The Best Drugstore Moisturizers for Dry, Oily and Combination Skin

Unless Honest Beauty changes this formula in the future, the Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream will always be my top recommendation. I have dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin and this product soothes and moisturizes it like nothing else, thanks to two forms of hyaluronic acid and squalane. It has a naturally cooling sensation, and the creamy texture somehow feels more like water when you apply it.

Though this formula is great for all skin types, it may be a little too hydrating on oily skin, especially in warm weather. (If you still want to give it a go, try applying less than you normally would). It also has the tendency to look shiny, so I use a mattifying powder or sunscreen to counteract it. This product is verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which means it contains no questionable ingredients. We gave it a comedogenic rating of zero out of five.

There are a few rare drugstore moisturizers that work for both the body and the face, and the Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream is one of them. Personally, I’ve been a Vanicream fan for years because their formulas never cause acne or irritation, and a little goes a long way. This product also comes in a 16-ounce container, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.

However, there are a few ingredients in this cream that give us pause, including petrolatum, which may clog pores, and BHT, a masking fragrance. The cream is also very thick and a little difficult to spread evenly. We gave this product a comedogenic rating of one out of five, and the EWG gave it a toxicity rating of three out of 10.

Looking for a high-end moisturizer that works around the clock to hydrate your skin and reduce irritation? Try La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. Ceramides help repair the natural skin barrier while probiotic thermal water reduces inflammation and redness. Many buyers swear by this product as their holy grail, with some noting that they see results in 24 hours.

This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10. We gave it a comedogenic rating of three out of five as it contains five potentially pore-clogging ingredients, including certain skin conditioners and fragrances. The formula also has a propellant that may cause irritation, and some buyers note that it pills when paired with certain serums.

When you need an extremely hydrating moisturizer to reduce skin flakes without causing breakouts or irritation, Vanicream is the one to answer the call. The Daily Facial Moisturizer contains thirst-quenchers like hyaluronic acid, squalane and glycerin to create supple, elastic skin. Best of all, it’s lightweight and easily absorbed. This is a great alternative to the 16-ounce Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream if you have oily skin.

A few buyers have noticed that this moisturizer leaves a sticky feeling on the face, and it doesn’t fully sink in if applied on top of certain serums. Others note that it has a shiny finish. This product has a low toxicity rating of one out of 10, and we gave it a comedogenic rating of zero out of five.

Sometimes, gel performs better than a cream or lotion on oily skin because it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly. We think the best one for the job is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, as it efficiently hydrates skin without causing irritation or clogged pores.

Unfortunately, some buyers have received damaged products when they purchased from Amazon. We gave this product a comedogenic rating of one out of five. It also has a toxicity rating of five out of 10 — ingredients we don’t like include methylparaben, fragrance and blue colorant.

If you have combination skin, you need a lightweight, oil-free formula that hydrates while reducing inflammation — like the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. This product contains three ceramides to help repair the skin barrier and niacinamide to help diminish redness. It also works well in the morning (not just in the PM).

Some buyers dislike the pump because it’s hard to get all of the moisturizer out when the bottle nears the end. We also mourn the days when the CeraVe products were under $10 (the price nowadays isn’t great for the bottle size). We gave the CeraVe PM a comedogenic rating of one out of five — it contains polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, an ingredient that could potentially block pores. The EWG gives this product a toxicity rating of three out of 10.

If you’re looking for a lighter alternative to the Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream, consider the Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer. This formula contains excellent, non-comedogenic hydrators and skin protectors, including glycerin and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), but it’s light enough to wear in warm weather.

Though this product is EWG verified, some reviewers report that they’ve experienced irritation or allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend performing a patch test first (apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist for at least an hour). We gave the Daily Calm Moisturizer a comedogenic rating of zero out of five.

Mature skin usually needs a little extra TLC, and the right moisturizer can help you keep your skin healthy for years to come. We love the Olay Regenerist Moisturizer because it contains collagen peptides, which improve skin elasticity, and niacinamide, which improves brightness and increases skin cell turnover. Plus, the formula has ultra-hydrating ingredients to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

A few buyers dislike that this formula is not lightweight, so it doesn’t always perform well under makeup or on oily skin. We gave this product a comedogenic rating of three out of five as it contains isopropyl isostearate, which is known to clog pores. The EWG gave it a toxicity rating of three out of 10.

Sometimes creams and lotions are too thick, depending on the serums and sunscreens you use, and may feel too heavy under makeup. If this is your case, we recommend the CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel. It turns watery when you spread it across your face, but instantly hydrates and soaks in quickly. In addition, it doesn’t pill, which means it works well with foundation and concealer.

If you have very dry skin, however, this gel may not provide enough moisture. A few buyers also report that their skin reacted to this product. We gave this gel a comedogenic rating of zero out of five. The formula does not yet have a toxicity rating, though similar CeraVe products have ratings between two and four out of 10.

We’ve all been through the phase where we stop using moisturizer, fearing it’ll make us breakout. However, tossing your moisturizer is one of the worst things you could do. Acne needs hydration to heal, and if you’re worried about what to put on your skin, we recommend the Differin Restorative Night Moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides and allantoin soothe the skin and protect it from further damage.

While this is an excellent nighttime moisturizer, it may not work for all-day wear because it contains a few intense hydrators like shea butter, which may clog pores. We gave this product a comedogenic rating of one out of five. The EWG gave it a toxicity rating of four out of 10.

Looking for a cream that’s safe for eczema? The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has a National Eczema Association (NEA) seal of acceptance meaning it shouldn’t exacerbate symptoms. Also, this formula doesn’t feel oily and never causes breakouts, though it can have a stinging sensation if you’ve just done a chemical peel. The tub is big enough to use it for both face and body.

We strongly recommend washing your hands before dipping them into the container, as you’ll be contaminating the product each time you use it. CeraVe offers a squeeze bottle to prevent this, but it is more expensive per ounce. We gave this formula a comedogenic rating of one out of five (it contains petrolatum, which may block pores), and the EWG gave it a toxicity rating of three out of 10.

Layering makeup over skincare doesn’t always end well — it can cause products to pill or become greasy. So, a tinted moisturizer like the NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil is an excellent way to get around the problem. Light to medium coverage helps color correct the skin while ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera add hydration.

Unfortunately, this product comes in just 12 shades and may be too hydrating for oily skin. The formula also has a toxicity rating of three out of 10, and we gave it a comedogenic rating of zero out of five.

It’s true: You should never mix a moisturizing product with sunscreen before applying, which would dilute the SPF and leave you with uneven sun protection. However, a carefully-formulated SPF moisturizer is a smart solution if you want an all-in-one product. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer With Sunscreen is our pick because it offers broad-spectrum protection without any pore-clogging ingredients. We also love that this formula never looks greasy.

This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10, and we gave it a comedogenic rating of zero out of five. Note that the formula contains denatured alcohol, which may irritate or dry out sensitive skin.

Topical vitamin C is an excellent ingredient that may brighten skin, slow early signs of aging and fight sun damage, which is why we love moisturizers that contain it. The Honest Beauty Everyday Radiance +C Moisturizer not only has vitamin C, but also vitamin B3 which provides similar benefits. The formula is creamy, so a little goes a long way.

This product is EWG verified, and we gave it a comedogenic rating of zero out of five. However, it contains several potentially irritating allergens and drying ingredients, including lavender oil, rose geranium oil, citronellol and alcohol.

Not all moisturizers work well after a chemical peel or similar facial treatments, because they may sting and cause irritation. The e.l.f. Happy Hydration Cream, however, has a very mild, gentle formula that provides ample hydration while reducing inflammation. This product is also a good pick for dry, cold weather.

We gave this product a comedogenic rating of one out of five. Note that it may not work well for oily skin because it contains a few potentially pore-clogging ingredients. In addition, this product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10.

Need a deeply moisturizing, non-irritating body moisturizer that won’t empty your wallet? Try the Acure Seriously Soothing 24 Hr Moisture Lotion. This unscented formula contains soothing squalane, glycerin and colloidal oatmeal to hydrate and ease inflammation. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty free.

What we didn’t like: The unscented scent of Acure products isn’t for everyone. This product has a toxicity rating of two out of 10, and we gave it a comedogenic rating of two out of five (it contains olive oil and cocoa seed butter, which may clog pores).