Lightweight Moisturizers Your Skin Will Love This Spring and Summer

These airy formulas will keep your skin plump and hydrated during the warmer months.

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May 08, 2024

By: Jessica Butler

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The Best Lightweight Face Moisturizers

Finding a holy grail moisturizer that checks all of your skin’s boxes is hard enough. Add heat and humidity to the mix, and the search can feel impossible. Luckily, there are so many lightweight facial moisturizers on the market today, and we’ve rounded up the best of the best. No greasy films or heavy textures here! Check out our favorites and find the perfect spring and summer moisturizer for your skin.

Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream

Jojoba and squalane, alongside two types of hyaluronic acid, work together to smooth, hydrate, and firm the skin. It's so refreshing to apply and the lightweight feel is perfect for the warmer months.

BUY IT: Ulta, $22

Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream

Not only will this gel cream feel weightless on your skin, but it's sure to soothe your complexion every time you slather it on. The formula contains green tea leaf extract as well as aloe leaf juice, so your skin will be calm and hydrated without any heaviness.

BUY IT: Amazon, $14

Cetaphil Soothing Gel-Cream

Here's another awesome aloe-based pick. This gel cream is said to instantly soothe your skin and it's free of fragrances and parabens to avoid further irritation if your skin is highly sensitive. This multipurpose formula can be used on both the face and body!

BUY IT: Amazon, $14

Kopari Beauty Peptide Glow Hydrating Face Moisturizer

Peptides are popping up in so many skincare products these days, and they're a great addition to any daily moisturizer. This formula is loaded with tripeptides, hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and rose extract to deliver you a healthy cocktail of skincare gems.

BUY IT: Ulta, $36

NYX Face Freezie Cooling Hydration Moisturizer + Primer

A lightweight moisturizer and a makeup primer in one? Yes, please! Snow mushroom and niacinamide are the stars of the show and NYX claims that their moisturizer will melt into your skin, leaving a cool sensation behind. What could be better during the spring and summer heat?

BUY IT: Ulta, $20

COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel

Sensitive skin types will appreciate the cooling and healing properties of this gel cream. The formula includes propanediol, green tea leaf extract, and panthenol, which all work together to retain moisture, calm the skin, and achieve overall skin health.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19

Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream

Opting for an oil-free moisturizer in the warmer months is always a good call. This one from Byoma features a tri-ceramide complex, niacinamide, and green te extract to brighten, balance, and support the health of your skin.

BUY IT: Ulta, $16

IUNIK Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream

This hydration powerhouse contains beta glucan, which holds moisture 20% better than hyaluronic acid. It also features centella asiatica and fruits extracts to soothe skin and provide antioxidant support.

BUY IT: Amazon, $15

Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

Hyaluronic acid and collagen are this lightweight moisturizer's callout ingredients. It's fast-absorbing and non-greasy, making it perfect for spring and summer days.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19

Aveeno Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

This gentle daily face gel replenishes troubled moisture barriers while reducing redness and strengthening the skin overall. It contains soothing prebiotic oat to calm sensitive skin and the gel consistency makes it great for those hot, sunny days.

BUY IT: Target, $20

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

This lotion contains powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It also includes squalane for extra hydration without that heavy feeling. This non-comedogenic pick is great for sensitive, dry, oily, and acne-prone skin types. Basically, it’s a universal moisturizer — and a personal favorite for my sensitive, oily skin!

BUY IT: Target, $16

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Face Moisturizer

If you like products that sink in quickly, this is the moisturizer for you! It’s quick to absorb and it includes some super beneficial ingredients, like allantoin and squalane This gel will keep your skin looking plump and hydrated all day long.

BUY IT: Target, $12.00

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer

Combat oiliness, dullness, and uneven texture with this cooling gel formula. It’s hydrating for "up to 48 hours," but never heavy on the skin, making it an incredible option for the hotter months. This pick is best for oily and combination skin types.

BUY IT: Sephora, $40

Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Moisturizer

This lightweight gel contains kale, hyaluronic Acid, and antioxidant-rich green tea to add moisture and leave skin glowing. It really packs a punch and melts right into the skin without leaving it tacky. This one is recommended for oily, combo, normal, and acne-prone skin types!

BUY IT: Sephora, $48

Bliss Drench & Quench Cream-to-Water Hydrator

Bliss’ hydrator promises to increase moisture levels by 100 percent within minutes! The formula includes four different kinds of hyaluronic acid to deliver moisture that lasts all day. Better yet, there’s no heavy feeling left behind! Some reviewers even praised the formula for soothing their dry, eczema-prone skin.

BUY IT: Ulta, $24

This unscented gel leaves skin supply, hydrated, and smooth. Like many of the other moisturizers on the list, this one also contains hyaluronic acid to hold extra moisture and quench dry skin. This specific formula is perfect for those with dry skin because it hydrates as well as thicker creams, but it never feels heavy or greasy.

BUY IT: Target, $20

Kinship Supermello Hydrating Gel-Cream Moisturizer

Here’s another gel-cream formula that offers nourishing ingredients. Kinship’s moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, marshmallow root, coconut water, and kinibiome (a plant-based probiotic that supports a strong skin barrier). It’s suitable for all skin types, even acne-prone!

BUY IT: Ulta, $34

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Dry skin beware! This moisturizer has it out for you. This pick is an explosion of moisture that absorbs right into the skin. Unlike other moisturizers marketed for dry skin, this one feels light, airy, and hydrating, but never heavy. It combats flaky, parched, dehydrated skin with ease — and it’ll leave you glowing!

BUY IT: Sephora, $38

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer

If you love a smooth, matte look, consider this lotion from La Roche-Posay. It’s non-comedogenic, oil-free, and contains salicylic acid — a plus for acne-prone skin! This pick moisturizes without leaving a sheen on the skin, which is good for those who get super oily. It makes a great base for makeup as well.

BUY IT: Target, $36

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