The Very Best Drugstore Moisturizers

Whatwe’relookingfor

Texture:Gel| Active ingredients:Glycerin, hyaluronic acid |Price:1.7 ounces (Approx. $9/ounce)

Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line of moisturizers is ourtop pick for a facial moisturizerof any variety, drugstore or otherwise, because it’s compatible with pretty much any skin type:oily,dry,combination,mature, and evenacne-prone. And Dr.Corey L. Hartman, the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, says it’s hard to beat for its accessibility and price point.

When I asked Julie Bianchini, a principal scientist for Neutrogena research and development, about the variations that exist in the Hydro Boost line, she explained that there are currently three iterations on the market: The legacyWater Gelhas a light gel texture and is recommended for oily to normal skin; theGel Creamhas a slightly thicker texture for normal to dry skin; and theWater Creamhas an even thicker and more nourishing texture for dry to extra-dry skin. All three formulas contain hyaluronic acid, but the Gel Cream and Water Cream contain additional ingredients such as lipids and ceramides for even deeper hydration. Additionally, the Water Gel is fragranced, while the Gel Cream and Water Cream are both fragrance-free. (If you have especially sensitive skin, I’d recommend starting with the latter two, as the fragrance may be a potential irritant.)

You don’t necessarily have to pick one and stick to it, either: Bianchini suggests using the lighter version in the morning and a heavier version at night, or layering them if your skin needs extra TLC. Because of its affordability, it’s easy to experiment and create a routine tailored to your skin’s needs. No matter your skin type, there’s a version of the Hydro Boost moisturizer that’s likely to work for you, which makes it my top drugstore moisturizer pick overall.

Texture:Gel| Active ingredients:Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |Price:1.75 ounces (Approx. $9/ounce)

According to board-certified dermatologistDr. Rebecca Marcus, moisturizers with a gel-like texture will absorb the fastest and feel light and weightless on the skin, making them especially suited to oilier skin. This CeraVe gel has an ultra-light texture that won’t feel heavy (in contrast to a thicker, more occlusive cream), but still includes the brand’s signature blend of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. It also comes recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr.Shari Marchbein, who notes that it is a good moisturizer for people with facial hair, who often have oilier skin due to higher testosterone levels.

Texture:Lotion| Active ingredients:Zinc, micropearls |Price:4 ounces (Approx. $3.50/ounce)

For a moisturizer that will help mattify a greasy complexion, Dr. Palep likes this Cetaphil option for its “micropearl” technology that absorbs surface oil and reduces shine while moisturizing the skin. It’s noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog pores and potentially cause acne, and it has broad-spectrum SPF for extra UV protection (though you should always use a dedicatedsunscreen, too).

Texture:Cream| Active ingredients:Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides |Price:19 ounces (Approx. $1/ounce)

CeraVe’s moisturizing cream is a best seller amongStrategist readers, and for good reason: Five different dermatologists we spoke to mentioned it, and it’s our pick for thebest moisturizer for dry skin. Its simple, straightforward formula is packed with ceramides that help toboost moisture levels and repair skin, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid also work to “restore the skin’s natural barrier without leaving a greasy feeling,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. It works especially well at providing “round-the-clock” moisture for dry, flaky patches, adds Dr. Palep.

Texture:Ointment| Active ingredients:Petrolatum, glycerin, bisabolol |Price:14 ounces (Approx. $1.30/ounce)

If you haveextremely dry skin, Dr. Katelyn Woolridge ofWestlake Dermatologyrecommends that you try an ointment over a cream. “Ointments are the best at fortifying the skin barrier and locking in moisture,” she explains. Aquaphor is her go-to because it’s a sensitive-skin-friendly, multipurpose ointment — the formula is mainly petrolatum, which is a skin protectant — that actually repairs cracked, flaking skin from the inside out.

Texture:Lotion| Active ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide |Price:3 ounces (Approx. $5/ounce)

It can be tricky to find an all-in-one moisturizer for combination skin, due to the different needs of dry and oily skin. Dr. Ope Ofodile, a co-owner ofDermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta, recommends starting with an oil-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer that can address dry skin without causing additional oil production, and recommends this cream-based CeraVe lotion because it contains non-occlusive ingredients that won’t clog pores, and is oil free, so it won’t worsen any oily patches. As with the Cetaphil moisturizer recommended for oily skin above, this CeraVe formula also has broad-spectrum SPF for extra UV protection on top of your dailysunscreen.

Texture:Gel| Active ingredients:Ceramides, niacinamide |Price:2.5 ounces (Approx. $9/ounce)

La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane line is a favorite of board-certified dermatologistDr. Claire Wolinskybecause “it’s very well-priced and does the job,” she says, adding that it’s recommended often by dermatologists because the formulas complement a lot of prescription medications that can be irritating. This mattifying one has a light gel texture that’s super lightweight and absorbs really quickly, Dr. Wolinsky says, helping to hydrate dry areas while reducing shine. The fragrance-free formula includes anti-inflammatory niacinamide and ceramides to support the skin barrier, as well as soothing thermal-spring water.

Texture:Cream| Active ingredients:Ceramides, petrolatum |Price:16 ounces (Approx. $0.80/ounce)

According to Woolridge,sensitive skincan be difficult to manage because it can be hard to determine which ingredient is the culprit behind any irritation you might be experiencing. While you’re figuring out what, exactly, you’re sensitive to — or if you just want to play it safe — she says Vanicream is an excellent option. It’s free of the most common allergens within skin-care products, like “fragrance, dyes, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasers,” so it limits (or basically prevents) your chances of reacting. But it’s no less effective, says Woolridge, and the petrolatum (also the main ingredient in Aquaphor) immediately hydrates dry, cracked skin.

Texture:Gel| Active ingredients:Prebiotic oat, feverfew |Price:1.7 ounces (Approx. $9/ounce)

Sensitive skin that’s red and inflamed will be calmed by the ingredients in this Aveeno gel moisturizer, says Dr. Mitchell. They include glycerin, panthenol (a soothing B5 vitamin), and oat extracts (which are often recommended to treat persistent patches of eczema.) It’s also been recommended as a suitablemoisturizer for teenswith sensitive skin that’s being ravaged by hormones.

Texture:Cream| Active ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, ceramides, niacinamide |Price:12 ounces (Approx. $2/ounce)

Dermatologists often recommend that people witheczema— a condition that causes inflammation, itching, and dryness on the skin — look for products with naturally anti-inflammatory colloidal oatmeal, explains Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology. As a bonus, colloidal oatmeal also contains ingredients like ceramides, which will hydrate the flaking skin those with eczema can experience. Aveeno has multiple products within itseczema-therapyline, including a cream and abody wash, but this fragrance-free, hypoallergenic balm (which we also recommend in ourguide to the best eczema treatments) is the brand’s thickest formula, intended to soothe even the driest, itchiest skin.

Texture:Cream| Active ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, ceramides, niacinamide |Price:12 ounces (Approx. $2/ounce)

Psoriasis is another finicky, unique condition that, like eczema, needs to be monitored by your dermatologist. There’s “no way to moisturize psoriasis away,” says Nazarian, but there are over-the-counter options that can soothe the affected skin in the short term. Nazarian recommends that patients look for a cream that contains salicylic acid, like CeraVe SA, “to resurface the scaling” that appears with psoriasis and help remove the excess skin that causes the “scaly appearance” ofpsoriatic plaques. But she doesn’t suggest patients use this daily — more like once a week, along with a daily moisturizer. Even with such limited use, you should notice a “smoothing out” of psoriasis plaques, Nazarian says.

Texture:Cream| Active ingredients:Retinol, niacinamide |Price:1.7 ounces (Approx. $18/ounce)

For people age 40 and older, Dr. Hartman highly suggests using a retinol product to enhance cellular turnover and increase collagen and elasticity in the skin. “It’s the closest thing we have to a holy grail,” he says. “It helps with acne breakouts, it helps with more effective exfoliation, it gets rid of dullness, it helps with fine lines and wrinkles. It really does it all.” Board-certified dermatologistDr. Zenovia Gabrielrecommends Olay’s Regenerist Retinol Moisturizer because it also contains niacinamide, an antioxidant that prevents the irritation sometimes brought on by retinoids. If you’re new to using retinol, it’s a great beginner product, she says.

Texture:Rich cream| Active ingredients:Ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid |Price:1.7 ounces (Approx. $8 per ounce)

Moisturizer that is billed as anight creamis typically thicker and more nourishing than a daytime moisturizer, meant to help restore your skin barrier and fight signs of aging and other issues while you sleep. CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream is beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst’s top pick thanks to the way it delivers comparable results to much more expensive options. After testing it for several weeks, Denton-Hurst says she consistently woke up with soft, hydrated skin. “It’s thicker than my go-to CeraVe cream, but the added weight doesn’t make it feel heavy,” she writes. It’s also a favorite of several dermatologists, including Dr.Debra Jaliman, who likes that the formula includes hydrating ingredients such as ceramidesand hyaluronic acidas well as redness-reducing niacinamide.