Gel vs. Cream Moisturizers: Which One Is Best for Your Skin?

A good moisturizer is an essential part of every skincare routine, but there is no right or best moisturizer for every person. Instead, choosing a good moisturizer comes down to understanding your skin type, how seasonal changes impact skin, and addressing specific skin conditions. A good starting point for finding the right moisturizer is deciding whether you want to use gel or cream moisturizers or a combination of the two. In this blog, we compare and contrast gel moisturizers vs. cream moisturizers and discuss how to select the one that fits your needs.

Why Your Skin Type and Weather Matter

It’s important for people with all skin types to apply moisturizer as part of their morning and evening skincare routines. However, skin type and weather, along with other factors, impact what moisturizer offers the greatest benefit. Skin type is the first thing to be aware of when choosing moisturizers. If you have dry or sensitive skin, a thicker, cream-based moisturizer may be beneficial. For those with oily, acne prone skin, a fast absorbing, gel-based moisturizer is often a better option. In addition to skin type, changes in weather also impact the type of moisturizer required. Below, we outline how cold and hot temperatures impact skin as well as the benefits of adjusting moisturizers based on season.

Warm Weather Impact

• Hot, humid weather means skin produces more natural oil leading to:
• Oily, greasy skin.
• Clogged pores and acne breakouts.
• Greater skin inflammation and infection risk
• Use a gel-based moisturizer to keep skin hydrated without increasing oiliness.

Cold Weather Impact

• Wind, cold, ice, snow, and low humidity all dry out skin, leading to:
• Weakened protective barrier.
• Skin flaking, redness, irritation, and sensitivity.
• Increased risk for flareups in eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
• Use cream-based moisturizers to combat these effects.

Change with the Seasons

You may not need to completely transform your skincare routine each season, but a few targeted changes make a big difference. Switching from a thick, cream-based moisturizer during the fall and winter months to a gel-based moisturizer for spring and summer is a great option to maintain balanced skin hydration year-round.

What Is a Cream Moisturizer?

A cream moisturizer offers a rich, buttery texture with an oil-based formula. They typically blend occlusive and emollient hydrating ingredients. Occlusives create a physical barrier over skin while emollients soften and soothe skin. Cream moisturizers should deeply hydrate and nourish skin while healing the protective barrier to prevent moisture loss.

Cream Moisturizers Are Recommended for:

• Dry skin.
• Aging skin.
• Sensitive or reactive skin.
• Cold, windy, or low-humidity climates.
• Nighttime hydration boost.

Benefits of Cream Moisturizers:

• Long-lasting hydration.
• Protect and repair skin’s natural barrier.
• Increase skin softness.
• Boost elasticity.
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Heal skin after treatments like chemical peels.

Key Ingredients in Cream Moisturizers:

• Shea butter to nourish and protect.
• Ceramides to repair the skin barrier.
• Fatty acids to boost skin hydration and elasticity.
• Oils like jojoba, squalane, or argan to soften and condition.

Dermatologist-Recommended Cream Moisturizers:

Skinbetter Science Trio Luxe Moisture Treatment – nourish dull, dehydrated skin. Improve skin’s texture and reduce redness and irritation from dryness. Ideal for dry and sensitive skin.

ALASTIN Ultra-Light Moisturizer – if you’re looking to boost hydration without increasing oiliness, this is the ideal moisturizer. It’s light and easy to absorb, but it offers the deep hydrating, skin soothing benefits of cream moisturizer.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 – this gold-standard in cream moisturizers is a best-seller for a reason. It’s formulated with the 2:4:2 ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to replenish lipids and strengthen skin’s protective barrier.

EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer – EltaMD products are formulated with sensitive and post-procedure skin in mind. This nighttime cream moisturizer formula is ideal for evening use throughout the dry winter months for all skin types, and it is beneficial year-round for those with sensitive or dry skin.

Revision Skincare DEJ Face Cream – DEJ stands for dermal epidermal junction. This is the space where the outer layers of skin meet the deeper layers of supportive tissues. By targeting this area, Revision Skincare DEJ Face Cream offers advanced hydration that’s ideal for aging and very dry skin.

What Is a Gel Moisturizer?

Gel moisturizers are lightweight, easily absorbed, and water based. They are known for their non-greasy finish, making them ideal for those with oily and acne-prone skin. They often feel cooling or calming, so they can be beneficial for those with sensitive skin as well. Additionally, gel moisturizers leave minimal residue behind once they’re absorbed, making them easy to layer under sunscreen and cosmetics.

Gel Moisturizers Are Recommended for:

• Oily skin.
• Combination skin.
• Acne-prone skin.
• Hot and humid climates.
• Layering under sunscreen or cosmetics.

Benefits of Gel Moisturizers:

• Hydrate skin without leaving residue behind that can clog pores.
• Lightweight and easily absorbed, making them ideal for oily skin.
• Balances natural oil production.
• Texture often preferred by those who don’t like the thick, heavy cream formulas.

Key Ingredients in Gel Moisturizers:

• Hyaluronic acid to attract and retain moisture for long-term hydration.
• Glycerin is a humectant, like hyaluronic acid, that draws moisture to skin. Glycerin is also known to soften skin.
• Water-based formulas provide moisture without oiliness.

Recommended Gel Moisturizers:

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel – this hyaluronic acid gel formula restores lost moisture for hydrated, plump skin. Gentle ingredients make this gel moisturizer ideal for all skin types, but it is specifically recommended for acneic and aging skin.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel – for those with sensitive skin or skin that gets dry or irritated during the winter months, SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel sooths skin irritation and boosts hydration with a lightweight formula that’s easily absorbed and ideal for layering under sunscreen and cosmetics for daily wear.

EltaMD Renew Eye Gel Daily Eye Therapy – this gel moisturizer for the delicate eye area is formulated to boost hydration without causing irritation or damaging this sensitive skin.

EltaMD AM & PM Renewing Moisturizer Kit – this kit includes the AM and PM moisturizer and the EltaMD Renew Eye Gel. Gentle ingredients make EltaMD products perfect for daily morning and evening skincare routines.

MD Skin Essentials HylaCream – this unique moisturizer is a gel-cream hybrid. It offers the increased hydration of a cream without the heavy texture. It’s great for sensitive, combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Gel vs. Cream Moisturizers: Side-by-Side Comparison

Can You Use Both?

In skincare, it’s rarely as simple as choosing one product and sticking with it no matter what. Many people use a lighter gel moisturizer during the day and boost hydration over night with a thicker, cream moisturizer. Others, switch from gel for the spring and summer to a cream moisturizer for the fall and winter. Those who have very dry skin may even benefit from layering both a gel and cream moisturizer. Specifically, it may be beneficial to apply a gel moisturizer before using harsh products like retinols. Then, apply a cream moisturizer. This hydration sandwich allows skin to reap the benefits of products like retinols or alpha and beta hydroxy acids while minimizing potential for skin irritation.

How to Choose the Best Moisturizer for You

When looking for the best moisturizers to boost your skincare routine, keep the following factors in mind:

• Know your skin type – know your skin type (dry, oily, combination, or balanced), skin health concerns (acne, rosacea, eczema, sensitivity, etc.), and how moisturizers in your skincare routine will impact your skin type and skin concerns.
• Check the weather – it may sound silly, but weather plays an important role in your skincare routine. If it’s hot and humid outside, you may not need to add as much hydration. If it’s cold and dry, you may need to boost your moisturizer.
• Read the label – skincare product labels are full of important information. Make sure you’re finding moisturizers with hydrating ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid and avoiding moisturizers that have irritants and drying ingredients like alcohol, fragrances, and dyes.
• Ask a professional – still not sure what moisturizer is right for you? Worried about a chronic skin condition like psoriasis or acne? Schedule a dermatology consultation to get professional recommendations for your skincare routine.

Find the Perfect Moisturizer from DermSkincare

Finding the right moisturizer or revamping your whole skincare routine? DermSkincare has you covered. Explore our site to find a variety of dermatologist-recommended skincare products to improve your skin’s health and appearance. Not sure where to start? Talk to one of our knowledgeable local U.S. Dermatology Partners teams.