Best Drugstore Moisturizers for All Skin Types

It can be hard to find the right moisturizer when the weather in Philly is constantly changing on a day-to-day basis. Some days it’s dry and cold, and the next it’s warm and sunny. One day your skin might be oily, and the next you have dry spots.

Not everyone has the same skin composition. It’s important to get the moisturizer that is right for your skin type, whether it’s normal, dry, oily, sensitive, acne-prone, or combination skin (both dry and oily). There are a lot of expensive skincare brands that swear they have the best moisturizer, but in reality, they may not be the healthiest for your skin. Many dermatologists recommend brands like CeraVe and Cetaphil, which use a generally basic formula. These brands are easily accessible in nearby drug stores, as well as Amazon, and are affordable.

When picking out the right moisturizer for you, it’s imperative to note the wording and key ingredients on the bottle in order to know what to look for. The four main categories of ingredients are humectants, occlusives, emollients, and topical antioxidants.

Humectants help keep the skin moist and plump by drawing water from the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, to the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. Some common examples found in moisturizers are hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Occlusives are usually greasy and applied to damp skin and work by inducing slow evaporation to increase the water content of the skin. These include petroleum jelly, mineral oil, lanolin, and silicon derivatives.
Emollients function as lubricants to uphold the soft, pliable look of the skin and fill the gaps between cells shed in the stratum corneum layer. Emollients commonly used are isopropyl palmitate, oleic acid, and linoleic acid.
Topical antioxidants are added to some moisturizers to decrease cell damage from oxidation. An example is tocopherols, derived from vitamins E and C, which are said to have “anti-aging” properties.

All of the above-mentioned ingredients can improve the quality, tone, and appearance of your skin. It’s all about trial and error to find which one works best for your skin type. Here is a list of the drug store moisturizers that fit best for your skin:

Normal Skin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is water-based, not oil-based, and provides hydration to the skin without leaving extra grease. The moisturizer is formulated with hyaluronic acid, drawing water to the skin and binding it, and is non-comedogenic, so it will not clog your pores. This is a great choice for people with a normal skin type because it is lightweight, adaptive, and leaves little room for irritation.

Dry Skin

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream can be used on dry skin on your face and body. With hyaluronic acid, 3 essential ceramides, and waxy lipid molecules, this moisturizer is a terrific choice to replenish the skin whether you have dry skin in general, flakes, or eczema. Dry skin can take some time to revive, this CeraVe product provides a skin barrier with up to 24 hours of hydration.

Oily Skin

Cetaphil Oil Absorbing Moisturizer

The Cetaphil Oil Absorbing Moisturizer is lightweight, helps control oil, and has the extra added bonus of SPF 30. This drugstore staple is also non-comedogenic, like the CeraVe moisturizer, and has micro pearl technology that absorbs excess oil. It creates a matte finish and is not too rough on the skin if it is sensitive as well.

Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

The Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is an amazing choice for sensitive skin because it is free of any common irritants, like dyes, fragrances, parabens, lanolin, botanical extracts, or formaldehyde. It soothes the irritated, red, and dry sensitive skin. The moisturizer’s gentle formula does not cause breakouts which allows it to be a great daily moisturizer for those with sensitive skin.

Acne Prone Skin

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer

Acne-prone skin can be stubborn, but the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer soothes skin, prevents breakouts, and contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works best for mild acne (whiteheads and blackheads) by penetrating the skin to dissolve dead skin cells clogging your pores. Other ingredients include niacinamide, allantoin, and bisabolol to regulate oil, soothe, and tone the skin.

Combination Skin (Dry & Oily)

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin

A dry and oily skin combination makes it hard to find the right moisturizer. This La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer contains a high concentration of prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, and glycerin to create oil-free skin. It has a lightweight formula that provides no shine, all-day hydration, and skin barrier repair after an hour of application.

When you know your skin type, it can make finding the right moisturizer one of the easiest tasks of your CVS or Walgreens trip.

Featured Image Courtesy of Seoulmamas.com