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If you've ever gotten dizzied by the spinning number of nighttime face creams with enormous price disparities, then this post is for you.
There are so many fantastic choices available, and you don't have to sell your kidney to obtain one that will hydrate your skin and make it glow.
And the truth is, you can achieve results at any price point. So, if you'd prefer to pay less for your face cream so you can save your money for something you love, I have some good news for you: you can find a fabulous night moisturizer for about $20, and I'm sharing 10 examples to show you.
But, first, let's discuss why there is such a large price difference in the first place:
Will Drugstore Moisturizers Really Work?
Will Drugstore Moisturizers Really Work?
It's simple to believe that if it doesn't arrive in a tacky jar and feature your favorite celeb bathing in said moisturizer – it can't possibly be that great.
The reality is, the cost difference boils down to some possibilities:
Marketing costs to get you to buy it
Retail prices to have that cream on the shelf in that upscale store
(Sometimes) Higher concentrations of active ingredients – we’ll talk about this one more later
Better quality packaging – might or might not even be relevant to you
But, with the passing of time, more and more firms are creating high quality ingredients with fewer fillers, fewer chemicals and more active ingredients – at drugstore prices.
Why? Because the margin on these items is typically pretty steep and they figure they'll capture a larger share of the market by going more mass market, kind of like when Mossimo re-launched as a more affordable line at Target.
So, which ones will allow you to have your cake and eat it, too? Let's find out:
The Best Drugstore Moisturizers:
The Best Drugstore Moisturizers:
Here are the top 10 drugstore moisturizers for various skin types. Yes, see what I did there, girl. These are all affiliate links.
Alright, Acure totally blew my mind with their Blue Tansy Oil, so of course, I had to try a ton of their other products and the reviews on this one had it at the top of my list.
This cloud cream is, quite literally, like touching a cloud, but yet is packed with potent ingredients such as argan oil and hyaluronic acid.
And, if you're already an Acure lover, then you know they cut the super clean beauty mustard when it comes to producing really high-quality products for affordable prices without any of the yucky stuff.
I adore this cream, but it's not for you if you prefer thick, rich, thoroughly moisturizing creams, but it's a perfect match for oily, acne prone, sensitive, and/or normal skin.
This one has been causing a stir for being a potential dupe of skin care icon, Creme de la Mar. Considering that most of us will never likely shell out the cash for a jar of CDLM, Nivea is a fabulous substitute for an unbelievable price.
This cream, blended with a few drops of your go-to skin oil or skin serum, becomes a rich, creamy, calming, deeply moisturizing cream.
There's a reason that Marilyn Monroe, and lots of others, swear by the stuff.
I have also heard some arguments that the made in Germany one is thicker and the made in Mexico one feels lighter, so choose your poison. Either way, it's great, particularly for dry skin.
When Bliss initially launched, they were an upscale brand that was sold at their spas and Sephora. I even got to visit a Bliss spa in San Francisco for one of those facials and….it was bliss!
So, I was THRILLED when I saw them re-launch the line at Kohl's, then Ulta, and then Target. They are selling these amazing products at prices anyone shopping at a drugstore can afford, but you are receiving the ingredients, technology, and expertise of a line with serious skin care swagger.
I have enjoyed everything I've tried by Bliss, prior to and after they broadened their line to be more available, so you can't go wrong really.
This Rose Gold Rescue cream is wonderful for sensitive skin – and I should know, as my skin is super duper sensitive. Actually, I adore rose in all of my skin care, due to how gentle, and yet powerful it is, from my homemade rose water to my favorite Rose skin rollers. So, this Rose Gold Rescue nighttime moisturizer is as good as gold.
Yup, we're back with more Bliss! If you don't have sensitive skin, you'll adore this Bliss Drench & Quench moisturizer – formulated to quench dry skin.
Not only will it moisturize at first application, but it's formulated to enhance your skin's moisture-holding capacity over the long term, so you actually get results after repeated use.
Additionally, it's really lightweight, so it's perfect for oily and acne skin, as well. The moisturizer begins in the form of a cream and becomes watery upon contact, "surging skin with over 10,000 marine micro-droplets for intense, yet weightless, all-day hydration.".
I talked about this one earlier (and I'll likely say it again, too). It's Neutrogena's take on the extremely light, gel, hyaluronic acid filled moisturizer and it is good, good, good.
The jar is just enormous. I mean, I couldn't get over the price point for value here with this product. It took me ages to finish that jar and the price point is very affordable.
It feels weightless and cooling the moment you apply it, which I prefer.
I will admit that it is a bit more runny than a couple of the other ones on the list, and that tells me that it has a higher level of fillers, but honestly, if you are younger and you have sensitive skin or oily skin, you are just going to be so delighted with this one.
Long time Honest devotee, here. I've sampled nearly all of their products over the years and this Hydrogel Moisturizer is one of their more recent additions to the family and has some serious staying power.
It's even received some blog awards for being a genuinely great, new and innovative moisturizer. It's also cleaner than most, so it's not going to clog you up with loads of toxic chemicals your body will have to struggle to flush out later. #NoThanks
The consistency does change when applied, and takes a few seconds to actually sink in, but when it does, your skin appreciates the effort.
With two types of hyaluronic acid, squalane for hydration, and SODIUM PCA for moisturizing, this is suitable for nearly all skin types.
A favorite on the moisturizer shelf, Olay is with it. Their MicroSculpting Cream is a fan favorite and has thousands of fantastic reviews. It's even been nicknamed a "rich bi*ch cream" by Bethenny Frankel, who samples products from dollar store to high-end.
Developed to provide 10 layers of moisture and regain firmness and elasticity with a supercharged combination of vitamin B3, amino-peptides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, this Olay cream has gained a legion of devoted, loyal fans.
This is the drugstore winner for you if you've been staring in the mirror and tugging on those dreaded little fine lines that catches all of us.
CeraVe is known for super gentle, soothing formulas that are excellent for even the most sensitive skin. This one, in fact, is well suited for skin prone to eczema, rosacea, and inflammation, so grab a jar if that’s what you’ve been looking for.
Plus, formulated with ingredients like 3 essential ceramides that help the skin retain moisture, it is even safe to use all over the body, so feel free to use it on rough patches, elbows, etc.
And, without any fragrances, oil, or any other irritating ingredient, it is known to be very gentle.
This buttery, quick-absorbing, and calming skin cream has been reported to be another possible dupe for more expensive creams. While Versed maintains that it's ideal for mature and dry skin (it is), it's also great for someone who's seeking a clean, but effective, nighttime moisturizer.
The players in Skin Soak are squalane and red algae that provide Versed with its rich texture and active ingredients.
Versed is a game changer brand, choosing to sell their super effective, clean products at a very affordable price point. If you haven't tried any of their products – add them to your must-try list ASAP.
Ponds is to face cream what Noxzema is to cleansing cream. Essentially, it's a staple. It's the product that people use because their mother's used it and their grandmothers used it.
There are several Pond's moisturizer variants, so go ahead and use the one that best fits your skin concerns. I am using this dry skin cream as an example of their classic products.
And on top of that, the cost will surprise you. I believe it's the most budget-friendly choice on this list.
So many excellent options! If you just depleted your fave face moisturizer or simply need a new one to experiment with that won't put you in the poorhouse – I hope you'll give one of these awesome drugstore moisturizers a shot.
Because, let's be real, even if none of these things we slather all over our faces actually do anything – they definitely feel good, right?!
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