19 of the Best Moisturisers for Hydrated and Glowing Skin, According to Experts

Pros: Brightens and hydrates, lightweight gel texture

Cons: May be too heavy for oily skin

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid

This moisturiser is one of the brand's best-selling products. It promises to hydrate and boost radiance for glowier, smoother skin, while a gel-cream formula ensures it is cooling, too.

Customer review: "Really loved this moisturiser. I’ve introduced it with other Lumene products and they work so well together. I have noticed brighter skin and a feeling of it being quenched."

Pros: Gives an immediate and long-term glow, luxurious formula

Cons: Expensive

Key ingredients: Kombucha, vitamin E, gold, diamonds

This moisturiser comes highly recommended by Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "I've been testing this moisturiser on the days when my skin is in need of radiance and brightening, and I've seen a noticeable difference in my complexion" she tells me. "It contains both gold and diamond powder, which feels a bit fancy, but combined with the other ingredients they work to give an instant radiance as well as a long-term glow."

Customer review: "This product was perfect for my skin and it is one of the few products I have used that I could see a noticeable difference."

Pros: More affordable than most, brightens dark spots, hydrates

Cons: Has a slight fragrance which might bother some

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Mexoryl 400™

We're all for the moisturisers that provide an instant glow, but this one helps to give your skin that long-term glow too. Created with niacinamide and SPF protection, they work in tandem to brighten and shield your skin from pigmentation for an even-toned glow from within.

Customer review: "I bought this for myself and my dad along with the rest of the range, and we both love it. Very hydrating and great texture. Both of our dark spots have faded with time. LOVE."

Pros: Multi-functional moisturiser, primer, and illuminator

Cons: Can cause pilling when combined with other products for some

Key ingredients: Kombucha, ginger, green tea

Formulated with kombucha and fermented ginger to up radiance, this priming moisturiser is by far one of the glowiest I have come across. Plus, my breakout-prone skin has absolutely no trouble with it. Thanks to its light-reflecting minerals, whenever I use it, I get compliments on how healthy my complexion looks.

Customer review: "This product gives a radiant glow to the face. It looks great on its own for an instant glow or under a foundation as a glowy primer"

Pros: Brightening, lightweight gel texture, subtle glowy tint

Cons: The tinted version might not work for all skin tones, but it does come in an un-tinted version too

Key ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng

This lightweight gel moisturiser is impossibly refreshing on the skin, so it breathes a bit of glowing life into lacklustre complexions straight away. On top of that, it also has a golden, pearly sheen that just radiates health and vitality.

Customer review: "Love this so much! Not only moisturises but adds glow! Such a great product- doesn’t feel greasy, applies easily, smells nice. Would definitely buy again."

Pros: Leaves skin hydrated and glowy, provides long-lasting hydration

Cons: Vitamin C can irritate sensitive skin

Key ingredients: Vitamin C

The Ole Henriksen C-Rush cream is one of my favourite moisturisers. For those who consider their skin type "normal,” I highly recommend this radiance-boosting formula. The gel-cream texture is lightweight and refreshing but also has a very sheer peachy colour (it doesn't have any pigment; it's just the natural colour of the cream) that livens up any complexion. 

Customer review: "Fantastic product! I’ve seen great improvement in my skin. My dark spots have lightened & just in general, my skin has more of a glow & looks more evenly toned. Guaranteed to use this for life!"

Pros: Oil-serum hybrid, dewy finish, can be mixed with foundation

Cons: May be too shiny and dewy for oily skin

Key ingredients: Jojoba, grapeseed, squalane

For no-makeup days, this stuff has become my reach-for. It's jam-packed with oils and fruit extracts for optimum nourishment, but it doesn't leave a sticky or greasy residue. If you're into a super-glossy finish, nothing compares.

Customer review: "Stop what you’re doing right now and get this if you’re tired of your skin being dull and lack lustre. I don’t often wear makeup, this is my favourite thing to show off my skin. And is a nice touch for applying under concealer/skin tint"

Pros: Leaves skin with a pearl finish, hydrating, ideal for dry and mature skin types

Cons: Can be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin, expensive

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, sunflower seed oil

It's a little pricey, I know, but if you ask me, it's also one of the best illuminating products around. With powerhouse hydrators such as hyaluronic acid alongside shea butter and sunflower seed oil, it's a wonderful moisturiser on its own merit. However, it also contains pearlescent shimmer to give the most beautifully blurring (and radiant) sheen.

Customer review: "Such a lovely glowy moisturiser!! Product is so pretty and pink and looks pearly in the jar but doesn't leave a glittery finish on the skin, gives the skin a really healthy looking, lit from within glow! My skin feels hydrated after use but doesn't feel or look sticky/oily (something I've found with other "glowy" moisturisers). Sits really well under makeup too!"

Pros: Affordable, brightening ingredients, hydrating

Cons: Contains fragrance, which may upset sensitive skin

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, camu camu, hyaluronic acid

Newly reformulated, but from a lifelong-favourite range, this glowing moisturiser champions vitamin C and therefore has glow-giving antioxidant properties. The light, gel-like texture is also wonderfully cooling and invigorating. 

Customer review: "[I've] been using this for years and it gives your skin the most amazing glow!"

Pros: Subtle tint for a sun-kissed effect, absorbs quickly

Cons: Essential oils may be irritating for sensitive skin

Key ingredients: Green mandarin, hyaluronic acid

This stuff is seriously rich. Full of essential oils and hyaluronic acid, it offers up next-level moisture. Because of this, I wouldn't suggest it as an everyday option. However, its radiance-boosting, glow-giving properties are, if you ask me, totally unrivalled. It has an orange tint to it that works to colour-correct and leaves behind the most convincing sun-kissed effect. If you're after instant results, this one is for you.

Customer review: "Lovely texture, great scent and soaks in beautifully."

Pros: Ideal as a makeup primer, radiant finish, hydrating

Cons: Expensive

Key ingredients: Shea butter, oat extract

Famed for giving skin a glow that transcends makeup this award-winning face cream works to brighten up tired faces in an instant.

Customer review: "[The] price of this put me off for ages but it’s a staple in my bag and getting ready now! Perfect for no make up or with make up. Really hydrating not too heavy but nourishing and doesn’t break me out."

Pros: Radiant finish, hydrating, lightweight

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin

Key ingredients: Vitamin E, squalane

Sitting somewhere between skincare and a makeup product, this stuff is a really worthwhile add-on. If you don't like the dewy finish that often comes with illuminating moisturisers, listen up. It contains vitamin E and squalane for a super-hydrating punch, but it also has a pearly finish that works to reflect light and boost luminosity. Plus, it's soft and more matte than many others on the list. 

Customer review: "I strongly recommend this product for literally anyone. It is an amazing primer before makeup and gives you the most natural glow I’ve ever found. First received it in a sample and every day I used it (little goes a long way as it’s very thin texture so you don’t need a lot), I received a compliment I was glowing. As soon as I finished the sample, came directly here to buy the full size."

Pros: Hydrating, provides a healthy glow

Cons: Some may not like the turmeric scent, may be too heavy for oily skin

Another rich formula, with essential fatty acids, rose-hip oil and antioxidant maracuja oil, this stuff means business. Ideal for dry skin, it also has a yellow tint (thanks to turmeric) that doesn't just deliver an out-of-this-world glow but also helps even out areas of hyperpigmentation.

Key ingredients: Aloe, glycerin, rosehip oil, turmeric

Customer review: "A very rich moisturizer with a subtle scent. It feels lovely on the skin and the packaging is beautiful. Perfect for drier skins, although I'm not sure if it's suited to those with super oily skin as this is quite a heavy moisturiser. I personally didn't see a change in my dark spots and uneven complexion, but I did notice a massive difference in the texture of my skin. It softened wonderfully."

Pros: Great for dry skin, hydrating, moisturiser-primer hybrid works well uner makeup or worn alone

Cons: May be too heavy for oily skin, limited shades may not work for all skin tones

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter

Sitting somewhere between a rich moisturiser and a primer, for days when you don't want to apply a full base, this perfecting balm is ideal. Reflective pearls illuminate while lychee extract revitalises.

Customer review: "I have extremely dry skin and have struggled to find any base/primer that has left my skin moisturised, supple and glowing all day long. This balm, not only leaves my skin soft and moisturised all day long, but the glow it gives you is magnificent. When I don't feel like wearing makeup, I wear this product on its own, leaving me with glowing skin all day long."

Pros: Tinted radiant finish, functions as a moisturiser and primer, can be worn alone or underneath makeup for a glowy look

Cons: Expensive, only one shade, but it does come in an untinted version that is free of shimmer

Key ingredients: TFC8®, amino acids, black tea, papaya enzymes

I've waxed lyrical about this glow-giving moisturiser before. It's one of the most radiance-boosting skincare products I own. It contains Augustinus Bader's TFC8®, which works miracles on the renew skin cells and leave your complexion looking luminous

Customer review: "I love this moisturizer. It goes on lightly and absorbs really well. It feels like a primer, but gives a pretty glow."

Pros: Gives skin an immediate glow, brightens dark spots, lightweight

Cons: Expensive

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid

Few skincare ranges are as glow-boosting at Sunday Riley's CEO. The latest addition to the range, this cream feels lightweight at first but delivers intense hydration without feeling greasy. On top of generally being a great moisturiser, it is also jam-packed with glow-boosting vitamin C for antioxidant protection and has a very subtle shimmering yellow tint to help give skin a visible energy boost.

Customer review: "Love this! I got this in a sample size and I was blown away. I will be buying the full size soon. It’s a gorgeous lightweight texture but gives you such a radiant glow under your makeup. Makes you look healthy and awake! It’s my new go to product. Will recommend to anyone."

Pros: Brightens dark spots, suitable for acne-prone skin, peptide help to plump

Cons: High concentration of vitamin C may irritate sensitive skin

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, cacao extract, rice extract

Thanks to its high vitamin C content, this moisturiser leaves skin glowing both in the long term and the short term. In addition, the likes of peptides and polyglutamic acid help to improve firmness and strengthen the skin barrier.

Customer review: "i love this leaves my skin so soft and glowy like glass!! i also suffer with acne and clogged pores and this doesn’t cause any of that."

Pros: Lightweight, oil-free, affordable, non-greasy

Cons: More hydrating than glow-inducing

Key ingredients: Omega fatty acids, ceramides, niacinamide

Packed with hydrating ingredients like omega fatty acids, ceramides, niacinamide, and betaine, this thirst-quenching moisturiser is like a glass of water for dehydrated skin.

Customer review: "This is such a nice moisturiser for my acne/blemish prone skin, been using for a while now and has really helped, and not caused any breakouts!"

Pros: Oil-free, ideal for combination skin, leaves skin dewy

Cons: Watermelon scent might irritate those sensitive to fragrance

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, amino acids

The clue is in the name with this one. Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer is lightweight, hydrating and gives skin instant glow thanks to watermelon extract, mositure-quenching hyaluronic acid and amino acids that flood skin with hydration for a plumped, glass-skin effect. No wonder TikTok approves.

Customer review: "I have a combination of oily and dry skin perfect for all areas, my skin feels moisturised and refreshed with every application without looking greasy"