The primary function of any moisturizer is to lock in moisture. However, its effectiveness diminishes if your skin is dehydrated or if you’re applying it on dry skin.

To maximize benefits, always apply moisturizer to damp skin. I love using a mini face humidifier to avoid water messes; I’ve recommended it to everyone I know.

It’s also worth noting that many of the fancy ingredients in moisturizers are often too large to penetrate the skin’s top layer. While those additional ingredients may sound appealing, they might not deliver significant results. Instead, save your money for effective products like vitamin C and retinol, and consider sticking with a straightforward option like CeraVe.

At an outrageously higher price, I also really like the Laneige water mask. It’s a bit lighter than CeraVe, and I tend to use it in the summer. Using SkinSort, I know these two products have six ingredients in common.