Tired of dry, flaky skin, but shopping on a budget? Luckily, dermatologists agree that drugstore moisturizers can be just as effective as pricier moisturizers at preventing dryness, soothing tired skin and slowing the signs of aging.

Strolling down the drugstore aisle scanning hundreds of options and figuring out where to begin can be overwhelming, much less differentiating an OK product from a great one. Well, that's where I come in as Best Products' beauty editor. I've spent the last 6 years of my career mainly covering beauty and have picked up plenty of tips from industry leaders to help readers always shop smartly. I tapped some of my most-trusted experts for their no-fail tips and must-have drugstore moisturizer recommendations. The best part? Everything costs $32 or less and is available to shop from reader-favorite retailers.

Best Drugstore Moisturizers

What to Consider

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., argues that drugstore moisturizers aren't necessarily lower-quality products because they cost less than mid-tier and higher-end moisturizers you can purchase from Sephora, Dermstore, and Nordstrom.

“Shopping for a drugstore moisturizer is the same as shopping for any moisturizer in general. You should not only focus on the ingredients, but also the texture or vehicle in which it is delivered,” says Kanchanapoomi Levin, the founder of Entiére Dermatology. “It’s not about the price. It’s about the ingredients and formulation, which is why dermatologists typically recommend tried-and-true drugstore moisturizers.”

Skin Type

The first step to determining the best drugstore moisturizer, whether for yourself or for gifting a loved one, is identifying the skin type you're shopping for. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Courtney Rubin, M.D., it's the skin type that determines how thick or occlusive (forming a protective layer over the skin) the moisturizer needs to be.

Oily, Combination, and Acne-Prone Skin

Regular drugstore moisturizers are typically made with heavy hydrating ingredients that can congest pores that cause blackheads and acne, while lightweight and non-comedogenic products won't leave your face greasy like an oil slick. So your best bet is to shop for lightweight face moisturizers that typically say oil-free to provide hydration without causing zits.

Normal, Dry, and Mature Skin

These skin types need hydration, so opt for a thicker face moisturizer infused with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which draw water into the skin and prevent moisture loss. Kanchanapoomi Levin says dermatologists also look for emollients such as ceramides and petroleum jelly, which lock in hydration.

“One of the best ways to understand how ceramides work is to imagine your stratum corneum (the outermost layer of your epidermis) to be made up of bricks and mortar. The skin cells are essentially the brick, and the lipids or the fats in between are the mortar. Ceramides are important for the structure of the stratum corneum (skin’s most outer layer) to remain intact,” she explains.

Formulation

Moisturizers can be in a gel, lotion, cream, or ointment form. Those with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin will appreciate the lightweight feel gels and some lotions provide. Kanchanapoomi Levin advises those with dry skin, especially in winter, to use creams and ointments because they contain oil-based formulas with a thicker consistency and provide more hydration than lotions or lotions gels.

And if your loved one has eczema or dry skin, she suggests they use a thick year-round moisturizer or ointment as they are the backbone of any skincare routine.

Skincare Goals

Lastly, Rubin, the cofounder and medical director of the skincare line Fig.1, notes someone's skin goals can help determine what active ingredients to look for in products. "For example, retinol for those concerned about fine lines, vitamin C and glycolic acid for those looking to brighten their skin," she says.

How We Chose

Beyond featuring the best expert-approved drugstore moisturizers, I rummaged our beauty closet to test several products aligned with our experts' guidance. I considered their key ingredients and formulations, and slathered my face and body with them to ensure they lived up to their promised claims. For added reassurance, I also carefully read hundreds of drugstore moisturizer reviews to confirm that other shoppers are thrilled with their purchases — and ensure you or your giftee will love them as well.

CeraVe

amazon.com

$17.78

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Kanchanapoomi Levi calls this one of her go-to moisturizers, and with more than 112,600 Amazon reviews, it’s no wonder we named this our best overall drugstore moisturizer.

“I love this moisturizer for both the face and body because its formula includes three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid that work together to provide long-lasting hydration and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier,” she says.

Given the gentle formula, it’s ideal for all skin types, but those with eczema will especially appreciate this cream because it’s earned the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association.

Cetaphil

amazon.com

$14.22

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Our most affordable recommendation is a classic beauty product for acne-prone skin. Cetaphil's offering boasts a liquidy lotion formula that won't leave the skin shiny like a disco ball and it's got a non-comedogenic formula that doesn't clog pores.

The star ingredient of this drugstore face moisturizer is none other than hyaluronic acid. Derms and beauty enthusiasts alike adore this clear liquid because it is a moisture magnet that can hold up to 1,000 times (!!) its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid replenishes the moisture that many other active ingredients (retinol and azelaic acid) deplete, so it's definitely safe to use.

I'm not the only believer. With more than 40,000 glowing Amazon reviews, your acne-prone loved one will appreciate this practical beauty gift. To quote one 5-star review, "Surprisingly, this was not only a great lightweight moisturizer for my teenage daughter, but it also drastically reduced her acne. She has a lot less blemishes and redness on her face now because of this product. Highly recommend!"

La Roche-Posay

amazon.com

$21.99

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My oily skin turns into combination skin during the harsh New York winter season, and I found La Roche-Posay made the best option for others with similar skin types. I'm already a huge fan of the brand — their acne spot treatment is a game-changer — and Toleriane continues La Roche-Posay's legacy of well-priced and effective skincare must-haves.

Toleriane infuses ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, French thermal water, and prebiotics into their skin for immediate hydration. It also has an oil-free and non-comedogenic formula that won't cause pimples, which is always a win.

The brand promises 48 hours of moisture, but I like to wash my face twice daily, so the max amount of time I had the cream on was 12 hours. Notably, my skin felt noticeably softer and suppler while wearing their face cream. Plus, given my positive experiences using LRP products, I'm inclined to believe their face moisturizer really does provide up to 2 days' worth of hydration.

Olay

amazon.com

$27.48

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Combining hyaluronic acid, amino peptides, antioxidants, and niacinamide will plump and lift your loved one’s skin. Their face will feel instantly hydrated and fine lines and wrinkles will soften with regular use. It’s designed to deliver moisture into the skin — we’re talking 10 layers deep — so their complexion is soft and radiant.

Online reviewers say this drugstore face moisturizer ensures their skin looks brighter, healthier, and younger. Not to mention it layers flawlessly under makeup, which is always fantastic if they’re being photographed or just heading to the office.

To quote one 5-star Amazon review, “I’ve used this for years! I’ve never been able to find a better moisturizer.” Another reviewer adds, “I absolutely love this cream — it’s quick to absorb into the skin, not leaving any greasy residue. It’s perfect before bed or before applying your makeup. Highly recommend [it], totally worth every penny!!”

Fig.1

fig-1.co

$32.00

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Rounding out our list is the Fig.1 Ceramide Moisturizer, which Rubin helped co-create, so naturally, she’s keen on its skincare benefits. This face moisturizer has a lightweight lotion formulation that rubs in and layers easily, meaning it won’t pill when layered under makeup and sunscreen.

Most impressively, it hydrates the skin for up to 24 hours because it’s jam-packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and seed oils. Or as Rubin best describes Ceramide Moisturizer, “It’s truly a drink of water for parched skin.”

We love refillable beauty products because they’re better for the environment and easier on your wallet. A bottle of the moisturizer costs $32, while each refill is $27. You’ll spend $384 buying a new bottle each month, while purchasing the original bottle and 11 refills cost $329, or a total savings of $55.