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The Best-Selling Face Creams In Australia To Slather Yourself With

They're popular for a reason.

While purchasing the best face cream sounds simple enough, the task can be deceptively daunting once you’re confronted with shelves of products — not to mention countless pages of options courtesy of online shops.

With thousands of different formulas on offer – each promising the elimination of wrinkles and discolouration, pump skin and unparalleled hydration – pinpointing the exact face moisturiser to add to cart is next to impossible.

Sure, you can take the recommendations of celebrities with flawless complexions as gospel, spend countless hours watching beauty influencers on TikTok or do your own research into the benefits of a single ingredient. But gaining intel on the face moisturisers other people claim to be their favourites – and buy on repeat – sure does help.

As does knowing when and how to use them. For super-soft skin that has a lit-from-within glow, apply your face moisturiser on clean skin (with clean hands, too), layered over a serum. Start in the centre of your face and work outwards, gently patting your moisturiser onto your skin.

Scroll down to see the round-up of the best-selling face creams from Australia’s top beauty retailers.

20 Best Face Creams To Buy In Australia In 2024

01

Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream

$23.55 at iHerb

An anti-wrinkle moisturising cream made for dry, sensitive skin, Eucerin has specially formulated this to be non-irritating and to gently reduce the look of wrinkles and the signs of ageing – with raving reviews speaking to its popularity.

Key features:

  • Dermatologist recommended
  • Reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Fragrance-free, alcohol-free and non-comedogenic

02

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

from $34 at MECCA

This super creamy, whipped facial moisturiser delivers instant hydration to dry, dull skin, and also works to build up the skin’s moisture barrier over time. Antioxidant-rich African oils also promote skin firmness and elasticity while fermented green tea tackles signs of ageing and inflammation.

Key features:

  • Fragrance-free, cruelty-free and vegan
  • Fermented green tea seed fights ageing and inflammation
  • Non-greasy formula is perfect for normal to dry skin

Precious creme

03

Precious La Crème Soft Cream

from $570.00 at Clarins

This luxurious face cream is made with powerful anti-ageing ingredients including cryoextract of Queen of the Night.

The cream also contains hydrating organic Leaf of Life, nourishing Camellia oil, toning Oat Sugars and a brightening vitamin C derivative to achieve a glowing complexion.

Key features:

  • Skin Type: Combination, Dry, Normal, Oily
  • Use: Every day, morning and/or night
  • Revitalised with more density

04

Olay Regenerist Whip Face Cream Moisturiser

$59.99 at Priceline

A cult classic of the beauty world, Olay’s award-winning breakthrough facial moisturiser transforms from cream to liquid on contact for fast absorption with zero greasy residue and eight-hour shine control. The moisturiser also contains niacinamide, which helps hydrate the skin to boost skin elasticity, all while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

Key features:

  • Eight-hour shine control
  • Extremely light texture
  • Eliminates wrinkles and hydrates skin without clogging pores

Also available at:

05

Tatcha The Water Cream

from $124 at MECCA

A J-beauty favourite, this product provides the skin with lightweight, oil-free moisture. It’s formulated with Japanese botanicals to reduce the appearance of pores, refine uneven texture, eliminate breakouts and increase cell turnover.

Key features:

  • Oil-free, sulphate-free, cruelty-free and vegan
  • Hydrates, brightens and smooths
  • Fast-absorbing and non-greasy lightweight formula, perfect to use as a base for makeup

Also available at:

06

Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion

$112 at MECCA

Yet another lightweight skin moisturiser in people’s favour, Dr. Dennis Gross’ hyaluronic acid-rich offering harnesses Japanese algae to improve skin elasticity and hydrate the skin without clogging it. Amino acids and B vitamins also improve dullness and uneven texture and eliminate the signs of ageing.

Key features:

  • Packed with essential amino acids and B vitamins to boost skin’s elasticity
  • Free from parabens and phthalates
  • Hydrates, brightens, exfoliates, smooths and calms

Also available at:

07

CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion

$19.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Known as one of the best, most affordable brands in the game, you know that CeraVe is always a tried and trusted choice for all your moisturising needs. This lightweight, non-greasy face lotion helps to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier while giving your skin a big drink of hydration courtesy of its hyaluronic acid component. 

Key features:

  • Contains three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid
  • Maintains hydration levels in the skin for 24 hours
  • Fragrance-free, paraben-free, allergy tested, non-greasy and won’t clog pores

Also available at:

08

Tarte Sea Drink Of H₂O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer

from $21 (normally from $30) at Sephora

Utilising Tarte’s exclusive ‘Rainforest of the Sea’ antioxidant complex, this cooling gel skin moisturiser rapidly absorbs into the skin to restore and build your skin’s firmness and moisture levels. It also helps the skin defend itself from pollution, sun exposure and environmental aggressors.

Key features:

  • Perfect for combination, dry and normal skin types
  • Lightweight gel formula
  • Free from fragrances, parabens and sulphates

09

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer

from $39 at Sephora

This potent but light, formula provides the skin with a hit of hydration that lasts for up to 72 hours. Harnessing three different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid, Peter Thomas Roth’s offering replenishes the skin’s moisture and plumpness, while antioxidant-rich elderberry helps to decrease signs of ageing.

Key features:

  • Perfect for ageing, dryness, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles
  • A fluffy-light formula
  • Made with a breakthrough ingredient Pentavitin, which provides up to 72 hours of hydration

Also available at:

10

Sukin Facial Moisturiser

$9 (normally $15) at Priceline

This natural ingredient-packed moisturiser combines a gentle mix of aloe vera, horsetail, nettle and burdock to soothe the skin, while rosehip, wheat germ, jojoba and avocado oil works to encourage cell turnover and reduce the signs of ageing. One bottle also happens to sell once every 15 minutes.

Key features:

  • Promotes healthy skin renewal and minimises signs of ageing
  • Free from sulphates, petro-chemicals, synthetic fragrances, animal derivates, parabens and mineral oils
  • Perfect for those with sensitive skin

Also available at:

11

Mecca Cosmetica Hydrating Moisturiser

$55 at MECCA

Shea butter and rice peptides are the key ingredients in MECCA’s own moisturiser, which also works to even out skin tone and fight signs of ageing by plumping fine lines. Designed to be used both morning and evening, you’ll be glowing around the clock. 

Key features:

  • Ideal for combination-dry skin
  • Ultra-rich formula that’s fast absorbing
  • Free from parabens

12

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

from $29 at Sephora

This face cream delivers 72-hour hydration, using time-release technology to increase and maintain the skin’s moisture levels.

Key features:

  • Provides 72 hours of deep hydration
  • Damask rose extract strengthens the skin’s barrier and results in dewy, plump skin
  • Free from fragrances, gluten, parabens and sulphates

Also available at:

13

Deep Hydration Moisturiser

from $22 at Endota Spa

This bestselling, Australian-made face moisturiser is enriched with a super-hydrating blend of clean, organic oils and is clinically proven to increase skin hydration by 45% when used twice daily for 12 weeks.

Key features:

  • Australian-made
  • Formulated with natural ingredients including avocado, amla berry and rosehip
  • Clinically tested and COSMOS Organic-certified

Also available at:

14

QV Face Oil Free Moisturiser

$15.99 at Chemist Warehouse

If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like using moisturisers because of the added shine, this is a great option. Designed to minimise shine and keep oily/combination skin under control, vitamin B3 and pro-vitamin B5 work to keep delicate skin types hydrated. 

Key features:

  • Soap, colour and fragrance-free
  • Scientifically formulated to cleanse, hydrate and protect
  • Contains niacinamide, vitamin E and safflower oil for a firmer and radiant complexion

Also available at:

15

NIVEA Soft Moisturiser Cream Face Body Hands

$3.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Vitamin E and jojoba oil is intensely moisturising and fast absorbing. Plus, it’s incredibly cheap if you’re looking for an affordable, everyday option. 

Key features:

  • Perfect for all skin types
  • Dermatologically-approved
  • Rich, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly to instantly restore the appearance of dry skin

Also available at:

16

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Cream

$22.30 at Adore Beauty

This lightweight moisturiser harnesses hyaluronic acid and amino acids—which naturally occur in the skin—to deliver a big and long-lasting hit of hydration, and is perfect for those with dry and dehydrated skin in particular. It also works really well as a primer before makeup, and doesn’t pill on the skin.

Key features:

  • Oil-free, non-comedogenic, cruelty-free
  • Lightweight formula for dry and dehydrated skin
  • Perfect for oily and dry skin types

Also available at:

17

Cinch Plump + Glow

$39.95 at Adore Beauty

A moisturiser and primer all in one, this face cream lies perfectly under makeup and gives your skin a boost of hydration and radiance at the same time. It’s like pure luminosity in a bottle. 

Key features:

  • Keeps skin moisturised for 72 hours
  • Prep and primes skin for makeup
  • Ideal for normal, dry and dehydrated skin types

Also available at:

18

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Moisturiser

$15.90 at Sephora

This formula from best-selling skincare brand The Ordinary, combines five different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid for thorough, multi-depth hydration, while vitamin B5 works double-time to enhance the skin’s surface hydration.

Key features:

  • Free from sulphates, mineral oils, alcohol and artificial fragrances
  • Made with five types of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and pro-vitamin B5
  • Lightweight serum formula doesn’t clog pores

Also available at:

19

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Riche Facial Moisturiser

$29.39 at Chemist Warehouse

With soothing Vitamin B3, glycerin and ceramides to hydrate, repair and protect the skin, this cream has been developed for sensitive skin, meaning its extra gentle and nourishing. 

Key features:

  • Suitable for extra dry, intolerant skin
  • Hydrates for 48 hours and provides intense soothing
  • Vitamin B3 comforts sensitive skin

Also available at:

20

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel

$17.49 at Chemist Warehouse

Supercharged with skin-friendly ingredients including hyaluronic acid, amino acids and electrolytes, this cream gives an all-over glow and packs a powerful hydration punch. 

Key features:

  • Provides 72 hours of deep hydration
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Dermatologist tested

Also available at:

21

Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

from $29 at Sephora

Suitable for all skin types including sensitive, this lightweight yet ultra-hydrating moisturiser is packed with peptides, amino acids, ceramides and collagen to plump, boost elasticity and reinforce your skin’s barrier.

Key features:

  • Formulated with eight amino acids, eight peptides and three ceramides to provide unmatched hydration and protection
  • Free from parabens and peptides
  • Perfect for oily, normal, dry and combination skin types

Also available at:

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