Moisturizing Gel vs. Cream - What's the Difference?

In the skincare and beauty world, there is a separate product for everything. Have dark spots? There’s a product for that. Have fine lines and wrinkles? There’s a product for that. With all the products and brands out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right product for your skin.

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The key ingredients in a product formulation play a big role in the benefits it will offer the skin. For instance, rosehip seed oil is great for brightening and soothing the skin. Squalane oil is an amazing hydration and anti-aging ingredient. But what about the product texture? What’s the difference between moisturizing gels, and creams?

Do gels and creams all do the same thing? They can but each product type offers unique benefits that can improve effectiveness. Let’s take a deeper look at these two major moisturizing product types.

Table Of Contents

What is a Moisturizing Gel?
What is a Moisturizing Cream?
Gel vs. Cream – Which is Better?

What About Gel-Based Creams?
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Moisturizing Gel?

Face gels have a jelly-like texture and they are semi-transparent. They are not quite a liquid but not quite a solid. Gel-based moisturizers are lighter, water-based, and absorb quickly into the skin. Gel products usually leave the skin with a matte finish. They often have a higher water percentage and contain humectant ingredients like glycerin, sorbitol, and hyaluronic acid.

Moisturizing gels are a great option for oily and acne-prone skin. Lightweight, oil-free gels can be a great option to moisturize the skin without clogging pores. Or leaving a heavy or greasy residue. Gels often come in a tube or container with a pump. Since gels are thinner than creams, they can be dispensed effectively with a pump.

Gels are also popular for applying under makeup. They absorb quickly so you can continue on with your makeup routine after applying. As you might expect, this makes gel moisturizers a popular option to daytime use.

Tend to be oil-free

Water-based
Absorb quickly
Good option for under makeup or oily skin

Semi-transparent

What is a Moisturizing Cream?

Creams are thicker and have a smooth, creamy texture. Face creams generally have an off-white color and are not transparent. These can be made with oil-based and water-based ingredients. Creams take longer to absorb into the skin.

Moisturizing creams often focus on skin hydration and anti-aging benefits. Have rough patches or dry skin? A cream is the way to go! They contain intense hydration ingredients to restore hydration and smooth skin texture. Moisturizing creams contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E, ceramides, and oils with fatty acids.

Creams are most commonly sold in jars, but they can be sold in squeezable tubes as well.

Thicker, creamy texture
Water and oil-based

Takes longer to absorb
Great for normal to dry skin and mature skin

Gel vs. Cream – Which is Better?

Between gels and creams, which one is better? Well, it comes down to personal preference and skin needs. If you struggle with acne or oily skin, then a gel moisturizer is the better way to go. However, if you’re battling dry or dehydrated skin, then a rich moisturizing cream is the way to go.

Here are some of the key differences between creams and gels.

Gels are better for oily, acne-prone skin, and creams are better for dry skin
Gels are lighter and creams are heavier on the skin

Gels absorb faster than creams
Creams generally offer more hydration than creams
Gels are water-based and creams often contain oil-based ingredients

Gels work better before applying makeup

Let’s take a deeper look at some of the main factors to consider before choosing a face cream or gel.

Skin Type

The best product for your skin depends on your skin type. If you have dry, or dehydrated skin, go with a cream. This is also the case for mature skin. Creams can offer deeper hydration and nourishment to help lock in moisture. Moisturizing creams can moisturize, hydrate, nourish, and soothe the skin.

However, if you have oily skin or have acne, go with a moisturizing gel. Gels absorb quickly and are less likely to leave the skin feeling greasy or heavy. Since gels are oil-free they have a lower chance of clogging pores. We’re generalizing here though. Be sure to look for non-comedogenic products (meaning they won’t clog your pores) if you have acne or clogged pores.

Makeup Application

Planning on applying makeup after moisturizing? A gel-based product is the best option. Gel products will absorb quickly and won’t leave a heavy texture. Thicker cream products can make it harder to apply foundation and keep that flawless look.

Want to go barefaced? Go with a nourishing cream. Moisturizing creams keep the skin hydrated and healthy throughout the day!

Climate

Depending on where you live, it might get cold and dry in the winter. The skin can get dry and damaged with cold weather. Reach for a rich cream that can restore hydration and replenish the skin.

But if it’s a hot, humid summer, a gel-based moisturizer is key. Just like clothing, you’ll be looking for skincare products that are light and airy. Gel moisturizers are better for warmer, humid weather.

Texture

There are general traits that make gels and creams better for certain situations. But it comes down to personal preference. Choose a gel or a cream based on what feels the best for your skin.

If you like the idea of a product absorbing into the skin quickly without leaving much of a texture, go with a gel-based product. But if you like the smoother, rich feeling of a cream to lock-in hydration, go with a cream.

The outlines listed above are talking in general terms. It depends on the product too. Some creams may feel lighter on the skin than gels that are out there.

What About Gel-Based Creams?

First, there were only creams. Then moisturizing gels were introduced. Now there are hybrid products that fall somewhere in between. These products are thicker than the typical gel but don’t have the thick creamy consistency of a cream.

Gel-cream moisturizers look like a cream. They are thick enough to be in a jar and are not transparent. In other words, gel-creams are thicker gels. Or thinner creams. Depending on how you want to look at it.

Moisturizing gel creams are often designed for skin that needs an extra boost of hydration without a heavy or greasy feel. If gel moisturizers aren’t delivering enough hydration, a gel-cream product is worth a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about moisturizing gels vs. creams.

What comes first, gel or cream?

Apply products in order of lightest to heaviest. Water-based and lightweight products such as gels should come first. Then follow gels with heavier creams or oil-based products. Since gels are water-based and lightweight, they absorb into the skin faster than heavier (oil-based) creams.

When in doubt, double check the how-to-use instructions for each product.

Do gel moisturizers clog pores?

Check to see if the gel moisturizer is non comedogenic. This means it was formulated with ingredients that will not clog your pores. Gel moisturizers are water-based and are usually a safer option for acne and blemish-prone skin. They can be a great option to provide lightweight hydration without clogging pores.

On the other hand, creams are heavier and often contain oils. Moisturizing creams can clog pores if they are not formulated with non comedogenic ingredients. Avoid products that have a heavy or greasy feel.

Is a gel or cream better for acne?

Moisturizing gels are better than creams for acne and oily skin. Gels are lightweight, water-based, and absorb into the skin faster. They are also usually (but no always) non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores.

However, if you have acne and very dry skin, sometimes creams can be a good option too. Just make sure the product is non-comedogenic and non-irritating.

Is eye cream or eye gel better?

It depends on personal preference! Eye gels absorb into the skin faster and offer a lightweight and matte finish. Eye creams are richer and leave the skin more hydrated and smoother. Consider using eye gels during the day, especially before makeup application. But eye creams are a great option before bed, especially if you wear makeup during the day.

Both eye creams and eye gels can treat puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines and wrinkles. Choose an option that works best for your skin and your preference!

Are gel or cream cleansers better?

The same rules apply when comparing gel cleansers and cream cleansers. Gel cleansers are water-based often designed to deep clean pores. They are effective at removing dirt, oil, and skin that can lead to clogged pores and acne. Gel cleansers are great for normal, oily, and blemish-prone skin.

However, cream cleaners leave the skin hydrated and replenished. While they also clean the face, cream cleansers are thicker and rely on moisturizing ingredients.

What is the difference between water gel and gel cream?

A water-gel refers to a gel-based product where a gel-cream is a hybrid of a gel and a cream moisturizer. These two types of moisturizers are very similar. However, gel-creams are slightly thicker and are not translucent.

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