Lock In Your Summer Glow With The Best Lightweight Gel Moisturizers
Beat the sweltering warm-weather heat with these beloved hydrating gel-based moisturizers.
No matter what skin type you have, keeping your skin hydrated, nourished, and glowy all summer long is the key to perfecting each and every makeup look you try, maintaining a healthy surface barrier, and keeping that dewy sunkissed natural look going. As temperatures rise even into August and the sun keeps shining at a strong UV 10 all day long, the temptation to skip your moisturizer may be lingering in the back of your mind—after all, in many regions of the world, it's humid enough this time of year to feel dewy the moment you step outside—but if there's any self-care step to power through this season, it's moisturizer.
While wintertime—and the cold, sharp breezes it brings with it—often call for thicker, creamy moisturizers, a lightweight gel moisturizer often makes for the perfect summer swap. With new products joining the market regularly that cater to just about every skin type out there, there's no time like the present to hop on the skincare trend and try one out for yourself.
Below, see all of the best lightweight gel moisturizers for summer and keep your skin glowy and nourished all season long.
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Created with all of the demands of the combination skin type in mind, this lush gel moisturizer is formulated with top-tier nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, grape water, and aloe vera, all of which boost hydration, improve moisture retention, and gently smooth the skin's surface. Lightweight and silicone-free, this gel moisturizer is a top-tier pick for those in the market for a refreshing, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Caudalie VinoHydra Gel Moisturizer, $38, Sephora
Looking for a top-tier Vitamin C-infused skincare treatment? Opt for this weightless gel moisturizer from Dr. Idriss. With brightening, antioxidizing Vitamin C and nourishing ceramides included in the formula, this gel moisturizer is a perfect pick for anyone looking to achieve glowy, radiant skin this season.
Dr. Idriss Major Fade Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer, $58, Sephora
Perfect for oily skin, this gel moisturizer promises to combat dullness and oiliness with premium ingredients like cherry blossom flavonoids, niacinamide, and sugar beet essence. Combined, these compounds help to soothe the skin, brighten and even skin tone, and provide all the nourishing hydration you need. Although the cherry blossom inclusion provides a vibrant floral scent, be wary of any sensitivities to fragrance prior to testing this gel moisturizer out.
Innisfree Dewy Glow Gel Moisturizer, $26, Sephora
While the ultra-viral lip masks are no doubt Laneige's most popular product, the Water Bank gel moisturizer is a close second. Formulated with innovative ingredients like soothing forest yeast extract, refreshing mint leaf essence, and ultra-dewy blue hyaluronic acid, this gel moisturizer is a high-ranking favorite on all of your favorite beauty influencers and skincare specialists' lists.
Laneige Water Bank Gel Moisturizer, $40, Sephora
Although dewy skin is trending on social media, a small minority of beauty and skincare prefer the matte look. While many gel moisturizers guarantee a glowy finish, this oil-free, lightweight gel moisturizer dries matte, making it the perfect pick for those who prefer a flat finish. With plenty of nourishing minerals and hydrating, soothing ingredients, this is the ultimate gel moisturizer for oily skin.
La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Gel Moisturizer, $23, Dermstore
If you've embarked on a seemingly endless hunt for the perfect gel moisturizer to achieve glass skin, it's time to call off the search. This gel moisturizer—formulated with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin in mind—contains enriching peach extract, antibacterial chamomile essence, and skin-tightening traces of kiwi and is the perfect lightweight option for hydrated, bouncy skin.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water Gel Moisturizer, $43, Ulta
Perfect for any hot summer day, this gel moisturizer hydrates, cools, and manages oil production, making it the ideal option for any skincare lovers seeking to combat sticky summer heat and humidity.
Plenaire Droplet Lightweight Gel Moisturizer, $35, Niche Beauty
A K-beauty favorite, this lightweight gel moisturizer has emerged as an ultra-trendy product on social media. With five different hyaluronic acid formulations, this product guarantees deep, refreshing hydration, a refreshing watery gel texture, and a non-sticky finish to boot.
Torriden Dive In Gel Moisturizer, $18, YesStyle
