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Call it moisturizer, day cream or lotion. Either way its job is to provide hydration that a serum doesn’t deliver, as well as environment protection, nourishment and and glow. I haven’t put together a Five Best moisturizers since 2013 and what could be a better time for an update than in the midst of a winter chill and following a year in which we made many great new finds. So, here is 2016’s Five Best Moisturizers with new discoveries as well some tried and true.

  • Soleil Toujours Daily Moisturizer SPF 20 for Face

    Soleil Toujours Daily Moisturizer SPF 20 for Face ($55 in the shop). I am not big on day creams with SPF as so often they end up being mediocre on both fronts. I make an exception for Soleil Toujours as this is a moisturizer with mineral sun protection and a whole lot more. One of the most interesting ingredients is SymHelios, which offers a unique form of sun protection. UVB rays are toxic and cause long term skin damage because they cause an amino acid, tryptophan, to form a toxic substance. SymHelios actually protects against this toxin. Plus there are plenty of anti-agers, such as apple stem cells and resveratrol.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • I Pekar Moisturizer

    I Pekar Moisturizer ($78 in the shop). This is my go-to for getting a glow. This moisturizer was launched last year by my long-time esthetician Ildi Pekar and it leaves my skin dewy, comfortable and nourished. A key ingredient is raw honey, a healer and a source of antioxidants. The well-chosen peptide is is tripeptide-5. This peptide activates an epidermal growth factor (TGF-beta) that stimulates collagen in the skin. Squalane and hyaluronic acid moisturize, while calendula and aspen bark are anti-inflammatory and calming.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion

    Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion ($58 in the shop). Hydration and its retention is a key element in Dr. Dennis Gross‘ skin care philosophy. A cool blue with a light, whipped texture and a surprisingly refreshing feeling on impact with the skin, it is very different from a typical creamy moisturizer. It has a mattyifying effect for shiny skins such as mine that is a welcome bonus. Sodium hyaluronate and phospholipids draw in the moisture and then seals it in. Amongst the botanicals, I like antioxidant watermelon extract and cinnamon bark, which has been shown by studies to improve lipid function (lipids are the building blocks of cells).

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • La Vie Celeste Extra Rich Cream

    La Vie Celeste Extra Rich Cream ($75 in the shop). I keep coming back to LVC’s lovely cream as it is one of the few moisturizers to be formulated with the peptide ChroNOline to increase firmness in skin that is sagging. There’s anti-aging umph with apple stem cells and alpha lipoic acid. The abundance of botanical antioxidants include marigold, pomegranate and even baobab. No nasties, just good things.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • SimySkin Hydrating & Nourishing Face Moisturizer

    SimySkin Hydrating & Nourishing Face Moisturizer ($45 in the shop). This more than does its job by providing all-day hydration. I particularly like that one of my favorite antioxidants, astraxanthin, is near the top of a hit list that also includes folic acid, CoQ10, vitamin C, white tea and dipeptide-2. Mango butter gives nourishment and as an extra bonus, use under the eyes to take advantage of a peptide that reduces dark under eye circles. There is one potentially harsh preservative, but the good outweighs the bad by a long way in a product that punches above its price point.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients