The best day creams, according to over 200 women (2024)

The best day creams can be the key to keeping skin nourished whatever your schedule – on the school run, on an actual run, or simply sitting at home on the sofa sifting through emails.

Besides the basics, your moisturiser should keep your complexion protected from environmental aggregators such as pollution and harsh weather, not to mention the dreaded office air conditioning.

However, as it’s a non-negotiable, staple product in every brand’s skincare line-up, there are endless options to choose from (we're not joking, there are thousands!), which is why we decided to take out the guesswork for you. The GHI recruited a panel of over 200 women to try some of the leading brands, to help us find the very best day creams on the market.

Have a sneak peek of the winners below but read on for our full reviews and tips on how to find the right one for your skin, including expert tips from dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto.

Score: 87/100

This is a brilliant daytime protector, offering long-lasting moisture, broad-spectrum SPF50, and the antioxidant powers of white tea and polypeptides to help repair and nourish skin.

Although it’s thick in texture, our testers said it absorbed evenly, without leaving behind any white cast as some SPF products can. It also left skin feeling supple, soft and hydrated, according to panellists. Safer, smoother skin in one.

Score: 86/100

Start your day with this top-scoring cream, which works hard to tackle multiple skin concerns, from fine lines to fatigue – it really does the most. Powered by a combination of barrier-boosting and skin-smoothing niacinamide and sea holly extract, it works to smooth skin, improve texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boost radiance.

It’s a luxurious formula – despite the fact it’s a blind test, our testers recognised that it had a premium feel. Thick, yet fast absorbing, it leaves skin looking “glowing and luminous,” according to one pleased panel member. There’s no denying it’s expensive, but if you want hydrated, healthy, and visibly improved skin, then consider it a solid investment.

Score: 84/100

Let this day cream from Charlotte Tilbury work its magic on your skin “daaaarlings”. The peptide complex stimulates collagen production to help reduce fine lines and plump skin. It also works to even skin tone thanks to the inclusion of vitamin E and C. Not forgetting the key ingredient here – hyaluronic acid – which will keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours, according to brand claims. And it impressed when it came to lasting hydration in our tests, scoring almost full marks for the level of moisture retained in our tester’s skin after four hours.

Our panel also gave it glowing reviews. “My skin felt smoother, plumper and appears brighter,” said one at-home tester. As a makeup artist herself, Charlotte Tilbury has also ensured the formulation is quick absorbing and good for layering. “It's thick and hydrating, and sits beautifully under makeup,” our panellists told us, so you can get your face on and get out the door in no time.

Score: 81/100

They’re good enough for our morning porridge, and it seems they’re good enough for lathering on our skin too – the invigorating power of oats shouldn’t be underestimated. However, the oats in this Aveeno moisturiser aren’t quite the same as the ones you have for breakfast; instead, these are prebiotic oats that help to restore the moisture barrier, soothing and strengthening the skin.

This day cream is also non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, which means that it’s formulated to minimise the risk of allergies and is suitable for sensitive skin. Our testers prone to inflammation vouched for its gentle properties, saying they didn’t experience any irritation. “It caused no reaction, and instead calmed red skin down,” said one panel member with very sensitive skin.

Score: 79/100

Loved by celebrities and civilians alike, Skin Food from Weleda became a viral hit a few years ago, thanks to its impressive ability to hydrate skin, despite its humble price tag.

The ultra-thick formula claims to deeply nourish dry patches and it was a hit with our testers. “It added a protective layer that I could feel all day,” said one. This will be down to the emolliating properties of the added olive squalane, which works to restore and maintain a strong skin barrier, helping complexions to retain all that precious moisture. One tester with rosacea said it didn’t irritate their skin either.

Weleda products do have a distinct herbal scent, which some testers found quite strong. Some loved it, some not so much, but that’s down to personal preference. This is a long-lasting and super hydrating day cream.

Score: 79/100

This day cream promises to smooth away any fine lines and leave your face looking more contoured and lifted, with the help of plumping peptides and rice extracts. The real star of this show, though, is Anogeissus – a powerful extract derived from African birch trees, which has been used in skincare for years for its ability to minimise the look of wrinkles.

Our testers were impressed, with the majority agreeing that their skin looked and felt smoother after use. “The look of my fine lines and wrinkles has diminished,” said one.

Score: 78/100

Achieve immediate velvety hydration with this rich-but-lightweight whipped cream moisturiser. Developed by another makeup-artist-turned-skincare-saviour, Huda Kattan, our testers were pleased with how nicely it sat under makeup, without any piling or texture issues.

Manuka honey is also whipped into this mousse-like cream (why does this sound delicious?) for the ultimate dose of hydrating antioxidants, which help to moisturise, plump and even out the complexion. It’s hydrating without being greasy or sticky, with one tester going as far as to say, “It’s the best moisturiser for my combination skin.”

Score: 76/100

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the dermatologist-recommended brand CeraVe. It offers powerful skincare at an affordable price, and this facial moisturiser is no exception.

A versatile option that’s suitable for both dry and oily skin types, it hydrates but is also non-comedogenic, so there’s no chance of it clogging pores. It also contains SPF 50 to help protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays that cause sun damage (but we would always recommend applying a dedicated sunscreen as well). Testers loved how easy it was to use and how quickly it absorbed into the skin, without leaving any white cast.

The cream also contains ceramides, which support the skin barrier and help protect from other environmental aggregators such as pollution, making this a real hard worker.

Score: 75/100

Let your skin shine as bright as the eye-catching yellow packaging of this day cream. Formulated with nourishing ingredients including niacinamide and vitamin C, this formulation helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and dullness, to leave your complexion looking healthier and more even.

You don’t have to wait long before applying your SPF either, as testers found this cream lightweight and fast absorbing.

Score: 75/100

There are only a few pumps of this moisturiser between you and plumped, smoother skin, according to the brand. Testers agreed, saying it gave them “healthier, hydrated skin.” That’s thanks to the formulation’s three key ingredients: Bisabolol (a skin-soothing active), vitamin C (to reduce blemishes and dark spots), and squalane (to hydrate and help skin retain moisture).

Some testers said it didn’t layer particularly well with makeup, so it may be better for those au naturel days.

Score: 73/100

We aren’t so keen on the term ‘anti-ageing’, but we are fans of preserving skin health for as long as possible, which is what this day cream from L’Oréal promises to do. It’s enriched with the oh-so-hydrating humectant, hyaluronic acid, to keep skin feeling moisturised and plump throughout the day. It also contains SPF 50 to help protect from sun damage.

Some testers found it took a while to absorb, so you may need to wait a while before applying makeup. But most of our panel said it left skin looking radiant and dewy, so we think it’s worth the wait.

Score: 71/100

“Lightweight” and “long-lasting” were two words used by testers to describe this day cream, which is formulated specifically for dry and more mature skin. It provides long-lasting hydration without feeling sticky or greasy throughout the day.

It’s also infused with the dream team for reducing fine lines – plant collagen and peptides. Need we say more? “My skin drank it in,” said one pleased tester. Like an ice-cold glass of water.