As a Licensed Esthetician, I have pretty strong opinions about skincare. I have my personal favorite Professional Grade moisturizers that I use, but I also know a lot of my clients don’t always want to spend an arm and leg on skincare, especially when they’re just starting out on their skincare journey.
In this post, I will address my two favorite moisturizers for combination skin that are budget friendly.
My skin used to be way more oily than it is now, but it can still be pretty oily. Especially when I wear foundation. Now a days (I’m in my 30s), my skin is more of a combination of both oily and dry. So it can be a little tricky finding a good moisturizer that is moisturizing, but that doesn’t make me look oily. And yes, you do need to use a moisturizer even if you have oily skin.
What’s really great about these two moisturizers is that you can find them right on Amazon! And if you have Prime Shipping, you’ll get your products super quickly which is always a plus.
1. Vichy LiftActiv Supreme Anti Aging Face Moisturizer
My first budget friendly favorite is Vichy LiftActiv Supreme Anti Aging Face Moisturizer, Anti Wrinkle Cream to Firm & Illuminate, Suitable for Sensitive Skin. I’m a sucker for a rich moisturizer and ingredients are super important to me. This product works really well for me! It has a light fresh scent, and it applies very smoothly. It blends right into the skin and leaves it feeling super moisturized but not greasy.
Key Points:
- Paraben-free – Parabens are preservatives, and they carry estrogen-mimicking properties. For many women, it’s important to stay away from parabens, as they can interfere with your bodies chemistry and effect they way your hormones function.
- Allergy tested.
- Tested under dermatological control for safety.
- Non-Comedogenic – This means it does not clog the pores, which is important in your skin care products. Ingredients that clog the pores choke the life out of the skin, so to speak. They cause problems like dull, dry skin, comedones, blackheads, and even acne.
- Suitable for all skin types, oily, dry, normal, and sensitive.
- Oil Free – this product is oil free according to the ingredient list, but not labeled on the actual product.
Anti-Aging
When products are categorized as “Anti-Aging” it’s not really as complicated as it may sound. It just means it contains ingredients that keep the skin looking young. Usually that involves peptides, Retinols, fruit acids and enzymes, lactic and glycolic acid and quite a few others. This product is named as anti-aging, which is a good thing. After all, who doesn’t want young looking skin?
Key Ingredients
5% Rhamnose
This ingredient is pretty high up in the list which means there is a good amount of it in this product. It’s a naturally-derived plant sugar. It has anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties. It also is said to pinpoint the collagen-making cells which are fatty skin cells, that keep skin looking plump and young. In turn, it aids in giving skin plumpness and texture.
Day-Proof Complex
Their marketing says this is a complex to fight continuously against the development of aging signs. Complexes are typically a specific combination of ingredients that have been formulated to target specific layers of skin for a specific result. In anti-aging products they are usually some type of peptide combination; peptides stimulate the collagen in the skin.
Enriched with a gentle exfoliating agent for softer and smoother skin
I’m not exactly sure which ingredient they are referring to, but my guess is it’s the 5% rhamnose. Exfoliation is an excellent way to keep skin looking young and fresh, and the fact that there’s an ingredient that does that in this product is excellent!
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide is actually a sunscreen. This product is not marketed as a sunscreen, however it’s good to know there is a small amount of this included. It is probably being used as some type of a preservative in this product.
Caffeine
Caffeine in skin care is used to decreases puffiness and smooth fine lines. It’s not a bad ingredient to have in your skincare products.
2. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
My second favorite budget friendly moisturizer is Aveeno Ultra-Calming Fragrance-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive, Dry Skin. It boasts to help calm and soothe irritated, dry skin.
Though my skin is more on the combination side of things, I find that it provides the perfect balance for my skin! It blends right in and moisturizes without it feeling super heavy. I start with one pump, but if I feel I need more, one more pump does the trick every time.
Yes it is formulated for sensitive skin, that’s okay. It’s just important to know there are no active ingredients in this that will effect the skin in any way other than providing moisture (and sun protection). So if that’s something you’re looking for, the Vichy would be a better move because it’s safe for sensitive skin but still has anti-aging benefits.
However if you just need hydration and some sunscreen, this is a great product. And as you may already know, us Estheticians are sticklers for using sunscreen! Even in the winter.
Key Points:
- Has an SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Dermatologist tested.
- Hypoallergenic – This just means the product has been tested and doesn’t cause many allergic reactions.
- Non Comedogenic – Again this is a great claim because you don’t want to use anything that may clog your pores and cause more issues than the ones you want to treat in the first place!
- Lightweight and Oil Free formula – This product actually does claim to be oil free, and it is oil free according to the ingredient list.
- Good for all skin types, oily, dry, normal and especially sensitive.
Key Ingredients
Feverfew Extract
A botanical extract that is said to reduce redness and irritation.
Oat
Oat is known for being an excellent calming ingredient in skin care, reducing the effects of irritation.
So In Conclusion
There you have it! The 2 moisturizers I use and love that are budget friendly.
Disclaimer: These are not considered “natural” products with “natural” ingredients. Like most every commercial brand there are chemicals in these products.
As a skincare professional I’ve learned that although some products boast that they are “natural” they still have chemicals in them that keep them 1) stabilized so the ingredients don’t separate, chemicals that 2) emulsify and cause ingredients to blend, as well as 3) preservatives that keep products from going rancid and moldy.
There are super complicated, painstaking processes that go into creating products that actually provide results. It can be argued that most “natural” products don’t give the best results.
So in your skincare journey there are lots of things to consider! You have to find what works for you.
I hope this helps you! Please let me know if you try these and how they work for you!
