These Are The Best Face Moisturizers You Can Get For Under $20

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Drugstore staples, reviewer favorites, and dermatologist-approved options that won’t break your budget.

Pricey skincare items are a lovely luxury, but they’re not always financially practical, especially when it comes to everyday beauty products that you use with more frequency or in larger amounts, like a daily face moisturizer. The good news is that there are quite a lot of really great dermatologist-approved and highly-rated options available that won’t break the bank, so you can enjoy hydrated skin without worrying about the cost.

Weleda Skin Food cream, E.l.f. Skin Holy Hydration face cream and Embyrolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Whether they’re drugstore staples or Sephora and Dermstore-beloved brands, these creams are rich in skin-loving ingredients that leave your complexion feeling supple and smooth.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best moisturizers you can get for under $20 — they’re all cult-favorite, highly-reviewed, dermatologist-recommended, and HuffPost editor must-have options, so you can rest easy knowing that these tried-and-true moisturizers will have you looking and feeling your very best, without making your bank account weep.

1.

The Inkey List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative moisturizer

Sephora

The Inkey List’s bakuchiol cream was previously suggested by Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist, as a moisturizer for those curious about this natural retinol alternative. According to her, it performs well, and for under $15, it can be a good way to see if you tolerate this ingredient that can promote cellular turnover. The lightweight cream is formulated with 1% bakuchiol to target the appearance of fine lines and loss of elasticity, as well as hydrating squalane and nourishing sacha inchi oil, a plant-derived oil rich in omega-3.

Get it from Sephora for $15.

2.

Cosrx Snail Mucin 92% repair cream

Amazon

While the Cosrx serum usually gets all the glory, the repair cream also deserves a place in the sun. It’s an incredibly highly-rated and beloved moisturizer that harnesses the power of snail mucin to deeply hydrate the skin, leaving it plump, soft, hydrated and lush. 

Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

3.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel daily moisturizer

Amazon

Oily skin types or those prone to acne might benefit from using a gel moisturizer instead of a rich cream formulation, and this water gel moisturizer by Neutrogena came at the previous recommendation of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez. According to her, this is “a lightweight gel that gives a nice, cooling sensation when applied. It’s free of what people don’t want, such as dyes and fragrance.”

The non-comedogenic and oil-free formula contains purified hyaluronic acid, a beloved humectant that draws moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated.

Get it from Amazon for $12.44.

4.

CeraVe moisturizing cream

Amazon

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Seemal R. Desai previously spoke to HuffPost and mentioned that he recommends the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to his patients. He described it as “a rich, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing cream that releases a steady stream of moisturizing ingredients.” It’s a great option for anyone looking to manage crepey, dry, and aging skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman previously suggested CeraVe as an ideal solution to help razor-burned skin, while another board-certified dermatologist, Dr. JiaDe (Jeff) Yu formerly recommended it as one of the best products to treat eczema. And it’s just as popular among skincare fanatics as it is with dermatologists.

Get it from Amazon for $17.78.

5.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Amazon

This multipurpose French pharmacy staple has earned itself quite a reputation here at HuffPost. The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré was brought to our attention by Los Angeles-based makeup artist Susan Zeytuntsyan, who favors this emollient moisturizer for not just hydrating the skin but for offering the perfect base for foundation and makeup. As it turns out, the timeless formula, which includes calming aloe vera, protective beeswax, nourishing soy proteins, and skin-softening shea butter, has been a longtime secret weapon among makeup artists.

Get it from Amazon for $17.

6.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Sephora

HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores has been a longtime fan of The Ordinary’s simplistic, straightforward, and accessible approach to skincare, and this moisturizer was one of the products that first sold her on the brand. She says she “loves the way it soaks deeply into my parched skin and contains a total of 11 tried-and-true hydrating ingredients like lipid-loving fatty acids, glycerin, barrier-restoring ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. If you want a facial cream that will play nice with all of your actives, will actually do a really solid job at hydrating your skin, and won’t cost an arm and a leg, then you can just stop scrolling now.” No wonder it’s one of the most popular moisturizers among HuffPost readers!

Get it from Sephora for $6.70+ (available in two sizes).

7.

CeraVe PM facial moisturizing lotion

Amazon

CeraVe’s moisturizing night lotion was recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield. She said that it was “basic and affordable and provides the necessary hydration one would need for daily use.” Like all products from the CeraVe line, this evening treatment is formulated with their iconic blend of three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.

Get it from Amazon for $14.42.

8.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Amazon

Products by the iconic French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay often come highly recommended to us by dermatologists, as was the case with this Cicaplast cream, a favorite of Dr. Lauren Penzi, a board-certified dermatologist. This cult-fave cream from La Roche-Posay is a whiz at soothing visible signs of skin irritation caused by dryness, damage, or over-exfoliation. Glycerin, shea butter, and vitamin B5 come together to form a rich, healing balm that can be used as a spot treatment or all over.

Get it from Amazon for $16.99.

9.

LilyAna Naturals retinol cream

Amazon

HuffPost readers swoon over the popular and highly-rated LilyAna Naturals eye cream, but this retinol-powered facial moisturizer is even more highly rated at Amazon. Get all the benefits of retinol, like reducing typical signs of aging and smoothing skin, while the potent hyaluronic blend can help keep skin soft, supple and hydrated. You really can’t beat the price.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes).

10.

Weleda Skin Food original ultra-rich cream

Amazon

There’s nothing like Skin Food for parched flesh. Reviewers say it’s the fastest way to heal a damaged moisture barrier and repair the skin, leaving it soft and supple. The original ultra-rich formula is perfect for cracked, flaky skin. It’s ideal for itchy, dry areas like elbows, toes, and feet, but I’ve definitely slathered it on my face during times of need. Everyone should have a tube of this in their home and enjoy the benefits ASAP. It might not be an everyday cream for everyone, but it’s a must for emergency hydration situations, and our readers seem to agree.

Get it from Amazon for $14.25.

12.

E.l.f. Holy Hydration! face cream SPF 30

Amazon

This nourishing cream from E.l.f. is always an Amazon favorite among readers. Just because it’s dreary and gray out doesn’t mean you can skimp on sunscreen. This beauty is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to sacrifice hydration and healing ingredients for sun protection. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and peptides and provides SPF 30 protection, which is perfect for the transitional season.

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

13.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

Amazon

Formulated with peptides, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this cream can help deeply hydrate the skin while helping to renew the skin’s natural barrier overnight. It’s ideal for dry winter months or for anyone who battles dry skin year-round. And the price point can’t be beaten. It’s one of our readers’ most popular choices at Amazon.

Get it from Amazon for $16.57.

15.

Sephora Collection Nourishing moisturizer

Sephora

This nourishing prebiotic moisturizer is an editors’ pick, thanks to its creamy, fragrance-free formulation. The naturally derived prebiotics in this cream work to help deeply hydrate the skin, while marula oil strengthens the skin barrier, effectively boosting its ability to fight the elements. Aside from making skin feel ultra comfy, it doesn’t sit heavy on the face like some other moisturizers intended for dry, sensitive skin.

Get it from Sephora for $20+ (available in two sizes).