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The Best Light Moisturisers for this Summer

By Carly Cochrane - 1 year ago | Updated
best light moisturisers

Lightweight moisturiser has been on the radar for oily-skinned beauties for a while now, but we think it’s about time we all got acquainted – especially with summer right around the corner.

Yep, in just a few weeks we’ll all be suffering with a case of sweaty, sticky skin. Heavy makeup will be off the cards and the thick, rich creams that got us through winter will go into hibernation.

While the extra dose of vitamin D and a natural tan will no doubt inject some life back in to our dull complexions, our skin care routine remains just as important. In fact, the transition from cold to warm weather can really affect our faces – just think of the all the extra oil clogging pores, harmful UV rays and intense dehydration.

So, to help you correctly tailor your skin care according to the season, we’ve compiled a list of light moisturisers that are seriously worth the coin.

Best light moisturiser for oily skin:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant

£15.67 £20.90 (26% off)

Cosmetify HQ is a huge fan of La Roche Posay and their incredible oily skin expertise. This moisturiser is ideal if you’re familiar with the midday meltdown. Boasting a light, matte finish, it tightens pores and reduces sebum production so shine will be kept to a minimum on more humid days. It's even infused with a light tint making it great if you've caught a tan!

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defence SPF 30

£32.89 £34.47 (5% off)

This cream is a good'un. Bursting with potent antioxidants and skin-restoring ingredients, it minimises oil and soothes dryness and irritation for a healthy, balanced complexion. Lightweight, hydrating and leaving skin with a soft matte finish, it's perfect for oily and acne-prone skin types.


Best light moisturiser for combination skin:

Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream

£17.22 £20.31 (16% off)

Those with combination skin tend to have an oily T-zone and drier cheeks, making it difficult to find a moisturiser that will remedy both. Luckily, Bioderma have a lightweight formula that leaves your complexion soft without any greasy textures. A blend of skin-loving ingredients, including salicylic acid and vitamin E, are fused with an Aquagenium patent in order to restore radiance, hydration and smoothness to skin.

Augustinus Bader The Cream

£74.00

Okay, so we know this one has a hefty price tag but trust us when we say it's totally worth it. 30 years of research and innovation has been poured into this iconic formula, so you can expect nothing but the best results. The cream itself is light, refreshing and deeply hydrating, plus it leaves skin stronger, healthier and protected.


Best light moisturiser for dry skin:

CeraVe Moisturising Lotion

£16.50 £17.00 (3% off)

We know what you’re thinking – the only way to combat dry skin is to lather on the rich creams with intense ingredients. Let CeraVe change your mind as they provide a lightweight lotion that’s just as effective. The formula uses ceramides, which are ace at repairing skin affected by conditions such as eczema, as well as hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty complexions.

Weleda Skin Food Light

£8.95

This little green tube of magic is all you need to nurse dry and dehydrated complexions back to optimum health. Calendula, chamomile and oils work together to restore, revive and nourish your face. Not to mention, the lotion instantly absorbs into the skin.


Best light moisturiser for acne-prone skin:

Mesoestetic Acne One Treatment Cream

£39.95

Warmer weather can be a nightmare for acne-prone skin as excess sebum and humid air can cause breakouts and irritation. Keep flare-ups and hormonal acne at bay with this treatment cream. Specifically designed for the daily control of acne-prone and seborrhoeic skin, it works by limiting oil production, controlling bacteria and reducing redness.

Q+A Zinc PCA Daily Moisturiser

£9.00

Q+A know just how to care for acne-prone skin. Serving up the ultimate lightweight formula, the Zinc PCA Daily Moisturiser minimises pore size, calms angry blemishes and provides all the antioxidants needed to keep skin looking bright and clear. It balances, purifies and replenishes skin, leaving it soft, smooth and stress-free.


Best light moisturiser for sensitive skin:

ELEMIS Hydra Boost Day Cream For Normal Dry Skin

£30.95 £32.50 (5% off)

Sensitive skin, we might have just found your summer saviour. Boasting high-quality ingredients, this comfortable moisturiser uses hyaluronic acid and orange blossom milk to deliver long-lasting hydration. Indulge in soft, supple and soothed skin.

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel

£44.62 £55.00 (19% off)

A moisturiser that doesn't cause irritation, redness or dryness. We'll take it. The Dermalogica Calm Water Gel is specially designed for sensitive skin types. The ultra-calming formula is made with a dual hyaluronic acid technology that locks in moisture, apple fruit extract, glycerin and cactus pear extract - a superstar when it comes to soothing skin.


Best light moisturiser for anti-ageing:

Eucerin Anti-Age Hyaluron Filler Day Cream Rich SPF 15

£34.00

Switch up your daily moisturiser for this super-lightweight warrior and reveal your youngest-looking complexion yet. Putting up a good fight against premature ageing, this anti-ageing cream plumps the skin and prevents fine lines, all whilst hydrating face.

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

£76.99 £95.00 (19% off)

It's one of the most loved skin creams for a reason. The ELEMIS Pro Collagen Marine Cream tackles fine lines and wrinkles, reducing their appearance in just 14 days. Thanks to its ultra-hydrating marine ingredients, such as seaweed and padina pavonica, you'll notice that skin is visibly firmer, as well as toned and nourished.


Best natural light moisturiser:

Dr Hauschka Quince Day Cream

£23.05 £26.00 (12% off)

Believing in the power of good ingredients, this cruelty-free, paraben-free moisturiser utilises quince wax, jojoba, apricot and avocado oil to quench thirsty skin. Whether you use it as a makeup primer, everyday moisturiser or simply when your complexion needs a big dose of hydration, it's guaranteed to leave your skin softer, plumper and smoother.

Dr Hauschka Revitalising Day Cream

£18.75 £27.00 (31% off)

Give your skin a dose of the good stuff with a moisturiser that's developed with premium botanical extracts, including witch hazel and carrot. This 100% natural (and organic) formula supports your oil barrier and leaves skin supple, fresh and balanced. Perfect for all skin types, but especially dry and dehydrated, the light emulsion doubles up as a primer and makes an ideal makeup base.


Best organic light moisturiser:

Antipodes Manuka Honey Day Cream

£9.60 £12.35 (23% off)

Dive deep into the honey pot as this day cream is your fast-pass to a nourished complexion. Bursting with organic ingredients such as bee venom, manuka honey, grapeseed, kiwi, peony extract, avocado and jojoba oils, this lightweight cream takes skin from dry and dehydrated to soft, lifted and glowing in an instant.

Green People Age Defy+ 24 Hour Brightening Cream

£27.75

Wave bye-bye to skin that's easily irritated. Ticking all the boxes, Green People are the organic experts you can trust. Completely free of all artificial ingredients, this gentle formula is bursting with vitamins and minerals that soothe, hydrate and protect your skin. Wearing comfortably on your complexion with a non-sticky feel, your skin will be able to handle whatever the day throws at it.


Best tinted light moisturiser:

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30

£9.17 £50.00 (82% off)

Every beauty regime can benefit from the likes of a tinted moisturiser, and oh, have we found you a good’un. Summer is the perfect excuse to ditch heavy-duty foundations and go for a subtle bronzing, and this popular tinted gel-cream does just that. Packed with the qualities of both makeup and skin care, a single application provides you with radiant colour and that all-important hydration.

Bioderma Photoderm Nude Touch SPF 50+

£16.47 £19.42 (16% off)

Bioderma never miss a trick, which explains why they're featured twice in our roundup. This time round they present a stellar tinted, physical SPF sunscreen that also doubles up as a moisturiser. You can rest knowing that skin is hydrated, protected and beautified with just one sheer application.

The smallest change can make the biggest difference, and we know that both you and your skin will appreciate a lighter moisturiser throughout the hotter months.

Want to switch up more of your beauty regime to suit the summer? Take a look at our Summer Beauty Tips & Top Beauty Secrets.

Carly Cochrane

Written by Carly Cochrane

As the Senior Content Editor for Cosmetify, Carly is the go-to for all the latest (and greatest) beauty tips, tricks and trends. With over six years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins-and-outs when it comes to health, beauty and wellbeing. 

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