Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer

Product Information

Recognised as the number one dermacosmetic brand worldwide, La Roche-Posay’s philosophy centres around science-led solutions for even the most sensitive of skin types.

First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream did a great job hydrating our skin, boosting our moisture levels by 11 to 31 percent. But it felt heavy and greasy—more like a night cream than an everyday moisturizer. Compared to other ceramide moisturizers, this one has a lighter consistency, which makes for a nice base layer under makeup. But the lightweight texture didn’t translate to less hydration. The blend of ceramide NP, niacinamide, and glycerin increases skin hydration, and left our editor’s dry skin feeling noticeably smoother and more supple. Free of oils, parabens, and added fragrances, it’s suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Our editor with sensitive skin didn’t experience any negative reactions after using this moisturizer. Though they have chemical differences, they all offer similar benefits to the skin, Dr. Klein says. Among these three, one isn’t necessarily better than the others. 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.We didn’t love the moisturizer’s floral fragrance and wished it were cruelty-free. But we’re still blown away by its budget-friendly price point. The moisturizer is one of the best buys on our list—even though it comes in a small 1.35-ounce tube. When we tested Shiseido’s Waso Mega Hydrating Moisturizer on oily skin, it proved hydrating—but it made our skin feel oilier. The moisturizer was also slow-absorbing and prone to pilling, but we think it’d be effective for combating dryness. SkinCeuticals’ Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 may be the priciest product on our list. But when we tested it on combination skin, it worked wonders. The moisturizer balanced out the oiliest parts of our face, making them look matte rather than shiny. And it hydrated all our dry spots, boosting moisture by 5 percent, according to our moisture meter. If there’s one thing our dermatologists want you to know, it’s that anyone—regardless of skin type or condition—can benefit from using a ceramide moisturizer. “There’s no real reason to not use a ceramide moisturizer,” says Dr. Soza, adding that they’re especially beneficial for those with dry or sensitive skin. However, certain types of moisturizers are best for specific skin types based on their consistency and ingredient lists.

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. Though the moisturizer is made for acne-prone skin, it’s also great for oily and combination skin. We also love that it’s fragrance-free and appreciate the budget-friendly price. Again, it’s down to how your skin looks and feels. Some like to moisturise in the morning, and others in the evening. But most dermatologists would recommend doing both. Because, what you’re essentially doing with a moisturiser protecting the top layers of the skin, known as the epidermal barrier, from external factors like UV rays, blue light, bacteria, pollution and fluctuating temperatures, meanwhile sealing all the moisture within. Applying it both morning and night can therefore make a huge difference to its quality and texture. What is the best face moisturiser? Since ceramides complement one another, Dr. Oliver recommends looking for a moisturizer that contains more than one type of ceramide. Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream and EADEM’s Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer with Ceramides + Peptides each contain all three main types of ceramides for triple the potency. Because the moisturizer is so rich, we wouldn’t recommend it for oily skin. But it’s great for other skin types, like dry and combination skin. The 1.68-ounce moisturizer feels a little bit expensive. But since it does the work of three products, it’s easy to justify the buy.Then I Met You’s Renewing Rich Beauty Cream relies on all-natural hydrators, like ginseng, squalane, baobab, and hyaluronic acid. And it delivers results. Our skin was noticeably more hydrated just 15 minutes after applying the cream. And the driest parts of our face (our forehead and chin) saw the biggest difference: The cream boosted moisture by 36 to 47 percent. To simplify your search for a great face moisturizer, we put 64 face moisturizers to the test in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home. We tested 29 moisturizers for oily skin and 35 moisturizers for dry skin. And we divided our testers into two teams based on skin type: 18 tested the moisturizers for oily skin, while 21 tested the moisturizers for dry skin.

The four most common skin types are normal, dry, oily, and combination. Normal skin feels balanced, dry skin can get tight and flaky, oily skin can get greasy and shiny, and combination skin often gets oily in the T-zone (along the forehead and nose). Finding the right moisturizer for your skin type and lifestyle may take some trial and error, says dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD-FAAD. But the dermatologists we spoke to generally recommend heavier creams for dry skin, oil-free moisturizers for oily skin, and combination products for combination skin. The lotion relies on four key ingredients—shea butter, beeswax, soy proteins, and aloe vera—to hydrate your skin and seal in moisture. And it did a great job refreshing our skin. The lotion boosted moisture in our face by 24 to 40 percent, according to our moisture reader, while reducing oil by 2 to 16 percent. It also calmed the redness in our cheeks and made our skin feel smoother. It’s also formulated specifically for melanin-rich skin, so it brightens with ingredients that are compatible with skin of color, such as niacinamide. Perhaps one of the most common skincare ingredients in over-the-counter acne products, salicylic acid is no doubt a favorite amongst dermatologists as well as those with acne-prone complexions. “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that can penetrate deep into pores to prevent clogging,” says Dr. Litani. She notes that this skincare superstar can be found in a range of acne products, including cleansers, pads, and leave-on products like spot treatments.Hormonal acne is another type of acne that pops up as a result of, surprise, surprise, hormones. Dr. Mina says this type of acne tends to show face in women in their late 20s and early 30s and typically sprinkles the jawline and lower face. “This type of acne responds well to hormonal regulation with birth control pills and medications like spironolactone,” she adds. Our dermatologists also recommend antioxidants such as vitamin C and niacinamide. These can give skin a brighter appearance while also fending off damaging free radicals. Ceramides are lipids that are naturally found in the skin and used synthetically in skin care products like cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. These lipids account for roughly half of the outermost layer of skin called the epidermis or stratum corneum. The moisturizer was lightweight, fast-absorbing, and easy to apply. And it left our oily skin looking glowy rather than greasy. According to our moisture meter, the gel boosted moisture in our skin by 1 to 15 percent, making us feel hydrated without any heaviness. And while we wouldn’t recommend it for dry skin, it’s great for oily and combination skin. It’s also fragrance-free and sensitive-skin-friendly.