Whether you're the sort of person that spends all day lounging under a sunshade or prefers logging in the hours in an air-conditioned office, moisturiser is - no doubt - essential to your beauty routine. But, how do you know what to look for when buying a face cream? Experts suggest finding one that is absorbed easily but that doesn't make your skin feel greasy or cause you to break out. Easier said than done. Here's the low-down on some of the most popular products, as tested by iVillage staff.

1. Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream; £29.50/50ml. This product was fantastic - not too greasy, but creamy enough to hydrate my thirsty skin. It's alcohol-free and is one of the few products I can use because I have eczema. I applied it once in the morning and it lasted all day.

2. Lancôme Vinéfit Complete Energising Moisturiser SPF 15; £24.50/50ml. This product is much thinner and less greasy than my current moisturiser, but I really liked the consistency. It quenched my skin without giving me spots, and it created a nice foundation over which to put make-up. I would consider buying this product in place of the current one I use.

3. Clinique Moisture Surge Treatment Formula; £17.50/30ml. I applied this light gel twice a day, and I liked it because it was easily absorbed into my skin but didn't leave me looking shiny. It made my skin feel slightly tighter and refreshed, and because I have a normal complexion it was perfect for me. Someone with drier skin might need a full-on cream, though.

4. Elemis Aromapure Absolute Day Cream (Normal to Dry); £23/ 50ml. This cream was a nice medium weight - not too creamy - and it softened my skin without making me break out. The cream contained SPF 7, and it also came in a handy tube container - much more portable than the typical heavy tubs. I also liked the whole idea of using an aromatherapy/plant-based product.

5. Elizabeth Arden Daily Moisture Fluide Hydratant Quotidien SPF 15; £38/50ml. This product leaves your skin feeling moisturised and smooth, and it's a perfect consistency - thin, but not runny. It contains SPF15, which is essential in these skin- conscious times, and its light scent is appealing. I had a few dry patches on my face and they've cleared up, and my skin feels fresher and smoother than before. I really like this product and would buy it in the future.

6. Garnier Synergie Vitamin Radiance Daily Moisturising Cream; £3.49/40ml. The scent of this cream is lovely. It wasn't too greasy and it soaked right into my face. It has sunscreen in it, which is a definite plus. I normally have reactions to scented skin products, but I was happy with this scented, hypo-allergenic one as it didn't irritate my skin or make me break out.

7. L'Oréal Plenitude Hydrafresh Aqua Fluid; £5.99/50ml. I applied this fresh and clean-smelling cream twice a day and it was very cool to the touch, which was refreshing. It contains sunscreen, as well as vitamins C, E, B5, calcium and magnesium. I'm not sure what this means, but it made me feel 'healthy' when using it. This product made my skin feel soft and refreshed, but by the end of the day I had a dry patch on my cheek (I do have very dry skin, though). I might buy this product, although I think a heavier moisturiser would be better for me.

8. Crabtree & Evelyn Swiss Skin Care Moisturising Day Cream; £10.95/50ml. This product was fairly thick - more so than the moisturiser I currently use. If anything, it felt a little too creamy - it didn't absorb into the skin as quickly as I would have liked. It was certainly more dewy than I'm used to, and as a result felt a bit too heavy on my face. The price is also more expensive than my usual moisturiser (which I actually prefer). However, because it's so thick, you only need to use a small amount which means it would probably last a long time.

9. Nivea Visage Time Defying Fluid; £5.99/50ml. The cream itself was thin, but it made my skin feel very soft and smooth. The wonderful scent was what I liked best, and I would certainly use this product again. However, it did make my skin feel very tight, so perhaps it would benefit someone more who wanted to have tighter skin.

10. Origins Balanced Diet Balancing Tonic; £17.50/50ml. This product is fairly light - I'd like to use it at night or as a post-workout cream. I prefer a heavier moisturiser for daytime, as well as one with SPF in it. This cream smelled great - really fresh, and I used it once a day. The only thing I didn't like was the glass bottle - too easy to break when travelling.