8 Moisturizers Over $100 That Are Actually Worth It

Life as a woman who's into beauty products can be expensive. Between the makeup, skin care, hair products, blowouts and manicures, things can get pricey pretty quickly. In fact, a 2013 report found that the average woman spends $15,000 on makeup (just makeup!!) in her lifetime. And let’s be real, some of us will probably spend even more.

Now, I’m a low-maintenance girl. Most days, I’m lucky if I find the time to brush my hair and swipe on some tinted moisturizer before I’m out the door. But, the one area where I tend to spend a little more time—and a lot more money—is skin care. Why? Because you only get one chance with your face in this lifetime. (Not to mention the slew of sunburns in my teens that I wonder if I can ever make up for.)

But it can be hard to justify dropping $100-plus dollars on a bottle of wrinkle-defying serum or a tube of collagen-building cream, even for the most financially solvent among us. And while I’m a firm believer that there are plenty of stellar products in a less astronomical price range, sometimes you want to know which of the super-luxe are worth it, and to treat yourself to the best of the best. So, I asked skin-care pros to share their all-time favorite luxury natural moisturizers.

These 8 moisturizers (for every skin care need) cost more than $100, but are totally worth it, according to skin-care pros.

If you have dry skin:

tammy fender cream
Photo: Shop Follain

Tammy Fender Spontaneous Recovery Crème, $165

“I suffer from dry skin, and this is hands-down the best cream for actually healing it. It is so packed with dense, nutritious oils [like sunflower seed, apricot kernel and avocado oils plus shea butter] that you don’t need to use a serum or oil underneath (something I usually recommend if you have dry skin). It also helps with redness and splotchy complexions. To make it last a little longer, I use it only at night. After about a week using it, I wake up with dewy and glowing skin, instead of my usual parched and dry!” —Tara Foley, founder and CEO of Follain

If you have sensitive skin: 

ayla cocoon cream
Photo: Ayla Beauty

M Picaut Calming Cocoon Cream, $110

“This is a preservative-free, fragrance-free, allergen-free cream that’s quite a sensation in Sweden. I think it’s because it does such a great job with skin barrier repair. It truly creates a cocoon for stressed, dry, sensitive, over processed skin. It’s particularly wonderful for frequent fliers. I recommend slathering it on top of a hyaluronic acid serum to lock in moisture.” —Dara Kennedy, founder of Ayla Beauty

If you have normal skin: 

odacite serum
Photo: Odacite

Odacite Night Time Antioxidants Repair Serum, $120

“It says serum in the name, but this is actually a night cream, concentrated with active ingredients. It’s ideal for overnight use to repair skin when it is most receptive to skin-care’s benefits. A super-charged elixir of vitamin E, aloe vera, jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid, it promotes healing, stimulates collagen, and plumps fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep. Plus, it is anti-inflammatory, so you’ll wake up with smooth, clear and balanced skin in the morning.” —Valerie Grandury, founder of The Detox Market and Odacite Skincare

If you have oily or acne-prone skin:

tata harper
Photo: Tata Harper

Tata Harper Rebuilding Moisturizer, $105

 “This is a light, but deeply active product. Thanks to willow bark, a natural source of salicylic acid, it is lightly exfoliating, which means it can work to remove congestion and keep you skin clear. Meanwhile, honey gently fights bacteria while calming the skin and bioavailable hyaluronic acid helps the skin to retain its own moisture without the use of excess oils. It dries to a gorgeous matte finish and is brilliant under makeup. This is perfect for acne-prone or oily skin or for more humid climates.” —Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DiPrima, co-founders of CAP Beauty

If you have irritated skin: 

may lindstrom blue cocoon
Photo: May Lindstrom

May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon, $160

“This is my go-to moisturizer when my skin needs some love. It’s actually a healing beauty balm [aka a combination of a bunch of amazing oils in a solid form, with no water] and it works wonders to soothe, nourish, and replenish my dehydrated skin. Anti-inflammatory blue tansy helps to soothe skin irritations, schisandra extract protects sensitive skin from environmental stressors, and the camellia oil gives moisture to dry patches. Plus, the scent instantly calms, setting me at ease no matter where I am.” —Shirley Pinkson, co-founder of W3LL People and makeup artist

If you have fine lines: 

immunocologie
Photo: Shen Beauty

Immunocologie Day Protection Crème, $225

“This cream is seriously amazing and since using it, I've noticed a major change in the texture and firmness of my skin. The line is backed by science, so you can feel confident that the ingredients are effective and not just mixed up by someone in their kitchen. It’s made with antioxidant-rich borojo and baobab extracts, which encourage the skin’s natural metabolic process and reinforce the its defense mechanisms, helping to reduce wrinkles and fine lines over time. I use it as a moisturizer, but have noticed it’s amazing as a foundation base too.” —Jessica Richards, founder of Shen Beauty

If you need some extra firming: 

naturopathica contouring cream
Photo: Naturopathica

Naturopathica Bio-Energy Lift Contouring Cream, $114

“I love this recently launched super-packed daily moisturizer. It's full of great ingredients like copper, amino acids, omega fatty acids and peptides. I’ve been using it with nothing else besides sunscreen. The copper and amino acid complex helps to increase the collagen and elastin in your skin, adding firmness, while their special bio-energetic peptide ingredient stops skin from breaking down and preserves its elasticity. I’ve had 30-year old clients and 70-year old clients who equally love it. If you wake up in the morning and feel a little dull or slack, this immediately lifts and brightens.” —Katya, skin therapist at Heyday

If you need to work on brightening: 

goop in fiore moisturizer
Photo: Goop/In Fiore

Goop by Juice Beauty Replenishing Night Cream, $140; In Fiore’s Crème de Fleur, $150

“I’ve had a longstanding love affair with In Fiore’s Crème de Fleur moisturizer. It’s my daily go-to to keep my skin glowing. But, for a boost of brightening hydration, I am loving Goop’s night cream. It has poet’s daffodil and vitamins A, C and E, which all help to brighten and prevent hyperpigmentation.” —Melissa Ferst, owner of International Orange

While you've got beauty goals on the brain, here are 9 foods for amazing skin, and one gorgeous hair hack that Eva Mendes (AKA Mrs. Gosling) uses while she sleeps that we had to share...

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