20 Top Moisturizers For $20 – 719woman.com
Oh my gosh skin care products can be expensive and until you buy a particular one, you don’t even know if it’s going to work for you. They all promise to reduce lines and wrinkles, instantly plump and boost skin, moisturize and hydrate…so does an expensive one work better than a budget-buy?
Many dermatologists agree that, generally speaking, expensive brands aren’t any better for you than less costly creams. A lot of what is spent in cosmetics is on packaging and advertising so a lot of times, you’re paying more for the pretty bottle than for what’s inside the bottle. And do I need gold dust or caviar on my face? I mean seriously, if I’m paying for caviar, I want to taste it, not apply it. But maybe if I were a millionaire, I’d feel differently and wouldn’t hesitate to pay $780 for a 3.4 ounce container of La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, or $2,060 for a 16.5 ounce jar of Women’s Crème de la Mer (but I don’t think so!)
Dermatologists recommend you apply whatever moisturizer you use on your skin everyday, twice a day. To get the maximum results, apply within 3 minutes of bathing or showering to trap the moisture under your skin. And be realistic about the results.
Here’s a list I compiled from the top-rated recommendations from sources like Harper’s Bazaar, In Style, Allure, Good Housekeeping, and Family Circle. Pricing can of course vary from store to store and if you catch a good sale, you might even pay less that what I found.
*Last year I visited a leading dermatologist here in Colorado Springs and his top 2 favorite non-prescription moisturizers (and cleansers) were CeraVe and Cetaphil brands.
20 Fabulous Moisturizers for $20 or Less…
ST. IVES TIMELESS SKIN COLLAGEN ELASTIN FACIAL MOISTURIZER – $5 Walgreens.com
A rich, creamy moisturizer that combats dryness and improves elasticity so skin looks and feels softer, smoother and younger. Contains collagen elastin proteins that hydrate and it’s hypoallergenic and gentle on skin.
JERGENS NATURAL GLOW DAILY FACIAL MOISTURIZER – $8 Walmart.com
Moisturizes while the formula gradually creates natural-looking color that lasts 2 times longer than the leading sunless tanner. SPF 20 and no smell. (I use this in the summer and love it.)
MAYBELLINE DREAM FRESH BB – $8 target.com
Blurs imperfections, brightens, evens skin tone, soothes, hydrates, enhances, and protects with SPF 30. This is another personal favorite of mine that I use in the summer when I want to wear less makeup but still have some coverage.
PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER FORMULA SKIN THERAPY OIL – $9 walgreens.com
Lightweight and preservative-free formula that improves the condition of your skin. Provides instant softness and can be used on the entire body. Helps minimize the appearance of scars, treats dry and damaged skin, reduces the presence of stretch marks and smoothes uneven skin tone to enhance your complexion.
L’OREAL PARIS 45 + WRINKLE XPERT MOISTURIZER – $10 Walmart.com
For ages 45 plus and formulated with Retino-Peptide to effectively improve skin smoothness and firmness. Visibly reduces the signs of aging including wrinkles, loss of firmness, and dryness.
AVEENO CLEAR COMPLEXION DAILY MOISTURIZER – $10 target.com
A light, fast-absorbing moisturizer that helps even out skin tone and smooth texture. Contains salicylic acid to help clear up and prevent blemishes.
OLAY REGENERIST NIGHT RECOVERY CREAM – $11 target.com
Moisturizes and renews skin while you sleep to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hydrates to plump skin and exfoliates to aid surface cell turnover. Rich, velvety formula that absorbs quickly.
GARNIER SKIN RENEW CLINICAL DARK SPOT CORRECTOR – $12 target.com
Daily moisturizer treatment that helps correct and fade dark spots, brown spots, post-acne marks, and discoloration while instantly brightening. (An Allure Reader’s Choice “Breakthrough Winner.”)
CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM – $13 target.com
Moisturizes, restores and maintains protective skin barrier, releases ceramides and other essential ingredients throughout the day so they penetrate into the skin to hydrate and nourish.
YES TO CARROTS SPF 15 FACIAL MOISTURIZER – $13 target.com
Defends your skin against the sun’s UVA/UVB rays while soothing and hydrating. Petroleum, SLS, and Paraben-Free formula. Contains organic carrots for powerful Beta-Carotene and minerals from the Dead Sea that seals in vitamins and hydration.
CETAPHIL DAILY FACIAL MOISTURIZER SPF 15 $13 Walmart.com
Dermatologists give this lightweight lotion a collective stamp of approval for its gentle but effective moisturizing ability and protection against both A and B ultraviolet rays. Improves skin’s ability to retain vital moisture without clogging pores.
CERAVE FACIAL MOISTURIZING LOTION SPF 30 – $14 target.com
Contains ceramides to help restore and maintain healthy skin and its natural protective barrier. Also contains microfine zinc oxide that spreads evenly and dries with a clear finish. Calms skin redness and won’t clog pores.
NEUTROGENA HEALTHY DEFENSE DAILY MOISTURIZER SPF 50 – $14 Walmart.com
Provides protection from the aging effects of the sun while hydrating your skin. Helps reduce premature lines and wrinkles. Great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors.
BURT’S BEES NATURAL ACNE SOLUTIONS DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION – $14 walgreens.com
Designed for acne-prone skin. Moisturizes while helping contain oil to protect against blemishes.
AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT INTENSIVE NIGHT CREAM – $15 amazon.com
Brightens and evens skin tone. Leaves skin smooth and healthy looking. Contains vitamin B3 which gives skin an extra boost with radiance tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness, and brown spots.
OLAY ACTIVE BOTANICALS MOISTURIZING DAY LOTION – $15 target.com
Moisturizing day lotion that infuses 24-hour hydration for glowing, soft skin. Formulated with Snow Mushroom, a naturally derived botanical, this moisturizer infuses moisture and maintains skin’s natural water.
BURT’S BEES BRIGHTENING EVEN-TONE MOISTURIZING CREAM – $16 Walmart.com
Creates a brighter, more luminous complexion while diminishing the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.
SONIA KASHUK RADIANT BOOST RESTORATIVE FACIAL OIL – $16 target.com
A luxurious formula that multi-tasks to moisturize, repair and protect skin, resulting in a beautiful, natural glow. Instantly hydrates and nourishes skin. (After researching all of these, this is the one I’m most excited to try after the harsh effects of the winter cold and winds on my face.)
SIMPLE VITAL VITAMIN DAY CREAM – $17 amazon.com
Great for sensitive or irritated skin with no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh irritants. Moisturizes, soothes, and protects with SPF 15.
ROC RETINOL CORREXION DEEP WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM – $20 target.com
Lightweight treatment hydrates skin cells and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Boosts collagen, helps increase cell turnover, brightens and evens out complexion. An Allure repeat winner for “Best-of-Beauty.”