While conversations around the paramount importance of moisturisation in one’s skincare are perennial, we are reinforcing it just in time for Nykaa’s CSMS week. For the uninitiated, CSMS is an acronym for: cleanser, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen, a dermatologist-approved, 4-step daily skincare regimen. Tailor-made for the Indian skin type, this result-oriented ritual is frills-free (no redundancy) and viable. So scroll further for our curation of the ten best moisturisers you can weave into your CSMS routine, based on the pertinent underlying skin concerns. The best part? All the offerings are efficacious and under ₹ 599 (you can thank us later)
Best Moisturisers For Dry Skin
If your skincare is amiss with moisturisation, it can negate all your hard work to attain gloriously glowing skin. If you grapple with dry skin, a potent moisturiser will help alleviate episodes of flakiness or irritation. Furthermore, to shield your skin against the incessant sun rays, we recommend opting for formulas with hydrophilic ingredients that bind water to the dermis. Check out our top picks for moisturisers for dry skin:
Price: ₹ 299
Rating: 4.4
What We Love : Free from parabens, sulphates and fragrances
Ingredients: humectant HA for hydration, Vitamin E to fight UV rays and Vitamin F to combat dryness
The Marula oil and HA moisturiser by Minimalist, seeps into the skin, adeptly hydrating its deepest layers. This formulation is brimming with vitamin F, an abundant source of linoleic acid that nourishes dry skin and upholds a healthy skin barrier. The presence of an antioxidant, Vitamin E, which shields the skin from detrimental UV rays, makes it a fitting addition to your summer vanity.
Price: ₹ 550
Rating: 4.5
What We Love: Science-backed skincare in a tube
Key Ingredients: multiple amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerin, saccharides, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and many other compounds that are naturally present in the skin.
A cult favourite from the science-backed skincare brand-The Ordinary, the nifty li’l, moisturising tube is no short of a miracle. It ensures topical hydration with NMF or natural moisturising factor —doubling down on satiating ingredients that are naturally present in your skin. Imbued with HA, the non-greasy formula acts as a tall glass of water for those with parched skin. The presence of saccharides or naturally moisturising sugars adroitly support the dermal water density with regular use.
Price: ₹ 399
Rating:4
What We Love: science of aquaporins that reveals fresh, radiating skin
Key Ingredients: glycerine, HA and coconut water
This lightweight, non-greasy formula is hailed as a must-have for the Indian climate. Leveraging the science of aquaporins, the moisturiser channels water from the basal layer to the outer dermis, granting a dewy, plump appearance to your skin. The unique blend of coconut and HA administers deep hydration and leaves the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. For INR 399 apiece, this offering is a bargain for supple, soft skin.
Moisturisers For Oily Skin
For our oily skin gang-skimping on moisturiser may prove counterproductive. The lack of moisture content in the skin, flags off the sebaceous glands, causing them to initiate an unwarranted overproduction of oil. Summon light, oil-free formulas imbued with humectants to reap the optimal benefits of this step in your regimen. We recommend the following moisturisers-
Price: ₹ 470
Rating: 4.4
What We Love: Mattifying Effect
Ingredients: Tea Tree and glycolic acid
A stellar offering from Plum, the green tea-infused moisturiser acts as an antioxidant, casting away impurities and free radicals of the environment. The presence of glycolic acid in the mix helps to exterminate dried-off, dead cells from the dermis. The best part of this offering? The mattifying effect it bestows on the skin whilst supervising adequate hydration. It gives you the perfect canvas before you knock yourself out with makeup.
Price: ₹ 550
Rating: 4.3
What We Love: hydration and sun protection
Ingredients: SPF 15 sunscreen in the blend
Double down on sun protection for your skin by availing the oil-free face moisturiser by Neutrogena with SPF 15. This lightweight, sheer formula absorbs quickly into the skin and keeps the skin moisturised for a long 12 hours at a stretch. Since this non-comedogenic formulation is devoid of alcohol, dyes and fragrances, it has been deemed as one of the best moisturisers for oily skin!
Price: ₹ 319
Rating: 4.4
What We Love: hydration and sun protection
Ingredients: turmeric and saffron
Harnessing the power of kitchen ingredients (turmeric and saffron), this ubtan-enriched, oil-free moisturiser deeply nourishes whilst ensuring skin brightening. Owing to its mattifying prowess, the formulation casts away excess oil on the face and grants you a luminous glow. Non-greasy and feather-light, the moisturiser seeps into the deepest layers of the skin, without leaving behind any residue.
Moisturisers For Acne-Prone Skin
For people with active acne, opt for brews with benzoyl peroxide, tea tree, salicylic acid and niacinamide to help nip the problem in the bud. On that note, slathering the moisturising formulas below, will not only alleviate instances of acne, but also prevent future outbreaks.
Price: ₹ 349
Rating: 4.3
What We Love: Free of SLS and parabens
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid
Deep moisturisation while keeping zits at bay? Sign me up, please. The oil-free, salicylic-infused moisturiser from The Derma Co ensures deep hydration sans any greasy residue. Fighting on the front foot, it also clears surplus oil and unwarranted gunk to help retreat any future episodes of zits. The formula is ultra-lightweight, easy to absorb and leaves a matte finish, ideal for a smooth, makeup application process.
Price: ₹ 495
Rating: 4.5
What We Love: Brimming with ceramides and oatmeal to promote healthy skin barrier
Key Ingredients: Cica, Niacinamide, ceramides and oatmeal
This offering from Dot & Key is the perfect CSMS fit through the varying stages of acne. Cica or Centella Asiatica, the star ingredient of this blend is well-known to remedy acne flare-ups. Furthermore, niacinamide is an active ingredient that holds immense power to curb the overproduction of oil, diminish inflammation and dwindle the appearance of acne scars. Weave this product into your AM regimen for hydrated and healed skin.
Price: ₹ 508
Rating: 4.5
What We Love: Features humectants for hydration, emollients for skin softening, lipids for barrier strengthening and occlusives for water retention Features humectants for hydration, emollients for skin softening, lipids for barrier strengthening and occlusives for water retention
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E and almond oil to promote barrier health
The humble yet effective drugstore brand, Cetaphil, has the vote of confidence from bigshots like Gigi Hadid, Reese Witherspoon and Alia Bhatt. The face cream from this same line unlocks the four ways of moisturisation for your skin with HELO, an acronym for humectant, emollient,lipids and occlusive. The infallible formulation is tried and tested by dermatologists, is fragrance-free and doesn’t clog pores.
Price: ₹ 399
Rating: 4.5
What We Love: Fragrance of peach that lingers throughout the day
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Vitamin C and peach extract
This milk-like formulation by Lakme, boasting the sweet scent of peaches, is light, satiating and absorbs beautifully into the skin. The formula has an incomparable hydration power of up to 12 hours no less. Moreover, it doesn't feel greasy or icky on application. One of the best-selling offerings on Nykaa, it also helps bolster skin health while diminishing the appearance of dark spots.
