The Best Gel Moisturisers for Hot Weather
Your rich moisturiser had a good run. Now it's time for a summer swap.
Because when your skincare feels lighter, summer suddenly feels a lot more comfortable.
There are few things more frustrating than spending ten minutes carefully layering your skincare, admiring the glow in the mirror, then stepping outside and feeling like it's all melting off before you've reached the end of the road. Your face feels hot, your makeup starts slipping, and suddenly it seems as though half your carefully applied routine is somewhere between your hairline and your neckline. Considering how much good skincare costs these days, it can feel like a complete waste of time, money and effort.
The good news? You don't necessarily need to ditch your routine; you just need to adapt it. When temperatures climb, rich creams that feel comforting for most of the year can quickly become too much. Swapping to a lightweight gel moisturiser can leave skin feeling just as hydrated, but fresher, cooler and far more comfortable under SPF and makeup.
The Gel Moisturisers Worth Making the Swap For
Obagi Hydrate Light Weightless Gel Cream (£55.20)
For when your skin wants hydration, not another layer.
If your favourite moisturiser suddenly starts feeling like it's overstaying its welcome the moment the temperature climbs, this is the swap to make. Obagi's Weightless Gel Cream delivers impressive hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid while antioxidant-rich botanical extracts help defend skin against everyday environmental stress. The silky gel texture disappears into the skin within seconds, leaving behind a fresh, healthy-looking glow rather than a greasy finish. It layers effortlessly beneath SPF and makeup too, so you won't feel like your skincare routine is sliding off before you've even left the house. Think of it as all the hydration, without the heaviness.
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser (£33.50)
Like a tall glass of water for thirsty summer skin.
When hot weather leaves your skin feeling both dehydrated and shiny (an unfair combination if ever there was one), Laneige strikes the perfect balance. Its Blue Hyaluronic Acid technology delivers long-lasting hydration, while squalane helps strengthen the skin barrier without adding weight. The refreshing gel texture feels instantly cooling and absorbs quickly, making it ideal for humid days when richer creams feel like far too much. If you're after that fresh, bouncy, well-rested complexion, this one deserves a place on your bathroom shelf.
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturising Cream (£24)
Don't let the word "cream" fool you.
Despite its name, this has a beautifully lightweight gel-cream texture that feels incredibly comfortable on warm days. Combining hydrating hyaluronic acid with PDRN to support the skin barrier, it leaves skin looking plump, calm and healthy without feeling sticky. It's become one of those moisturisers you'll instinctively reach for when temperatures rise because it disappears into the skin so quickly, yet still leaves your complexion feeling genuinely hydrated. If you've ever found yourself regretting your rich moisturiser halfway through the morning commute, this is exactly the kind of formula worth switching to.
Tatcha The Water Cream (£69)
The luxury splurge that's worth every cooling scoop.
There are expensive moisturisers, and then there are expensive moisturisers that actually make you look forward to applying them. Tatcha's iconic Water Cream bursts into a refreshing wash of hydration on contact with the skin, thanks to its signature Hadasei-3 complex of fermented rice, green tea and algae. Japanese botanicals help balance excess oil while supporting the skin barrier, leaving skin smooth, refined and comfortably hydrated. It's particularly lovely under makeup, creating that polished, fresh-faced finish without tipping into unwanted shine.
Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream (£69)
Because your summer moisturiser should still work hard.
Just because you're swapping to a lighter texture doesn't mean you have to compromise on skincare results. Dermalogica's Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream combines hydrating humectants with collagen-supporting technology to help maintain skin's firmness while delivering lasting moisture. The water-cream texture feels beautifully breathable, sinking in almost instantly while leaving skin soft, smooth and perfectly prepped for SPF. It's the kind of moisturiser that quietly gets on with the job while your skin looks healthy, fresh and comfortable all day.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Water Gel (£25)
French pharmacy skincare at its cooling best.
This refreshing water gel combines hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 to replenish moisture and help support the skin barrier. BHA adds a gently refining element, making it particularly appealing if heat and humidity tend to leave your complexion looking a little more congested than usual. The cooling, water-breaking texture feels instantly refreshing and leaves behind a fresh, silky finish that works beautifully beneath sunscreen and makeup. It's proof that effective skincare doesn't have to feel heavy.
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb (£29)
The cult classic that's still every bit as good.
Some beauty products earn cult status for a reason, and Aqua Bomb is one of them. Its cushiony gel texture floods skin with hydration using glycerin and a blend of botanical ingredients, while remaining wonderfully lightweight on even the hottest days. Skin feels plumper, softer and noticeably fresher, without any of that sticky residue that can make summer skincare feel like a chore. If you're looking for hydration that disappears into the skin almost as quickly as you apply it, this remains one of the best.
Caudalie VinoHydra Gel Moisturiser (£20)
For anyone who loves French skincare with a luxurious twist.
Powered by organic grape water and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this refreshing gel moisturiser gives thirsty skin a welcome hit of moisture without weighing it down. The texture is featherlight, making it particularly lovely during warm weather when richer creams start feeling too much. Skin is left soft, comfortable and naturally radiant, while makeup and SPF layer beautifully on top. It's the kind of moisturiser you'll happily reach for all summer long.
