There’s nothing wrong with splurging on a high-end skin care product, but when it comes to moisturizers, our editors say the best drugstore moisturizers work just as well as expensive ones. Many of them are formulated with dermatologist-recommended ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides that can hydrate just as well as their luxury counterparts.
Below, we tapped dermatologists and Glamour testers to share their very favorite drugstore moisturizers, including ones I’ve used for years, well before I had the cash to splurge at Sephora. Our top pick overall is the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, because it can be used on face and body, is praised by multiple dermatologists, and is suitable for even the most sensitive complexions. We also found options for mature skin, ones with SPF, and more.
The best drugstore moisturizers, at a glance
- Best Overall: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $19
- Best for Oily Skin: Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer, $14
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Starface Star Cream + Salicylic Acid, $16
- Best for Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, $24
- Best With SPF: Vanicream Facial Moisturizer With SPF 30, $12
- Best for Aging Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, $25
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Lotion, $10
Best Overall: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
“This moisturizing lotion is packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and supports the skin barrier, and it’s very affordable. This specific formula is great for people with dryer or sensitive skin types,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New Jersey. It keeps skin hydrated for hours, can be used anywhere on the body and face, and makes a great base for primer and makeup, as well.
Glamour editors are fans too. “This lotion is super lightweight, hydrating, and absorbs quickly. I like that it’s also a quick, mess-free application. It has no scent and is safe for even the most sensitive skin types. I even apply it to my face sometimes. In fact, I recently had a dermatitis outbreak and this was the only lotion I could use on my skin to not irritate it further,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best for Oily Skin: Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer
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If you have oily skin, you know the importance of sticking with a noncomedogenic formula (meaning, it won’t clog pores), particularly face creams that don’t feel greasy. This pick does a great job at absorbing oil, thanks to zinc technology that works to mattify and soften skin. It also contains glycerin plus vitamin E and B5 to hydrate and even out skin texture and tone.
“Spring is definitely in the air, and I’ve been spending more time exploring New York City each weekend. The Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF has become a key part of my spring skin care routine. It melts seamlessly into my skin, providing sun protection and a healthy glow without any greasy feel. I highly recommend it for anyone who’s always on the go and looking for a lightweight SPF that doesn’t leave a white cast,” says Condé Nast associate manager of audio audience strategy Miah Hardy.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Starface Star Cream + Salicylic Acid
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Acne-prone skin will drink up this oil-free pick that provides moisture while gently exfoliating. It has a blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to deeply moisturize and soothe skin, plus salicylic acid to unclog pores. The best part is that the grease-free formula absorbs easily, making it perfect to pair under makeup if you wear foundation or tinted moisturizer.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is a massive fan of this lightweight pick because it doesn’t break her out. “This noncomedogenic pick is super creamy but absorbs like lightning during application. It sinks right into the skin and doesn’t irritate any areas where I have breakouts. I find that I also have less redness and oiliness in my T-Zone and around my nose when I use this one,” she says.
Best for Face and Body: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
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Dr. Rambhia is a big fan of this moisturizer that contains great emollient ingredients for sensitive skin. “It includes ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, in addition to their proprietary prebiotic thermal water, which all serve to restore the skin barrier. The thick formula is fragrance-free and helps to hydrate and soothe the skin, plus you can use it on the face and body!”
Glamour’s Kilkeary has also been using this moisturizing cream for years now. “This is one of the OG moisturizers that’s been in my skin care stash for years because it really works. It’s ultra creamy when you pump it out, but when you rub it into the skin it easily melts down and dissolves. It’s great for anywhere on the body, and I like to use it on my legs and arms in areas that need a little extra moisture due to my eczema patches.”
Best for Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
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Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, says this lightweight formula is one of her personal go-tos for the summer months, thanks to its refreshing, dewy finish. It has a gel-cream texture that seeps into skin and creates a smooth canvas for SPF, primer, and makeup products. Glamour’s Calle says this is the drugstore moisturizer that she can always count on. “If I ever forget to bring a day moisturizer on a trip, I just pop into the nearest CVS and grab one. It’s extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly, and plays well with my makeup—no pilling or patching anywhere. I have oily combination skin so I need a hydrating moisturizer that won’t feel too heavy or make my complexion feel greasy. And this water-gel texture is so silky smooth that I apply it all over my neck and chest too. It also somehow always feels cool to the touch, which is a nice bonus.”
Best With SPF: Vanicream Facial Moisturizer With SPF 30
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ICYMI, SPF is nonnegotiable for your routine, and if you haven’t settled on an everyday face sunscreen you love just yet, let us point you to this ultra-soothing formulation that Dr. Jeffy highly recommends. It has ceramides plus SPF 30 for a hydrating, protective finish that suits all skin types, including oily and acne-prone.
“I wasn’t too familiar with Vanicream before trying their Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 30, but I’m glad I gave it a shot! I usually steer clear of thick moisturizers, but this one surprised me. It has a matte finish and blends in without leaving a white cast. I’d probably reach for it more in the winter when my skin craves extra moisture, but it’s a solid pick for anyone who loves a richer formula and sun protection in one,” says Hardy.
Best for Aging Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
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This micro-sculpting cream will help plump fine lines and wrinkles, making it an ideal choice for mature skin types. It has a potent blend of amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of lines and discoloration.
“First off, I’ve never been disappointed by Olay’s skin care line. I’ve been using their products on and off for about 15 years. And the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream definitely lived up to the 30,000 great reviews (4.6 stars) on Amazon. I felt the results even after one application. My pores looked smaller, the dreaded 11 between my eyes was not as deep, and my skin had this amazing bouncy firmness. I would even use this as a primer before makeup because it creates such a nice smooth surface for foundation, etc. Also, it truly is fragrance-free, even when I smelled it really close. I put a chickpea size amount of the fluffy cream on my face, and I was astounded at how quickly it absorbed. I’ll definitely be using this again,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine.
Best Budget: E.L.F. Skin Holy Hydration Daily Hydration Moisturizer
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Give your skin a boost of hydration with this gel-cream moisturizer that feels cooling upon application. It has aloe, jojoba oil, and shea butter for an ultra-hydrating finish that also softens and plumps skin.
“This moisturizer was different from any other product I’ve used for my face. It has a very fresh and clean smell to it, and went on more like a serum than a moisturizer due to its closer-to-gel consistency. It goes on a bit sticky, but dries more matte with a glow to it. I imagine that is from the jojoba seed oil and vegan ingredients. It is definitely lightweight and will be very nice going into the summer months,” says Condé Nast executive director of global strategy Norell Zable.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Lotion with Soothing Prebiotic Oat
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Sensitive skin types will love this rich moisturizer that has soothing prebiotic oat and glycerin. It helps calm and soothe redness, and is a must-try for anyone who has dehydrated skin.
“This moisturizer was very soothing on my sensitive skin. Especially as the season is changing from winter to spring, the harsh conditions have dried out my skin, and this face lotion hydrated my face, neck, and hands with a very lightweight feeling. It’s fragrance-free, which a lot of lotions claim to be, but this one actually is! Some fragrance-free claims do have their own type of smell, but Aveeno DML does not. It says to use once a day, so I will continue to do so every morning without any fear of future breakouts from my face lotion!” says Zable.
Best for Fine Lines: RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer
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“This powerful anti-aging moisturizer combines retinol and vitamin C in a single step,” says Dr. Jeffy, which is why it’s one of her favorites. You can skip the serums when using this one thanks to its ability to powerfully brighten and even out skin tone and texture. It works wonderfully for fine lines, but can also help even out dark spots and post-acne marks too.
“I’ve used an entire jar of this moisturizer and now I’m on my second one. The texture is like body butter but without feeling too thick. I’m in my 30s, so I like to use a night cream with retinol, and this one is a great moisturizer if you want glowy skin. It keeps me so hydrated that I wake up with plump skin in the morning,” says Glamour’s Calle.
How we picked the best drugstore moisturizers
What should you look for when shopping for a drugstore moisturizer?
Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New Jersey, recommends looking for ingredients that cater to your skin type and specific concerns: “For mature or dry skin, opt for richer formulas with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin,” she says. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, she recommends looking for products labeled as noncomedogenic to mitigate pore-clogging. And check for fragrance-free products if you have sensitive skin.
How to get the most out of your drugstore moisturizer
“I’d recommend using a moisturizer consistently for about three months to see results, so be patient and stick to a routine,” says Dr. Rambhia. Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, recommends applying moisturizer to damp skin because it will ensure that the product sinks in and hydrates most efficiently.
How we tested
We tested drugstore moisturizers by looking at their ingredients, textures, and how well they kept our skin moisturized throughout the day. We looked for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which plumps the skin; antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which all brighten; and peptides and niacinamide to help boost skin brightness and even out texture. We chose ones that were lightweight and absorbed easily and immediately after applying. We checked in throughout our month of testing to see how hydrated our skin looked and felt (and made sure there was no flaking or cracking). The best ones were also all under $30, making them accessible and easy to re-up without draining our wallets.
Meet the experts
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New Jersey
- Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona
