23 Best Moisturizers for Teens, According to Experts’ Tips

Meet the experts

Let’s be real: When it comes to skin care, finding a routine that actually works can feel like a total mission. Between a million different beauty products (i.e., cleansers, serums, toners, and more) and the era of information overload online, it’s easy to get lost. But if there’s one product that most experts agree is a necessity, it’s a good moisturizer. Whether you’re rushing out the door for school, finally winding down for the night, or traveling , moisturizer is one step that you shouldn’t skip if you want healthy, glowing skin.

So what’s the big deal with moisturizer? While our skin is remarkably adept at producing its own moisture to stay healthy, sometimes it could use a little extra help, especially as the temperatures drop. Moisturizers essentially act as our skin’s personal bodyguard, mimicking what it naturally produces to help prevent dryness and maintain a strong skin barrier. Board-certified dermatologist and Salmalita Cosmetics co-founder Dr. Omer Ibrahim puts it best: A good moisturizer helps “keep the good stuff (moisture) in and the bad stuff out (allergens, irritants, pathogens).”

Still think you can skip moisturizer because your skin is oily? Think again. If you don’t moisturize, your skin could actually go into overdrive and produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. If you’re dealing with issues like redness or breakouts, a calming moisturizer can be a total game-changer. To help break down everything you need to know about moisturizers, including key ingredients, common mistakes, and how to find the perfect product for your skin type, Teen Vogue went straight to the experts. Below, find your ultimate guide to choosing the perfect moisturizer for your skin, as well as editor-approved picks.

Face moisturizers FAQs

Based on our expert commentary and independent testing, we have selected 23 of the best moisturizers for teens you might want to add to your shopping cart.

Why is moisturizer important?

“Your skin naturally makes something called the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF),” explains board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Suzan Obagi. “This is what keeps your skin soft, smooth, and balanced. But as we get older—or when our skin is exposed to stressors like sun damage and pollution—our cells start making less of it. That’s when your skin may feel drier, tighter, or more sensitive, and that’s where a good moisturizer becomes essential.”

Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial Beauty and Nip + Fab, agrees. “Moisturizer is your skin’s best friend. It keeps your skin barrier strong, locks in hydration, and helps everything look fresh and balanced.” Even if you have oily skin, don’t think you can skip this step! Not moisturizing can actually make your skin produce more oil to compensate for the dryness.

The need-to-know ingredients

While there isn’t one single “star” ingredient when it comes to face moisturizers, most experts agree that a well-formulated product has a blend of different components. Dr. Ibrahim says moisturizer ingredients typically fall into the following three categories:

Humectants: These are for hydrating and include hyaluronic acid.
Emollients: They help strengthen your skin barrier and include ceramides.
Occlusives: These prevent water loss.

Dr. Ibrahim highlights ceramides as something that should be a “mainstay of everyone’s moisturizer,” especially for those with sensitive and eczema-prone skin, as they are “key in repairing the skin barrier.” Hatzistefanis is a also big fan of hyaluronic acid, calling it a “super hydrator that pulls water into your skin, making it plump and glowing without ever feeling heavy.” Finally, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Prem Tripathi says glycerin is also an “amazing ingredient for moisturizers.”

Common moisturizer mistakes

Now that you get why it is important to moisturize and what ingredients to look out for, it’s time to dive into what not to do with moisturizers.

Like with most beauty products, there are some common mistakes to watch out for. For example, using too much moisturizer can be counterproductive. “Younger skin (under 25) usually produces plenty of NMF, so adding extra moisturizer isn’t always necessary,” says Dr. Obagi. Just consider your skin’s needs and keep it light. When in doubt, it is always best to consult a dermatologist in person.

Another common mistake is applying moisturizer at the wrong time. Hatzistefanis suggests applying moisturizer as the last step in your routine, right after serums, “while your skin is still a little damp” to seal everything in. During the day, follow it up with your favorite SPF.

Though there is some debate about whether you should apply SPF before moisturizer if you’re using a chemical sunscreen, Dr. Ibrahim says it’s not something to stress over. “In general, as long as SPF is on the skin, you are safe,” he says. “Some dermatologists argue that it’s better to apply chemical SPF before applying moisturizer to allow SPF ingredients to penetrate into the skin better due to an old dogma. It used to be believed that chemicals absorb into the skin so they can ‘neutralize’ rather than reflect UV rays, and it’s no longer true as both mineral and chemical filters reflect UV rays. What’s most important is the film that forms over the skin. I still suggest SPF being the last skin care applied to avoid dilution and moving the sunscreen around.”

Dr. Ibrahim also advises against layering multiple products with the same active ingredient, which includes acne-fighting principles like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids. “When it comes to acne-fighting ingredients, be careful to not overuse them as they can be irritating and drying to the skin,” he says.

“Outside of acne-fighting ingredients, for teens wanting to incorporate active ingredients, look for ingredients with antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin against UV and environmental damage. Think vitamin C, green tea, and plant extracts that contain polyphenols like ginseng,” he continues.

While Dr. Ibrahim says in general teens can use actives and there’s no particular ingredient they should avoid, the key is not overusing ingredients and products for the sake of it. “[Teens] have young, healthy skin already. While ingredients like peptides won’t hurt, there’s just no reason to spend money on ingredients that the skin doesn’t need,” he explains.

“In short, the key for teenage skin: prevention and protection. Don’t overdo anti-acne ingredients, incorporate antioxidants, and if you have acne, use a retinoid like Differin Gel that’s both anti-acne and anti-aging.”

Dr. Tripathi explains it further. “Moisturizer and SPF is all teens need, unless treating something like acne,” he elaborates. “In that case, I recommend salicylic acid and tretinoin, separated, or benzoyl peroxide, however, it’s best to consult a derm for your specific concerns.”

Can moisturizers with SPF be a substitute for sunscreen?

If you are looking into killing two birds with one stone and finding a moisturizer that works as your SPF as well, be advised: Quantity matters.

“The way SPF is tested, labs use two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin to determine the SPF on the label,” Dr. Ibrahim explains. “That equates to about 1/2 a teaspoon for the face and neck, including the ears and back of the neck. That may be too much moisturizer for some people, to a point that it feels uncomfortable. As for makeup [with SPF], it's just too thick of a layer to apply. Most of it will end up on the brush or sponge as people blend out their makeup. No matter the form of sunscreen, find a formulation that allows you to apply the recommended 1/2 teaspoon for the face and neck.”

If you do opt for a moisturizer with SPF for the day and the amount Dr. Ibrahim suggests feels like too much on your skin, just think of it as supplementary protection. Use the amount that feels good to hydrate your skin and then follow it up with your main sunscreen.

Dr. Tripathi agrees, adding, “SPF should always be applied last, and I recommend a standalone SPF, as opposed to combination formulas in makeup or moisturizer.”

Finding your perfect match: oily vs. dry skin

Unsurprisingly, to find the right moisturizer without the help of a derm, which is always suggested, you may need to engage in some trial and error testing. And even when you find the right one, sometimes what your skin needs can change—so you may need to switch it up as the seasons and your activities change. The general rule of thumb is go “lighter in summer, richer in winter,” according to Hatzistefanis.

For oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to opt for a formula with a lightweight texture, which tends to have a “lower ratio of occlusives,” according to Dr. Ibrahim—think: a lotion or gel moisturizer. Dr. Obagi also recommends “lightweight moisturizers [that] provide hydration without clogging pores.” For dry skin, you may want a richer, thicker cream with a higher ratio of occlusives.

Finally, Dr. Ibrahim points out that teens “typically, but not always, tend to have more oily skin due to puberty.” He explains that because “collagen production and cell turnover rates have not decreased yet, teens do not need ingredients like retinol or peptides, [but they] may be dealing with acne or redness, and may want moisturizers that offer more soothing benefits to calm their skin.”

Overall, Dr. Tripathi says his favorite gel moisturizer is Peter Thomas Roth’s Water Drench Hyaluronic Jelly Moisturizer because it “lays nicely on the skin and stays put under makeup” and its “smooth, light texture works well for a variety of skin types and ages.”

Shop the best moisturizers for teens:

- Moisturizers with SPF