People Always Ask Me for 5-Star Moisturizer Recs—23 I Swear By in My 40s

I’m obsessed with this cream. I try a lot of moisturizers (clearly), and this formula is just so unique. It’s soft, silky, and designed to restore the youthful memory and elastin our skin starts to lose as we get older. It might be one of my favorite Tatcha products across the board, and that’s saying something.

This is a really great all-around moisturizer, especially if you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond.

This is my holy-grail moisturizer. I just think it’s a stunning, beautiful product, and I can only say great things about it.

Again, this is a solid recommendation for anyone who’s in their 30s or older. It targets everything you want to target!

I’ve talked about this cream so many times (sorry, not sorry), but I’ve got it so bad for La Mer’s Rejuvenating Night Cream. It is such a phenomenal product if you can swing the investment.

A sleeper! I don’t think enough people know about this product. I actually went to Japan to learn all about the reformulation of Shiseido’s Future Solution line, and I just feel like the brand really kicks ass. The products are effective, beautiful, and something you actually look forward to using. I’m always going to cheer for this brand.

A classic! Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to love this when I first started testing it, but girl… She is good! She’s gorgeous, and I love her.

This moisturizer is affordable, effective, and great for pretty much anyone. I’ve fallen in love with this formula. Don’t let the price deceive you. This is a really beautiful product.

I’ve used this for years, and RoC’s whole suite of products is actually phenomenal. I love that you can pick this up at the drugstore.

IYKYK—Cocokind is bomb. This cream, in particular, is fantastic. It’s an award winner for a reason, and you’d never guess it’s the price equivalent of three lattes. This is a fun brand to discover if you’ve yet to try.

Nicole Kidman herself told me she swears by this face cream. She said she can’t live without it, so obviously, I had to try it, and this stuff is wildly good, guys. It’s expensive, yes, but wildly good. Once you use it, you will be A-okay with making some compromises—cutting out your daily fancy matcha or a few of those other small habits that can build up to be costly!

I’m pretty down bad for Sulwhasoo. My skin loves this stuff, and I feel so much prettier when I use it. It makes you feel like a K-beauty luxury It girl. Jasmine Tookes is also a fan!

A luxury-moisturizer category simply wouldn’t be complete without another La Mer shout-out. It’s the definition of luxury. I personally love the Soft Cream, but I also like the classic Crème de La Mer, and it’s a universal favorite.

This comes with SPF 30, and it’s what I reach for on those days when I know I’m going to be working from home and don’t necessarily want to slather my face with a layer of regular SPF 50.

I can’t have a list of my favorite moisturizers and not include this specific SPF-infused formula from Shiseido. This is a little pricier than the Vital Perfection (see below), and even though both formulas are fantastic, this one is a bit richer and more emollient, which I appreciate. I think a lot of women with mature skin will love this.

Again, I do seriously go to bat for this formula! If you’re looking for something that’s über-high-quality but lightweight and airy, I’d reach for this one instead of the Future Solution LX Total Protective Cream above.

This technically isn’t a moisturizer, but I love it so much. It is hydrating, so I’m going to force it as a moisturizer! It will make you look 10 years younger. It has niacinamide in addition to a few other high-level skincare products, and it’s just one of those products where I can apply a nice serum underneath it and call it a day. I literally think anyone and everyone needs this product, certainly if you have any kind of texture or fine lines. It’s flawless skin, bottled.

Men will use this too! In addition to making skin look and feel great, this has such sleek, fuss-free packaging. The tube ensures there’s no contamination, so you can just squeeze it out and share.

Everyone knows this has become an industry gold standard. It’s a beautiful product for so many reasons, and it’s a multitasker, which guys love.

I don’t have sensitive skin, but my oldest daughter does. She has perioral dermatitis. Additionally, one of my best friends who is 48 has melasma, and she is prone to redness and breakouts. She just has very, very sensitive skin. I asked them for their favorite products, and this Tatcha formula was the overlapping favorite. They swear by it!

My friend, Carol, also loves this oil-free moisturizer from Shani Darden.

My daughter really loves this cream from Skinfix, but she doesn’t apply it when she has a dermatitis flare. Carol, on the other hand, loves this formula and says it doesn’t aggravate any of her skin sensitivity. It’s great for the barrier.

My daughter swears by this moisturizing cream for perioral dermatitis. Obviously, it’s always good to talk to a professional or a derm, but there are so many products that she simply can’t use on her skin, yet she says she can always count on this stuff to get her through.