The Best Affordable Moisturizers for All Skin Types

Skincare is so magically beautiful these days it’s becoming just as addictive as palettes, lippies, and highlighters. Glowy creams, botanical oils, luxe cleansers…how do we keep up? Well, we don’t necessarily have to.

It’s easy to get carried away by all of the shiny, pretty new things showing up in the skincare aisles, but when it comes to moisturizers, sometimes simple is best. Let’s save our pennies and choose some humble-yet-incredible drugstore/affordable moisturizers to nourish, hydrate, soothe and beautify our faces.

Here are my top picks for the best affordable moisturizers according to skin type…

Dry skin

My pick for the best affordable moisturizer for dry skin is the Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid (approx. $11). Cetaphil is a firm favorite in the world of affordable, gentle and effective skincare.

I love that this cream contains hyaluronic acid, aka one of the BEST ingredients for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the skin and locks it there for a comfortable, hydrated visage. This humble hero of a cream doesn’t have any fragrance and it won’t clog pores…perfection, right? Ideal as a night cream or under makeup for a hydrated base.

Acne-prone skin

Acne-prone skin is tough to look after. It can be inflamed, uncomfortable and sensitive as well as oily and blemished. However, it’s super important to keep your skin hydrated because dry skin and acne-prone skin is doubly uncomfortable. What’s more, if you deprive your skin of moisture it can go on oil-producing overdrive.

My pick for the best cheap moisturizer for acne-prone skin is the Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream (approx. $8). This is a gel-based moisturizer which means it’s cooling, non-greasy and gentle. No perfumes or colors, just simple, non-comedogenic hydration.

Combo skin

Combo skin is trickier to cater to because it has different needs at different times…or at the same time, annoyingly. You need something which both can hydrate your dry phases and keep your oily phases from going into overdrive.

I’ve chosen the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (approx. $14) for our combo skin guys and gals. Again, we have hyaluronic acid, woohoo! It’s also an oil-free formulation. This means that we’re hydrated without being clogged, a win-win situation for dry and oily skin. There are no fragrances or irritants lurking in this lotion, so even sensitive folks can slather it on.

Sensitive skin

Ah, sensitive skin. It’s a real nuisance, I tell you. The risk of breaking out in a sore, red rash when trying new products is a constant threat. People with sensitive skin need to be extra wary of fragrances, parabens and certain essential oils. A gentle, hydrating, non-irritating moisturizer is so crucial because it keeps you feeling calm, comfortable and protected. 

I’ve picked the Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream (approx. $13) for all of you sensitive skin sufferers out there. Why? Because it doesn’t have any fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde or other well-known irritants. The ingredients list is pretty flawless.

Don’t be alarmed at “Cetearyl Alcohol” in the ingredients list. This is not a drying alcohol at all, in fact, it’s an emollient, hydrating alcohol which is non-irritating.

This cream has been formulated for irritated skin and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, a fantastic green light if you’ve got sensitive skin. It ticks all the boxes: hydrating, soothing, safe, non-irritating, and mega affordable.

I hope you’ve found your new holy grail moisturizer amongst these gems! And if not? They’re so affordable you won’t break the bank by giving them a try.

Gin Mabey

Gin Mabey

Gin is a beauty enthusiast with a passion for makeup she's had since kindergarten when she would raid her Mum's makeup drawer. When she's not playing with new products and writing about makeup, she's a theatre actress, director and producer.