Which Dermalogica Moisturiser is Right for Me?
Choosing the right Dermalogica moisturiser depends on more than whether your skin feels dry or oily.
Your skin may need lightweight water-based hydration, additional nourishing lipids, support for sensitivity or a more targeted formula for breakouts, dullness or visible signs of ageing. The texture and weight of your moisturiser should feel comfortable while providing the level of hydration and nourishment your skin needs.
This guide explains the main differences between Dermalogica moisturisers and who each one is best suited to. It has been written by Alexandra Echeverri, Skin Therapist and Dermalogica Expert at John And Ginger, drawing on over 30 years of hands-on treatment room experience.
Dermalogica moisturisers at a glance
- Oily or combination skin: Active Moist
- Oily and breakout-prone skin: Breakout Biotic Moisturiser
- Normal, combination or dehydrated skin: Skin Smoothing Cream
- Dry, depleted or mature skin: Intensive Moisture Balance
- Very dry or chronically dry skin: Super Rich Repair
- Sensitive skin needing light hydration: Calm Water Gel
- Sensitive or reactive skin needing barrier support: Stabilizing Repair Cream
- Dehydration and early visible signs of ageing: Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream
- Dullness, dehydration or uneven-looking tone: BioLumin-C Vitamin C Gel Moisturiser
- Firmness, fine lines and more advanced visible signs of ageing: Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream
- Stressed, dry or prematurely ageing skin: Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream
- Dull or tired-looking skin at night: Sound Sleep Cocoon
- Uneven-looking skin tone and dark spots at night: PowerBright Overnight Cream
Is your skin dry or dehydrated?
Dry skin naturally produces less oil and may feel rough, tight or uncomfortable. It will usually respond best to a richer moisturiser containing nourishing lipids. Dehydrated skin lacks water and can affect every skin type, including oily and combination skin. A lightweight gel, lotion or water cream may therefore be more suitable than a rich cream.
This lightweight, oil-free lotion is best suited to normal, combination and oily skin that needs hydration without a rich or greasy finish. It absorbs quickly and works particularly well when the skin becomes shiny through the T-zone but still feels slightly tight or dehydrated.
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream
This medium-weight daily moisturiser is suited to normal, combination and dehydrated skin. It provides more cushioning moisture than Active Moist without feeling as rich as Intensive Moisture Balance. It is often a suitable starting point when skin feels dehydrated, slightly dry or uncomfortable but does not need a heavy cream.
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance
This richer cream is intended for dry, depleted, mature or persistently tight-feeling skin. It helps replenish nourishing lipids while providing lasting hydration. It may be more suitable when Skin Smoothing Cream does not feel rich enough or when the skin becomes noticeably drier during colder weather.
This dense, protective cream is the richest moisturiser in the range and is best suited to very dry, chronically dry or mature skin that needs considerably more nourishment. It can be used morning and evening, although many people prefer it as an intensive night moisturiser or during winter.
This weightless water-gel is intended for sensitive skin that feels dehydrated, warm or easily irritated. It provides refreshing hydration without the weight of a traditional cream. It is particularly useful when sensitive skin dislikes rich textures or needs moisture without a heavy finish.
Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream
This balmy moisturiser is suited to sensitive or reactive skin that needs barrier support as well as hydration. It is designed to comfort dryness and recurring sensitivity. It may be more appropriate than Calm Water Gel when the skin feels fragile, depleted or persistently uncomfortable.
Dermalogica Breakout Biotic Moisturiser
This lightweight daily gel moisturiser is formulated for oily and breakout-prone adult skin. It provides hydration while helping the complexion feel balanced and comfortable. It is more targeted towards active breakouts than Active Moist, which is the simpler option for oiliness and combination skin without significant congestion.
Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream
This lightweight water cream provides hydration without the feel of a rich moisturiser. It is suitable for all skin types and is particularly helpful when skin feels dehydrated, less bouncy or is beginning to show fine lines. It suits people who want hydration and support for early visible signs of ageing while retaining a fresh, light finish.
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Vitamin C Gel
This lightweight gel moisturiser is suited to skin that looks dull, dehydrated or uneven in tone. It combines daily hydration with Vitamin C to support a brighter and smoother-looking complexion. It is especially suitable when radiance is the main concern and a light, dewy texture is preferred.
Dermalogica Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream
This lightweight premium moisturiser is designed for visible signs of ageing, including fine lines, loss of firmness, dullness and uneven-looking tone. Although it is intended for ageing skin, the texture is not particularly heavy, making it suitable for people who want advanced firming care without a rich cream finish.
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream
This vitamin-rich moisturiser is designed for stressed, dry or prematurely ageing skin. It provides nourishing moisture while supporting skin affected by dullness, dehydration, fine lines and environmental stress. It is a more targeted option when the complexion looks tired or depleted.
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon
This lightweight night gel-cream is intended for skin that looks tired, dull or lacking in radiance. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used as the final moisturising step in an evening routine. Very dry skin may prefer to layer it over a richer moisturiser rather than use it alone.
Dermalogica Powerbright Overnight Cream
This targeted night moisturiser is designed for uneven-looking skin tone and visible dark spots. It is most suitable when pigmentation is the main concern rather than general dryness or dehydration. It should be used in the evening and paired with broad-spectrum sun protection each morning.
What about Dermalogica moisturisers with SPF?
Dermalogica also offers daytime moisturisers that combine hydration with sun protection, including Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50, PowerBright Moisturiser SPF50, BioLumin-C Heat Aging Protector SPF50 and Prisma Protect SPF30. These formulas are best chosen according to your skin type and main concern and will be compared separately in our Dermalogica SPF buying guide.
Can you use different moisturisers morning and night?
Yes. Your skin may benefit from a lighter moisturiser beneath SPF and makeup during the day, followed by a richer or more targeted formula in the evening. You may also need to change texture with the seasons, particularly if your skin becomes drier during winter or prefers lighter hydration in warmer weather.
Alexandra's advice
Consider how your skin feels after cleansing and again several hours after applying moisturiser. If it still feels tight, your current formula may not be nourishing enough. If it becomes greasy, congested or uncomfortable, the texture may be too rich. The right moisturiser should leave your skin feeling comfortable and supported without sitting heavily on the surface.
Each moisturiser mentioned in this guide links directly to its product page. If you are still unsure which formula is most suitable for your skin, please contact John And Ginger for personalised guidance.