10 Best Lightweight Moisturizers for Summer

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Icon Skincare / Caldera + Lab / Paula's ChoiceDewy skin has been a popular skincare trend for a while now, but how do you get dewy skin in the summer without just looking, well, sweaty? With Neutrogena’s hyaluronic acid water gel, that’s how. Its super lightweight, oil-free formula absorbs instantly, refreshes the skin, and layers well with sunscreen. And this starter kit comes with a refillable glass jar plus a 1.7-ounce refill pod, so your money goes further than you might think here.Key IngredientsHyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone, amino acids, electrolytes, olive-derived emulsifiersSizes0.5 oz, 1.7 ozThis moisturizer is not just one of our favorite La Roche-Posay skincare products—it’s one of our all-time favorite everyday moisturizers thanks to its lightweight, hydrating formula that works on all skin types, including acne-prone skin. Along with La Roche-Posay’s famous prebiotic thermal water, it contains soothing niacinamide and ceramides that help maintain a healthy skin barrier.Key IngredientsPrebiotic thermal water, glycerin, niacinamideSizes3.38 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowI’ve already endorsed the Ultra Facial Cream from Kiehl’s—in short, it’s the one moisturizer my entire family has relied on for years. But when I need something lighter, especially in the summer months when a cream moisturizer can feel too heavy, I turn to the brand’s oil-free gel cream. It’s incredibly soothing and even cools the skin as soon as you apply it, so it’s great for sun-damaged skin.Key IngredientsGlycerin, glacial glycoproteinSizes0.95 oz, 1.7 oz, 4.2 oz, 5.07 ozEarning the title of our favorite new moisturizer in Esquire’s 2026 Grooming Awards, this anti-aging moisturizer from Caldera + Lab is actually lightweight enough for the summer but still hydrating enough to use in the winter, so it can be your new go-to year-round moisturizer. It should also earn a place in your anti-aging skincare routine, since it’s designed to firm skin and reduce lines, wrinkles, and pores.Key IngredientsPeptide growth factors, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, ceramidesSizes1.9 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowCeraVe is our go-to brand for affordable skincare products. Not only does the brand make a universally beloved moisturizing cream, but it also makes a super lightweight moisturizing gel for the warmer months. Instead of being a thick cream, this one has a water-based gel formula that feels extra refreshing and can be worn beneath sunscreen without feeling greasy.Key IngredientsCeramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamideSizes1.75 ozIf you want to turn things up a notch and go for something a little more luxurious, SkinCeuticals’ Daily Moisture is a great lightweight option for summer. Made for normal to oily skin, it’s a fast-absorbing cream designed to minimize visible pores with a blend of algae and purifying botanical extracts, and burnet, cinnamon, and ginger also help with oil control.Key IngredientsVitamin E, sea algae, burnet, cinnamon, gingerSizes2 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWe’ve been talking a lot about summertime skin afflictions like excess oil and sweat, but it’s also perfectly normal to have dry skin in warm weather. If you need that extra bit of moisture but don’t want anything too thick, try Clinique’s Moisture Surge hydrating gel moisturizer. Not only does it contain aloe bioferment and hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture, but it also uses a blend of vitamins C and E to provide protection against daily summer skin dehydrators like the sun and air conditioning.Key IngredientsAloe bioferment, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and ESizes0.5 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 2.5 oz, 4.2 ozYour skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin, acts as a shield to the skin that’s beneath the surface, keeping helpful things like water in and keeping germs and toxins out. Sun exposure can damage the skin barrier, breaking it down by depleting protective lipids and triggering inflammation. Luckily, Icon Skincare makes a lightweight moisturizer that helps your skin fight back and stay hydrated. It also helps give your skin a nice glow, which we’re always looking for.Key IngredientsCeramides, biomimetic lipids, phytosphingosine, sodium hyaluronate, crambe abyssinica oil, royal jelly and propolis extract, bakuchiol, vitamin ESizes0.25 oz, 1.7 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowMoisturizer isn’t just for the morning. It’s important to moisturize before bed, especially after taking a shower. This oil-free nighttime moisturizer from Paula’s Choice is a great lightweight option, meant to be the last step in your PM skincare routine. It’s designed to help minimize pores, soothe irritated skin, and reduce redness.Key IngredientsCeramides, niacinamide, antioxidant-rich blueberry and pumpkins extracts, licorice root, glycerinSizes0.5 oz, 2 ozYes, it’s expensive, but this lightweight moisturizer from Korean skincare brand GlassFx actually serves many purposes. It basically condenses your moisturizer, eye cream, night cream, and soothing treatment all into one product with the brand’s bio-tech peptide system engineered to repair your skin barrier.Key IngredientsSqualane, ceramides, vitamin E, phellodendron bark extractSizes1.7 oz