Discover the Best Gel Moisturizer for Soft, Hydrated Skin
Get ready to achieve the best complexion of your life! Try one of these top-rated gel moisturizers for a refreshed, hydrated, and youthful look!
Using a good moisturizer can have such a positive and powerful impact on your skin health; it helps reduce wrinkles, hydrates, and nourishes the skin leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and supple.
Finding the right moisturizer for you is key to maintaining the best results. Today we’re talking about gel-based moisturizers: what they are, what ingredients to look out for when choosing one, and how to use them for the best effect so that your skin looks as healthy as possible.
We hope you discover your next favorite beauty find from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try, but all opinions in this article are our own. And, FYI — GlamourBadger may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy your next favorite beauty find!
How We Choose
Having trouble finding the perfect gel moisturizer for your skin type?
We’ve taken the time to search through hundreds of customer reviews and have identified the top-rated gel moisturizers on the market.
Our selection of high-quality products has been carefully picked so that you can get maximum hydration without breaking the bank. Forget spending hours searching through endless labels – now you can trust us to bring only top-rated products right to your fingertips.
Let's get into it!
Why We Like It
Introducing TULA Skincare's 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day and Night Cream! This powerful combination of probiotic extracts and skin superfoods is the key to healthy, balanced, and glowing skin.
This cream is perfectly suited for all your daily routine needs as it helps nourish and replenish your skin in an oil-free, weightless gel texture so that you always look your best – no matter the time day or night.
Experience a glass of water for your skin with our 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day and Night Cream! Your skin will instantly feel supple and dewy while being silky to the touch.
You will surely appreciate this pluming skincare product despite its lightweight nature as it provides long-lasting hydration. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that it is clinically proven, clean, effective, and suitable for all skin types.
Don’t settle for skincare products that don’t give you amazing results – instead, refuel your skin and enjoy feeling confident with TULA Skincare's 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day and Night Cream!
More to Know
This lightweight formula features probiotic extracts & superfoods like apple, watermelon, and prickly pear to hydrate and firm up your skin while calming the look of irritation.
No need for a greasy feel – this non-comedogenic formula won’t clog your pores either! For the complicated, combination skin types, this one's for you.
The application couldn’t be simpler – simply apply 2-3 pumps to clean skin or after serum twice daily in the morning and evening. Now you can achieve glowing, healthy skin anytime and anywhere you go!
Why We Like It
Looking for the perfect moisturizer for your dry, sensitive skin? Look no further than Dermalogica's Calm Water Gel! This weightless water-gel moisturizer is sure to provide the hydration you need.
Its gel formula transforms into a light, fluid texture upon application, forming a barrier against environmental elements that can lead to dryness. In addition, its Dual Hyaluronic Acid technology works below the surface of your skin to lock in long-lasting moisture.
Apple fruit extract and glycerin help to hydrate and soften your skin while cactus pear extract soothes irritation and supports healthy moisture balance.
Keep your skin feeling comfortable day after day with this gentle yet effective gel moisturizer. Give Dermalogica's calming Calm Water Gel a try today!
More to Know
This innovative hydrating gel provides immediate relief and soothing moisture while protecting your skin barrier and locking in hydration throughout the day.
Soften, soothe, and calm your delicate skin with this lightweight formula. Whether your skin is sensitized or naturally dry, it will thank you for calming it down with this amazing gel. The best part? You can apply it morning and night for long-lasting hydration.
Why We Like It
Say hello to Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel! This revolutionary formula provides the perfect balance of hydration and comfort that your skin needs.
The oil-free gel has a special blend of hyaluronic acid, a hydrator naturally found in skin that binds to water and holds it in for more supple and smooth skin.
Plus, this unique moisturizer absorbs quickly like a gel, so no sticky residue like lotions! This means you get the long-lasting power of a cream without all the fuss.
It's the perfect addition to your daily skincare routine. Feel confident knowing this gentle moisturizer will help keep dryness away, leaving your skin looking refreshed and nourished day after day. Enjoy softer, smoother skin with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel!
More to Know
Are you tired of feeling like your skin has had enough of the dryness? Is it finally time to level up your skincare game and get the hydration for which you've been searching? The Hydro Boost is here for you.
This water-based, light-as-air texture will soak into the skin and leave you feeling comfortable without being so heavy as to clog pores. Not only that: Neutrogena has proven that this product will provide 48 hours' worth of supreme hydration – so no more waking up to dehydrated skin!
Not only is this a great product but it's also eco-friendly! Cut down on waste and wait no longer with the Hydro Boost Water Gel.
Why We Like It
Welcome to your newest best friend for healthy and hydrated skin: Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream! This bouncy and lightweight gel cream moisturizer feels like a cooling jelly-like texture that gives you instant hydration without any grease or shine.
Knowing how hard it is to combat dry skin, Versed has packed this product with sodium hyaluronate, a cousin of hydrating hyaluronic acid, to help draw in moisture and retain it within your skin.
An added bonus of aloe vera leaf juice hydrates while antioxidant-rich green tea extract fights damaging free radicals and quiets inflammation.
This versatile product can be used both morning and night as part of your skincare routine and will keep your face looking fresh all day. Stop the fight against dryness and give Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream a try today! Your skin deserves the best so let us help quench its thirst.
More to Know
Featuring a non-comedogenic formula, this must-have face moisturizer will hydrate your skin without clogging pores. So whether you've got oily skin or acne-prone skin, you can trust in Versed to do its job.
This amazing product contains clean ingredients that work together at just the right levels to give you results that make this moisturizing gel cream worth stocking up on again and again.
It's easy to use too - all you have to do is smooth a pea-sized amount onto your clean, dry face and neck after cleansing and applying serums in the morning and night. Easy peasy!
Why We Like It
Have you been dreaming of a glass-like, ethereal complexion? Peach & Lily is here to help you achieve that perfect look with its new Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer!
This unique formula combines the power of vegan prebiotics and probiotics to strengthen your skin's microbiome and build up natural defenses against breakouts.
Plus, it provides instant and long-lasting hydration for the ultimate radiance. Make this hydrating gel moisturizer your precious skincare step for visible results!
Your skin will thank you for choosing Peach & Lily's Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer. So don't wait...get that glassy complexion you've been dreaming of today!
More to Know
This Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer uses incredible ingredients to hydrate and nourish your skin so that it can shine in its natural beauty.
And don’t worry - it's free from all toxins, alcohol, fragrance, gluten, and animal testing! That means that applying this product won’t do any harm to your beautiful skin.
Using a blend of invigorating botanicals, this moisturizer will make your face appear brighter and calmer than ever before.
Get ready to say goodbye to dull skin and show off a healthy glow with glass skin luminosity that only this revolutionary water-gel product can provide. You deserve an even skin tone and amazing results, and Peach & Lily is here with the perfect blend of science and nature to help you achieve them.
Best Gel Moisturizer FAQs
What is a gel moisturizer?
A gel moisturizer is a type of facial moisturizing product that combines the hydrating benefits of a cream-based moisturizer with the lightweight and refreshing feel of water.
Unlike creams, gels have a unique texture that's semi-solid and silky, but not too thick. Gel moisturizers can often be found as part of an acne-fighting regimen as they provide hydration without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
Additionally, gel face moisturizers offer powerful protection against environmental damage such as UV radiation, pollution, and windburn.
What are the benefits of using a gel moisturizer?
The benefits of using a gel moisturizer are substantial, as they can provide numerous advantages when it comes to skincare.
Gel moisturizers often have lighter formulas than lotions and creams, making them an ideal choice for those with sensitive or oily skin that may break out with heavier products.
Additionally, gel moisturizers are usually water-based which makes them better able to hold moisture without feeling greasy or heavy on your skin.
This type of moisturizer is also great for providing you with a matte finish that won't clog pores and provide more even coverage than other options.
How do I use a gel moisturizer?
Start with a clean face. Before applying any kind of skin care product, it’s important to make sure that your skin is free from makeup, dirt, and oil buildup.
Apply gently yet thoroughly over damp skin. When applying gel moisturizers, it's best to do so when your face is still slightly damp from washing -- this ensures maximum absorption without having too much moisture interfere with its effectiveness.
Finish off with sunscreen! No matter how great a product may be claimed to work on its own merits, no skincare routine should ever end without SPF protection.
What are some of the best gel moisturizers on the market?
Two of the most popular and highly rated products include Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream and CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum.
Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Gel Cream is a lightweight, water-based formula that helps restore hydration for softer, smoother skin.
The gel cream helps lock in moisture for up to 48 hours using a combination of hyaluronic acid, olive extract, and antioxidants like Vitamin E.
CeraVe’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum is another fantastic choice among gel moisturizers on the market today.
Featuring three essential ceramides, this serum deeply nourishes your complexion while helping repair any damage done by environmental stressors like free radicals or UV rays from the sun.
How do I choose a gel moisturizer?
First and foremost, you need to look for one that is oil-free and non-comedogenic (i.e., will not clog pores). Oil can be too thick for some skin types and may cause breakouts or exacerbate existing acne.
Gel moisturizers tend to be on the lighter side, making them ideal for oily or combination skin types as they don’t leave behind an oily residue like a cream might.
In general, gel creams are more suitable than lotions because they are more concentrated and provide more intense hydration while also helping to lock moisture in the skin with humectants like hyaluronic acid.
What are the ingredients in a gel moisturizer?
A gel moisturizer can be formulated with a variety of different ingredients, depending on the intended purpose and desired outcome.
Commonly found ingredients in gel moisturizers include water, humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, hydrocarbons like petrolatum or mineral oil, vitamin c, and emollients like plant oils or silicones.
Humectants will help retain moisture within the skin while oils and waxes will help to seal hydration into the skin.
Hydrocarbons provide a protective barrier to help lock in moisture and protect from environmental aggressors.
Emollients are used for their lubricating qualities that leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
How does a gel moisturizer work?
Gel moisturizers are formulated to provide hydration for the skin without a greasy, oily residue.
They rely on active ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera to draw moisture from the environment and hold it in the outer layer of your skin.
This helps reduce water loss from the top layers of your skin; thus making it look more hydrated, supple, and healthy.
Because gel moisturizers lack the heavier oils found in traditional creams and lotions, they tend to be popular among those with normal-to-oily or acne-prone skin types.
They also work well as an oil-free alternative when applied underneath makeup during hot weather — allowing you to achieve dewy summer looks without worrying about breakouts!
Is a gel moisturizer right for me?
Absolutely! Gel moisturizers are a great choice for anyone looking to hydrate their skin without the added greasiness of traditional cream-based moisturizers.
They are lightweight and often oil-free, making them ideal for those with oily or sensitive skin types. Gel moisturizers absorb quickly into the skin and won't leave behind any sticky residue like many creams can.
What absorbs better cream or gel?
Cream and gel are both effective at absorbing into the skin. However, depending on your skin type and the product you’re using, one might be better for your routine than the other.
Creams are generally thicker in texture which makes them more suitable for dry skin types. The thicker consistency can make it easier to apply a uniform layer over an area of dry skin while still locking in moisture as it sinks in.
Gels are usually thinner but just as hydrating as creams and provide a great option for those with oily or combination complexions who want lightweight hydration without any extra shine or heaviness that can come along with a creamier formulation.
Gels often contain ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or propylene glycol that help attract water molecules to our epidermis which allows us to benefit from their moisturizing properties throughout the day without feeling greasy or weighed down.
Is serum or gel better for the face?
Serum is a thinner liquid with smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the layers of your skin, making it ideal for targeting specific issues such as dark spots and wrinkles.
Gel typically has a thicker consistency but still penetrates the surface and helps to reduce inflammation or oiliness.
Bottom Line
Thank you for taking the time to read our article! We hope that you feel confident knowing that you have made the right choice when it comes to your new favorite gel moisturizer.
It’s always a great feeling to show off your beautiful skin and feel your best. So, go ahead, get out there, and be the best you!
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