23 Best Moisturizers for Teens, According to Experts’ Tips

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.”

Rodial

Aveeno

Purito

Byoma

Vanicream

Obagi

BYOMA

BYOMA

Starface