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The Best Moisturiser for Glowing Skin

Andy Lynch |

Whether you’re after an anti-ageing elixir or an anti-acne face cream, the end goal of achieving radiant and glowing skin is universal. The best way to achieve the smoothest complexion yet depends on several factors – your skin type and your primary concerns. Identify the cause of your dullness and learn how to treat it using carefully selected active ingredients.

We explore our all-time favourite moisturisers to help you get that revered ‘glass skin.’ Follow our helpful guide according to what you’re looking for in your skincare products.

How to Get Glowy Skin with Just a Moisturiser

Want a plump juicy glow without a complex morning routine? The best way to achieve a radiant complexion with minimal beauty products is to identify and treat the causes of your dullness. We outline the main reasons why your complexion may appear dull and crucial ingredients you can use to brighten and rejuvenate your skin.

What causes dullness?

There is no one-size fits all solution for radiance and there are many multifaceted reasons why you may struggle with dullness. Firstly, you need to understand your skin type and areas of concern. Here are the main causes of a lacklustre complexion:

  • Age: unfortunately, our skin loses fatty acids and hydration as we age. Loss in firmness can also contribute to a duller tone over time. Finally, dark spots can impact your radiance.
  • Dehydration: dry skin types can experience more dullness than oily or combination complexions. Dehydration can cause a loss of volume; whereas hydrated skin appears plump, healthy and glowing. Dehydration could also be a sign of skin barrier dysfunction.
  • Improper exfoliation: sometimes our skin needs a little help exfoliating the top layers. Dead cells can leave a rough texture and create dullness. Ensure you hydrate properly when using exfoliating actives such as salicylic acid.
  • Barrier dysfunction: dry, damaged, or sensitive skin tends to have a harder time maintaining moisture barrier health. However, over-exposure to environmental aggressors and oxidative damage can impair the moisture barrier leading to a loss of resilience and natural glow.
  • Blemishes: acne, scars, pigmentation or closed comedones can all make your skin appear rough or uneven. Light can’t reflect evenly from a textured surface so it can be more difficult to get that reflective effect.

What can you do about dullness?

Understanding why your skin is dull will determine the most appropriate treatment. Here are our recommendations for common complaints of a lacklustre complexion.

  • Dehydration: focus on hydrators such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin and peptides. Seal hydration in with ingredients like ceramides, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil or shea butter. Include a hyaluronic acid serum or hydrating serum in your routine for additional moisture before applying your day cream.
  • Blemishes: incorporate gentle skincare acids into your moisturiser such as lactic acid or glycolic acid as these subtly lift away dead cells, revealing healthy, fresh skin underneath. Alternatively, incorporate a gentle retinol moisturiser into your routine but consider the heightened risks of UV damage and always wear an SPF.
  • Dark spots: the most crucial ingredient in lifting dark spots is vitamin C. Look for stabilised forms like ascorbyl glucoside. Also, consider niacinamide for pore reduction and a brightening effect. Read about the best serums for treating dark spots.
  • Wrinkles, fine lines and sagging: the best way to plump away the first signs of ageing is to deeply hydrate with hydrolysed hyaluronic acid and boost cellular renewal with retinol, CoQ10 or skincare acids. Finally, supply much-needed fatty acids daily. Include ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, ceramides or shea butter.
  • Barrier dysfunction: look for ingredients which support the moisture barrier like probiotics, prebiotics, ceramides, urea or oat kernel extract. Also, pay attention to proper hydration.
  • Redness: include soothing ingredients like aloe vera, green tea extract, panthenol and beta-glucans in your gentle moisturising routine. Explore our favourite soothing moisturisers

Which Ingredients Give You the Dewiest Skin?

Understanding how each ingredient works to achieve radiance and how they interact with different complexions will allow you to choose the ultimate skincare routine.

  • Hyaluronic acid (specifically low molecular weight): small hyaluronic acid molecules penetrate deeply into the epidermis, where it holds much-needed moisture. Hydrolyses HA acts like a glass of water for your skin and is the key to juicy all-day hydration.
  • Skincare acids: gently reveals a smoother, more radiant complexion by lifting the layer of dead cells and blemishes. Acids also help clear pores for a more flawless complexion.
  • Niacinamide: this anti-acne ingredient helps refine pores, brighten discolouration and even tone and texture. It's well-tolerated and suitable for sensitive skin types.
  • Vitamin C: fights melanin formation and boosts collagen formation for an age-reversal effect. It also fights oxidative damage –the number one cause of photo-ageing. Explore the best vitamin C serums.
  • Antioxidants: special compounds help fight oxidative damage from the environment, helping to keep your complexion healthy, radiant and youthful.
  • Glycerin: this hydrator helps your skin absorb moisture and makes for a lightweight moisturiser with a silky, radiant finish.
  • Squalane: another hydrator that replenishes moisture while repairing the skin barrier and reducing water loss – this is a must for treating dullness.
  • Peptides: peptides in skincare help boost hydration levels without leaving sticky residues. They’re best included as part of your hydration routine for added glow.
  • Botanical extracts (aka. skin superfoods): there are a vast variety of magical plant extracts which treat a variety of skin concerns – some are hydrating or soothing, while others are barrier-boosting, and many have antioxidant properties.

The 7 Best Moisturisers for Glowing Skin – Meaghers Top Picks

Glow recipes for dehydrated skin

Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser

A healthy moisture barrier is essential for a radiant complexion. This deeply hydrating ceramide-rich moisturiser is designed to repair and soothe dry, irritated skin. It provides a protective barrier to lock in moisture and support your natural defence mechanism. Ideal for restoring elasticity and youth, while delivering intense nourishment. Use it as a night cream if you're prone to oiliness. Dry or mature complexions may benefit from daily use.

product review

“First time trying but love it. It's a huge drink of water for my skin. I put on at night and notice the difference in morning”

Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser
Key Ingredients
  • Ceramides
  • Grapeseed oil
  • Aloe vera
  • Shea Butter
  • Oat kernel extract
  • Vitamin E
  • Niacinamide
Why we love it:
  • Strengthens moisture barrier
  • Calms irritation and redness
  • Intensely moisturising
  • Refillable bottles
Possible Downsides:
  • May feel heavy for oily complexions
  • Contains fragrance
  • Contains comedogenic ingredients

Perfect For: mature, dry or sensitive skin types, including barrier-compromised skin.

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La Roche-Posay Hydraphase HA Intense Rich Moisturiser

This cult favourite, ultra-hydrating moisturiser delivers long-lasting moisture with the help of glow-inducing hydrolysed hyaluronic acid. It is designed to target dehydration and dullness, leaving you with a smooth, bouncy and refreshed face. You can opt for the rich formula for a nourishing quench for dry skin. The lightweight moisturiser may feel more comfortable for oily or combination complexions.

product review

“Most hydrating moisturiser I've had. I have very dry skin so I can't live without it now. Feels like my skin is having a drink”

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase HA Intense Rich Moisturiser
Key Ingredients
  • Hyaluronic Acid (medium and low weight)
  • La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
  • Glycerin
  • Urea
  • Shea butter
Why we love it:
  • Intensely hydrating for hours of wear
  • Lightweight yet nourishing
  • Suitable for sensitive complexions
Drawbacks:
  • Contains pore-clogging ingredients (rich cream)
  • Contains fragrance

If you have combination or oily skin, opt for the lightweight hydraphase moisturiser which is non-comedogenic.

Perfect Fordry and dehydrated skin.

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Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturiser

A rich, nourishing cream designed to restore balance to a compromised moisture barrier and deeply moisturise depleted skin. A little bit goes a long way with this cream, infused with bio-replenishing complex and prebiotics, it helps support the microbiome while enhancing moisture retention for long-lasting hydration and healthy glow.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturiser
Key Ingredients
  • BioReplenish Complex™
  • Hyaluronic Acid (medium and low molecular weight)
  • Ceramides
  • Lactic acid
  • Botanical extracts
  • Aloe Vera
  • Vitamin C & E
Why we love it:
  • Strengthens the moisture barrier
  • Supports a healthy microbiome
  • Provides antioxidant protection
  • Free from artificial fragrances and colours
Drawbacks:
  • May feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin
  • Premium price point

Perfect For: dry, mature and sensitive skin.

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The only anti-ageing vitamin C moisturiser worth buying

IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser

Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, this ultra-hydrating moisturiser combats dryness and signs of ageing while boosting your natural glow. It’s specially formulated to nourish and protect against environmental aggressors and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser 50ml
product review

“Absolutely gorgeous in the skin
Great product
Smells amazing”

Key Ingredients
  • Glycerin
  • Vitamin C (pure vitamin C plus two stabilised forms)
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Retinyl palmitate (gentle retinol)
  • Ceramides
  • Vitamin E
  • Peptides
  • Grapeseed oil
  • Shea Butter
Why we love it:
  • Brightens and evens skin tone
  • Provides anti-ageing benefits
  • Suitable for use as an anti-ageing eye cream
  • Rich, luxurious texture which moisturises and repairs moisture barrier
  • Protects against environmental damage
Drawbacks:
  • Can be too rich for oily skin
  • Fragrance could irritate sensitive complexions
  • Premium price tag

Perfect For: dry, dull, and mature skin.

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The ‘barely-there’ moisturiser for glass skin

Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Moisturiser

A lightweight yet deeply hydrating gel cream moisturiser that delivers balanced hydration without clogging pores. Formulated with a blend of peptides and antioxidants, it promotes smooth, juicy and plump skin while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Moisturiser 50ml
product review

“Love this product. So light but a great moisturiser, not greasy”

Key Ingredients
  • Peptides (small chains of amino acids)
  • Squalane
  • Jojoba oil
  • Green tea extract
  • Vitamin E
Why we love it:
  • Lightweight and non-greasy
  • Fast-absorbing, lightweight formula which provides an instant glow that lasts the full day
  • Suitable for all complexions
  • Non-comedogenic
Possible Downsides
  • May not provide enough hydration for extremely dry skin
  • Naturally fragranced

Perfect For: combination, normal, and oily skin prone to dullness.

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The Best daily moisturiser with SPF for a dewy finish

Hello Sunday The Everyday One SPF50 Face Moisturiser

This everyday moisturiser with SPF 50 offers high sun protection and hydration in a lightweight, non-greasy formula. Perfect for daily wear, it absorbs quickly while providing powerful defence against harmful UV rays. Hello Sunday delivers delectable dewiness for that all-important glow.

Hello Sunday The Illuminating One SPF 50 Glow Makeup Primer 50ml
Key Ingredients
  • Sunscreen
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate)
  • Vitamin E
Why we love it:
  • High SPF protection
  • Hydrates and protects against environmental stressors
  • Lightweight cream and non-greasy formula
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
Possible Drawbacks:
  • May leave a white cast on deeper tones
  • Not water-resistant
  • May not be hydrating enough for drier skin types

Perfect For: combination or oily skin.

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