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Whether you are going to a very important meeting or just a social gathering, you need to look fantastic.
If you appear as the best version of yourself, it will show everyone else that you are ready for challenges. There are some people who are just born with that glow. You can replicate that same radiant complexion.
This is why you need to stop your search for illuminating foundations and try out a new type of moisturizer.
You can call them “illuminating moisturizers”. They are skincare products with properties that can boost your skin’s radiance.
So, do you want to try the best illuminating moisturizer for glowing skin? Well, here are some of the best illuminating moisturizers on the market today:
Quick Overview of Our Top Picks
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Ideal For Dull Skin
Glamglow Mega Illuminating Moisturizer |
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Best For Dry, Blemished Skin
Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm |
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Most Skin Friendly
L’Occitane Hydrating Peony Perfecting Face Cream |
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Budget Pick
Beautific Illuminating Face Moisturizer and Primer |
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Budget Pick
e.l.f.+ Glow Radiant Moisturizer |
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Editor’s Choice
L’Occitane Reine Blanche Brightening Face Cream |
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Suits All Skin Types
ACURE Resurfacing Dewy All-Day Moisturizer |
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From Top Brand
Olay Regenerist Retinol Moisturizer |
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Skin Damage Protective
HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted |
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Budget Pick
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Moisturizer |
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Top 10 Illuminating Moisturizers for Glowing Skin Review
Now that you have a quick overview of our chosen products for the day let us take a dive into each product in-depth.
01.Ideal For Dull Skin
Glamglow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer
Do you want your face, neck, and shoulders to illuminate? Then this is just the product for you!
Not only will it make your skin illuminate, but it smells good as well. Even if you have crossed 50, Glamglow can turn back time for you and your loved one!
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The key ingredients used in the making of such an amazing moisturizer are Camellia Sinensis, which is basically Green Tea.
The soothing properties of green tea will leave your skin feeling fresh, while Shea butter and Cucumber extracts will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Jojoba oil and the pure fruit extracts in this illuminating moisturizer maintain the natural oils of your skin while also giving it a dewy glow.
The best thing about Glamglow’s moisturizer is that the moisturizer is pearlized. So, when you apply the moisturizer, it will illuminate the skin in a healthy way. This is made possible super-powered botanical that provides a fabulous quick fix.
Pros
- Reduces wrinkles.
- The product is light on the skin.
- Smells mild.
Cons
- Ideal mainly for those over the age of 30-35 only.
- The product falls around the mid-range budget, which can be costly to some.
02.Best For Dry, Blemished Skin
Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm
Elemis is such a fantastic product that it will brighten your complexion the minute you apply it. After you apply Elemis, your skin is bound to display a dewy luminosity.
The formula for Elemis is supposed to brighten, smoothen and most importantly moisturize the skin.
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This balm is made by using several ingredients, including Vitamin B3, E, Orange oil, and even Mandarin oil.
The lavender oil in this moisturizer gives the product a pleasant smell, while the Clary sage extracts provide a healing effect for the lipids under the skin.
Among these, the primary ingredient that holds everything together is none other than Rice Starch. The use of Rice Starch as a bath additive has been common practice for centuries, if not more.
Over the years, there have been various studies conducted on bath-water that contains rice-starch. According to the studies, if you expose your skin to this bath-water, it will increase the healing capacity of your skin by a whole 20%.
Pros
- The moisturizer is ideal for dry skin.
- Brings back natural oil to the face.
- Smooth, and lightweight cream.
Cons
- The product is not too budget-friendly.
03.Most Skin Friendly
L’Occitane Hydrating Peony Perfecting Face Cream
Do you want a hydration cream that can reduce your pores? Well, L’Occitane Hydrating Peony Perfecting Face Cream offers exactly that and much more.
When you apply this face cream, your skin tone is bound to illuminate.
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L’Occitane’s face cream has the properties to make your skin have a naturally soft feeling. This is why it is a strong contender to be the best illuminating moisturizer for glowing skin.
There are some face creams on the market that promise to improve your skin’s texture but do not actually deliver.
On the other hand, L’Occitane can improve the texture of your skin and also make it velvety.
The face cream is made by using a number of different substances. These substances are mainly Jojoba Esters, Sunflower Seed Wax, Escin, and much more.
While the sunflower seed wax hydrates the skin from underneath the layers, the shea butter retains the natural glow and radiance of the skin by balancing out the oils.
One of the primary ingredients of this face cream is peony. Several studies had been conducted in the past on the peony. The results suggest that it has strong de-pigmenting power.
Pros
- The moisturizer is really light on the skin.
- Lots of natural ingredients have been used in the making.
- Mild fragrance is easy on the nose.
Cons
- Not a budget-friendly illuminating moisturizer.
04.Budget Pick
BEAUTIFIC Illuminating Moisturizer and Primer
The BEAUTIFIC illuminating face moisturizer is one of the best out there if getting an extra shine for glowing skin is your main priority.
This incredible moisturizer also works as a hydrating primer for the skin, therefore performing the role of a makeup base as well.
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Packed with ingredients such as Rosemary, Grape Seed Oil, Shea Butter, and even Sunflower Seed Oil, this brand only brings forth natural and healthy ingredients that are bound to bring back the natural glow and dewy look to your skin.
The rosemary and grape seed oil in this illuminating moisturizer for oily skin is responsible for promoting healthy blood flow under the skin. This will help create that natural radiance for the face.
At the same time, the shea butter combined with sunflower seed oil is responsible for smoothing out the pores while also preventing creases and premature wrinkles from developing around the eyes and lips.
This 2 in 1 illuminating moisturizer and face primer is an amazing combo to apply on the skin right before heading out of the house.
The glaze that this illuminating moisturizer provides to the skin is natural and comes down to a bare minimum on really hot days, thanks to the oil-controlling primer ingredients in the moisturizer.
The best thing about this product is that it is ideal for not only dry skin, but also a range of other skin types, such as oily, combination, and even super sensitive skin.
This proves just how versatile this best illuminating moisturizer for glowing skin really is!
Pros
- The cream feels very soothing on the skin.
- Primer plus illuminating moisturizer is soft and lightweight on the face.
- Natural ingredients promote healthy blood flow and glow from within.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons
- A few customers did not experience instant results from the moisturizer.
05.Budget Pick
e.l.f.+ Glow Radiant Moisturizer
If you want an illuminating moisturizer that provides a natural tint on your skin as a glowing effect, then look no further than the e.l.f.+ Glow Radiant Moisturizer!
Providing a hint of shine and glow to the skin, this incredible product can be found packed with a number of natural ingredients.
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Among these ingredients, the ones that typically stand out are organic coconut oil, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid.
In all obviousness, coconut oil and shea butter are what helps to retain back the natural moisture and radiance of your skin.
These two healthy and pure properties are amazing in hydrating the skin, therefore making this product ideal for those with dry or combination skin.
On the other hand, hyaluronic acid is responsible for providing consumers with a healthy-looking tint on areas that receive the most attention, such as the brow bones, the T-Zone, and around the cupid’s bow.
Unlike only a few great brands on the market, e.l.f.+ also made sure to make this incredible product of theirs completely unisex!
So whether you are a woman trying out different styles or a man trying to fix and bring back the healthy glow to the face, this amazing illuminating moisturizer will provide a little something for everyone!
Pros
- The product is very lightweight and compact in size.
- A slight tint looks natural and very soft on the skin.
- Packed with natural and pure ingredients.
- Unisex and Budget-friendly.
Cons
- While many appreciate the compactness of the moisturizer, others may find it a bit too small.
06.Editor’s Choice
L’Occitane Reine Blanche Illuminating Brightening Face Cream
L’Occitane is back again with another fine face cream. The cream can protect and moisturize your skin as soon as apply it. L’Occitane is well known for providing a refreshing texture to its face cream.
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As the name suggests, this cream has been formulated with the help of the Reine Blanche Complex. This ingredient can be made by using extracts of natural origin as well as Vitamin C.
The involvement of Vitamin C causes the cream to have an illuminating effect. In addition, the cream also consists of Morus Alba Root Extract as well as the Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract.
One of the most noticeable aspects of the cream is that it melts easily if you apply it to the skin. This will allow your skin to feel comfortable and hydrated at the same time. After applying for a while, your skin will get back the natural translucency it once had.
Pros
- The cream is translucent enough.
- Natural ingredients have been used in the making.
- The product feels light and dewy on the skin.
Cons
- Might not suit all skin types.
- The product is quite expensive.
07.Suits All Skin Types
ACURE Resurfacing Dewy All-Day Moisturizer
ACURE’s moisturizer is made from a blend of glyceryl stearate citrate, Argania Spinosa kernel oil, water, and a few others.
The result is a hydrating dewy face cream as the name suggests. There is an eye serum from Acure as well. It is the only product that effectively reduces the bags underneath your eyes.
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The resurfacing dewy moisturizer needs to be applied to a very small extent. Once you apply it to your skin, it will give you a pleasant feeling. More importantly, it takes a bit of time for the cream to brighten the skin.
On the other hand, the natural fruit extracts and Aletris farinosa leave your skin feeling rehydrated and soft all throughout the day.
In fact, it is best if you do not use the product on a regular basis. You can rather apply it to your face every other day and see the change in a quick time.
One of the good things about this process is that the change is not instant. If the change is instant, people may wonder if something is wrong.
Pros
- Gradual change is seen on the skin.
- Lightweight and dewy moisturizer.
- The product itself smells great.
- Reduces eye-bags.
Cons
- Some people do not like the idea of slow gratification.
08.From Top Brand
Olay Regenerist Retinol Moisturizer
The thing with Retinol is that not all of its products cater to all skin types. So, you may be skeptical about using the Olay Regenerist Retinol Moisturizer at first. However, there is good news when it comes to this moisturizing cream!
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First of all, no matter which skin type you have, you will not have to wake up with reddish skin. So, there also be no case of peeling as well as flaking.
In fact, this moisturizing cream aims to give you the effects that you seek. What makes this version of retinol work is a combination of retinol itself and retinyl propionate.
In addition, the retinol moisturizer contains two very popular ingredients: niacinamide and peptides. These ingredients are responsible for making your skin feel soothing and hydrating. You need to keep in mind that this moisturizing cream should only be applied during the night.
The sunscreen needs to be applied to avoid sensitizing the complexion unnecessarily. In fact, use sunscreen as much as you need to avoid this situation.
Pros
- Soft and light on the skin.
- The fresh, dewy smell is mild.
- Hydrating quality.
- Made with natural ingredients.
Cons
- The product is not ideal for all skin types.
- Quite an expensive product.
09.Skin Damage Protective
HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted
While the HydroPeptide Solar Defense is a matte sunscreen, it has additional benefits. This product contains self-adjusting spheres, which can be really moisturizing.
As already mentioned, the product can self-adjust to the color that your skin tone has.
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If you apply the HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted, it will provide flawless coverage. On top of that, the product guarantees a luminous finish. In addition, the HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted comes with UVA, UVB as well as infrared protection.
The soothing effects of calendula extracts and Euterpe fruit extract are responsible for bringing back the lost moisture to your skin without necessarily contributing to excess oil production.
When you step outside, your skin gets harmed by a lot of free radical damage. You can actually prevent that by using HydroPeptide.
If you apply it at the right time, then it will protect the skin and give you a tinted finish. One of the many benefits of having the tinted finish is that you will get that illuminating glow.
If you do not like the tinted finish, there is another option available for you. HydroPeptide comes with a non-tinted finish as well. This version will give you the glow without any of the colors.
The non-tinted version is actually perfect for those who often need to stay out in the sun. Keep in mind that you will need to reapply the HydroPeptide every two hours once you go out.
The formula for making HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted includes galangal root, hyaluronic acid, and chamomile as well.
Pros
- The product does not come with any color, thus providing a natural glow.
- Lightweight on the skin.
- Non-tinted finish.
- Packed with natural ingredients.
Cons
- Some might not like the tinted finish
- Not a very affordable product.
10Budget Pick
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Moisturizer
What makes moisturizers great is their ability to soothe the skin. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Moisturizer can do that and also reduce the irritation on your skin at the same time.
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Often times you will hear about the skin on people’s faces cracking after applying layers of medication to treat acne. With Neutrogena, you do not have to fear for your skin to face any such complication.
If you want your skin to be fresh and smooth like butter throughout the day, then opting for this moisturizer will be your best bet!
The synthetic beeswax in this moisturizer combined with the sorbitan olivate will keep your skin hydrated, while also balancing out the oil levels effectively.
As the name suggests, this moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid. This ingredient can attract one thousand times of its weight in water. The gel is really light and will absorb into your skin in no time. After that, the gel will act like a sponge.
Pros
- Lightweight product.
- Long-lasting cream stays on for long on the skin.
- The mild smell is ideal for those with sensitive noses.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons
- Some people have claimed to receive defective products.
Things to Consider to Choose the Best Illuminating Moisturizer for Glowing Skin
The first thing to look for when you want to buy the best illuminating moisturizer for glowing skin is radiance.
All of the products on this list have been made with several different ingredients that boost the complexion.
However, you still need to know which factors to consider before you head on to placing an order for the illuminating moisturizer that you have your eyes on.
Texture
The texture of high-quality illuminating moisture should be really light, and nothing that actually weighs down the skin.
Usually, an illuminating moisturizer will go over your base layer, so you should want to purchase a product that does not in fact add on to the already created weight on your face.
Natural Ingredients
You will also want to get a product that comes manufactured with natural ingredients for the majority percentage.
Natural ingredients are healthier and usually non-toxic, so opting for such ingredient-incorporated products will be a healthier option for you on an overall basis.
Brand
The brand of the product is also really important, as a highly renowned brand will offer you better services than that provided by just “any” company.
This means their products will also be much safer to use on the skin, and also come equipped with natural ingredients.
Your Skin Type
Determine your skin type before using a moisturizer. Our skins are classified into the dry, oily, combination, sensitive and normal.
Some products are specially made for specific skin types, and it’s actually important to choose the right one matching your skin.
Use Illuminating Moisturizer Properly
When getting your first illuminating moisturizer, it is crucial that you use it in the right way only, in order to really achieve and enjoy the best ingredients and services that the product offers for your skin.
Wash your Face First
Before putting on any makeup at all, including the best illuminating moisturizer for glowing skin, it is crucial that you wash and cleanse your face first.
Cleaning it with warm water will open the pores, therefore allowing the after product to really soak in during your skincare routines.
Use a Light Version during the Day
Using a light version of your favorite illuminating moisturizer (if available) will be best as you do not want your skin to come off as another skin tone.
The heat from the entire day can also make it worse for your skin and create excess oil and grime if you use too heavy of a layer during the day.
Use Scarcely
Yes, we know, sometimes it can get hard to control the amount of illuminating moisturizer you want to apply on the skin because honestly, everyone likes the glow and shine such a product provides.
However, you should learn to use it scarcely as using too much of such a product on the skin can actually weigh down the product and your face in the long run.
Remember- a little usually goes a long way, so be scarce and use accordingly.
Conclusion
You deserve to look the best wherever you go. In order to do that, you need to have radiant-looking skin.
The best way to achieve that is by using the best illuminating moisturizer for glowing skin. However, you need to check which moisturizer is right for your skin type and then proceed to buy.
We have reviewed the best illuminating moisturizer and they all have their special features.
But one thing in common: they will help to glow your skin effectively. So try whatever you like and share your experience by commenting here!