Moisturizer that's lightweight, hydrating, AND affordable?

[R1l3y]

I know I'm asking a lot here, but...

I have naturally oily skin that's fairly dehydrated from using Benzaclin. I can't seem to find a moisturizer that hits that sweet spot of lightweight and hydrating while still keeping me from going broke.

I've tried a lot of creams that have been too heavy, and made me feel greasy or clogged my pores (Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream, OleHenriksen Sheer Transformation Moisturizer, Clinique Moisture Surge, First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin, Sephora Collection Hydrate & Glow All Day Hydrator). 

I've also tried a lot that were lightweight, but didn't really help with hydration - they left my skin feeling tight and dry after application, and led to more oiliness throughout the day because my skin was still dehydrated (Tarte Drink of H2O, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel & Jelly, OleHenriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator, Fourth Ray Beauty Good Mood Gel Moisturizer). I've tried a handful of different, non-astringent toners before moisturizing too, but it hasn't made a difference.

I've also tried two that worked wonderfully but that I really, really can't afford to use on the regular (Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream and Tatcha The Water Cream).

So, yeah, I was wondering if anyone knows of a moisturizer that might work for me that hits the center of that Venn diagram of lightweight, hydrating, and affordable. Again, I know that's asking a lot, lol. 

Edit: I guess I should clarify affordability... Like $55 USD or less would be incredible!!

[adurdin3]

I have combo oily skin and absolutely love glow recipe watermelon glow! I use both the sleeping mask and the daily moisturizer. they soak in so nicely and leave your skin so hydrated! #GLOW RECIPE - Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask

[Isina]

I have combination skin too (more on the oily side) and I have tried and tested zillion products. There are a few that have made it to my MVP list and they are as follows: 1 Belif aqua bomb (Just moisturizes and nothing else) 2. CosRx Birchsap moisturizer (I love it and swear by it) 3. Tatcha water cream

[SkinCareYay]

Your skin sounds like mine with moisturizers that worked and didn't worked on you.  Here's a list of what I use that works me:  for the dry cold seasons--Sephora's Glamglow volcasmic matte glow moisturizer (50ml) $49 OR Sephora's Farmacy honey drop lightweight moisturizer (50ml) $45, for the sweatier warm seasons-- Urban Outfitter's Pyunkang Yul balancing gel (100ml) $28 [Note: application must be tapped and NOT rubbed for skin to absorb].  I have the habit of using The Ordinary's serum like "Niacinamide 10%+Zinc1%" (hydration & pores) or  "Marine Hyaluronics"(hydration) from time to time that I found helpful on days when my skin needs deeper skin hydration.  Wish you luck on finding your perfect moisturizer.

[KatieBT]

Hi @R1l3y  - sounds like we have similar taste in moisturizers. I love Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer 1.69 oz/ 50 mL and TATCHA - The Water Cream but know that they can get a bit pricey.

The closest product I've found to these as far as being lightweight and effective is the VOLITION BEAUTY - Celery Green Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides. This is exactly $55 and my skin loves it! I also love that it comes in a glass jar so I can recycle it when I'm done. Hope this helps!

[vlajner]

Laneige -Water Bank Hydro Gel is absolutely amazing. Feels cool on your skin, super hydrating, absorbs quickly and doesn't create an oily after affect. 

[niddy]

Try The Ordinary The No-Brainer Set or just buy moisturizer separately. The ordinary products are very budget friendly and effective. You can also try LANEIGE - Water Bank Moisture Cream it is super light yet smells so good, but it is expensive. Triple your water intake. You can use high end brand but if your skin is not well hydrated no product will do good. Learn this very hard way 

[minniesmom14]

Have you tried hyaluronic acid (The Ordinary).  I use this before moisturizer and I love the results.  I also love bare minerals Butter Drench rich cream.

[ItsAsh001]

I swear by Belif and PTR moisturizers! they're lightweight and great for all skin types, even acne prone ones. #belif #ptr

[ZakiyaBT]

I agree with @ItsAsh001. Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb is a great lightweight moisturizer and Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer is a great one as well. 

[MissLyss17]

Kiehls has a good one!

[treestar86]

@R1l3y  I have combo skin, and I like the better skin co.'s mirakle cream (from ulta).  It feels 'normal', not too greasy or too lightweight.  I like
PHILOSOPHY - Renewed Hope in A Jar Facial Moisturizer also, but it feels a little lightweight.  I think something with hyaluronic acid would help - like tarte's serum, that I'm not sure if it's still available, and I believe philosophy just came out w/a new hya. cream.  have you tried GLAMGLOW - Waterburst™ Hydrated Glow Moisturizer ? their website is the best place to get the best deals, in fact right now they have 25% off AND you get deluxe samples (and free shipping) w/every order, so you could get a sample of it if interested.

I think layering products would also help. like a good toner or serum like I mentioned, and then an oil after the moisturizer.  I like dermae's radiance toner, it has glycolic and hyaluronic acid, so its refining and moisturizing.  I've been using their glow oil also on top of moisturizer, but I've heard good things about squalane and rosehip oil.

[Ispend2much6]

@R1l3y 

I agree with you about the first four you mentioned; I can't use those either (I haven't tried the Sephora one.)  I have very sensitive skin that clogs easily.

I regularly use Drunk Elephant's Protini (for me, I use so little of it at a time it seems to last forever) and the B-Hydra.

I have used the following and liked them: (this would be a good addition to any of them- https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-hyaluronic-acid-2-b5-P427419?icid2=products%20gr...)

https://www.sephora.com/product/ultra-facial-cream-P421996?icid2=products%20grid:p421996

This is a little out of the price range you mentioned, but, because it's an oil, it will last a long time.  It is absolutely fabulous. It picks up where my creams leave off- very moisturizing. https://www.sephora.com/product/emerald-cbd-adaptogens-deep-moisture-glow-oil-P442564?icid2=products...

The Body Shop makes two unscented creams, Aloe Soothing Day Cream and Aloe Soothing Night Cream, that I recently purchased but haven't tried yet (saw good reviews on a blog- I know, that may not mean anything.)  They are $20 apiece, and are buy 2 get 1 free right now at Ulta.

https://www.sephora.com/product/the-true-cream-moisturizing-bomb-P394624?icid2=products%20grid:p3946...

[treestar86]

@Ispend2much6  "purchased but haven't tried" ooh you are my twin! lol 😛  speaking of the body shop, I also saw some items that got great reviews that @R1l3y  may be interested in - the vitamin e serum + toner, oils of life essence lotion + cream (these two looked particularly nice) and the drops of youth line.

also the 'glass skin' refining serum that is 50% off at ulta today (that I'm hoping to get lol) got a lot of good reviews.

[Ispend2much6]

@treestar86   I was nervous about buying the glass serum, but I bought it anyway. 🙂

[ptlinda]

I completely agree w/ you on costs of skincare, but @ same time I want it to work & not be full of complete crap ingredients. So for past ~ 9 mos. I've SWORN by Belif's The True Cream - Moisturizing Bomb (not to be confused w/ their Aqua Bomb version which isn't as moisturizing). I find it absolutely amazing! AND In the meantime I have also tried samples from Sephora of the DE protini, La Mer, Algenist Genius, + a few good drugstore brands, but keep going back to Belif because nothing else absorbs & makes my skin feel soooo awesome. Makeup also goes on beautifully over the Belif with or without a primer, sunscreen, etc...(I've used many brands of all together & never had any problems or pilling). Belif also touts that it keeps you moisturized x 24 hrs. & I've found that very true for me. Btw, @ Sephora Belif Moisture Bomb: 1.68oz. size $38, valu size 3.36 oz. $62 (a $14 savings!). In addition, I also love using Squalane oil & have found the best deal to be directly through the online co. Timeless, where I get their 8 oz. refill in a beautiful glass bottle, w/ a closable pump, for ~ $41 so only a little over $5 an oz. for pure Squalane from olives. Not bad. The combo is working really well for me. Good luck in your quest.

[marydiva]

Have you tried The Ordinary's moisturizer yet? The Tatcha Water Cream is my FAVORITE, and The Ordinary worked well for me also. The Protini from Drunk Elephant is my other runner up, haha! I think we have similar skin. 

[WinglessOne]

@R1l3y  I have mostly dry combo skin. I just bought 2 moisturizers to test: e.l.f. Hello Hydration Face Cream and e.l.f. Superhydrate Moisturizer. I want to see if either of them will work on the oil slick in the middle of my face as well as the rest of my skin. Each jar costs just $12 USD. I’ve had great results from a couple other e.l.f. skincare products (facial oil and essence), so I figured “why not try a moisturizer?” I’ll update this once I’ve tried one or both moisturizers. 

I doubt they’ll replace my usual moisturizer, Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid 2 oz / 59 mL . But I’d like to have a cheaper option. Superfood does well on my oily zone and all my dry zones. Might be worth trying a sample, if you can get one at your local Sephora. 

If if you buy any of these moisturizers, I strongly suggest moving them to better containers—especially YTTP Superfood which contains vitamin C. I keep mine in a reusable airless vacuum pump jar. If you have an empty full size jar of Drunk Elephant Protini, then you’ve also got a reusable vacuum pump jar. 🙂 I bought my jars from Amazon. 

Oh! A friend recommended another moisturizer that’s $8 and comes in a pump tube: e.l.f. Oil Control Liquid Lotion. She has oily skin and uses this daily. I’m not sure it’d work all over my face, but it might work for you. 

[EsinaJ]

@WinglessOne Oh, I'm curious to see how you like the Elf Hello Hydration! I have it and don't see it mentioned much here.... I remember the YYTP as very lightweight (almost whipped?), but it gave me the itchies sadly. I find the Elf HH more like a slightly richer Chilean/K-Beauty snail cream. So, not super similar, but maybe good for different seasons. Keep us posted! 😆

[DessAllie]

Hey! I too can't afford Tatcha Water Cream so I've made my own. The dupe for that is Neutrogenas extra dry skin water gel. Then I use products from The Ordinary to perfect it. The good thing about the Ordinary is, they're all individual formulas so you're able to mix them. I use the 100% squalane and the rose hip oil. Every other day put a couple drops of tea tree oil in yours. Or customize it to your liking with other products. 

I also do glycolic acid peels at home. I get it off Amazon and it has helped with my face so much!

[R1l3y]

Ooh, thanks for the tip! I do really love The Ordinary's masks, I never thought of using the serums to customize moisturizer like that!