Best Softening Face Moisturizers of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Softening face moisturizers are a must-have addition to any skincare routine. Designed to hydrate and nourish the skin, these products work wonders in improving its overall texture and appearance. Infused with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and vitamins, these moisturizers replenish lost moisture, leaving the skin feeling soft, supple, and rejuvenated. Whether it's combating dryness, reducing the appearance of fine lines, or simply adding a healthy glow, softening face moisturizers are a reliable solution for achieving a smoother and more youthful complexion.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Cover #TOP 1
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
ftb score rating icon 9.9
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream Cover #TOP 2
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.8
e.l.f. SKIN Daily Hydration Moisturizer Cover #TOP 3
e.l.f. SKIN Daily Hydration Moisturizer
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Softening Face Moisturizers

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

81570
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Cover
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Face Cream - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, Moisturizes & Softens Skin, Quick-Absorbing & Ultra-Hydrating, 1.7 Oz (50g)

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! SPF 30 Cream is a lightweight moisturizer that provides lasting hydration and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. With a quick-absorbing formula, this cream is perfect for wearing under makeup. It contains skin-loving ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Peptides that help to nourish and plump the skin, minimize pores, even out the skin tone, and promote collagen production. Suitable for all skin types, this cream is a powerful hydration boost that replenishes moisture for supple skin and protects against harsh UVA/UVB rays.

What We Like
SPF 30 protection
Powerful hydration boost
Skin-loving ingredients
#TOP 2

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream

82828
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream Cover
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Face Cream, Fragrance Free, Smooth, Non-Greasy, Lightweight, Nourishing, Moisturises, Softens, Absorbs Quickly, Suitable For All Skin Types

e.l.f. Hydration Face Cream is a fragrance-free, silky-smooth cream that effectively moisturizes and nourishes your skin. Formulated with beneficial ingredients like Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Peptide complex, this lightweight cream helps maintain your skin's moisture balance while providing additional support with skin-supporting peptides. Whether you use it in the morning to prep your skin for makeup or at night after cleansing, this cream is perfect for all skin types. Not only is it cruelty-free and vegan, but it is also 100% free from harmful ingredients like Phthalates, Parabens, Nonylphenol, Ethoxylates, Triclosan, and triclocarban. With e.l.f. Hydration Face Cream, you can enjoy soft, nourished, and protected skin without any greasiness or heaviness.

What We Like
Fragrance-free
Smooth and non-greasy
Lightweight and absorbs quickly

e.l.f. SKIN Daily Hydration Moisturizer

57016
White
e.l.f. SKIN Daily Hydration Moisturizer Cover
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Daily Hydration Moisturizer, Ultra-Hydrating Formula, Infused with Aloe, Jojoba Oil & Shea Butter, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, 2.53 Fl Oz

e.l.f. SKIN Daily Hydration Moisturizer is a lightweight and deeply nourishing moisturizer that is infused with Aloe to soothe the skin, Jojoba Oil & Shea Butter to hydrate, Vitamin E to soften, and Grapeseed Oil to even out skin tone. Perfect for all skin types, this vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer is ideal for those looking for a naturally radiant complexion.

What We Like
Lightweight and deeply nourishing
Infused with Aloe, Jojoba Oil & Shea Butter
Vegan and cruelty-free
Ideal for all skin types
Reveals a naturally radiant complexion
#TOP 4

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

265UK
Original
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer Cover
First Aid Beauty - Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer, Soothing Face Colloidal Oatmeal, Everyday Lightweight Non-Comedogenic Formula Helps Soften Skin with Ceramides and Shea Butter, 1.7 oz

Get instant hydration with First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer, a lightweight and effective facial lotion suitable for all skin types. The long-lasting formula with safe, gentle ingredients including Colloidal Oatmeal, Shea Butter, and Avocado Oil provides a velvety soft finish. This vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer is free from harmful chemicals and dermatologist-tested. Use it every morning and night for a refreshed and protected skin.

What We Like
Instantly hydrates skin
Suitable for all skin types
Free from harmful chemicals

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

19 oz
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Cover
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Body and Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin, Body Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides, Daily Moisturizer, Oil-Free, Fragrance Free, Non-Comedogenic, 19 Ounce

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a body and face moisturizer for dry skin that is formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and MVE technology for 24-hour hydration. It has a rich, velvety texture that absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling smooth without a greasy or sticky feel. It is dermatologist recommended, fragrance free, paraben free, allergy-tested, and non-comedogenic. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used as a hand cream for dry skin relief.

What We Like
Deep, long-lasting hydration
Non-greasy, fast absorption
Gentle for sensitive skin
Multi-use for face and body
Strengthens skin barrier

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

KWY7010000
Clear
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray Cover
Clinique Moisture Surge Oil Free Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief For Very Dry to Oily Combination Skin Types | Hydrating + Softening, 1 Fl Oz

Clinique Moisture Surge Spray is a refreshing oil-free moisturizer that provides instant hydration to your skin. You can easily carry it with you for a quick moisture boost anytime, anywhere. This spray quickly replenishes moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and revitalized. It’s versatile enough to be used before or after applying makeup, ensuring your complexion stays fresh throughout the day. Plus, it’s allergy tested and fragrance-free, making it a safe choice for all skin types. Clinique's commitment to dermatological science ensures you’re using a product backed by expert knowledge.

What We Like
Instant hydration boost
Lightweight and oil-free
Safe for all skin types
Versatile for makeup use
#TOP 7

Sukin Facial Moisturiser Pump

607531
Others
Sukin Facial Moisturiser Pump Cover
Sukin Facial Moisturizer Pump, Hydrating Face Cream with Wheat Germ and Vitamin E to Deeply Nourish, Soften and Improve Skin Texture, 4.23 Fl Oz

Sukin Facial Moisturiser is a vegan natural body care product enriched with antioxidants such as Tamanu, Rosehip, Avocado & Carrot Seed Oils, which deeply hydrates, improves texture & helps reduce the appearance of scars & stretch marks. Sukin only uses ingredients from nature that are good for you, your wallet, and the environment. All of their beauty products are cruelty-free since the day they started and products are made with natural ingredients that'll keep your body, face & hair healthy.

What We Like
Vegan product enriched with antioxidants
Uses natural ingredients that are good for you, your wallet and the environment
Cruelty-free since the day they started

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

7T5R010000
White
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Cover
Clinique 3-Step Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ | Face Moisturizer For Dry to Dry Combination Skin Types | With Glycerin | Hydrating, 4.2 Fl Oz

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is a moisturizing lotion that immediately drenches dry skin with optimal hydration. It delivers twice the hydration all day, helping to strengthen skin's own moisture barrier by 54%, so more moisture stays in. Apply it twice a day to face and throat all over, or where needed. Suitable for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin.

What We Like
Provides optimal hydration to dry skin
Delivers twice the hydration all day
Helps strengthen skin's own moisture barrier by 54%
#TOP 9

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

Original
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer Cover
First Aid Beauty - Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer, Everyday Lightweight Non-Comedogenic Formula Helps Soften Skin with Ceramides & Shea Butter, Soothing Colloidal Oatmeal, 1.7 oz, 2 ct

The First Aid Beauty Face Moisturizer offers a lightweight yet powerful way to keep your skin hydrated every day. It delivers quick moisture that leaves your face feeling soft and smooth, perfect for daily use. You can enjoy lasting hydration by applying a small amount morning and night, helping your skin stay comfortable and refreshed throughout the day. This moisturizer uses gentle, safe ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and avocado oil, making it suitable even for sensitive or dry skin. It protects and nourishes your skin naturally, without harsh additives, so you can feel confident in your skincare routine.

What We Like
Lightweight hydration
Long-lasting moisture
Gentle, safe ingredients
Suitable for sensitive skin
#TOP 10

AKARY Snail Essence Face Cream

Snail Essence Cream
1 Ounce (Pack of 1)
AKARY Snail Essence Face Cream Cover
AKARY Snail Essence Face Cream Moisturizing Acne Scar Removal Cream, Soften, Improve Nourishing Collagen Essence Korean Face Moisturizer for Damaged Skin, Day & Night Repairing

The AKARY Snail Face Cream is designed to help repair and nourish your skin. It contains snail mucus extract, which is great for healing fragile and damaged skin, helping you get a brighter and healthier complexion. This cream adds moisture to your skin, making it especially useful during dry weather to keep your skin soft and smooth. It also helps even out your skin tone and supports fast skin renewal, so you can enjoy a more refreshed look. Additionally, the cream encourages collagen production, providing your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay firm and youthful.

What We Like
Skin repair
Deep hydration
Complexion improvement
Collagen boost
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our softening face moisturizer research, we found 48 softening face moisturizer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 878,764 customer reviews through our big data system to write the softening face moisturizers list. We found that most customers choose softening face moisturizers with an average price of $13.56.

The softening face moisturizers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of softening face moisturizers, including e.l.f., First Aid Beauty, CeraVe, Clinique, Sukin. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.