Moisturizer is the outerwear of your skincare routine — essential, reliable and protects and seals in everything you’ve put on underneath. Truly the workhorse of your ensemble. Sure, it’s not always the flashiest part of your routine, but deep down, imagining a world without your daily moisturizer sends shivers down your spine. Here are the lotions and potions that had WSN’s culture editors desperately scraping the sides of jars and cutting open tubes to get at every last bit.

Weleda Skin Food

More like skin feast. 

For normal to dry skin.

Matte skin was my obsession throughout my high school years. I didn’t just powder like an amateur — I baked. My entire face. I carried around a handy little compact that allowed me to touch up during class as my English teacher — hi, Mr. Matthews — watched, bemused. One of the forces that released me from my powder prison was celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. Once I saw how beautiful skin could look when The Glow was embraced, I was hooked. Along with that came my obsession with Hughes’ hero product, Weleda Skin Food. Glowy but not shimmery, this essential oil-infused concoction not only works as a base under makeup but also as my perfect night cream. It’s a thin line between dewy and greasy, my friends. And with Weleda Skin Food as my partner, I dance all over it. — Carol

Origins GinZing Oil-Free Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer

Orange juice for you and your skin. 

For normal to oily skin.

This is probably my third — maybe even fourth — jar of this moisturizer. It’s my absolute favorite morning moisturizer because it’s not heavy like cream moisturizers are, but is still extremely moisturizing, unlike other gel moisturizers. I’m only exaggerating a little when I say one of the best parts of my day is when I put this on. It’s like drinking orange juice, but for your skin.  — Bella

Origins GinZing Oil-Free Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer

So nice we loved it twice. 

For normal to oily skin.

I know the least when it comes to skincare. To give you a sense of what I mean, I use Q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol to treat blemishes on my face. That being said, moisturizer is something I know I’m doing right. In the hot summer months, this moisturizer feels light and airy. When winter comes, I no longer fear extreme dryness. However, the best aspect of this moisturizer is the scent. I never knew I wanted — no, needed my face to smell like fresh orange juice. — Calais

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

Light and easy. 

For combination to oily skin.

With my blemish-prone combination skin, I used to avoid moisturizer completely in fear of triggering a breakout. As part of a Kiehl’s oil-free skincare collection, I got a travel-sized version of this gel cream and it completely changed my mind. Cooling and non-greasy, this non-comedogenic — that is, not pore-clogging — moisturizer absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves it hydrated without shine.  — Lauren

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