5 Under $40: Hydrate for Less With These Cult Face Creams
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Try as I may, I am not a winter girlie.
Despite my best efforts to convince my coastal-dwelling family that I’ve “acclimatised” after seven years of living here, the truth is, I haven’t.
I’ll wear the turtlenecks, bake the roasts and drink the mulled wine, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to embrace it fully.
My dry, often dehydrated skin is no match for Melbourne’s temperamental ‘tude. Between the plummeting temperatures, low humidity and artificial indoor heating, it’s giving tired, tight and…blah.
Sound familiar? Well, you’ve landed in the right place.
In the battle against winter skin woes, a good moisturiser is your first line of defence. It replenishes your skin’s hydration levels, keeping it plump and happy throughout the day and night.
Luckily, we’ve got hundreds of them at Adore Beauty, with formulas that cater to all skin types, concerns and budgets.
So, without further ado, let me introduce you to five of our cult-favourite face creams that’ll set you back less than a half-decent bottle of vino—we’ll cheers to that!
1. Weleda Skin Food.
What: Weleda Skin Food - 75ml
Fast facts:
- Weleda Skin Food is an ultra-thick restorative cream for your face, body and everything in between.
- It’s packed with 100% natural, nourishing ingredients including chamomile, rosemary, lanolin and sweet almond oil.
Who it’s suited to:
If you have rough, dry skin, Weleda Skin Food will be your best friend. Its rich texture provides intense hydration and care.
For dry-to-normal skin types who still want to experience the soothing benefits of Weleda Skin Food sans the heaviness, there’s a lighter edition available, too.
My Weleda Skin Food review:
This super skin food has been in my beauty arsenal for some time now and has served many a purpose.
In winter, she’s an all-over moisturiser and scaly legs salvager; when my skin is misbehaving, she’s quick to come to the rescue as an overnight mask; every other day, she’s never far from my handbag or car for when my hands are in desperate need of a hit of hydration.
And recently, when I heard that Hailey Bieber swears by Skin Food as her makeup primer, I tacked that onto her duties, too.
2. Bioderma Sensibio Defensive.
Fast facts:
- Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Moisturiser is a fast-absorbing face cream packed with peptides and vitamin E to nourish, strengthen and protect the skin.
- Its lightweight formula doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, and is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
Who it’s suited to:
If you have sensitive or sensitised skin (think flaky, itchy, dry, red and irritated), this moisturiser is for you. It’s part of Bioderma’s sensitive range, Sensibo, which is specifically designed to alleviate symptoms of sensitive skin.
There are also a host of other formulas/ranges available for different skin types, including a richer edition for those with extremely dry skin.
AB customer Livette’s Bioderma Sensibio Defensive review:
“I have dry skin and my eyes are irritated by fragrances. Need a rich moisturiser that isn't shiny and sinks in. This makes my skin so happy and calm and comfortable.
It’s the one that works best for me. The only downside is the tiny tube, but also very handy to have stashed everywhere.”
3. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.
Fast facts:
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors is a simple yet effective everyday moisturiser that helps boost hydration and repair damaged skin.
- It’s made with a blend of ingredients that occur naturally in the skin including glycerin, hyaluronic acid and amino acids.
- It has a non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula that applies lightweight and won’t feel heavy on the skin.
Who it’s suited to:
Any and everyone in need of a hydration boost, especially those with dry or dehydrated skin.
If your skin errs on the extremely dry side, you can pair it with an additional hydrator like a facial oil or barrier-boosting serum for extra support.
Oily skin? Check out The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan - 100ml
My The Ordinary NMF + HA review:
Fun fact: this moisturiser was the first one I ever bought that wasn’t from a supermarket aisle. Come to think of it, it was The Ordinary that really kickstarted my skincare journey and introduced me to the world of active ingredients.
It fell into my lap a few years ago through a friend that worked at Deciem. I used it on and off for quite some time and always found it to be great value for money.
Like the rest of their range, NMF is uncomplicated and gets the job done. It won’t blow your socks off with fancy, unpronounceable ingredients, but it will hydrate your skin, strengthen its barrier and play well with your makeup.
4. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Cream.
Fast facts:
- Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Cream aka the ‘24-hour miracle cream’ is an iconic French moisturiser that does it all, but made its name for its seamless application under makeup.
- It acts as a moisturiser, hydrating mask, primer and cleanser in one thanks to its inclusion of mineral oil which effortlessly breaks down and removes makeup.
- It contains shea butter and vitamin A-rich beeswax to provide deep hydration and restore your skin’s natural balance.
- Plus, it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
Who it’s suited to:
The beauty of this versatile cream is that it suits everyone. Whether you have dry skin and need a hydration boost or you’re on the lookout for a new primer, Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Cream is a tried-and-tested fave.
Beauty IQ writer Amanda’s Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Cream review:
“My favourite way to use the Embryolisse cream is as a makeup primer.
It truly leaves me with a subtle glow, while hydrating my dry skin. The silky soft Embryolisse texture is a joy to apply because it leaves a non-greasy veil over my skin.
It's thin and weightless yet very comforting, and it gives a beautiful canvas for foundation if you like a dewy makeup look.
I tested both the Lait Crème Concentré Moisturiser and the Lait-Creme Sensitive Cream under makeup and surprisingly - to me and my sensitive face - my favourite was the original.”
5. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Riche Prebiotic Moisturiser.
Fast facts:
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Riche Prebiotic Moisturiser focuses on both short and long-term hydration, helping to instantly replenish moisture while restoring the skin's natural protective barrier.
- Its rich and nourishing formulation is thicker than the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Prebiotic Moisturiser and delivers long-lasting hydration for up to 48 hours.
- It’s formulated with glycerin, ceramide and vitamin B3 which work together to lock in moisture and keep skin supple and soft.
Who it’s suited to:
If sensitive skin is your schtick, then you’ll love this prebiotic moisturiser.
Wondering what prebiotics are doing in your skincare? Let me explain.
Both prebiotics and probiotics in topical skincare help keep your skin barrier and microbiome healthy. This is especially crucial during winter when our skin barrier can weaken, leading to dehydration, sensitivity, itching, irritation, acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.
For oily and acne-prone skin, check out the La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Biome Moisturiser 40ml
AB customer Claire’s La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Riche Prebiotic Moisturiser review:
“Have used two full tubes at this point! This is my favourite night moisturiser.
It really helps to hydrate and reduce the redness on my cheeks. You don't need an especially large amount either. I use less than a thumbnail size for my whole face and neck.
Would recommend it for anyone with dry or sensitive skin.”
You can watch me chat through these moisturisers over on our YouTube channel, too!
Want more winter-friendly skincare tips and advice? Check out these Beauty IQs:
