The 18 Best Drugstore Moisturizers Retail For Under $30

Good skin doesn't need to be expensive.

best drugstore moisturizer
(Image credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images.)

You can't have a good skin day without a good moisturizer. Of everything you can do for you skin, finding the perfect moisturizer for your skin type should be at the top of your list. Luckily, the drugstore is chock-full of amazing options that won't break the bank. Now you can save your hard-earned dollars and protect your skin from the things that keep it dry, flaky, or irritated—like pollution, bitter winter temperatures, or your apartment's radiator that pumps hot, dry air onto your face 24 hours a day. 

What should a good moisturizer do? 

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Have you ever looked in the mirror and realized you're having a really good skin day? Your skin is plump, maybe a little glowy, and overall looks calm. That's how a good moisturizer should make your skin feel. Before you incorporate a slew of serums, toners, and face masks into your routine, your mainstay should be a good face moisturizer.

Do I need multiple different moisturizers? 

Most experts will tell you that you need a moisturizer for the daytime and another, heavier option at night. The formulations of these will vary based upon your specific skin types. If you have super dry skin, for instance, you'll want to slather on a rich, balm-like moisturizer at night. But, if your skin is oilier or acne-prone, a gel-cream hybrid might be better for you. It takes trial and error, and maybe a trip to the dermatologist to figure out what your skin needs. You might even need to swap your moisturizers as the seasons change: what might be just right in the winter will be too heavy in the summer, and vice versa. 

Luckily, all of the options on this list retail for under $30—some are even priced at under $10—so you can find the perfect one that works for you. Most of the moisturizers on this list can work for day or nighttime use, too, so you can rest easy knowing that you won't make a mistake. They've all either been tested by a Marie Claire editor or come highly recommended via literally thousands of glowing reviews. Keep scrolling to shop the best picks. 

Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.