20 Affordable Moisturisers That Feel So Expensive on the Skin

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

A good moisturiser is a skincare staple. Second only to a great cleanser, a moisturising cream is an important step in any skincare routine to ensure you're flooding your skin with hydration and vital ingredients. Plus, a good one will act as the final step in protecting your skin against environmental aggressors during the day and will help your skin cells recharge and rejuvenate overnight.

The problem with many moisturisers, however, is that they can be the most expensive element of a good skincare routine. Moisturisers often have clever active ingredients and luxe textures, so you can expect to pay a little more, but that doesn't mean you should have to.

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Luckily, there are now some seriously good beauty dupes out there from more affordable brands, all of which offer high-quality products without the enormous price tags.

Keep scrolling to shop 20 high-end moisturisers as well as their affordable alternatives.

Shop the Best High-End & Affordable Moisturisers:

If You Love: Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Balancing Face Cream

Try: Lumene Balancing Light Moisturiser

Tested by Eleanor Vousden, Who What Wear's Beauty Editor

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(Image credit: @eleanorvousden)

The review: "I have combination skin, so I find it tricky to find really good (and affordable) moisturisers that deliver hydration while still controlling shine. I've recently been testing Lumene's Balancing Light Moisturiser and I'm very impressed with how well it controls the oil around my T-zone throughout the day. It contains zinc, which helps to mitigate excess oil, and dries down into a smooth matte finish while delivering sufficient moisture. I love it as a primer for makeup, too."

If you love: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

Try: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream

Tested by Grace Day, freelance beauty editor and esthetician

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(Image credit: @thatgracegirl)

The review: "When I first tried this I knew the texture felt super similar but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it reminded me of. It was only when I came to put my foundation on and it glided on so smoothly that I realised it was Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Base. They're both perfect for quickly nourishing skin and getting that super smooth, glowy canvas for makeup, but the Beauty Pie offering is just a fraction of the price."

If you love: Elemis Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid Spf50+

Try: Dr. Pawpaw Your Gorgeous Skin Spf 50 Day Cream

Tested by Katie Onyejekwe, esthetician and makeup artist

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(Image credit: @katieo.skin)

The review: "This SPF moisturiser is ideal for anyone looking to cut down steps in their morning routine (and save money on purchasing two separate products!). Functioning as both a high factor sunscreen and hydrating moisturiser, the lightweight fluid texture means you can apply enough product to get the protection on pack (1/2 tsp for the face and neck) without it leaving a heavy, greasy residue behind."

If you love: La Mer Moisturizing Cream

Try: Nivea Creme

If you love: Origins Ginzing Oil-Free Energy Boosting Gel Moisturizer

Try: The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser

If you love: Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream

Try: PIXI Rose Ceramide Cream

If you love: Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream

Try: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

If you love: Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion

Try: Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%

If you love:

Try:

Tested by Grace Lindsay, Who What Wear's Junior Beauty Editor

The review: "As someone with an oily complexion, I always tend to go for a gel-cream formula as they feel hydrating without clogging my skin or making me feel overly greasy. The Kiehl's cream is a bit of a cult classic in the beauty industry, but CeraVe's new launch has impressed me thanks to its lightweight texture. My skin laps up the hyaluronic acid and ceramide-infused formula and the oil-absorbing technology means that it creates the perfect base for my makeup."

If you love: Tata Harper Repairative Moisturiser

Try: Weleda Skin Food Light

If you love: Ren Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

Try: Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm

If you love: Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Try: Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream

If you love: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

Try: Beauty Pie Youthbomb Biologic Collagen Peptide Cream

If you love: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream

Try: No7 Radiance+ Vitamin C Daily Brightening Moisturiser

If you love: Lisa Franklin Pro-Effect Pollution Defence Moisturising Cream

Try: Nip + Fab Anti-Pollution SPF 30 Moisturiser

If You Love: Givenchy Le Soin Noir Cream

Try: Q&A Snow Algae Intensive Face Cream

If You Love: FaceGym Supreme Restructure Firming EGF Collagen Boosting Cream

Try: The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Cream

If You Love: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

Try: Embrolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

If You Love: Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cream

Try: Aveeno Face Calm+Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser

If You Love: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream

Try: Bubble Skincare Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturiser Creme

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Grace Day is a beauty editor and content creator. She has over 10 years of beauty-industry experience, spanning editorial, retail, and e-commerce, which gives her a unique understanding into how people shop for their beauty routines. While studying for a history degree (specialising in the history of beauty) and working as a beauty adviser in department stores, Grace started writing her own beauty blog in order to share the products she discovered while dealing with acne. After graduating, she moved to Beauty Bay as beauty editor and content manager. Grace is currently a beauty contributor to Who What Wear. She has also written for Hypebae and PopSugar and works as a brand consultant and copywriter.