If Hydration Is the Name of Your Skin-Care Game This Fall, These 9 Products Are Worth the Splurge

Think of hydration, and a rich cream will probably be the first to come to mind. The Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream ($32) is famed for restoring moisture and maintaining your skin's natural hydration level, especially if you have dry and sensitive skin. The tube may have started out as a staple in French medicine cabinets, but it's earned its five stars worldwide.

Hydration would be a losing cause without proper sun protection. And these days, you can protect your skin and hydrate it, too, with just one product. Thanks to moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, the EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($37) calms your skin, while the zinc oxide physically blocks harmful rays. Plus, it's oil-free, which means it's great for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It's no wonder beauty enthusiasts rave about this product.

An innovative serum that brings you vitamin B3, abyssinian oil, and hibiscus oil in their purest forms (that's what the beads are for!), the Obagi Daily Hydro-Drops ($98) instantly hydrate your skin and help it retain moisture all day long. The serum also helps soften the appearance of fine lines and gives lackluster complexions that glowy pick-me-up, not to mention it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy finish, which makes it great specifically for applying under makeup. It's a splurge but well worth it in our beauty book.

A cleanser is the building block upon which your entire regimen hinges, so it needs to be a good one — and one from a dermatologist-founded skin-care brand is a great place to start. The SkinMedica Facial Cleanser ($38) is highly rated across all skin types for a reason. The foam formula gently removes makeup, oil, and pollutants while hydrating the skin with ingredients like camellia oleifera leaf extract and pro-vitamin B5 so your face feels smooth and soft instead of tight or stripped.

If your sensitive skin is prone to irritation or you just have really dry skin, the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 For Dry Skin Irritations ($15) is your solution. The soothing multipurpose balm can be applied across your face and body (even your lips!) and is a beloved household staple not only because it helps to nourish and soothe dry skin, but also because it's suitable for all ages (babies included). Oh, and the price can't be beat!

PCA Skin was founded by an aesthetician and developed by a dermatologist, so the brand definitely knows what it's doing when it comes to bringing professional treatments to your bathroom. The PCA Skin Hydrating Mask ($62) is the closest you'll come to replicating your favorite spa facial at home. The blend of soothing botanicals like oat milk extract, arnica montana flower extract, and cucumber fruit extract work together to reduce irritation, calm the skin, and infuse it with hydration. Use this once a week, and you might just replace your regular facial appointments.

A toner might not be one of the products you reach for first for hydrated skin, but you'd be surprised at how adding this step to your regimen can help maintain moisture in the long run. It can help prep your skin for maximum absorption of products applied afterward (aka your moisturizer), but if you have oily skin specifically, a balancing toner like the Phyto-C Balancing Toner ($36) can actually help restore your skin's optimal pH, which in turn helps your skin maintain its moisture.

Combat tired, depleted-looking skin around your eyes with the Tuel Fresh Eyes De-Puff Moisture Lotion ($30). Moisturizing ingredients like sunflower and anise oil and vitamins C and E help nourish the area so it appears smooth, firm, and bright.

We can't talk about hydrated skin without including the lips! One swipe of the BABOR Lip Repair Balm ($13) will help condition chapped lips and restore that healthy, rosy look. You can thank the shea butter, aloe vera, and sunflower oil for that.