This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (2024)

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (1)

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Proper skin hydration is so important, especially when it comes to your face. Beyond the aesthetics (who doesn't love the look of dewy, plump, hydrated skin?), there are actually health benefits to keeping skin moisturized. When skin becomes dry, its barrier can become compromised which can lead to irritation, itchiness, discomfort and even infections.

"Think of moisturizers as a shield: You use moisturizers to lock in active ingredients and block harmful aggressors out," says Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatologic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. "Moisturizers help to reinforce the skin barrier, making it stronger and less vulnerable." That means that choosing the right moisturizer is all the more important for your skin's health.

To find the best moisturizers for dry skin, our scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab have tested hundreds of face moisturizers (264 in our most recent test alone) and parsed through more than 1,900 hydration readings to find the most moisturizing picks. We've also included popular buys with thousands of reviews online that have been vetted by our beauty editors and product experts.

1

BEST OVERALL

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (9)

The overarching winner in our most recent Beauty Lab tests, this silky-smooth cream hydrated even parched skin best, increasing skin hydration by a chart-topping 46.5% over six hours, according to our Corneometer data.

Our consumer testers also rated it tops for satisfaction and praised its texture, calling it "fine and silky," and loved how it left skin feeling "hydrated but not heavy or sticky." Although it is pricey per ounce, testers loved that "skin feels dewy without leaving a residue," making it perfect for application even under SPF or makeup.

Key ingredients: Squalane, glycerin, glacial glycoprotein | Skin type: Normal, dry, combination, oily

2

BEST VALUE

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Cream

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (10)

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (11)

This budget-friendly face hydrator was a knockout across categories in our tests. It scored best (a perfect 100% across the board!) for absorbing quickly, making skin feel hydrated, moisturized and smooth. It's no surprise it had the top score for consumer satisfaction, with testers claiming it had the best texture. "It went on easy with no greasy or thick feeling to it," said one, who added it "absorbed quickly with no unpleasant residue."

The one downside: its packaging can be tricky to open without product squeezing out. It also increased skin hydration by 23% over a period of six hours, which is substantial yet not as moisturizing as others in the Lab, but testers still said, "it hydrated my skin all day long," and for the price, we think it's a no-brainer.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, oat | Skin type: Dry, sensitive

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3

BEST ANTI-AGING

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (12)

A skin-brightening powerhouse, Olay's retinol-packed moisturizer scored tops in our recent tests: we're talking best for reducing the appearance of wrinkles, best for making skin look brighter and feel more moisturized and best formula texture. Plus, it moisturized skin by 20% over six hours according to our Lab tests.

Testers saw visible results from this formula laced with anti-aging gold standard retinol, saying, "seemed to work as well as my prescription retinoid," and, "when I woke up each morning, my skin was firmer and smoother. If I relax my face after smiling, I can see that fine lines are less noticeable.” We can confirm: Our Lab tests showed it firmed skin by 27% over four weeks

Key ingredients: Glycerin, retinol, retinyl propionate, niacinamide | Skin type: Normal, oily, dry, sensitive

If you love using a scented moisturizer but don't want to compromise on hydration, this is the pick for you: 95% of testers agreed that this product had the best scent, and it scored best for leaving skin feeling plump, soothed and calmed. "I have VERY sensitive skin and this felt wonderful," said one tester. "It’s really tough to find something like this that doesn’t irritate my skin!"

This pick increased skin hydration by 28% over six hours, according to our Corneometer data, and testers agreed, saying, "while my skin is usually a bit peely and flaky, I didn't experience that at all while using the product." It was rated highest for best texture, although some noted that it takes a little bit of time to absorb and may feel a bit tacky before it fully absorbs.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, green tea antioxidant complex | Skin type: Normal, combination, dry, sensitive

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5

MOST GENTLE

Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line Correcting Overnight Cream

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (14)

Testers rated this pleasantly-scented moisturizer the most gentle in recent tests and loved its "rich, moisturizing formula." Ninety-five percent of testers agreed that it didn’t cause redness or irritation, and if your skin texture needs a little TLC, our Lab tests found this one to be best for improving skin texture and it firmed skin by an impressive 29% over four weeks.

Some testers thought it took too long to absorb, but most loved the "super smooth, luxurious" texture. “My skin is soft, and clear after using it for a month," said one. "A little really goes a long way too.”

Key ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, peptides | Skin type: Dry, aging

6

FAST-ABSORBING

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (15)

Rich, effective hydration can sometimes come at an unpleasant price: namely a sticky, tacky or greasy finish on the skin. This top-scoring La Roche-Posay moisturizer solves that issue with 95% of testers agreeing that it absorbed quickly for a smooth, non-sticky finish. "I liked the non-greasy feel on my skin," said one tester. "After applying, my skin felt very smooth and soft and that feeling remained all day."

Testers also praised its texture, saying, "it wasn’t too watery or too thick," although we found it pilled on skin in our Lab study. Still, it increased skin hydration by 28% in our tests and sensitive skin-havers will appreciate that this pick is free of fragrance.

Key ingredients: Ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin | Skin type: All

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7

BEST FIRMING

Exuviance Age Reverse Night Lift Antiaging Face Cream

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (16)

For visible anti-aging results and firm-looking skin, look no further than this pick from Exuviance. It improved the look of wrinkles by 10% over four weeks' use and ranked tops for making skin feel most lifted and firmer (a whopping 31%, per our Lab tests!). “This cream made my skin feel softer ... more supple and evened out the texture of my skin," said one tester. "I liked how my skin looked over time definitely smoother, [more] even and less fine lines.”

Several more testers marveled that their fine lines and wrinkles looked significantly reduced. "A miracle," said one. It's formulated with exfoliating AHA and PHAs, so it may not be best-suited for sensitive skin.

Key ingredients: Shea butter, AHA, PHAs | Skin type: Dry, aging

8

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Olay Collagen Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer Fragrance Free

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (17)

A fragrance-free pick, this moisturizer increased skin hydration by 41% in our Lab tests and left skin feeling smooth and moisturized. Testers were split on its texture, with some saying, "this product made my skin feel like silk," while several noted they found it too thick.

One tester swore, "after one week of using, my skin felt smoother and younger looking," and while some loved the way it looked beneath makeup, we noticed during Lab testing that this product leaves a white cast on skin, especially medium to darker skin tones, so it may be best-suited for very fair users.

Key ingredients: Collagen peptides, vitamin B3+ | Skin type: All

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9

BEST GLOWY

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (18)

A favorite amongst reviewers and editors (hi!), Tatcha's antioxidant-infused formula makes skin feel silky smooth and instantly hydrated, thanks to the brands hallmark rice bran base. I love how it makes my skin (which is dry, sensitive and eczema-prone) look and feel dewy not just upon application, but all day long without ever skewing greasy.

Its light scent is relaxing, not overpowering, and the texture is rich and luxurious without being too thick. The formula is meant to target dryness and dullness and the brand claims that in its testing, 100% of panelists agreed their skin felt supple, replenished and renewed after using it.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, antioxidants | Skin type: Normal, dry

10

MOST HYDRATING

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (19)

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (20)

This face moisturizer is really proven to hydrate. We took 10,300 Lab measurements to find that this budget-friendly face cream effectively moisturizes 400% better than a cream nearly 18 times its price. It kept skin quenched for 24 hours and boosted hydration by 50% on average, thanks to powerhouse hydrators like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Eighty percent of the time, testers preferred it to expensive creams, calling it "rich" without feeling heavy or greasy, although its floral, fruity scent may not be best for those who are sensitive to fragranced products.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, amino-peptide complex | Skin type: Dry, aging

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11

BEST CALMING

Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (21)

A GH Beauty Award-winner, Dermalogica's soothing cream is a must-have for anyone looking to ease inflamed, irritated skin. It's made with the brand's proprietary nourishing and skin-barrier enforcing ceramide-building complex, soothing cica and hydrating lactobacillus ferment. "It is one of the most soothing creams I have come across," said one tester, who used it to ease burning and tightness after a laser treatment.

"It has a thicker, silkier texture that glides effortlessly over irritated skin but is not too heavy. The cream takes about one to two minutes to absorb but does not leave any tacky residue once it settles. Instead, it feels cushiony and plumping, leaving my skin soft, supple and well-nourished."

Key ingredients: Ceramides, cica, lactobacillus ferment | Skin type: Dry, sensitive

12

BEST FRAGRANCE-FREE

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (22)

An affordable drugstore pick from cult-favorite brand CeraVe, this performed excellently in recent Lab tests, tying for first place as the most moisturizing face moisturizer (it increased skin hydration by 48.1%!).

The fragrance-free moisturizer performed at the top of the pack for absorbing quickly and leaving skin feeling hydrated. Testers loved using it everywhere from face to body, and said, "it went on smoothly, was not greasy, absorbed well, and made my face feel very soft."

Another raved, "it absorbed quickly and left my skin feeling hydrated for hours," though it may not leave skin feeling plump as well as other moisturizers.

Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Skin type: Normal, dry, oily

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13

BEST FOR REDNESS

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (23)

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (24)

This calming facial lotion is perfect for anyone suffering from chronic skin conditions. Developed and tested by dermatologists, the fragrance-free formula is formulated with licorice extract and allantoin to help repair the skin’s barrier while calming and soothing redness. Though we haven't tested its claims or performance in-Lab, Dr. Engelman even recommends it to patients with chronic skin conditions like rosacea.

Key ingredients: Vitamin E, licorice extract, allantoin, caffeine | Skin type: Dry, redness-prone, sensitive

14

BEST FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Daily Face Moisturizer

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (25)

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (26)

A GH Beauty Award-winner, this refreshing Neutrogena gel is water-light but seriously quenches dry skin thanks to glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The oil-free formulation immediately moisturizes, with results lasting 12 hours, evaluations confirmed.

Consumers love it, too: It has over 84,000 reviews on Amazon, with one reviewer raving, "I went from very dry, flaky, angry skin to soft and supple in about one week. I noticed a change instantly," though it may not be rich enough for extremely dry or compromised skin.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Skin type: Normal, oily, dry

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15

BEST FOR FINE LINES

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Anti-Aging Cream

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (27)

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (28)

Retinol is the gold standard when it comes to anti-aging face creams, and this retinol-packed face cream made skin look 32% smoother and more radiant after just one week of use, our data evaluation confirmed. Fine lines faded after four weeks and even deeper wrinkles and dark spots lessened after eight weeks' use. It deeply hydrates all the while, with ultra-hydrating performance that left skin looking instantly refreshed and hydrated for 24 hours after application.

Key ingredients: Retinol, hylauronic acid | Skin type: Dry, aging

How we test moisturizers

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (29)

To find the best skincare products, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab rounds up the best and newest products on the market to see which ones are actually worth your money, from drugstore moisturizers to body lotions and much more.

When it comes to face creams, we sent 264 top products home with a panel of testers to get feedback on absorption, texture and scent. Products are masked or placed in unmarked containers to remove any brand biases. In the Lab, we use a Corneometer device to gauge moisturization capabilities over a period of six hours. We tallied the results of 2,160 questions plus 1,920 Corneometer data points taken in-Lab to find the moisturizers that actually hydrate skin.

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What to look for when shopping for the best moisturizer for dry skin

This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (30)

Regular moisturization is crucially important, according to Craig Kraffert, M.D., board certified dermatologist and founder of Dermstore. But it has to be the right moisturizer to actually heal severely dry skin. Dr. Kraffert says richer products — like thicker body creams in place of thinner body lotions — is key for quenching extreme dryness.

Here are the ingredients our experts say makes a powerhouse body lotion that'll actually hydrate parched skin:

✔️ Emollients: These are hydrating agents, and Dr. Kraffert says they are a must in lotion for dry skin since they prevent hydration loss while smoothing and softening skin. They come in the form of oils (plant, mineral or animal), butters (like shea and cocoa) or fatty acids.

✔️ Humectants: By attracting water to the skin, humectants help increase the skin's moisture content over time. Our experts love glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and "creates a barrier for the skin, locking in moisture and improving texture," says Dr. Engelman.

✔️ Ceramides: Your skin's lipid layer that locks in moisture and acts as a barrier against pollution, bacteria and signs of aging depletes as you age. "Ceramides help to restore the skin’s barrier by holding the cells together," says Dr. Engelman. "As a result, skin feels smoother, plumper and more moisturized." Look for skincare with ceramides or niacinamide, which helps skin increase natural lipid production.

✔️ Occlusives: While emollients and humectants hydrate, occlusives sit atop the skin and create a barrier to prevent further moisture loss and act as a shield against the hydration-robbing elements like wind and cold air. They come in the form of waxy or oily ingredients like petrolatum, candelilla or carnauba wax, beeswax and cocoa butter. Layering on extra occlusives like Aquaphor can help lock in moisture and frequent application can help skin’s moisture levels remain balanced, says Dr. Kraffert.

    Why trust Good Housekeeping?

    This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (31)

    Jessica Teich is the deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute with a decade of beauty editorial experience. To write this piece, she teamed up with Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, who led our Lab and consumer tests and authored a testing report for the Lab's latest round of moisturizer testing.

    Jessica also interviewed dermatologists, pored over online reviews and even personally tested moisturizers for this piece. Jessica and Danusia each regularly test and cover the best skincare on the market and report on skincare ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, vitamin C, retinol and niacinamide).

    This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (32)

    Jessica Teich

    Director, Editorial Commerce & Product Reviews

    Jessica (she/her) is the director of editorial commerce and product reviews with over a decade of experience as a product tester, reviewer, writer and editor of beauty and lifestyle content. Previously she was the beauty editor at USA Today's Reviewed where she launched the Beauty vertical and tested hundreds of products and has covered trends for publications like The Boston Globe and The New York Times. You can usually find her sorting through piles of beauty products — and testing the best ones on camera.

    This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (33)

    Tested byDanusia Wnek

    Senior Chemist

    Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.

    This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave (2024)
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