22 best face creams for women 2024 UK; tested for dry, oily and sensitive skin
DREAMING of effortlessly soft and hydrated skin? We've put some of the best face creams for women to the test to make it easier than ever to find the right product for you.
When there's a sea of skincare products out there promising miracles, it can be daunting, to say the least, to decide which one to go for – especially when the most coveted skincare brands also come at a price.
But fear not though, because we've taken on the challenge and sifted through a plethora of products to bring you our honest verdict – whether you've got dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin or a combination of all three.
From anti-ageing formulas and lifting face lotions to moisturisers for sensitive skin and creams that are packed with hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen-boosting vitamin C, we've rigorously tested each one and given it a rating out of five.
So say goodbye to guesswork and hello to radiant skin as we unveil the best face creams for women, tried and tested.
How we tested
We tested the face creams on seven different reviewers with skin types ranging from dry, sensitive, oily and acne-prone.
Each reviewer used the face cream for more than five days to see whether they could see if it had made a difference to their skin. Some products were already items our reviewers used in their daily routine.
Our reviewers tested creams in the AM and PM, with SPF and layered with make-up to see whether they would work well.
We also used the Yuka app to check the ingreidients in each cream to see whether it was accurate to its label.
Best face creams at a glance:
- Best overall face cream: Egyptian Magic Cream
- Best face cream for dry skin:
- Best face cream for women:
- Best face cream for men:
- Best face cream with SPF:
Tropic Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturiser
Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturiser, £30 from Tropic
Pros: Smells lovely, nice texture, a little goes a long way, skin looked and felt instantly hydrated, not greasy
Cons: Not cheap, doesn't include SPF
Rating: 4.5/5
The first time I used , I applied it at night and woke up the next morning with noticeably more hydrated skin. My skin felt less tight, my dry patches had disappeated and my skin looked visibly more hydrated too.
The cream is orange in colour, and feels very light but not greasy to the touch. One pump is also enough to cover your face, a little goes a long way.
It also smells lovely, it has an almost citrussy scent. However, if you're not keen on fragranced products, there's also an unscented option, which I haven't personally tested (yet).
I apply the cream both morning and night and it leaves my skin looking dewy and plump all day long.
It comes in a 50ml bottle, and for £2 less you can buy a refill which comes without the pump.
I love that it's organic, vegan and cruelty-free, and for any Yuka users, you'll be happy to know it has a "Good" rating.
It seems I'm not the only person that loves what does for my skin as it has a 4.8 star rating from over 2700 reviews.
Review by Clara Wolsey
Size: 50ml, and 50ml refill, Skin type: Dry, normal, balance, How to use: Day and night, Vegan: Yes, Cruelty-free: Yes
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Pros: Very hydrating, a little goes a long way, skin instantly looks brighter, feels light on skin
Cons: No scent, quite pricey, doesn't include SPF (though )
Rating: 4/5
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is a skincare classic. It's won 70 international awards and averages 4.7 stars on the brand's website. In short, it's got a pretty good reputation.
Touted as a 'super hydrator', it uses glacial glycoprotein and olive-derived squalane to ensure moisturised skin all day.
The cream looks very thick in the pot but once it's rubbed in, it feels lightweight and, crucially, non-greasy.
This moisturiser only uses natural ingredients so you know your skin isn't being subjected to harsh chemicals - a real bonus for sensitive skin.
Don't expect a strong scent from this one because that's not where this product's strengths lie, but do expect to only need a small amount. A little goes a very long way, which is great because this is priced on the higher end of the mid-range at £35 for 50ml, or if you want to size up, £57 for 125ml.
Find out more detail in our Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream review.
Review by Olivia Perl.
Size: 50ml, 125ml and 15ml refill, Skin type: All, How to use: Day and night, Vegan: No, Cruelty-free: No
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Pros: Expensive, thick consistency, feels luxurious, glowing skin
Cons: Expensive, can take a while to soak in, can be too thick in summer (a is available)
Rating: 4/5
Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream is a cult classic for a reason and the iconic moisturiser has garnered thousands of fans over the years, and it's easy to see why.
A thick, moisturiser it's perfect if you have dry or combination skin, however, its biggest selling point (its consistency) can also be to its detriment, as some may find its formula too heavy.
While I wouldn't recommend it to those with oilier skin, Charlotte Tilbury also does a which combines everything you love about Magic Cream but with a lighter formula.
A little of this will go a long way, so your jar will last you months - making the expensive £52 price tag a little bit more palatable.
I find that my skin will feel moisturised all day, and my skin feels instantly smooth, and soft after use, and it looks healthy and bright.
It's easy to see why Magic Cream has so many fans.
Review by Harriet Flook
Size: 50ml, 15ml, Skin type: Dry or Combination, How to use: Day and night, Vegan: No, Cruelty-free: Yes
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