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The Best Summer Moisturizers to Keep Your Skin Healthy in India

Hydration station for my summer skin! 

Are you looking for a summer moisturizer that keeps your skin hydrated without that greasy or heavy feeling?

Well, here are the 10 best summer moisturizers you can find in the Indian skincare market! No matter your skin type, I promise you’ll find your perfect match among these picks. So, let’s dive in!

Disclosure: Please note this post might contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase through the links, at no extra cost to you. Know that I only recommend products that I’ve used personally or believe will add value to my readers.

Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Moisturizer

This vitamin B5 moisturizer from Minimalist is an excellent summer moisturizer for you if you have oily acne-prone skin.

It hydrates your skin while tackling skin concerns like fine lines and inflammation.

Suitable for 

oily and combination skin

Key Features

• Contains 10% panthenol, or vitamin B5, which moisturizes your skin and helps soothe and heal acne.
• Lightweight and oil-free.
• Non-comedogenic.

Key Ingredients

• Anti-acne: Zinc Gluconate, Zinc Pca
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
• Soothing: Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1

Pros

• This moisturizer contains ingredients that help soothe acne and reduce excess oil production.
• Glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide your skin with the hydration it needs.
• It also has soothing ingredients that are especially helpful if you are acne-prone.
• Fragrance and alcohol-free.
• Lightweight lotion-like texture.

Cons

• None.

Price

349 INR for 50g

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer

If you’re looking for a lightweight and hydrating moisturizer for the summer season, then this could be your pick.

This moisturizer is free from many harsh chemicals and is suitable even if your skin is sensitive.

Suitable for 

Normal, dry, combination skin.

Key Features

• Contains ingredients that help maintain a healthy skin barrier.
• Lightweight, hydrating, and fast-absorbing.
• Non-comedogenic.
• Vegan and PETA certified.
• Free from skin irritants like color, fragrance, and harsh chemicals.

Key Ingredients

• Antioxidant: Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E)
• Exfoliant: Lactic Acid
• Skin-identical ingredients: Glycerin, Serine, Urea
• Soothing: Panthenol, Borago Officinalis, Bisabolol, Allantoin
• Sunscreen: Titanium Dioxide

Pros

• Hypoallergenic, which means less likely to cause allergies.
• No color or fragrance.
• Contains moisturizing and soothing ingredients that are ideal for a summer moisturizer.
• Provitamin B5, glycerin, and borage seed oil soothe and nourish your skin.
• Hydrates and moisturizes for 12 hours.
• Light lotion-like texture.

Cons

• Not paraben free

Price

465 INR for 125ml

Simple Protect N Glow Vitamin C Moisturising Glow Gel

Here’s another summer gel moisturizer from the same brand, Simple. This one is designed to brighten and moisturize your skin with the goodness of vitamin C.

Suitable for 

Oily, combination, normal 

Key Features

• Contains the most effective and stabilized form of vitamin C.
• Includes the powerful duo of vitamin C and niacinamide.
• Free from color, perfume, and harsh chemicals.

Key Ingredients

• Anti-acne: Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C)
• Antioxidant: Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate  (Vitamin C)
• Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide
• Skin brightening: Niacinamide
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin

Pros

• Vitamin C brightens your skin, heals acne, and provides antioxidant benefits.
• Niacinamide is a skin superstar with multiple benefits like skin brightening and healing acne.
• Free from any skin irritants.
• Keeps your skin hydrated for a long time.
• Non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
• pH neutral.
• Gel-like texture.

Cons

• None.

Price

449 INR for 40g

COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin 92 All In One Cream with Hyaluronic Acid

Here is the cult favorite moisturizer from one of the best-selling Korean skincare brands, COSRX.

If you have a bit of extra budget, you can invest in this as your summer moisturizer.

Suitable for 

All skin types

Key Features

• Formulated with 92% snail mucin.
• Contains 1000 ppm (1000 molecules of hyaluronic acid in a million molecules of this cream) hyaluronic acid.

Key Ingredients

• Antioxidant: Snail Secretion Filtrate
• Cell-communicating ingredient: Adenosine
• Skin-identical ingredient: Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine
• Soothing: Panthenol, Allantoin

Pros

• It contains the popular K-beauty ingredient, Snail mucin, which helps repair and hydrate your skin.
• Helps with multiple skin concerns like acne scars, redness, and dryness.
• Panthenol and allantoin help soothe irritated skin, which is common in summer.
• Free from fragrance and essential oils.
• Gives a really nice glow to your skin.
• Has a rice gel-like texture.
• Cruelty-free.

Cons

• It’s on the pricier side.
• If you observe acne after using this, then snail mucin might not be the right fit for you.
• Be sure to do a patch test if your skin is sensitive or irritated.

Price

1650 INR for 100g

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel 

Nothing beats a hydrating gel moisturizer in the hot and humid weather of the summer season. A perfect example would be the cult favorite moisturizer from Neutrogena. 

It instantly hydrates your skin and keeps it supple and hydrated for a long time. Plus, it’s newly formulated.

Suitable for 

Dry, sensitive, and normal skin.

Key Features

• Comes with the power of hyaluronic acid.
• Intensely hydrates your skin without feeling sticky.

Key Ingredients

• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, ceramide NP
• Soothing: allantoin, betaine
• Exfoliating: Sodium lactate

Pros

• Makes your skin instantly hydrated, plump, and dewy.
• Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea keep your skin hydrated for a long time.
• Contains betaine and allantoin that help soothe irritated skin.
• Ceramides help keep your skin barrier healthy.
• Fragrance-free.
• Lightweight cream texture.

Cons

• It’s on the pricier side.
• Has added color.

Price

1250 INR for 50g

Pond’s Super Light Gel 

If you’re on a tight budget, here’s a really affordable gel moisturizer from Pond’s that you can try out.

Suitable for 

Oily, combination, and normal skin types.

Key Features

• Feels non-oily, fresh, and hydrated.
• Comes with the power of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.

Key Ingredients

• Anti-acne: Niacinamide
• Antioxidant: Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
• Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide
• Skin brightening: Niacinamide
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate

Pros

• Non-sticky, lightweight gel texture.
• Formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep your skin hydrated.
• Contains niacinamide, which helps in anti-aging, repairing your skin barrier, and controlling acne.
• Vitamin E gives your skin antioxidant benefits.
• Hydrates instantly.

Cons

• Contains multiple ingredients used for fragrances. If your skin reacts to fragrances (sensitive), avoid it.
• Has added color.

Price

• 120 INR for 50ml
• 240 INR for 100ml
• 475 INR for 200ml

Dr. Sheth’s Kesar & Kojic Acid Oil-Free Moisturizer

If you’re in search of a summer face cream that not only hydrates but also works wonders in fading pigmentation, this could be the perfect match for you.

Suitable for 

All skin types

Key Features

• Hydrates and fades pigmentation.
• Formulated with the power of kesar extract, 1% kojic acid, and alpha arbutin.

Key Ingredients

• Antioxidant: Tocopheryl Acetate, Alpha-Arbutin
• Skin brightening: Alpha-Arbutin
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin
• Soothing: Fucus Vesiculosus Extract

Pros

• Lightweight and fast-absorbing.
• Free from fragrance, parabens, and sulfates.
• Contains glycerin to keep your skin hydrated.
• Alpha arbutin and kojic acid help fade pigmentation and dark spots.
• Kesar extract helps improve your skin’s appearance.
• Light lotion-like texture.

Cons

• None

Price

349 INR for 50g

Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Super Bright Face Moisturizer 

Though most of the moisturizers from Dot & Key are summer-friendly, if I had to pick one, it would be the Vitamin C+E moisturizer from Dot & Key.

Suitable for 

Oily, combination, and normal skin types.

Key Features

• Has the powerful duo of vitamin C + E, which is great for the summer season.
• Hydrates and brightens the skin.

Key Ingredients

• Anti-acne: Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Antioxidant: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Blood Orange) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
• Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide
• Exfoliant: Lactic Acid
• Skin brightening: Niacinamide, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerine
• Soothing: Panthenol, Allantoin

Pros

• Lightweight, non-sticky, and fast-absorbing.
• Light sorbet-like texture.
• Non-comedogenic.
• Contains triple vitamin C that brightens your skin.
• Includes other skin goodies like niacinamide, glycerin, and shea butter.
• Panthenol and allantoin help soothe skin irritation, which is common during the summer season.

Cons

• Has fragrance (though it is IFRA certified allergen-free). If your skin is sensitive to fragrance or you don’t like fragrant skincare, avoid it.

Price

• 195 INR for 15ml
• 350 INR for 25ml
• 495 INR for 60ml
• 550 INR for 50g

Clinique Moisture Surge 100h Auto-replenishing Hydrator

If you’re looking to treat yourself to some luxurious options for a summer moisturizer, then it’s definitely worth trying out. This cult favorite lightweight moisturizer will make your skin feel its best in no time.

Suitable for 

All skin types.

Key Features

• Deeply hydrates for up to 100 hours.
• Formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C & E, and aloe bioferment.

Key Ingredients

• Antioxidant: Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum (Lady’S Thistle) Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Cell-communicating ingredient: Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
• Skin brightening: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
• Soothing: Sucrose, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum (Lady’S Thistle) Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Pros

• Refreshing, oil-free, gel texture.
• Contains several ingredients that give your skin antioxidant benefits, such as green tea extract, vitamin E, and Lady’s Thistle.
• Has multiple soothing ingredients that help calm irritated skin.
• Glycerin, aloe bioferment, and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin hydrated for a long time.
• Contains a six amino acid peptide that fights against fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a youthful appearance.
• Vitamin C brightens your skin.

Cons

• On the expensive side.

Price

• 1050 INR for 15ml
• 2000 INR for 30ml
• 3300 INR for 50ml
• 4600 INR for 75ml
• 6200 INR for 125ml

Plum 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Daily Brightening Gel Cream

And the last one on the list of top 10 lightweight summer moisturizers is from Plum. This super-light gel cream keeps your skin moisturized for a long time without making it greasy.

Suitable for 

Oily, combination, and normal skin types.

Key Features

• Lightweight gel cream that provides non-sticky moisturization.
• Formulated with rice water and niacinamide.
• Helps fade blemishes and regulates excess oil (sebum) production.

Key Ingredients

• Anti-acne: Niacinamide
• Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide
• Skin brightening: Niacinamide
• Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Squalane
• Soothing: Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Pros

• Oil-free, super-light gel cream.
• Gives a velvety matte finish.
• Cactus water in it keeps your skin hydrated and prevents premature signs of aging.
• Matmarine (a unique biotech ingredient derived from brown algae) helps regulate excess oil production.
• Has niacinamide that helps fade acne blemishes and improves overall skin health.
• Rice water helps brighten your skin and even your skin tone.
• Suitable even for sensitive skin.

Cons

• None

Price

525 INR for 50g

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – the best summer moisturizers that feel lightweight and keep your skin fresh and hydrated. 

Similarly, choosing the right sunscreen formulation for your skin type is crucial. Here’s how to choose the right sunscreen for your skin type.

FAQ

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