Affordable hydration.
Daily moisturization is basically non-negotiable, especially if you have dry skin. The right product will hydrate your skin, keep it soft, and create a smooth makeup canvas. According to dermatologist Adebola Dele-Michael, MD, you should “apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer after washing your face,” both a.m. and p.m.
The best way to keep up with a skincare routine is to find products you love that don’t cost a fortune. And that’s where drugstore moisturizers come in. There are plenty of budget-friendly, widely available options for pampering parched, cracked, and eczema-prone skin.
We compiled dermatologist recommendations, peeked in our own medicine cabinets, and tested several formulas firsthand to find the best drugstore moisturizers for dry skin. “Drugstore” is kind of a loose term these days, but the point is that these formulas offer affordable, effective hydration.
Best Overall
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, olive extract | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
If you want a seriously hydrating face moisturizer that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy, your best bet is Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel. It’s both dermatologist-recommended and a Byrdie fav. We loved how it hits the perfect balance, absorbing quickly but still imparting tons of moisture and leaving our skin feeling super soft and refreshed. Our favorite TikTok tester Bethenny Frankel says it’s “at the level.”
Credit the fact that it’s formulated with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid (or HA), which can famously hold 1,000 times its weight in water.1 And since it’s non-comedogenic, it won’t clog pores, either.
Best Budget
Garnier SkinActive Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer
What We Like
- Very lightweight
- Gel-cream consistency
- Good for a.m. or p.m.
What to Consider
- Unhygienic container
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E, grapefruit extract | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you don’t want to spend more than a few bucks on a face moisturizer, we recommend Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue. Containing antioxidant fruit waters and skincare standbys like glycerin, this brilliantly lightweight gel cream gets the job done morning or night.
Best Lotion
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
What We Like
- Lightweight but nourishing
- Works well under makeup
- Air-tight pump dispenser
What to Consider
- Slightly runny consistency
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Size: 3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Cetaphil is one of the few drugstore brands most dermatologists can agree on. The no-nonsense, non-comedogenic Facial Hydrating Lotion stands out for its lightweight, oil-free formula. This affordable skincare essential is great under makeup but also nourishing enough for your nighttime routine.
Thanks to humectant heroes hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it instantly plumps your complexion and provides all-day moisture.2 Though this lotion has a slightly runny consistency, we like that it absorbs fast and comes in a hygienic pump bottle.
Best With SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Lotion SPF 30
What We Like
- Broad-spectrum UV protection
- Doesn’t leave white cast
- Leaves skin plump and supple
What to Consider
- Not for nighttime skincare
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octocrylene, ceramides | Size: 3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
To simplify your morning skincare routine, consider getting a moisturizer that not only hydrates your skin but also protects it from sun damage. Dermatologist Lucy Chen, MD, says your daily facial sunscreen should have SPF 30, like this one from CeraVe.
Since launching in 2006, CeraVe has been a drugstore skincare staple, and this moisturizer does not disappoint. It contains three ceramides to keep your skin plump and supple all day. Meanwhile, the hybrid sunscreen (with both physical and chemical blockers) ensures there’s no white cast.
Best Night Cream
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream
What We Like
- Promotes skin repair
- Reduces signs of photoaging
- Rich and deeply moisturizing
What to Consider
- Unhygienic container
- Pricey for drugstore
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, vitamin E | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This is the perfect moisturizer to add to your nighttime skincare roster. As the final step of your routine, the rich, nourishing formula locks in serums and promises to help repair visible signs of photoaging (sun damage) while you doze. It’s on the pricier side for a drugstore product, but we think it’s a stellar value—especially compared to higher-end creams.
Best a.m./p.m.
L’Oréal Paris Collagen Filler Day/Night Cream
What We Like
- Rich, moisturizing formula
- LIghtweight and fast absorbing
- Great under makeup
What to Consider
- Small container
Key Ingredients: Collagen, shea butter, vitamin E | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This best-selling drugstore moisturizer has upwards of 45,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. We like that it can be used morning and night. The creamy formula offers rich, nourishing moisture while you get your beauty sleep, but it’s also lightweight and fast-absorbing, which is great for your pre-makeup skincare routine.
Best for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra-Sensitive Skin Face Moisturizer
What We Like
- Soothing, non-irritating formula
- Restores skin barrier
- Dermatologist-recommended
What to Consider
- High price per ounce for drugstore
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, neurosensine, shea butter | Size: 1.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Dr. Dele-Michael is a big fan of La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra, and after trying it ourselves, it’s easy to see why. Formulated for sensitive skin, this soothing, fast-absorbing face lotion contains mineral-rich thermal spring water, neurosensine (a peptide), and shea butter to help restore the skin’s natural barrier without irritation.34 We loved how it gave our complexions a lightweight dose of moisture.
Best for Eczema-Prone Skin
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
What We Like
- Restores moisture levels
- Soothing and non-irritating
- Accepted by National Eczema Association
What to Consider
- Large pump bottle may not fit in medicine cabinet
Key Ingredients: Petrolatum | Size: 4–16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
If you have eczema-prone skin, you know how hard it can be to find non-irritating products that keep your face hydrated. Vanicream isn’t just affordable and available at most drugstores—the smooth lotion helps restore normal moisture levels while soothing cracked, itchy, and reactive skin.
This all-over cream can be used day or night on your face, hands, knees, elbows, and anywhere else on your body. It has a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. Free of fragrance, dyes, lanolin, and parabens, the sensitive-skin formula is gentle enough for both adults and kids.
Best for Mature Skin
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
What We Like
- Deeply hydrating
- Plumps and prevents volume loss
- Reduces look of fine lines
What to Consider
- Contains parabens
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Formulated with mature skin in mind, Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream contains plumping and regenerating niacinamide (vitamin B3), extra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, and pro-elasticity peptides.56 With one billion sales and counting, the iconic red jar has your back when it comes to minimizing fine lines and preventing volume loss. When using this face cream, we woke up each morning with supple skin and none of the flakey patches we usually see from our nighttime retinol.
Best for Teens
BYOMA Moisturizing Cream
What We Like
- Simple, fragrance-free formula
- Soothes and replenishes dry skin
- Creamy consistency spreads easily
What to Consider
- May irritate eyes
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, bakuchiol, ceramides | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byoma has only been around for a couple of years, but we’re already impressed. The brand’s simple products are the ideal intro-to-skincare for teens who want to start a routine. Those with very dry skin should reach for this rich moisturizer, which calls on shea butter, bakuchiol, and ceramides to soothe and replenish parched complexions. We like how the creamy consistency spreads easily and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.
Best K-Beauty
CosRx Advanced Snail 92 All in One Repair Cream
What We Like
- Natural source of hyaluronic acid
- Simple formula
- Lightweight hydration
What to Consider
- Not vegan
Key Ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate (hyaluronic acid) | Size: 3.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
CosRx is a shining star in the Korean beauty industry and an up-and-comer in the Western drugstore market. The brand’s beloved Advanced Snail 92 Cream contains 92% snail mucin, a natural source of oh-so-hydrating hyaluronic acid.7 Though the formula isn’t vegan, CosRx says no snails are harmed in the manufacturing process.
Best for Uneven Texture
ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer
What We Like
- Gently exfoliates
- Combats hyperpigmentation
- Leaves skin smooth and dewy
What to Consider
- Unhygienic container
Key Ingredients: Kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, pineapple enzymes | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Rosen Tropics Moisturizer is formulated to address uneven texture and hyperpigmentation (dark spots or patches). The virtually weightless concoction hydrates with hyaluronic acid, boosts radiance with kojic acid, and ever-so-gently exfoliates with pineapple enzymes.89 The result? A buttery-smooth face with a dewy glow.
Best Dewy Finish
Weleda Ultra-Rich Cream
What We Like
- Intense moisture from natural sources
- A little goes a long way
- Skin looks visibly hydrated
What to Consider
- Too thick and heavy for some
- Not vegan
Key Ingredients: Lanolin, sweet almond oil, beeswax | Size: 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Weleda Skin Food has been around for nearly 100 years, and get this: The beloved formula hasn’t changed once. This cream is pretty thick, partly thanks to the beeswax, but it immediately gets to work on dry, dull skin—and a little goes a long way. We liked how the lanolin and plant oils delivered intense moisture and left us with a noticeably dewy complexion. Just a heads up, it’s not vegan—lanolin comes from sheep’s wool.10
Best Reparative
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Cream
What We Like
- Healing, protective ingredients
- Reduces inflammation
- Replenishes dry skin
What to Consider
- Contains mineral oil
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, copper, glycerin | Size: 1.7–3.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
If your skin is cracked, chapped, irritated, or excessively dry, Avène Cicalfate+ is for you. Like all products from the French pharmacy brand, this cream contains thermal spring water, which has healing and anti-inflammatory properties.11 What’s more, a copper-zinc sulfide complex helps protect your skin while preventing eczema and other types of dermatitis.12
Best Extra-Rich
Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream
What We Like
- Creamy and nourishing
- Plant-based formula
- Skin looks healthier
What to Consider
- Too oily for some
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, olive oil, squalane | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
In the few years since Naturium launched, it’s become one of Target’s best-selling skincare brands—and if you ask us, the hype is well-deserved. We have many favorites from the collection, but this rich moisturizer slaps for dry skin. The nourishing, plant-based formula is filled with ceramides, shea butter, olive oil, and squalane. It feels amazing and makes our skin look healthy.
Best With Ceramides
Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
What We Like
- Simple yet effective formula
- Replenishes skin barrier
- Plumps and smooths
What to Consider
- Unhygienic container
Key Ingredients: Ceramides | Size: 1.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Curél is a Japanese drugstore brand known for simple yet effective formulas. According to Dr. Chen, ceramides are among the best ingredients for dry skin, and this face cream contains lots of them. These fatty lipids makeup around 40% of the skin barrier, so replenishing them can make your complexion plumper, smoother, and all-around healthier.13
Best Under Makeup
e.l.f. Daily Hydration Moisturizer
What We Like
- Plumps and hydrates
- Non-greasy moisture
- Prevents pilling and patchiness
What to Consider
- May take a few minutes to absorb
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, vitamin E | Size: 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you need a daily moisturizer that plays well with makeup, this is the one. The formula is lightweight and creamy, supplying thirsty skin with ample moisture without making it greasy. You can count on it to plump and hydrate while preventing pilling and patchiness. We’ve found that it takes a few minutes to fully absorb—about 15 minutes after moisturizing is the sweet spot for starting your makeup routine.
What to Look for in a Drugstore Face Moisturizer
- Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides: According to Dr. Chen, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are the best skincare ingredients for dry skin. HA is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture in from the air to hydrate the deep layers of your skin. Ceramides are emollients, replenishing the skin barrier and creating a protective layer that keeps moisture in.2
- Rich, Nourishing Formula: Chen says skin type is really the most important factor to consider when looking for a good facial moisturizer. If yours is particularly dry, a rich, nourishing formula is ideal. If you’re not opposed to oils, you might look for a cream containing sweet almond oil, olive oil, avocado oil, lanolin, jojoba, or squalane.
- SPF: A moisturizer with SPF can allow you to skip a step in your morning skincare routine. Chen says to find one labeled as “broad-spectrum” (SPF 30 or higher) to ensure you’re getting protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
FAQ
- What are the best drugstore facial moisturizers for dry skin?The best drugstore facial moisturizers for dry skin contain hydrating humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. Ceramides and other emollients are also good for replenishing the skin barrier. Some dermatologist-recommended formulas are blended with squalane, petrolatum, lanolin, and plant oils.2
- What is the best moisturizer for extremely dry skin?The best moisturizer for extremely dry skin might be a thick cream rather than a gel or lightweight lotion. Dermatologists often recommend options from Neutrogena, CeraVe, Cetaphil, and Vanicream.
- How often should you use a drugstore face moisturizer?Dr. Dele-Michael says you should use moisturizer after washing your face, whether it’s once or twice a day. Some people might opt to apply it following a toner, serum, or ampoule. And those with extra-dry skin may want to use moisturizer more often. However, an oil-free formula is best in this case to avoid clogged pores.