The Best Moisturizers for Your Skin Type & Budget

By Taylor Bryant

As tedious as it may be, moisturizer is the one step in our daily skin-care routines we’re religious about. We may skip the serum and toner from time to time, but no matter how lazy we’re feeling at the end of a long day, we’ll always apply our go-to night creams.

According to Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, dermatologist and co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, not taking the time to find the right moisturizer for your skin type can lead to issues. “If you overdo it, you could get some breakouts. If [it’s] not thick enough, then chronically dry skin is the problem, and wrinkles can be accelerated,” she says. Neither scenario sounds desirable to us.

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Ahead, Dr. Tanzi tells us which formulas to look for based on your skin type. And, as a bonus, we’ve found the best ones for your mug and budget. Keep scrolling to find your skin-hydrating soulmate.  

Acne-Prone: Splurge
If you’re prone to breakouts and your skin skews on the oilier side, Dr. Tanzi recommends either forgoing moisturizer altogether (which is a pretty scary thought for us, tbh) or looking for a more lightweight product with ingredients like dimethicone and hyaluronic acid.

This moisture-filled gel from Korean cult brand Amorepacific supports the natural production of hyaluronic acid (which helps to prevent dehydration) and not only provides the skin with essential nutrients, but does it without clogging pores.

Amorepacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel Oil-Free, $100, available at Sephora.

Acne-Prone: Budget-Friendly
Formulated specifically for those with oily and acne-prone skin, this moisturizer from Cetaphil will be kind to both your wallet and your skin. It’s lightweight, non-greasy (I’m a regular user and can attest to its powers), and we’re not mad about the SPF, either.

Cetaphil DermaControl Moisturizer SPF 30, $16.99, available at Cetaphil.

Dry: Splurge
All of the ladies out there with parched skin — which is probably extra-thirsty from the harsh and drawn-out winter we’ve been having — should seek out moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronate, and lanolin, according to Dr. Tanzi. Dr. Jart’s cult ceramidine cream will absorb into dry skin quickly, leaving you with a more hydrated, softer complexion.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, $48, available at Birchbox.

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Dry: Budget-Friendly
This affordable moisturizer from CeraVe goes on smooth without weighing down the skin. It’s a great nighttime lotion, although it also comes in an a.m. option.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM, $11.89, available at Ulta.

Oily: Splurge
If your skin is truly oily — like “have to dab your face with blotting papers every couple of hours” greasy — Dr. Tanzi says you may be able to avoid moisturizer altogether. But, if you cringe at the idea, she suggests to “use a moisture serum or gel with pure hyaluronic acid to lock in water without any greasiness at all.”

Boscia’s new gel contains sodium hyaluronate, which is a derivative of hyaluronic acid, along with other beneficial ingredients that we’re huge fans of — like activated charcoal.

Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel, $38, available at Boscia.

Oily: Budget-Friendly
Made up of mostly hyaluronic acid, this gel cream (which both Kristen Bell and Jennifer Garner love) is already one of our favorite moisturizers for the warmer months — yes, we can see into the future. It’s refreshing, lightweight, oil-free, and the list goes on.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, $15.81, available at Walmart.

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Combination: Splurge
“People with combination skin should use a moisturizer on those areas that actually need it, like the cheeks and jawline,” says Dr. Tanzi. “They should avoid the nose and forehead.” She suggests a more lightweight moisturizer — we’re partial to this one from Eve Lom. It’s weird to use “comfortable” when referring to a skin-care product, but that’s exactly how we would describe this cream. It helps give you a more youthful complexion while still helping out those dryer skin areas.

Eve Lom Moisturizer SPF 15, $68, available at Nordstrom.

Combination: Budget-Friendly
This one comes recommended by Dr. Tanzi — it shields against UV damage, is non-greasy, and is safe for both combination and sensitive skin types.

Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30, $9.99, available at Ulta.

Sensitive: Splurge
“Sensitive skin should avoid any sunscreen ingredient, other than those with zinc or titanium,” says Dr. Tanzi. She adds to avoid fragranced products, since those could be irritating. May we suggest this fragrance-free corrective cream from the lovely Kiehl’s? It’s a multi-targeted moisturizer that helps to combat aging with ingredients like beech-tree extract and jasmonic.

Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream, $62, available at Nordstrom.

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Sensitive: Budget-Friendly
This price-friendly, quality cream is formulated with gentler components like rice and cotton extracts as well as jojoba.

Burt’s Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream, $15, available at Burt’s Bees.

Normal: Splurge
For all you “normal” skin types out there, here’s a #humblebrag: Dr. Tanzi says you can pretty much get away with using any moisturizer (must be nice). But, she does recommend you switch it up with a more lightweight option in the summer, and a thicker cream moisturizer in the winter.

Philosophy’s new refining moisturizer is one we’re definitely adding to our must-have list. It includes Asian-fruit extracts for improved microcirculation, and the lightweight, whipped formula is perfect for summer.

Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar, $47, available at Philosophy.

Normal: Budget-Friendly
For a moisturizer on the heavier side (a.k.a. ideal for winter), Aveeno’s Positively Radiant is a great option. It also helps combat dark spots, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $11.58, available at Target.

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