Tackle Two Steps In One With These Beloved Moisturizers That Brighten While They Hydrate

STAR INGREDIENTS: Three powerful components come together in Perricone’s brightening moisturizer: Vitamin C for a smoothing and lifting effect, alpha lipoic acid (the world’s most powerful antioxidant), and a mineral-based sunscreen that provides SPF 30.

BEST FOR: Because this is an oil-free moisturizer, it works best for those with oily, acne prone, or combination skin.

STAR INGREDIENTS: As you may have guessed from the name, the primary ingredient in this brightening face cream is a super potent form of vitamin C called THD ascorbate. Hydrolyzed collagen is also present in this formula, which helps give this serum its moisturizing and plumping power.

BEST FOR: This moisturizer works best for those concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and dullness.

STAR INGREDIENTS: We’re starting to pick up on a pattern of all of the best brightening moisturizers including vitamin C, which is, once again, a leading ingredient in Korres’s Sleeping Facial. However, wild rose and rosehip oil both make an appearance in this formula as well, resulting in unmatched glow-giving power.

BEST FOR: If you struggle with an uneven skin tone or texture, this product is for you, and luckily, it’s approved for all skin types (normal, dry, combination, and oily). 

STAR INGREDIENTS: Pro-Xylane, a sugar protein that defends the skin against water loss, is the powerhouse ingredient behind Lancôme’s Revitalizing & Brightening Soft Cream. They also added hand-harvested grand rose extract for its skin regenerating effect, as well as shea butter for its deeply hydrating qualities.

BEST FOR: This product is highly moisturizing, so it’s best for those with dry or combination skin.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Surprise, surprise: vitamin C is back in a big way in Bliss’s Bright Idea Moisturizer. This time it's accompanied by tri-peptide, an elasticity booster, and green tea extract, which reinforces your skin's natural defenses against free radical damage.

BEST FOR: Bliss used a gentle, non-irritating version of vitamin C for this formula, so it’s a great candidate for those with sensitive skin. 

STAR INGREDIENTS: There are four (!) sources of vitamin C in Ole Henrikson’s C-Rush Gel Moisturizer, so you know it has to be one of the best face moisturizers for glowing skin. Plus, it also has rose of winter extract, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

BEST FOR: This gel moisturizer is approved for every skin type, but it's best for those who experience dullness or dryness.

STAR INGREDIENTS: A tongue twister of an ingredient, neoglucosamine is the primary building block of Neutrogena’s Bright Boost Gel Cream. Neoglucosamine is an element of hyaluronic acid that helps firm, exfoliate, and plump the skin.

BEST FOR: Those with dry, normal, or combination skin will see the best results from this oil-free brightening gel face cream. And it targets hyperpigmentation, so if that’s something you experience, we recommend adding it to your cart. 

STAR INGREDIENTS: Lady's Mantle, a perennial plant known for its skin-nurturing properties, is the main component of Belif’s Aqua Bomb. There’s also ceramide 3 and glycerin, both of which help maintain the skin’s moisture level. 

BEST FOR: There are 5-star reviews from Sephora users with normal, oily, combination, and dry skin types, so we’re pretty sure anyone would benefit from using this brightening moisturizer.

STAR INGREDIENTS: The first two ingredients listed in Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream are water and glycerin—a comforting sight for clean beauty gurus. Cucumber and sunflower extract are also part of this dermatologist-developed formula, adding to its skin-smoothing and softening abilities.

BEST FOR: Fragrance-free with delightfully simple ingredients, this is the perfect face cream for sensitive skin.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Tula’s 24-7 Day & Night Cream has a probiotic and superfood-packed formula with ingredients like yogurt extract, chicory root, and milk proteins. Despite the fact that those all sound more like breakfast ingredients than skincare elements, the combination results in a hydrating effect that beats back irritation and redness.

BEST FOR: According to Tula’s website, this brightening face cream is best for those with oily, combination, dry, blemish-prone, sensitive, or mature skin.