Best Drugstore Facial Moisturizer

If you are searching for a drugstore moisturizer that will be both affordable and efficient we found it! After trying so many drugstore moisturizers, we will help you find the best drugstore moisturizer for you.

Whether you are 14 or 65, using moisturizer is a beneficial step in caring for your skin. A good moisturizer can replenish your skin and help it to obtain a smoother or plumper appearance.

There are options for a variety of conditions such as oily skin, extremely dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin, and inflamed skin. Each come in an array of textures, ingredients, and thicknesses.

13 Best Drugstore Facial Moisturizer Reviews

1. Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme

This product is excellent for those with mature skin issues and who want visibly improved results. Estee Lauder is a top brand that is loved and trusted. Some women exclusively use their skincare for multiple decades because of their products’ effectiveness. This moisturizer is targeted for both the face and neck. This is definitely my favorite best drugstore facial moisturizer for mature skin.

Anti-aging

As the name suggests, lifting and sculpting are this product’s winning features. Its formula uses the good properties of the sun to help encourage collagen and elastin production within your skin. These are key parts of the skin that gradually decrease as a person ages.

Protection

While utilizing the good properties of the sun, it also protects against the harmful properties of the sun by including an SPF of 15. As such, it is intended for use as a day cream rather than a day and night cream.

Overall

This product is pure gold to women wanting to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin of the face and neck. It does not irritate sensitive skin and makes the skin super hydrated without leaving it greasy. Most people love the smell, although it is too strong for a few people. While most women share rave reviews, some people also said that the crème did not as well as they hoped and did not notice drastic results.

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2. TruSkin Daily Facial Moisturizer

This product is intended for anti-aging, wrinkles, age spots, skin tone, firming and dark circles and keeps to these promises. If you haven’t heard of the TruSkin skincare line, it may soon become your new favorite. This is a great drugstore facial moisturizer for uneven skin.

Antioxidants

TruSkin’s formula has a whopping 15% vitamin C in its formula. This vitamin is known for helping with uneven skin tone and diminishing age spots. Unlike many skincare lines, which include vitamin C in a serum to be used in an additional step before moisturizer, they bravely include it all in one. The results speak for themselves in terms of this method’s effectiveness.

Younger Skin

This powerful formula also has vitamin B5, MSM, pure organic jojoba oil and green tea which combine to help shrink pores, smooth and hydrate the skin and give a firm, radiant appearance.

Quality Ingredients

Even though the formula is very strong, it can be used on the gentlest of skin. The formula is cruelty-free, paraben-free, corn-free, soy-free, vegan and suitable for all skin types. No matter what you are avoiding, this moisturizer likely caters to those needs.

Overall

We love this product, no wonder it’s a “best seller”. Many women have been able to ditch their foundation after using this product consistently, probably due to the effectiveness of its high vitamin C content. It has been helpful to moisturize stubborn skin and sensitive skin that doesn’t respond well to other products. If you have oily skin, this may not be the product for you, though.

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3. Kleem Anti Aging Retinol Moisturizer Cream

This cream has been awarded the Best Anti Aging Skin Product of the year. It claims to give your skin deeper hydration for a guaranteed 72 hours. Its goal is to restore the essence of youth quickly with guaranteed results. Definitely my go-to drugstore facial moisturizer for retinol lovers. 

Youth

Kleem restores your skin’s look of youth with five powerhouse anti-aging ingredients including 2.5% retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, green tea and jojoba oil. Because retinol is included in the ingredients, it is recommended to use this product with sunscreen or to reserve it for use during the nighttime.

Good For You Ingredients

Kleem’s skincare is organic and contains only natural ingredients, so you can improve your health as you improve your skin’s appearance. You can also rest easy knowing this moisturizer is free from parabens and alcohol in the ingredients.

USA Made

Manufactured in an FDA-approved facility in the USA, Kleem’s products are truly clean. They are also PETA approved and cruelty-free.

Overall

Many users claim this is the best moisturizing cream they have ever tried. It has a pleasant, very light citrus smell, reduces the look of age spots and makes the face look less red. Kleem uses a high percentage of its youth-enhancing ingredients to get such great results, namely its 2.5% retinol solution. The moisture of this formula may not be quite rich enough for you, though, if you have very dry skin.

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4. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | 19 Ounce | Daily Face and Body Moisturizer for Dry Skin

This moisturizer from CeraVe is a top dermatologist-recommended product. It can be used anywhere on the body and helps combat a variety of skin issues, but at its roots, it is excellent for dry skin. It is for sure a fan favorite. 

Long-Lasting Effects

By using three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this cream keeps the skin hydrated for a full day. This helps to attract moisture to the skin and restore and maintain its natural protective barrier.

Gentle

Baby skin and sensitive, acne-prone skin respond well to this moisturizing cream. If you have had issues with other moisturizers, you may find that this one works much better for you.

Patented Technology

CeraVe has patented a MultiVesticular Emulsion (MVE) technology which delivers the moisturizing ingredients to the skin slowly over time, ensuring 24-hour hydration. This technology prevents your facial skin from feeling tight or dry before a night-time application.

Overall

Many people have used this instead of taking a trip to the dermatologist. It is able to clear up dry, flaky patches that won’t go away and is effective against eczema, winning the National Eczema Association Seal of Approval. Most users find this product to absorb well, but a few customers found it to sit on top of the skin instead and feel rubbery.

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5. DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel

DHC became well known for their olive oil cleansers. Their moisturizers are not as well-known but equally loved by those who use it. Their fast-absorbing formula is one to look out for.

Hydrate

Hyaluronic acid and palm oil are used to bring moisture and life back into the skin. Yet again, this standout ingredient of hyaluronic acid is effective by drawing moisture from the air and plumping your dehydrated cells like a sponge. Its effects last all day and improve the look and feel of your skin.

Secret Weapon

DHC has utilized the effects of astaxanthin to give its product some antioxidant advantages. With 6,000 times the effect of vitamin C, this ingredient derived from freshwater green algae is powerful, to say the least. It is similar in effect to carotene and may give you a brighter or rosier appearance.

Youthful Skin

This moisturizer includes collagen in the ingredients to assist the skin’s youthful appearance. The astaxanthin helps protect the skin from UV and pollution that ages the skin. This helps skin both immediately and in the long run by healing and preventing damage of the environment. The formula also helps to firm, tone and brighten.

Overall

With this product, you get a lot for your money both in terms of benefits and the amount of product. Unlike many other moisturizers, its gel consistency works well with oily skin types. Many people notice improved skin texture within a couple of weeks from using the product. However, the secret ingredient has a funny smell to some people, and others do not prefer the tint that it can give the skin.

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6. L’Oréal Paris Skincare Collagen Face Moisturizer

This formula by L’Oreal is going right for what aging skin wants: more collagen. This loved and trusted drugstore brand has backed their research, providing staggering results. Younger looking skin is what’s in store when using this over time.

Smooth Skin

86 percent of women said their skin looked smoother after one week of use. This is thanks to the collagen filling effects of this moisturizer which helps to restore the skin’s collagen levels to the higher amounts of youth.

Hydrating

This lightweight, non-greasy formula is dermatologist tested and suitable for sensitive skin. Although it’s lightweight, some users reserve its use for night time. Many users saw the best results when using a thick layer or two thin layers before bed at night.

Anti-Aging

72 percent of women noticed their wrinkles filled in after four weeks of use. This is due to the intense hydration and skin plumping abilities of the product.

Overall

This product is ideal for restoring the skin’s cushion. Many people described this as a miracle product. This inexpensive moisturizer has surprised many people by working better than their expensive counterparts. Some people had issues using this in the daytime due to the richness and thickness of the cream.

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7. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Moisturizer Gel-Cream

If hydration is your main concern, this may be the product for you. Neutrogena, another well-known drugstore brand, is here to deliver the hydration your skin desires. It’s my favorite drugstore facial moisturizer for dry skin. 

Dermatologist Approved

Neutrogena’s whole skin care line is dermatologist approved, and dermatologist recommended. You can use their products rest-assured that they will work with, not against, your skin.

Intensely Hydrating

Hyaluronic acid is this product’s method for moisturization. This ingredient acts like a sponge by absorbing around 1,000 times its weight in water for dry skin cells. Smoother, tighter-looking skin is what results.

Gentle

This moisturizer’s formula is oil-free, dye-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic which allows it to work well for even sensitive skin.

Overall

This product is excellent for extremely dry skin. It goes on invisibly and won’t leave your skin feeling tight or coated. Many people claim that this works better than high-end products they have tried.

Keep in mind that although this product may help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles by plumping the skin with hyaluronic acid, it does not contain ingredients specifically aimed to give anti-aging results.

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8. Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20

Jack Black has been making quality products for nearly 20 years. This product is part of Jack Black’s PureScience collection and is for the environmentally conscious consumer.

Natural

This moisturizer is made from healing botanicals, certified organic ingredients, vitamins and antioxidants which give its amazing results. Its formula is also fragrance-free, paraben-free, colorant-free, cruelty-free and vegan.

Soothing

One of the ways this product reduces inflammation is by using vitamin E sourced from blue algae extract. It also kills bacteria and encourages healing by using rosemary and fights free-radical damage via vitamins A and E.

Sun Protection

This moisturizer prevents aging by including sunscreen in the formula. This way, you will be protected by both UVA and UVB rays throughout your day.

Overall

This is a winner of a product and men, in particular, seem to enjoy it. It can be used right after shaving the face and is an easy step to keep your skin hydrated and protected from the sun. The fact that it is environmentally conscious is a bonus as well. Some people, however, don’t find this to be quite moisturizing enough.

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9. Night Cream by Olay, Regenerist Night Recovery Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

This night cream is part of Olay’s advanced anti-aging collection. These products are designed to deliver transformative results and produce younger-looking skin. This is my favorite best drugstore facial moisturizer to use before bedtime.

Rich Formula

This moisturizer plumps, firms and smooths through the night so you can wake up with recharged skin. It is able to penetrate the top 10 layers of the skin, improving texture and elasticity.

Gentle on Skin

This formula is fragrance-free, unlike many night creams that have a strong, perfume-like scent. Some users highly appreciate this aspect because they find very fragranced night moisturizers keep them up at night.

Wrinkle Repair

97% of women felt their skin was smoother and more moisturized after two weeks. This product uses amino-peptides and vitamins to help visibly improve the look of your skin. This product also aids in surface cell regeneration to help lessen the look of deep wrinkles.

Overall

With this product, a little goes a long way. It absorbs quickly into the skin, will leave your skin looking radiant each morning and works especially well in the winter time. This product is often recommended by dermatologists as well. Some people found the texture to be a bit too thick for their liking.

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What Is the Best Drugstore Moisturize?

The most highly recommended drugstore moisturizer from this list is TruSkin Daily Facial Moisturizer. Whether you are in need of intense moisturization or anti-aging properties, this product will deliver the results you are hoping for.

Unlike many anti-aging creams, TruSkin includes vitamin C in their formula which helps to brighten and even the skin tone. Many other skin care lines put this step in serums instead. But here you have it all in one. In time, you may join the growing number of older women who have decided to ditch their foundation because they are so happy with the look of their skin.

It is also great for sensitive skin types, and its ingredients are naturally good for your skin. For the price, you can’t go wrong.

Which SPF Is Best for Your Face?

Using sunscreen is better than no screen. From here, you have the decision between physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens are great because they block both UVA and UVB rays to varying degrees. However, they usually have a thicker texture and may give your facial skin a gray or white cast.

Chemical sunscreens don’t do this, but they rarely block against UVA rays, which isn’t ideal. Your best bet may be to look for a chemical sunscreen that blocks against the full spectrum of sun rays.

Does Hyaluronic Acid Tighten Skin?

Yes, with regular use. Hyaluronic acid is known to moisturize the skin by acting as a sponge to attract and hold more water. When this happens, the skin plumps up over time, which gives a tightening effect.

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When Should I Apply Face Moisturizer?

Apply your products from lightest to thickest. Wash your face first, then apply any serums or spot treatments, followed by a moisturizer, then sunscreen. It is best to apply moisturizer when your face is a little damp rather than bone dry.

5 Things to Search in Your Drugstore Moisturizer

1. Hyaluronic acid

This ingredient will make a huge difference in the hydration of your skin. Because it attracts water molecules to dry skin cells, it’s targeting the problem directly. This allows the cells to hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water, leaving your skin looking plumper and intensely hydrated.

Hyaluronic acid can be used on the neck, chest, hands or anywhere else that could benefit from extra moisture. You will find this ingredient in several of the top rated moisturizers available today because it works so well for all kinds of people.

2. Natural ingredients

If you have the option of choosing between several effective moisturizers and only some of them use fully natural ingredients, it’s best for your health to choose the natural options. Our skin is highly absorbent and may possibly absorb small amounts of potentially harmful ingredients from topical products over time.

The theory is that if these build up in the system, they may cause negative health effects. Ingredients to watch out for include parabens, dyes, and synthetic fragrances. For instance, parabens have been found in the tumors of breast cancer patients, which has set off some red flags with doctors thinking that parabens may mimic estrogen in the body.

However, correlation is not causation. More research needs to be done to determine whether parabens are generally safe. Until then, avoiding them when possible may be a wise decision for anyone who is looking to improve their health. If you read through the ingredients, you will find parabens to be a very common ingredient in skincare and makeup products at the drugstore. It may take a little effort to find versions that do not contain them.

3. Day or night use

Think about the main effects you hope to get from your drugstore moisturizer. Day creams and night creams are designed to target different issues. Day creams are often lightweight in texture and may contain sunscreen. This is to allow easy application under makeup or to be luminous, yet invisible, to the naked eye.

They often do not contain ingredients such as retinol that interact negatively with sunlight, or if they do, they also include a sunscreen. Moisturizers designed to be used at night are often much thicker in consistency.

They may be visibly noticeable on the skin, which is why they are designed to be used at night in private rather than in public. This allows them to often deliver more intense effects.

Night creams also utilize the fact that the night time, while we sleep, is the time our body uses to repair and regenerate. Some companies will create their formulas to use this natural process of our bodies.

4. Thickness 

Different thicknesses of drugstore moisturizers cater to different skin conditions. If you face is mildly dry, you probably only need a light to medium weight moisturizer. Thicker moisturizers are generally used for very dry skin.

5. Anti-aging benefits

Are you hoping to reverse the hands of time through using your moisturizer? If so, ensure that the ingredients will help your skin in this way. Retinol, amino-peptides, collagen, and elastin are ingredients to look for. Rich moisturization is helpful as well. Remember that these will only work well if you use them regularly.