Our only issue with this product? It’s not cruelty-free. And we know that for many people, that’s not just a downside—it’s a dealbreaker. Retinols decrease sebum production and make your skin less likely to clog,” Dr. Litani notes. With that said, retinol can dry the skin out initially, so she recommends easing into use by using it every few nights and always applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer on top. A retinol product we recommend for acne is the First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate, which features retinol, ceramides, and peptides in its hard-working formula. Also suitable for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Helps moisturise and comfort sensitive skin. Multiple observation studies on over 650 patients.

This moisturizer comes at an incredible price, especially since it doubles as a sunscreen. Unfortunately, unlike many of our other favorites, the product isn’t cruelty-free.

This cream cleanser contains ferulic acid rather than salicylic acid, which is a common acne-treating ingredient some may prefer.

The moisturizer is also oil-free, fragrance-free, and sensitive-skin-friendly. So it’s great for a range of skin types. Paris has combination skin and uses the tinted version of this moisturizer every day. But it wowed us when we tested it on dry skin, too. Since skin barrier function is universally important, ceramides in skin care can benefit all skin types and conditions, says Rhonda Klein, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. Those with skin prone to dryness, eczema, psoriasis, or the signs of aging may benefit most from using a ceramide moisturizer, she adds, but everyone can (and should) incorporate them. Before using a ceramide moisturizer, make sure your skin is clean and treated with any toners or serums you choose to use. You can use a ceramide moisturizer as needed, which is about twice per day for most people, Dr. Oliver says.During our test, the moisturizer proved lightweight, easy to apply, and fast-absorbing. And it balanced out our skin, boosting moisture by 22 percent while reducing oil by 7 percent. After using the moisturizer, our skin felt hydrated and refreshed. But we didn’t notice an immediate difference in our complexion. And we’re curious to test this moisturizer long-term to see how well it works on blemishes and discoloration over time. Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer promises hydrating results in as little as three days. But we found that it worked even faster: Just 15 minutes after applying the moisturizer, our skin looked and felt more hydrated. At its current price, the 2.1-ounce moisturizer feels a little expensive. But it’s certainly not the priciest product on our list. For a natural product, we also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free and great for a range of skin types. And we’d happily use the lightweight cream every day. Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream left our skin 9 to 23 percent more hydrated than at the start of our test. But because the cream was so heavy and greasy, we had to wait a while to see results—and for the price, we’d rather buy something else.

Ceramides are naturally occurring in the skin and mimic the natural components in skin, making them super effective. There are a few different types of ceramides, but they work pretty much the same to restore lipid (moisture) levels and support healthy skin barrier function. A moisturizer is generally the last step of most skin care routines since its job is to seal in moisture. However, there are some exceptions. During the daytime, you can use a moisturizer after cleansing but before applying sunscreen. The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 contains sunscreen, so it would be the final step in your daytime routine. In the evening, you can apply facial oils after moisturizing with ceramides. If you try quality budget-friendly acne products and find that they aren’t cutting it, Dr. Mina says to see a dermatologist before investing in a more expensive formula, as they might recommend a prescription or offer alternative treatment plans instead. Ceramides occur naturally in the skin, but synthetic ceramides are used in skin care products. They also tend to be more stable. For the price, we wish the 1.69-ounce tub contained more cream. (Even when we first opened it, it didn’t look very full.) But we still think the moisturizer is worth the investment, especially if you want something truly natural.

Best moisturiser for oily skin

The epidermis is also known as the skin barrier because it ensures that harmful substances stay on the outside while also preventing a process called transepidermal water loss that leads to dry skin, explains Dr. Oliver. This explains why ceramides are often recommended for people with dry skin, but ceramides can also be helpful for those with aging skin or even inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, Dr. Oliver adds.