5 Best Drugstore Moisturizers for Juicy Skin on a Budget

The best drugstore moisturizers prove that a well-hydrated face doesn’t need to burn a hole in your wallet. These affordable formulas have myriad benefits beyond just imparting moisture, going neck and neck (or face to face) with their lauded, pricey counterparts. That’s not to say we can’t get behind a splurge-worthy cream, but don’t rule out the drugstore shelves, both in-store and online, when shopping for a moisturizer. Smoothing, soothing, redness-free, free-radical-protecting, and hydrating goodness awaits with the following editor-loved picks. Keep scrolling for the best of the best, plus dermatologist insight to guide your shopping.

Our Top Drugstore Moisturizers

Best Overall: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

Why we love it: A tried-and-true face moisturizer, Vanicream’s Moisturizing Skin Cream keeps things simple and gets the job done. Whether your skin is wind-chapped in the dead of winter, flaky and raw from a sunburn, or experiencing an eczema or psoriasis flare-up, we’d encourage you to grab this white and blue bottle. Britt Craiglow, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, previously vouched for this Vanicream moisturizer for eczema patients because it “provides excellent barrier protection.” She also pointed out that Vanicream lacks contact allergens that readily irritate people with sensitive skin. It’s thick but fast absorbing, creamy but not greasy, and wonderfully inexpensive.

Best for a Damaged Skin Barrier: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair

Why we love it: The kind of high-end drugstore vibe we’re all about, La Roche-Posay’s Double Repair Facial Moisturizer is jam-packed with dermatologist-loved ingredients that work together to keep skin quenched. Largely, this means strengthening the skin’s barrier by supporting its microbiome. “By maintaining a healthy, diverse population of normal bacteria, the skin can function optimally,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. He added that protecting the skin’s microbiome can be particularly beneficial for individuals with sensitive or allergy-prone skin types. So, a big old shout-out to ceramides, niacinamide, and probiotic thermal water for pulling much of the weight. Oh, and did we mention it’s a 2025 Readers’ Choice Award winner? Legions of fans, we’re telling you.

Best for Redness: Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream

Why we love it: Cocokind cracked the code for oily and combination skin when they developed the Electrolyte Water Cream. The blend of magnesium PCA, zinc PCA, and sodium PCA supports your skin barrier, while glycerin draws in moisture, and beta-glucan hydrates like a pro. The gel texture lends a nice, refreshing feel that plumps and pumps up the moisture without feeling overly occlusive—as a result, your skin will look less red/irritated, and your shine will be under control. Use it in the morning and evening, and thank us later.

Best with SPF: Olay Super Cream with Sunscreen SPF 30

Why we love it: Olay’s Super Cream Sunscreen SPF 30 is a multitasker in every sense—delivering five (!) standout benefits in each application. At its core is SPF 30, a chemical-filter formula that protects the skin while enhancing its other benefits: hydration, smoothing, firming, and brightening. Each non-greasy dollop is packed with vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and collagen peptides. If it’s your only sunscreen, don’t forget to reapply every two hours.

Best Under Makeup: Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 PA++++

Naturium

Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 SPF 43 PA +++

Why we love it: Low-profile doesn’t mean low-lift. Case in point: Natrium’s Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50. It delivers serious UV protection in a silky formula that layers seamlessly under makeup. And that “PA++++” rating? It’s a Korean sunscreen standard indicating the highest possible level of UVA protection. “The greater the number of plus signs [the max being four], the better the level of protection against UVA rays, which visibly age us,” Dr. Zeichner tells Allure. You’ll also get a helping of 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, a stable vitamin C derivative that brightens and defends against free radicals.

More drugstore moisturizers we love

• A drugstore moisturizer gentle enough for the whole fam, Bioderma’s Atoderm Crème Ultra is a dermatologist favorite. “For those with eczema, this cream is a game-changer for restoring the skin barrier—and it’s safe for the whole family, babies included,” says Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Michigan. “It’s packed with skin-strengthening niacinamide to repair the barrier, ultra-nourishing shea butter for deep hydration, and glycerin combined with mineral-rich water to lock in moisture and prevent dryness all day.”
• For an anti-inflammatory option, Aveeno’s Best of Beauty-winning Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer does the trick every time. “My skin goes through phases where it’s more irritable than usual, and this has become what I reach for during those dark times,” says contributing editor Marci Robin. “It’s instantly comforting, but it doesn’t compromise on deeply moisturizing benefits.”
• A super thick, no-frills option for seriously dehydrated skin, CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream is an all-timer. Dr. Zeichner praises the plentiful ceramides in this formula. “Ceramides are like grout that seals in the cracks between skin cell tiles,” he explains. “We know that ceramides are deficient in the skin in a variety of conditions, ranging from eczema to acne, so applying ceramide-based skin-care products can help repair a damaged barrier, enhance hydration, and allow optimal skin functioning.”
• The oil-free, non-comedogenic Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel goes on cool and slick, absorbing quickly to impart serious moisture with the help of humectant hyaluronic acid. “Dry skin is characterized by fewer oil-producing glands on the face and body,” Ross C. Radusky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, told Allure. “Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a lack of water, not oil. So you can actually have oily skin but still have dehydrated skin.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Do drugstore moisturizers work as well as higher-priced ones?

Despite a sometimes drastically different price tag, drugstore moisturizers can be just as effective as their expensive counterparts, according to Connecticut-based, board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “Think of it like choosing between tap water and fancy bottled water—both hydrate you just fine,” Dr. Gohara explains. “Drugstore moisturizers often contain the same tried-and-true ingredients (like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin) as their pricier counterparts, just without the luxe packaging or marketing fluff.”

How should I choose a drugstore moisturizer?

You can approach choosing a drugstore moisturizer the same way you would any other moisturizer: keeping your skin care concerns in mind as you shop. “People prone to dry skin should look for facial moisturizers that contain ingredients that prevent water loss and repair the skin’s moisture barrier,” esthetician Renée Rouleau tells Allure. “This is important year-round, but especially during the harsh winter months when dry skin can be even more sensitive.” If you have oily skin, Dr. Gohara suggests using moisturizers with lightweight gel textures. “Scan the label for skin-loving ingredients—ceramides to strengthen the barrier, hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, and niacinamide for a soothing touch. Skip the fragrance if you’re sensitive, and don’t be swayed by buzzwords pr price tags.”

Meet the experts

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Michigan
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
• Ross C. Radusky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas
• Britt Craiglow, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
• Renée Rouleau, an esthetician and founder of the namesake skin-care line Renée Rouleau

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best drugstore moisturizers, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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