin.
The brand’s Cicabond complex also repairs damaged skin. This product’s gel texture is also moisturizing without being sticky, and also feels cooling on your skin for near-instant relief from any irritation.
Best Splurge: Tatcha The Water Cream
Those who don’t mind spending a bit more on their skin should pick up Tatcha’s Water Cream immediately. This popular product is one of the Japanese-inspired brand’s best-sellers, and there are several reasons why.
First, it’s suitable for normal, oily, sensitive, and combination skin types. It’s also oil-free, so it won’t feel greasy on your skin or trigger acne. The formula also features “water-burst” technology, which, as the name implies, essentially feels like soothing, hydrating bubbles bursting all over your skin.
In addition to being hydrating, Water Cream also contains antiaging ingredients, including the brand’s special Hadasei-3 mixture of green tea, rice, and algae.
Best Barrier Protection: SkinFix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream
You’ve likely heard of SkinFix’s beloved Barrier+ Triple Lipid Peptide Cream due to its incredible ability to repair the skin barrier and provide a punch of moisture to the skin. Well, meet that product’s lightweight sister.
This gel-cream helps restore, strengthen, and protect your skin’s barrier with ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, and zinc PCA. Combined, they help reduce dryness and limit oil production.
Basically, this product does it all without being too heavy for daytime wear as the weather heats up. Even for those with dry skin, this moisturizer is perfect for daytime wear. The peptide cream can, of course, be incorporated at night for an extra dose of moisture.
Even if you’ve been using the same moisturizer for decades, your skin could probably benefit from a lighter formula in the spring—at least during the day. No matter what skin type you have, one of these lightweight formulas can provide the perfect amount of hydration without adding too much shine or clogging your pores.
