Best moisturiser for mature skin – tested by REAL women

Skincare products often come with a hefty price tag, but this moisturiser stands out as it's not only loved by A-list celebrities but also budget-friendly. That's why it's our top pick for the best moisturiser for mature skin. CeraVe has garnered praise from celebrities like Blake Lively, Olivia Wilde, and Emily Ratajkowski. And, if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for us.

CeraVe has developed this CeraVe Moisturising Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin with dermatologists. The brand describes it as a rich yet non-greasy cream. It has been formulated with patented MVE Technology to ensure a continuous release of hydration for up to 24 hours. MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) Technology is a controlled-release delivery system used in skincare products to provide long-lasting hydration by releasing ingredients gradually over time.

The CeraVe Moisturising Cream was tested by Ella Croft, SEO Content Strategist for several brands at Bauer Media and she said, “CeraVe is one of the few moisturisers that don't trigger my sensitive skin and eczema, I've been using it for years and I haven't found anything that beats it! It's very moisturising but not greasy like a lot of other moisturisers. It absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving my skin feel soft all day. I buy a big tub and it lasts me several months, and that's using it as a hand cream and on my body every day, not just my face!”

“However, one downside is that product is not vegan and it's not cruelty free as it's sold in markets that require animal testing. But apart from this I am yet to find a moisturising cream that works better and it suitable to be used for the whole body,” she adds.

E45 has been one of the go-to brands for people who suffer from dry and itchy skin. This dermatologically tested cream is a great option for people who suffer from dry skin. In truth, our tester didn't see E45 as "anything other than treating my child's eczema" - and often opts for somethig a little more luxuruous in a moisturiser.

However, as she had a dry patch on her face, our tester decided to give it a try. She found the formula both lightweight and easy to absorb. And, after a few uses, there was a noticeable improvement, due to the fabulous ingredients, from hyaluronic acid (which promotes wound healing and is a firm help when it comes to anti-ageing remedies), hydrating seed oils and vitamin E for a soothing finish. We also found that a little bit goes a very long way. So, you'll certainly get more bang for your buck.

The Absolute Collagen Deep Lift Day Cream SPF30 is another moisturiser formulated with collagen-boosting ingredients. In case you wondering, collagen is an ingredient that enhances your skin's natural radiance and youthfulness. What we love about this product is that it also contains SPF 30, making it the perfect moisturiser to wear daily but an especially good choice for warmer weather. Our tester loved the rich consistency of Absolute Collagen's Deep Lift Day Cream and was impressed at how quickly it absorbs into the skin. It smells wonderful and leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth.

SPF effectively protects against harmful UV rays, helping prevent sunburn, premature ageing, and skin cancer while allowing for adequate vitamin D synthesis. Although other moisturisers on our list have SPF 15, we recommend SPF 30 (found in this pick) for the best protection. Shielding your skin from harmful UV rays is crucial for having healthy skin. After all, sun damage can accelerate collagen breakdown and speed up the ageing process, which is another ingredient found in this product. Also, found in this day cream is niacinamide, which nourishes and plumps skin - reducing wrinkles.

Organic ingredients in skincare offer a natural and sustainable approach to nourishing and rejuvenating your mature skin, all while being free from synthetic or harsh chemicals and pesticides. Skin Food by Weleda is one of the most popular organic moisturisers, with one being sold every 11 seconds worldwide. Our tester liked this Skin Food, finding it very hydrating but incredibly thick. Though she thought it may be a little too thick for the daytime, it has a nice, clean scent.

There are so many harsh ingredients in skincare at the moment - and if you're looking for soemthing a little more stripped-back and herbal, Weleda is a good choice. Our tester always welcomes more natural products - so appreciates that the ingredients are organic, sustainably sourced and that this product is cruelty-free (and vegan). This is a great thick all-around moisturiser, and a little goes a long way. However, we found that with this tube size, it's best to keep it for your face; otherwise, it will run out pretty quickly. However, at this affordable price, you may be able to purchase two tubes.

When it comes to celebrity beauty brands, we're usually cautious. The market is full of actresses and singers promoting 'must-have' skincare products that promise a youthful glow, but they often fall short. So, when we heard about Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson's beauty brand, The Outset, we were sceptical. Scarlett, best known for her role in the Marvel movies, launched this brand to simplify skincare. The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer claims to outperform hyaluronic acid after 24 hours and improve the skin barrier in just two weeks.

We were pleased to see that it is vegan, fragrance-free, and non-clogging formula. Eager to try it ourselves, we've been using this cream daily for almost a month and are thrilled with the results. It has a rich, luxurious consistency that feels deeply hydrating without making the skin oily or heavy.

This cream also serves as a perfect base for makeup, absorbing well into the skin and leaving a soft, smooth finish. We're not the only fans—hundreds of five-star reviews online echo our enthusiasm. One review calls it nourishing, without causing any irritation or sensitivity. Another customer says that they live in a dry climate - and this Outset cream "saved their skin". Skincare enthusiasts rave that this is the best moisturiser they've ever used, and this writer wholeheartedly agrees.

If your skin often feels a bit lacklustre, then this Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C brightening moisturiser might be just what you need to regain a youthful glow. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, this Medik8 works with both fine lines and wrinkles. It's your daily dose of vitamin C and SPF 30 all in one. Not only does this moisturiser support premature ageing, but it visibly softens, boosts radiance and firms your skin. Vitamin E will add anti-oxidant protection and boost results. Luxurious.

An independent consumer study conducted over four weeks on 50 participants across all skin types and tones found that this cream made users feel like their skin looked brighter. Customers adore its non-greasy, cashmere-soft texture cream that protects skin against premature signs of ageing. One customer commented that this gives an "immediate glow" and is a great pick if you don't wear base make-up, such as foundation. It's neither sticky nor too thick. Instead, reviews add that it feels very luxurious and smells great. Some reviews suggest reapplying throughout the day, though.

While mature skin may lose its firmness over time, the Lift Firming Cashmere Cream by Caudalie, celebrated by online users and skincare experts, offers a solution. This innovative cream features plant-derived collagen and an exclusive anti-ageing patent comprising vine resveratrol, hyaluronic acids, and a vegan collagen booster, effectively stimulating all three types of collagen. Collagen is essential for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and overall youthful appearance, as it provides structural support to the skin, joints, and other connective tissues.

Customers love the texture of this Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Cashmere Cream. Though moisturising, yet luxurious - it's not cloggy or heavy. A customer says it makes their skin feel soft and hydrated after using it - without too much of a shine, either. Another says they love the refill aspect of this "favourite" product from SpaceNK - as it saves any unnecessary waste. Customers like the nice, light texture, which quickly absorbs - very helpful on busy mornings. Not only is it said by reviews to hydrate, but it reduces puffiness of skin, too. For firm and a glowing look, it's a great choice.

While you sleep, your skin begins healing. Applying cream before bed is an excellent idea because it can penetrate deeper into the skin as it isn't exposed to environmental factors or sunlight, thus maximizing its effectiveness. Skincare enthusiasts hail this Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Night Cream that is enriched with plant-based squalane, which reinforces the hydrolipidic film, and line-filling pearls to visibly smooth dehydration wrinkles. The brand states that this cream works 13x longer on the skin to provide long-lasting results, and the online reviews are full of people who agree.

John Lewis customers have granted this Clarins pick a 4.5/5 star rating, with the quality "excellent" and value "great". One customer calls it "light but rich enough to hydrate" without it being overly greasy. Another review says its great to put a little more moisture in your skin during the summer months. Not only is it said to smell lovely, but results are seen within a few weeks of use. A little goes a long way. However, it's not fragrance-free, which may not suit everyone - especially super-sensitive skin.

This lightweight yet deeply hydrating gel cream is designed to provide intense moisture without adding excess oil, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and balanced. Perfect for those seeking a non-greasy moisturiser that helps control shine and minimize pores, this oil-free gel cream from Kiehl's is your go-to solution for a mattified, healthy-looking complexion. What did customers say?

For those with mature, oily skin Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream is another favourite of ours. With an average star rating of 4.2/5, this Kiehl's cream is lightweight, non-greasy and absorbs quickly, according to many reviews. One customer calls it the "best moisturiser"; after trying lots of different creams, they keep coming back to this Kiehl's cream - for the softest skin with no "clagginess". Another review says it feels "fantastic" and that the 125ml amount lasts a while, too. Despite, this we wouldn't recommend this pick for dry skin types - but preferably oily or normal skin. And, we wish there was a larger size, too.

The Aveeno Face Calm+Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser is formulated with prebiotic oat and calming feverfew. This ingredient is great for sensitive skin because although it is hydrating and can help repair the skin from sun damage, it is incredibly gentle. We could not believe how lightweight this cream is - and it absorbs quickly, too. Though our Aveeno tester does prefer a thicker cream for the evening, this is now their "go-to moisturiser" for their morning routine.

There is a slight natural "oaty" scent that we love, but it's very subtle. Not only has this Aveeno pick been dermatologist tested, but it's not going to clog up pores. Though a lightweight formula, it does make your skin feel very soft, says our Aveeno tester. She adds that it's great to find a cream that is "packed full of nourishing ingredients" beneficial to our skin. Yes - not only are some ingredients hydrating e.g. glycerin), but the oat kernel soothes and vitamin E helps even your skin tone.

Olay Beauty Fluid Face and Body Moisturiser promised to be the one-stop shop. It can be used not only on your face but on your whole body, although we are a little sceptical of how long the small bottle would last if you regularly used it all over. However, as a daily moisturiser, it's incredibly lightweight and hydrating for the skin, which is great for ageing skin.

We first noticed how fluid this cream was, especially in comparison to some of the other richer moisturisers on the market. We liked that a little does go a long way, and it absorbs well. This budget-friendly moisturiser is a fantastic option for women with combination skin, providing hydration without heaviness.

Customers like to go back to this old favourite, after finding modern moisturisers a little oily and causing spots. One customer uses it every day - and has done so for many years. This is an old-reliable, used by many for years - the perfect non-greasy, light pick for the best skin. Some found the product a little runny when it sinks in well and moisturises your face, ready for a day out.

Taking time to care for your skin can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. We love taking some time out of our day to really pamper ourselves. If you really want to treat yourself (and your skin), then this luxury Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream Refillable SPF 15 is the ultimate indulgent product. Whilst we know this is a slightly more costly purchase, it is packed with amazing ingredients from Shea butter, hyaluronic and much more (don't forget to check the full ingredients list, below). Ideal for dry, dehydrated and maturing skin types, this Magic Cream will prime your face for makeup.

On the whole, customers like this Charlotte Tilbury pick. Not only is it good to moisturise, but it tackles dehydration and is super creamy. One customer says it feels nice on the skin and works well under make-up, too. Another customer says it combines some goodies (such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and peptides) to provide the best priming and moisture - for overnight use, too. However, customers say it's a little expensive and hasn't got a high enough SPF for the summer months.

Skincare products are a great option when you are looking for a gift for close friends or family. Whilst we wouldn't recommend buying skincare for distant relatives (because you may not know their skin type or preferences), purchasing a skincare gift set for your sister or best friend is a beautiful gift - especially when it's Olay. In our testers opinion, you can't "beat Olay", especially if you have mature skin and you're looking to dive into the world of skincare. It's a fabulous option for many.

Our tester felt her skin looked "visually brighter… and much smoother…" which will be due to the powerhouse ingredients inside this duo. Niacinamide and retinol are active skincare superheroes, supporting skin brightness to age appearance. Whereas, Vitamins A and C will be likely responsible for our testers skins smooth, even feel. Olay Project Glow Day & Night Moisturiser Giftset hydrates
your skin for 24 hours, and Olay claims you can see visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles. Thanks to the hydration powers of glycerin and panthenol, rest assured, your skin will feel plump.

So whether you are looking to buy it for yourself or a friend, Olay is a safe pick, loved by many women. Our tester liked that the day cream smells "fresh and zesty"; a fragranced cream may contain soemthing like linalool - and though lovely to smell, can be an irritant and is not recommended for those with very sensitive skin. Though, the night cream has no fragrance, it's still not safe for this skin type. Our tester got this set for her mum and ended up purchasing one for herself.