Our best overall pick is the Cetaphil Facial Hydrating Lotion
While sunscreen is arguably the most critical step in your daily skincare routine, moisturizer is a close second. An effective moisturizer can do everything from repairing the skin’s barrier to smoothing texture, all while maintaining your skin’s hydration.2
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adebola Dele-Michael, you should “apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer after washing your face,” both A.M. and P.M. And while you might slather on a formula with full-spectrum SPF in the morning, you’ll want to use something without sun protection at night.
Whether your complexion is extra-dry, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone, there’s a lotion, cream, or gel out there with your name on it. Tons of wonderful formulas exist for every skin type, many of which don’t cost an arm and a leg. Enter: drugstore moisturizers. “Drugstore” is kind of a loose term these days, but the point is, these formulas offer affordable, effective hydration—and you can find many of them at your local convenience store.
We conducted hours of research on the best drugstore moisturizers, evaluating each on their active ingredients and how effective they were at hydrating—while considering price and accessibility. Combined with expert recommendations from Dr. Dele-Michael and our product testers, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Scroll down for the best drugstore face moisturizers currently available.
Best Overall: Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion for Face With Hyaluronic Acid
Cetaphil is one of the few drugstore brands most dermatologists can agree on. The no-nonsense, non-comedogenic Facial Hydrating Lotion flaunts a lightweight, oil-free formula. This affordable skincare essential is great under makeup but also nourishing enough for your nighttime routine.
Thanks to hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and powerful humectants, it instantly plumps your complexion and provides all-day moisture.3 Though this moisturizer was made with dry skin in mind, it’s suitable for most other skin types. We also like that it comes in a hygienic pump bottle and absorbs notably fast.
Best Budget: Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer
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 With SPF: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
If you take a one-and-done approach to skincare, you’ll appreciate Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer. This sunscreen-lotion combo nourishes and calms with oat kernel extract4 while delivering full-spectrum SPF 30 protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra-Sensitive Skin Face Moisturizer
Dr. Dele-Michael is a big fan of La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra, and it’s easy to see why. Formulated for sensitive skin, this soothing, fast-absorbing face lotion contains mineral-rich thermal spring water,5 neurosensine, and shea butter6 to help restore the skin’s natural barrier without irritation.
Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Eczema-prone? Reach for CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This tried-and-true drugstore moisturizer can be used on your face or body to hydrate and calm irritated skin. What’s more, its gentle yet effective blend of hyaluronic acid and ceramides earned approval from the National Eczema Association.
Best for Mature Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Formulated with mature skin in mind, Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream contains plumping and regenerating niacinamide (vitamin B3),7 extra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, and pro-elasticity peptides.8 With one billion sales and counting, the iconic red jar has your back when it comes to minimizing fine lines and preventing volume loss.
Best for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gel-Cream
If your skin is on the oilier side, your best bet is Neutrogena Hydro Boost. This superstar gel-cream delivers oil-free hydration with hyaluronic acid and olive extract while preventing clogged pores.
Best for Dry Skin: Era Organics Oasis Super Hydrating 16 in 1 Moisturizer
For folks with parched complexions, we highly recommend Oasis by Era Organics. This all-natural face cream contains ultra-moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, and hemp seed oil, plus healing manuka honey9 and calming aloe vera.10
Best for Combination Skin: Nyakio Baobab Youth-Infused Daily Defense Creme
If your complexion can’t decide whether it’s dry, oily, or sensitive, Nyakio Baobab has your name on it. This daily moisturizer cream replaces the skin’s natural oils with baobab oil and shea butter, then gently lifts and plumps with coffee extract11 and glycerin.12
Best K-Beauty: CosRx Advanced Snail 92 All in One Repair Cream
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 percent snail mucin, an all-natural source of ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid. While the formula isn’t vegan, CosRx says no snails are harmed in the manufacturing process.
Best Natural: Adiva Naturals Complexions Herbal Facial Moisturizer
For those who prefer au naturel formulas, we suggest the Herbal Facial Moisturizer from Adiva Naturals. Good for all skin types, this nourishing lotion contains gentle yet effective ingredients like aloe juice, glycerin, coconut oil, witch hazel, willow bark extract, and sweet almond oil.
Best for Dark Skin: Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer
Bolden’s multi-action Brightening Moisturizer delivers serious hydration and hyperpigmentation relief, plus full-spectrum SPF 30 protection. Formulated with melanin-rich skin in mind, the zinc-free formula goes on clear and won’t leave a white cast.
Best Lightweight: ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer
If it’s lightweight hydration you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Rosen Tropics Moisturizer. The virtually weightless formula hydrates with hyaluronic acid, boosts radiance with kojic acid,13 and ever-so-gently exfoliates with pineapple enzymes.14
Best With Retinol: LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream Moisturizer
For those interested in a retinol-infused formula, we suggest LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream. The mild yet effective lotion helps combat the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, and dullness15 while moisturizing with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, and vitamin E.
Final Verdict
The best drugstore face moisturizer overall is Cetaphil Facial Hydrating Lotion. It stands out for its lightweight, non-comedogenic, oil-free formula that absorbs quickly and delivers all-day moisture—extra points for the air-tight pump bottle. Our favorite budget-friendly option is the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream, which will keep your complexion hydrated for 24 hours. However, if you want something with sun protection, go with Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, which offers full-spectrum defense with a 100 percent mineral formula.
What to Look for in a Drugstore Face Moisturizer
Ceramides and/or Hyaluronic Acid
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lucy Chen, these are two of her favorite tried-and-true hydrating ingredients to seek out. Because, after all, you want your drugstore moisturizer to moisturize, right?
Consider Your Skin Type
Chen says skin type is really the most important factor to consider when looking for a good facial moisturizer. Oily? Seek out oil-free variants. Have sensitive skin? Make sure your pick is fragrance-free. Super dry? Thicker, oil-based options are your BFF.
Built-In SPF
Moisturizers with SPF are always a good thing, just make sure it’s labeled as ‘broad-spectrum’ to ensure you’re getting protection from both UVA and UVB rays, says Chen, and ideally an SPF of 30 or more.
FAQ
How do you apply a drugstore face moisturizer?
Dispense about a dime-sized amount onto clean hands. Next, dab equal amounts onto your forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, neck, and décolletage (chest). Then spread it around and gently rub it in until it’s fully absorbed.
How often should you use a drugstore face moisturizer?
Dr. Dele-Michael says you should apply 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 apply moisturizer more often. However, an oil-free formula is best in this case to avoid clogged pores.
