14 Gel Moisturizers for Prettier Skin All Spring and Summer
It's hot, it's muggy, and your face looks like an oil slick. Swap out your heavy cream for one of these refreshing gel formulas, and you'll feel better in no time
Using GlamGlow Waterburst Hydrated Glow Moisturizer, $49, is quite the experience. It almost seems to dissolve into water as you apply it to your skin and here's the kicker: It smells like Starbursts in the best possible way. And thanks to a triple punch of hyaluronic acid and some water specially sourced from South Korea's Jeju Island, this gel moisturizer is quite the find.
If you want hyaluronic acid and an arsenal of wrinkle-fighting ingredients, check out Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream, $24.99. Not only does it contain three different types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump, it's also loaded with the amino acid arginine, collagen and ceramides. Plus, it's fragrance-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme, $87, contains camellia flower extract for moisture — yes, the fashion house's iconic symbol also happens to be good for skin — as well as blue ginger, an antioxidant that offers protection from free radical damage. The scent is incredibly pretty but not too fragranced, and it feels cool when you apply it. And then, of course, there's the glamour factor, which it delivers in spades.
Costing barely more than a Starbucks latte, Garnier Moisture Rescue Refresh Gel Cream, $6.59, is the best deal you'll find on a gel moisturizer. It has the same delightful texture as the rest on the list, and it promises to keep skin hydrated for a full 24 hours thanks to vitamin E. As an added bonus, it offers antioxidant protection in the form of grape water extract.
If your skin needs a detox — whether from a big weekend or living in a smoggy city — Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oil-Free Energizing Oxygen Gel Cream Moisturizer, $37, can help. It's packed with antioxidants (ideal for fighting damage from pollution), and it's designed to boost circulation and bring more oxygen into your cells. It also has a blue tint, which makes it look as refreshing as it feels.
