These Drugstore Moisturizers Will Hydrate Your Skin Without Breaking the Bank
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Whether your skin is dry, oily, prone to breakouts, or somewhere in between, one of your biggest skincare sidekicks will be a great face moisturizer. And you don’t have to spend a ton of money to find the results you’re after.
The best drugstore moisturizer will draw water into the skin and seal in moisture, fighting off dryness with ease. The right formulas can also give dry skin types that extra surge of hydration to maintain a plump, youthful look; meanwhile, acne-prone skin depends on moisturizers to balance out the drying effect of top pimple-fighters like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
The problem is, there are countless tubes and bottles on the market—and combing through them all can be downright overwhelming. “There are many different types of moisturizers, ranging from lotions to gels and creams,” says Renee A. Beach, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Canada and founder of DermAtelier on Avenue. “When selecting a moisturizer, it’s important to figure out what your skin needs to decide how to care for it properly,” Dr. Beach explains.
How to choose (and use) the best drugstore moisturizer
✔️ Look for specific ingredients. “If you want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck, look for specific ingredients,” says Adebola Dele-Michael, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and owner of Radiant Skin Dermatology and Laser in New York City. “If you want to bring moisture into the skin, look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, dimethicone (which fills in spaces between the cracks in the skin), and petrolatum (a.k.a. petroleum jelly),” she explains.
✔️ Know your skin type. While lotions and creams can rejuvenate dull, flaky complexions, those with oily, acne-prone skin will do better with a light, oil-free moisturizer that is noncomedogenic (meaning it’s designed to not clog your pores), says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
✔️ Moisturize twice a day. “The best approach is to use a moisturizer twice a day, right after cleansing your face in the morning and at night,” says Dr. Dele-Michael. It’s an essential step in your skincare regimen to keep your skin happy, healthy, and radiant.
To make your search for the best drugstore moisturizer easier, we’ve rounded up the most effective gels, lotions, and creams to match any skincare goal—whether it’s healing dryness, revitalizing a dull complexion, or smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines. The best part? They’re all $30 or less!
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion (AM)
CeraVe’s formula is one of your best bets for both hydration and protection. “CeraVe is based on ceramides, which are a family of lipids in cell membranes that hold skin cells together like brick and mortar,” says Dr. Levin. Translation? They lock in water. Plus, the AM version offers SPF 30 to provide sun protection.
The nighttime version is also a great pick, says Arisa Ortiz, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego. “It’s lightweight, yet moisturizing,” she says. Indeed, the PM formula is packed with ceramides, the redness-reducing niacinamide, and is noncomedogenic, so you can use it even if you’re acne-prone.
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid
This lotion from Cetaphil packs hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar in the body that can carry up to 1,000 times its weight in water, explains Dr. Levin—potent stuff when it comes to nourishing dry skin. This oil-free, noncomedogenic lotion won’t leave you feeling greasy or clog your pores, either.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
One of the brand’s best sellers, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost packs hyaluronic acid and glycerin to plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines in the process. Olive extract preserves your skin’s moisture barrier and locks in water. Free of oils, dyes, and fragrances, it absorbs quickly and won’t irritate the skin. Because of its lightweight gel formula, it won’t feel heavy or leave a residue behind—perfect for those who tend to get shiny midday.
Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter SPF 30 Face Moisturizer with Vitamin C
This moisturizer is designed for mature skin and formulated with brightening ingredients like vitamin C and hydroxy acids (for gentle exfoliation), which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots.
We also love that it includes SPF 30, which helps prevent sun damage while improving its texture and hydration levels. “This moisturizer makes my skin feel hydrated, provides adequate protection from the sun, does not clog my pores or make me break out in an allergic rash,” wrote one reviewer. “As long as the formula stays the same, this will continue to be my daily, year-round, go-to moisturizer.”
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Dr. Dele-Michael says those with sensitive skin should be cautious with their moisturizer, as many contain potentially irritating ingredients. A safe option? Vanicream, of course. This derm-approved pick has over 22,000 stellar reviews and we can see why. It’s free of the most common allergens found in skincare products, like fragrance, dyes, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasers, and it still manages to be effective. Its formula also includes petrolatum which works wonders at healing dry, cracked skin.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Overnight Hydrating Facial Moisturizer
We’ve all seen Jennifer Aniston’s glowing skin in the Aveeno commercials, which is why we’re glad to say this drugstore moisturizer is worth the hype. Its formula is oil-free and powered by a total soy complex, which helps to even skin tone and texture, fight early signs of skin aging, and improve the appearance of skin dullness and dark spots. “I use this daily and love that it moisturizes and protects my skin from the sun,” one happy reviewer wrote. “The best thing is that it absorbs quickly, never leaves my face oily, and I’ve never had a breakout using this product.”
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
New York City board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman, M.D., credits this moisturizer’s blend of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides for its soothing and deeply hydrating effect on extra dry skin. Bonus: It’s fragrance- and oil-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and designed to be non-irritating—all of which has helped earn this cream a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Sensitive Skin Face Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay is a dermatologist favorite brand for a reason. All of its products are made with the help of experts and it offers a full range of options that cater to all skin types. The Toleriane face moisturizer performs very well amongst Dr. Beach’s patients. “It has shea butter and glycerin, which acts as a humectant and helps to trap water in the skin,” explains Dr. Beach.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
This top-rated Olay micro-sculpting cream is a must-have if you’re looking for a thick and rich moisturizer. Formulated with skin-pumping amino peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B3, this cream smooths and corrects the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Because it has such a luxurious formula, layer it on at the very end of your nighttime skincare and just before sunscreen in the morning.
L’Oreal Rosy Tone Cooling Night Moisturizer
No matter the skin type you’re working with, there may be times where you find yourself feeling hot and uncomfortable at night. And that’s why it’s essential to have a cooling moisturizer on hand like this one. This night cream is formulated with imperial peony and hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate and stimulate surface cell renewal, reviving your skin’s natural tone. It also absorbs quickly, instantly cools the skin, and provides lasting hydration with a non-greasy feel. Over time, you’ll definitely notice a difference in the skin’s firmness and radiance.
Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen
Not only is this moisturizer noncomedogenic, but it actually absorbs excess oil (thanks to its micro pearl technology) and leaves your skin with a matte finish. Plus, the formula contains SPF 30, meaning your skin will also be protected from skin-damaging UV rays. “I love this moisturizer,” wrote a satisfied reviewer. “It sucks up oil but leaves my skin feeling silky soft and gets rid of acne scars, dryness, and helps with worry wrinkles due to acne and dryness from my acne medication.
Clean & Clear Hydrating Watermelon Daily Gel Face Moisturizer
Watermelon has become a popular skincare ingredient, so we were excited to see if this gel facial moisturizer lived up to our expectations. Fortunately, it exceeded them. It has a baby pink hue and smells yummy and sweet like Jolly Ranchers.
Its formula also contains sodium hyaluronate, which works to hydrate the skin and leave it feeling refreshed. The best part: It costs only $6. “This stuff is amazing. I have SUPER oily skin but get dry patches all over my face in the summer,” wrote one reviewer. “This moisturizer is lightweight, non-greasy, and doesn’t leave a sticky residue like other gel moisturizers I’ve tried.”
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