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
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:
- $35.99 from Chemist Warehouse
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:
- $124.80 from Amazon
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:
- $109.10 from Revolve
- $98 from Woolworths
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:
- $25.99 from Adore Beauty
- $25.99 from Priceline
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:
- $85 (for 50ml) from Adore Beauty
- $31.90 (for 20ml) from Fresh Beauty Co.
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:
- $7.47 from Chemist Warehouse
- $7.50 from Big W
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:
- $82.50 (for 50ml) from Fresh Beauty Co.
- $78 (for 50ml) from Woolworths
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:
- $65 (for 50ml) from David Jones
- $65 (for 50ml) from THE ICONIC
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:
- $17.99 from Priceline
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:
- $3.15 from Woolworths
- $6 from Big W
- $5.99 from Priceline
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:
- $22.30 from The Ordinary
- $22 from Sephora
- $22.20 from Myer
- $22.30 from Priceline
- $22 from Look Fantastic
- $22.30 from Oz Hair and Beauty
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:
- $39.95 from Look Fantastic
- $39.95 from RY
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:
- $15.90 from The Ordinary
- $16 from Sephora
- $14.30 from THE ICONIC
- $15.90 from Myer
- $15.90 from Oz Hair and Beauty
- $15.89 from RY
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:
- $36.95 from Adore Beauty
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:
- $72 (for 50ml) from Adore Beauty
- $72 (for 50ml) from THE ICONIC
- $96.30 (for 50ml) from Fresh Beauty Co.