7 Illuminating Moisturizers To Give You A Lit-From-Within Glow

This e.l.f.+ moisturizer rings in at just about $9 — though the subtle, golden shimmer infused in this deliciously creamy formula looks much more expensive than that. Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and coconut oil are responsible for that smooth texture and moisturizing feel. Meanwhile, an SPF of 15 provides some sun protection, though not quite enough to forgo your usual, daily sunscreen (which should have a minimum SPF of 30). A great pick for anyone looking to spend less than $10.

Only for Tata Harper would I even consider spending $126 on a moisturizer. But here they are again, with their certified-organic, Vermont-grown botanical elixirs, frosted jade glass bottles, and promise to make my skin look like it’s been permanently run through a tasteful Photoshop session. This illuminating moisturizer contains five radiance-boosting minerals, rose water and aloe for hydration, and hyaluronic acid to plump and firm your skin. This also has diamond powder in it, both for its radiance and as further justification for that price tag.

Some of the best things in life are hybrids (Goldendoodles, tangelos), as this By Terry CC Serum — a cross between a CC cream, a primer, a hydrating serum, and a luminizer — further proves. It blurs, smooths, moisturizes, and makes you glow, thanks to its soft-focus, light-reflecting prisms, while a hint of color helps temper your complexion. Rose stem cells provide antioxidant protection and an almost-literal lit-from-within glow, as well. You can apply this as a luminous base for your makeup, but it looks lovely on its own if you’re going (semi) makeup-free today.

• Available shades: Immaculate Light, Rose Elixir, Apricot Glow, Sunny Flash

This ELEMIS balm/moisturizer is packed with light-reflecting mica for an instant glow and rice starch for a naturally “perfected” finish. But it’s also infused with powerful plant-based ingredients that work to brighten and even out your complexion over time — like niacinamide, vitamin E, and bisabolol, an anti-inflammatory derived from chamomile. Use it often enough, and your skin may outgrow the need for outsourced luminizers. The consistency is on the richer side, so it works best for people with dry or combination skin.

Glow Crème is essentially an unpigmented take on Erborian’s cult-favorite BB and CC creams (albeit with a higher glow quotient, thanks to the addition of mica and titanium dioxide for a pearlescent effect). On a deeper level, niacinamide, licorice root extract, and vitamin E work to brighten, smooth, and soothe your skin both immediately and over time. Although it’s technically a primer, reviewers say it provides plenty of hydration on its own, especially for skin that's on the oily side.

L’Oreal’s Lumi Glotion is an absolute staple in the drugstore-highlighter universe. This lightweight lotion boasts a more intense, pearlescent payoff than the other moisturizers on this list, though your skin will still look like skin, not an inanimate object (namely, a disco ball). All four shades have a slightly sun-kissed finish, so it could technically work as a glowy bronzer, as well as a moisturizer and/or highlighter.

• Available shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Deep

While we’re on the topic of indulgent ingredients: This Peter Thomas Roth cream is infused with colloidal gold, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-repairing properties, in addition to being incredibly fancy. Elsewhere, there’s witch hazel to soothe redness, hyaluronic acid for weightless hydration, and fatty acid-rich avocado oil. Considering its contents, and its universally enthusiastic reviews, its $42 price tag is surprisingly reasonable.