When selecting a moisturizer, it is crucial to consider your skin type, whether it is dry, oily, or a combination. Each skin type has its unique requirements, so it is essential to choose a moisturizer that suits your specific needs.
INGREDIENTS
Look for the heavy hitters like hyaluronic acid, glycerine, and ceramides. They are the MVPs of hydration, and your skin will thank you for it. Avoid essential oils, they can cause irritation. Stay away from those troublesome ingredients like artificial fragrance that will only lead to redness, irritation, and a whole lot of regret.
Grab your magnifying glass and check that ingredient list. Do not be fooled by clever marketing tricks. If you see a bunch of mumbo jumbo you cannot pronounce, stay away. Stick to the ones with ingredients you recognize and trust.
WHICH DRUGSTORE MOISTURIZER IS BEST?
Sometimes, the best moisturizers are hiding in the aisles of your local drugstore, waiting to be discovered. Here is a list of budget friendly and the best pharmacy moisturisers that are trusted by dermatologists for long.
CETAPHIL MOISTURISING LOTION
As someone with sensitive skin, the fact that it is fragrance free and dermatologist recommended instantly won me over. Its lightweight formula feels gentle and absorbs quickly, providing instant hydration without leaving a greasy residue. A little goes a long way, making it incredibly cost effective. I have experienced no breakouts or skin irritations since using this lotion, and it effectively soothes dry skin and irritations. The fact that I can use it on both my face and body simplifies my routine. I could not find any cons with this lotion, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable, fragrance free, and budget friendly moisturizing lotion.
APIFIL LOTION
Apifil is an affordable moisturizer that contains ceramides and provides hydration. I have personally found the Apifil lotion to be quite thick in consistency so using just half a pea size amount works well. It feels incredibly healing on my skin, especially when it is dry, sore and peeling from using retinol. This non steroidal anti-inflammatory topical treatment efficiently reduces inflammation and restores the skin barrier’s proper function.
The Apfil lotion is not fungal acne safe, which is a shame. While I could not confirm if it is fragrance free since it is not mentioned anywhere but it does contain orange oil and has a mild scent to it. Personally, I do not mind the scent, since it does not linger for too long.
ACMIST MOISTURIZER
The Brinton Acmist gel moisturizer impressed me with its lightweight, gel like texture. It went on smoothly, absorbed quickly, and left my skin feeling hydrated without greasiness. It provided a matte finish, and my skin felt soft and supple all day. I did not experience the excessive sweating or dullness. I did not repurchase this moisturiser because the artificial fragrance in it does not suit my sensitive skin.
MOIMAX OC OIL CONTROL MOISTURIZER
If you are looking for a decent gel moisturizer that does not cause breakouts and provides some hydration, this one is worth considering. I appreciate that it is fungal acne-safe and contains zinc PCA. If you do not have dry patches, you can rely solely on this moisturizer. The Moimax OC Oil Control Moisturizer has a gel consistency that may feel sticky for a few minutes after application, but it eventually sinks into the skin, controls oil and spreads on the skin like a protective layer.. It is suitable for the summer season. It may not provide enough hydration in the winter season.
EMOLENE CREAM
Emolene cream has a lightweight and watery consistency, which allows it to effortlessly absorb into the skin. After applying Emolene cream, my skin feels instantly hydrated and nourished. It leaves a soft and supple texture, which is a noticeable improvement from the dryness and flakiness I used to experience. I appreciate that it is non-comedogenic, as it does not clog my pores or lead to any skin irritations. Being fragrance free is another benefit of Emolene cream, especially for those with sensitive skin like mine.
Emolene does have a few comedogenic components and silicones in it.
SEBAMED CLEAR FACE GEL
Sebamed Clear Face Gel is incredibly lightweight and does not clog my pores or cause breakouts. While it may not be the most moisturizing, it still provides a decent level of hydration for my skin. This is perfect for those with oily skin.
Some people might find it drying because it lacks emollients, but that is not an issue for me. I simply layer it with another moisturizer or emollient to ensure my skin stays adequately moisturized. For individuals with dry skin, I would recommend pairing it with a heavier moisturizer like Cetaphil DAM for better results.
IPCA ACNE-OC ADVANCED OIL CONTROL MOISTURIZER
The cream like consistency was easy to spread and absorbed quickly, leaving a smooth and lightly cooling sensation on my skin. So It is good for summer season. This moisturiser boosts the absorption of my niacinamide serum when applied together. It also allowed me to easily apply a thicker layer on days when I needed more hydration without feeling greasy or heavy. After application, my skin appeared hydrated, supple, and matte.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, I discovered that IPCA Acne-OC has been discontinued, as mentioned on Netmeds, and it is not readily available in most places.
CIPLA EXCELA MOISTURIZER
Cipla Excela moisturizer has a serum like thin consistency, which means it is lighter than traditional moisturisers so it is suitable for people with oily skin. It did not clog my pores or cause any skin irritations, and I did not experience any dryness while using it. It does take some time to absorb into my skin.
Opinions on this moisturizer are so divided, so a patch test is recommended to ensure it suits your skin. It does tend to pill sometimes and has a burning sensation on sensitive skin. So it is certainly not for everyone.
DR REDDY’S ACROFY ACNE LOTION
Acrofy lotion contains 4% Niacinamide, making it suitable for oily skin. It is moisturizing without leaving a greasy residue and provides a matte finish. Once its absorbed, this lotion leaves a slightly shiny finish, which I do not mind. The moisturizer regulates sebum and keeps my skin hydrated, does not cause breakouts, and calms acne.
Although it is on the expensive side, I found the performance and results to be worth the investment. I experienced no stinging or irritation while using this moisturizer. I couldn’t find any flaws with Acrofy and would highly recommend it.
VENUSIA MAX CREAM
🏷️PRICE – 555rs | Sale – 335rs
As someone with dry, sensitive skin in winter season, I have found Venusia Max Intensive Moisturizing Cream to be incredibly beneficial. It not only provides deep moisturization but also nourishes my skin, leaving it soft and supple. The best part is that it does not cause any breakouts or skin irritations. I can use it on both my face and body. Plus, it comes at a reasonable price, making it a budget friendly option.
Note that the cream contains fragrance and parabens, which may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.
BIODERMA CICABIO CREME
Bioderma Cicabio is a gentle and fragrance free moisturizer that has worked wonders for my sensitive and normal-dry skin. It has a thicker consistency does not feel heavy or greasy and leaves a velvety finish. The cream provides long lasting hydration and instant relief for redness and itching. It promotes healing, fades scars, and evens out the skin tone. While it is a bit more expensive, the results make it worth the investment. Remember this cream focuses more on barrier repair than intense moisturization. I highly recommend Bioderma Cicabio for those with sensitive and dry skin.
BIODERMA ATODERM INTENSIVE BAUME
Based on my personal experience, Bioderma atoderm intensive baume effectively moisturizes by drawing in moisture from the environment, thanks to glycerine. The combination of mannitol and hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and improves my skin. A small amount, about half a pea size, is all I need for my entire face. This balm provides instant relief for my dry, itchy skin, leaving it soft and supple. It also soothes itching and offers long lasting hydration. It is great that it is fragrance free, paraben free, and suitable for sensitive skin.
During dry winters, this balm is great for my dry skin, and I use it on both my face and body. Although some might say that it does not fully absorb into the skin, I do not find it to be a big issue. It is definitely pricey, but I think it is worth it. Sometimes, it might feel a bit heavy on the skin, but the benefits outweigh this small point.
SEBAMED MOISTURIZER
The price for the 50ml product is 559rs.
Sebamed Moisturising Cream comes in convenient sizes of 50ml and 100ml, allowing me to choose based on my needs. The cream has a lightweight texture that spreads easily and gets absorbed quickly into my skin. I appreciate that it contains glycerine and Vitamin E, which provide excellent moisturizing properties.
After applying the cream, It leaves the skin noticeably softer and suppler. I also like that it is non-comedogenic, as it does not clog pores or cause any breakouts or irritations. This moisturizing cream does contain artificial fragrance so if you have sensitive skin, it is better to skip this one.
PHYSIOGEL CALMING RELIEF MOISTURISER
The price for the 100gm product is 555rs.
In my personal experience, Physiogel AI Calming Relief Cream has a fragrance free formulation, which is great for those with sensitive skin. The cream is packed with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalene, chamomile, cocoa butter, and aloe vera, providing comprehensive nourishment for my skin.
I love the creamy consistency of the cream, as it spreads easily and gets absorbed quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It effectively locks in moisture and prevents water loss from my skin, resulting in long lasting hydration. With regular use, I have noticed that my skin feels noticeably softer, smoother, and more supple.
This cream is super effective in reducing redness and calms skin irritation in hypersensitive and allergic skin. It has helped alleviate the urge to scratch and has provided relief from discomfort.
BRINTON DOUX 24 HOUR MOISTURISER
Brinton 24 Hour Doux lotion effectively hydrated and maintained the softness of my skin. Its hypoallergenic formula felt light and gentle during application,. The lotion has a creamy consistency which allows it to spread easily and absorb quickly into my skin. I used to use this with the UV Doux sunscreen from the same brand
Since it is non comedogenic it did not clog my pores or lead to acne breakouts. This makes it a suitable choice for acne-prone and sensitive skin. The fragrance-free formula was perfect for someone like me who prefers products without added scents.
While the lotion provided hydration, it may not be enough for extremely dry skin. Those with very dry skin might require a more emollient or occlusive moisturizer to address their specific needs.
HYDRANET CREAM
Hydranet cream has an oil free formula helps to control excess oil without drying out my skin. The non comedogenic cream does not clog pores or cause acne breakouts. The Hydranet cream effectively hydrates dry patches and improves overall skin texture. It leaves the skin feeling soft and supple after use.
As someone with sensitive skin, I appreciate that Hydranet cream is hypoallergenic, as it minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and irritation. The creamy consistency of the cream makes it easy to apply and it absorbs well into my skin. A little product goes a long way, making the cream cost effective and long lasting. The Hydranet cream does have the ability to repair the skin barrier.
CERASOFT IMF CREAM
This is one of the best barrier repair creams for dry, atopic skin. It contains ceramides, pentavin, hyaluronic acid, and other beneficial ingredients that have made a noticeable difference in dry skin conditions. I would even compare it to the popular Bioderma and Avene in terms of effectiveness.
I do find that Cerasoft cream can be a bit heavy and greasy for morning use, especially during the summer. But during the winter months, it has become one of my favourite go to creams, along with Cetaphil lotion and Bioderma Baume intense moisturiser.
AQUA OAT MOISTURISING LOTION
Aqua Oat Moisturizing Cream is priced affordably and is enriched with ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, glycerine, and shea butter, providing deep hydration and leaving my skin incredibly soft and supple. I love the dewy finish it gives my complexion, adding a natural glow. This cream contains ceramides and colloidal oat, providing moisture and mild exfoliation. It works well with other skincare actives, like AHA, BHA, and retinol. The combination of colloidal oatmeal and ceramides soothes irritated skin so it is s great option for dry and sensitive skin.
