Finding the best drugstore moisturizer should entail a little playtime, and that’s doctor’s orders. “This is one product category where experimenting can be worthwhile, as you’re likely to find an excellent fit without overspending,” says Dr. Shannon Humphrey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Vancouver, British Columbia. And don’t be surprised if you run into Humphrey or one of her peers while browsing the pharmacy shelves.
Vogue’s Favorite Drugstore Moisturizer
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Insider tip: “Dermatologists often turn to drugstore moisturizers because of their straightforward formulations and cost-effectiveness,” says Dr. Rayva Khanna, MD, a dermatology resident at Georgetown University Medical Center. “In many cases, these affordable options outperform luxury creams with simpler and more effective ingredient lists.”
While it’s hard to go wrong in this category, it’s even easier to go right if you take the pros’ advice. Below, find an expert-sourced edit of the best (and most cost-effective) moisturizers for a variety of skin types, including sensitive and mature. Supple, hydrated skin has never been more accessible.
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Best for Normal Skin: Bubble Skincare Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested, Bubble’s hydrating moisturizer has vitamin E to nourish skin cells, avocado oil to tame redness, and essential fatty acids to drench the skin in moisture. The lightweight salve will also help the complexion (if not, perhaps, the psyche) of those prone to doomscrolling: It contains a superfood-protein compound said to protect the skin from blue light damage. Coincidentally, it also appeals to the generation most prone to doing a TikTok deep-dive before bed. “This line has broad appeal for teens through millennials,” Dr. Humphrey points out, emphasizing that it excels at straightforward hydration.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, avocado oil, aloe leaf juice
- Best For: Normal to dry skin types, blue light protection
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
Best for With SPF: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
- Why We Love It: Another dermatologist-designed moisturizer tucked into drugstore shelves, CeraVe’s lightweight moisturizer hydrates and provides broad-spectrum UV protection. The SPF-30 lotion has three skin-identical ceramides to support the skin barrier; it’s also made with hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention. “This moisturizer is great for oily skin,” says Dr. May Hall, DO, says a double-board-certified dermatologist in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. “It absorbs beautifully into the skin and has the added benefit of SPF 30 to make it a great daily moisturizer.” Dr. Khanna adds that ceramides are a key ingredient to seek out in over-the-counter moisturizers. “Ceramides make up a large part of the skin’s natural lipid barrier,” she explains. Therefore, “Moisturizers with ceramides help restore and reinforce the skin’s barrier.”
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene2.7%, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Normal to oily skin types, sun protection
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
Best for Mature Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
- Why We Love It: Infused with amino peptides to firm and smooth the skin, niacinamide to nourish the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid for a plumping touch, Olay’s lifting cream offers moisture with an extra dose of rejuvenating benefits. “This is a good drugstore option for those who want an anti-aging boost without investing in high-end active ingredients,” says Dr. Humphrey. “This formula combines multiple ingredients for hydration and skin renewal, making it a strong choice for those seeking a multi-active daily cream.” Dr. Khanna, who’s also a fan of the moisturizer, says: “This has a great, fragrance-free, velvety formula which includes niacinamide. I’ve seen that this cream deeply hydrates the skin, improves texture, and supports the skin barrier.”
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, amino peptides
- Best For: Firming, lifting, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all skin types
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost HA Water Gel
- Why We Love It: Oil-free and non-comedogenic, Neutrogena’s creamy gel poses little risk of worsening active acne; it’s also allergy-tested and dermatologist-approved. “Infused with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, this is a lightweight, acne-friendly hydrating gel,” affirms Michelle Ventresca, esthetician, acne expert, and founder of Live by Skin in Woburn, Massachusetts. “It’s ideal for moisturized, supple skin without clogging pores.” The quick-absorbing product also creates a seamless makeup base, making it easy to layer it into a daily routine. Dr. Hall is also on board with the formula. “This is my go-to for acne-prone skin,” she says. “It is incredibly lightweight but still very nourishing.”
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Normal to oily skin types
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Nighttime: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Suited for all skin types, particularly those prone to dryness, this French pharmacy classic is an integral part of Keke Palmer’s skin-care routine. Said to hydrate the skin for up to 48 hours, the celebrity-approved moisturizer has a mix of ingredients that soothe the skin and reinforce its barrier, including niacinamide, ceramide-3, and the brand’s signature thermal water. “This is a wonderful option for nighttime use, particularly for those who have more dry skin or fractured skin barriers,” Dr. Hall says. “It’s formulated with prebiotic thermal water and promotes a healthy skin barrier.” Dr. Khanna adds, “Ceramides and niacinamide both moisturize and brighten the skin. Niacinamide also helps to calm down inflammation, making this the perfect addition to a nighttime, post-retinol skin-care routine.”
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide-3, thermal water
- Best For: All skin types, skin-barrier repair, post-retinol application
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Vanicream is a part of Sofia Richie Grainge’s “simple and clean skin-care regime,” which, she told Vogue, is “the only thing that keeps [her sensitive skin] somewhat tamed.” Gluten-free and non-comedogenic, the brand’s ultra-gentle daily moisturizer is accepted by the National Eczema Association. “This is a great option for those with very sensitive skin,” Dr. Hall notes. “It’s fragrance-free and effectively hydrates the skin day or night.” She’s not the only dermatologist who’s quick to recommend the formula. “This is a dermatologist-favorite and one of the most basic, gentle creams available,” Dr. Humphrey says. “With a simple, clean formulation, it’s a safe, effective, and budget-friendly choice for sensitive skin.”
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin
- Best For: All skin types, sensitive skin
- Size: 3 fl oz
Best for Irritated Skin: Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: “This is one of my go-to drugstore picks,” says Ventresca. “It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic, and formulated with emollients from olive oil and fatty acids that help lock in hydration and keep skin feeling soft.” Made with prebiotic oat to soothe irritation and support the skin barrier, the gentle cream also has feverfew extract, which is packed with antioxidants that reduce redness and further calm irritation. “This gel cream is lighter than Aveeno’s original formulas but still provides meaningful hydration,” Dr. Humphrey adds. “With oat extracts, it’s well-suited for dry, sensitive skin—including eczema-prone patients—offering soothing benefits at a fair price.”
- Key Ingredients: Prebiotic oat, feverfew
- Best For: Soothing the skin, all skin types
- Size: 1.7 oz
Everything You Need to Know
Are drugstore moisturizers as good as their more expensive counterparts?
According to Dr. Humphrey, drugstore moisturizers are often just as effective as those from high-end retailers. “When it comes to moisturizers, price does not necessarily equal performance,” she says. “Luxury brands may offer more refined textures or packaging, but drugstore products often provide comparable hydration and barrier support.”
What to Look for in a Drugstore Moisturizer
“Ingredients are important when considering what kind of moisturizer to choose,” says Dr. Hall. “For example, if your skin is dry, you may want to opt for a heavier moisturizer with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid that can help draw water into the skin.” For those with skin that’s more oily or acne-prone, she recommends opting for a non-comedogenic, lightweight moisturizer with ingredients—such as salicylic acid—that can help unclog pores.
Personal preferences should also play a role in product selection, according to Dr. Humphrey. For instance, “Do you like a gel or a cream, a tub or a pump?” she asks. With multiple textures and types of packaging available for drugstore moisturizers, there’s plenty of room to find a pick that feels tailored to you.
- Dr. May Hall, DO, is a double-board-certified dermatologist in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
- Dr. Shannon Humphrey, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder and medical director of Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology in Vancouver.
- Dr. Rayva Khanna, MD, is a dermatology resident at Georgetown University Medical Center.
- Michelle Ventresca is an esthetician, acne expert, and the founder of Live by Skin in Woburn, Massachusetts.