Your guide to premium face cream

Augustinus Bader The Cream Moisturiser

Best for: normal, combination and oily skin; anyone who wants hydration without heaviness.
Why it’s luxe: a weightless, polished moisturiser that sinks in fast and layers flawlessly under SPF and make-up.

Augustinus Bader The Cream is a lightweight luxury moisturiser that absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling smooth and comfortable. It gives a hydrated, polished finish without feeling greasy, so it works well in the morning and under sunscreen or makeup. It is designed for normal, combination, and oily skin, and it is fragrance free.

It also includes well known hydrating and barrier supporting ingredients like glycerin, squalane, panthenol, and ceramides, which help skin feel softer and less tight.

Pros
• Lightweight and fast absorbing
• Fragrance free, often easier for sensitive leaning skin
• Contains strong hydration and barrier support ingredients

Cons
• Expensive
• Can feel too light if your skin is very dry

La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturising Cream

Best for: dry, very dry or tight-feeling skin; anyone who loves a rich, comforting cream.
Why it’s luxe: an iconic, ultra-rich moisturiser with a ritual-like application and a plush, cocooning finish.

La Mer Crème de la Mer is a very rich, classic luxury moisturiser made for people who want serious comfort and softness, especially if skin feels dry or tight. It has a thick texture that you warm between your fingers before pressing it in. The brand highlights its Miracle Broth and Lime Tea and says it helps soothe dryness and support the skin barrier over time.

Pros
• Deeply moisturising and comforting for dry skin
• Helps soothe the look of dryness and supports a healthier feeling barrier
• Iconic product with mini sizes available, so people can try before committing

Cons
• Expensive
• Texture can feel too heavy if you are oily or prefer lightweight creams

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

Best for: dry to dehydrated skin; anyone who loves a plump, cushioned, glow-forward finish.
Why it’s luxe: a velvety, “bouncy-skin” moisturiser that melts in and leaves a polished dewy sheen.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream is a rich moisturiser that gives a soft, bouncy feel and a dewy glow. It is made for dry to dehydrated skin, or anyone who likes a plumper, more cushioned finish. It feels velvety, melts in nicely, and works well under makeup if you like that glowy look.

It uses hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid plus squalane, and it is known for Japanese purple rice in the formula.

Pros
• Very hydrating and gives a dewy finish
• Great for dry or dehydrated skin
• Contains well known hydrators like hyaluronic acid and squalane

Cons
• Can feel too rich if you are oily or prefer a matte finish

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Best for: all skin types; anyone who wants dependable, no-fuss hydration that won’t feel greasy.
Why it’s luxe-adjacent: a cult classic for a reason — simple, comfortable moisture with a clean feel and easy layering.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is a simple, reliable moisturiser that gives long lasting hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. It is made for all skin types and it is fragrance free. It uses squalane plus ingredients the brand highlights like glacial glycoprotein and pro ceramides to help support the skin’s moisture barrier, so skin feels softer and smoother.

Pros

• Hydrates well but still feels lightweight

• Fragrance free and non comedogenic

• Good everyday moisturiser for most people

Cons

• If your skin is very dry, you might want something richer on top

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

Best for: normal to combination skin; anyone who wants a smooth, softly firmed look with a lightweight, silky finish. Why it’s luxe: beautiful lightweight texture, polished glow, subtle spa scent, and premium packaging that makes daily moisturising feel elevated.

This is one of ELEMIS’ most well-known creams and a long-time favourite in the luxury skincare space. It’s designed as a day moisturiser that hydrates the skin, makes it look smoother, and helps soften the appearance of fine lines through moisture and skin-plumping ingredients.

The texture is a light gel-cream — not thick or greasy. It spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and leaves a soft, smooth finish that works very well under make-up. Skin usually feels comfortable and slightly “bouncy” after application.

Pros

• Light but hydrating – moisturises without feeling heavy or greasy

• Smooth finish – leaves skin soft and more even-looking

• Great under make-up – works well as a daytime base

• Soft glow – gives a fresh, healthy look

• Comfortable for daily use – suits normal to combination skin

Cons

• Contains fragrance – not ideal for very sensitive or reactive skin.

• May not be rich enough for very dry skin in colder months.

Dr. Barbara Sturm – Face Cream Rich

Best for: dry to very dry or sensitive skin; anyone wanting a richer, comfort-focused cream with visible firmness and glow.
Why it’s luxe: a high-performance, doctor-developed moisturiser that cocoons the skin, boosts hydration, and leaves a smooth, refined finish.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich is an intensive moisturiser designed to deeply nourish and strengthen the skin barrier. It has a dense yet elegant texture that melts in gradually, leaving skin feeling supple, cushioned, and noticeably comforted. Ideal for colder months or compromised skin, it delivers lasting hydration while supporting firmness and radiance.

The formula features purslane, a signature ingredient in Dr. Sturm’s line known for its soothing and antioxidant properties, alongside hydrating agents that help reduce moisture loss and improve skin resilience. It layers well over serums and works beautifully as a night cream for those who prefer a richer finish.

Pros

• Deeply hydrating and barrier-supporting
• Leaves skin soft, plump, and comforted
• Contains antioxidant-rich purslane
• Excellent for dry, sensitive, or mature skin

Cons

• May feel too heavy for oily or combination skin
• Premium price point