Best Target Moisturizer: 4 Easy Wins For Every Skin Type

If you have ever stood in the Target skincare aisle, overwhelmed by rows of moisturizers that sound identical, this guide is for you. We cut through the noise and compare the strongest everyday formulas so you can grab the right one in a single trip.

The moisturizers below are easy to find at Target, kind to most skin types, and chosen for real world performance, not hype. Whether your skin is flaky, shiny, or starting to show fine lines, you will know exactly where to start.

Quick picks

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream – Best for very dry or sensitive skin. A rich, fragrance free cream that doubles as a face and body moisturizer and excels at calming tight, compromised skin.
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer – Best everyday option for normal to dry, sensitive skin. Light enough for daytime, hydrating enough for night, with barrier supporting ingredients and a non greasy feel.
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – Best lightweight gel for oily or combination skin. A bouncy water gel that soaks in fast, delivers a hit of hydration, and layers smoothly under sunscreen and makeup.
• Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free – Best Target moisturizer for visible anti-aging benefits. A silky cream with niacinamide and peptides that helps soften fine lines and improve overall firmness over time.

In-depth reviews

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream review

Best for very dry, sensitive, or eczema prone skin that needs serious moisture without fragrance. This is the workhorse cream that many dermatologists recommend, and you can use it on both face and body.

The texture is thick and cushiony, but once you warm it between your fingers it spreads easily and leaves a soft, protective layer. The formula relies on three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin to pull water into the skin and lock it in, which is exactly what compromised skin needs.

Because it is fragrance free and non comedogenic, it is usually well tolerated by sensitive and acne prone skin, especially in dry climates or winter weather. The main drawback is that on oily or very combination skin, it can feel heavy or look a little shiny, particularly in the T zone.

If your skin is more combination or you want something that disappears completely under makeup, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel will feel lighter. If you crave a bit more elegance in texture and a pump bottle, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair is a step up, but CeraVe remains the best bang for your buck for stubborn dryness.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer review

Best for normal to dry, sensitive skin that needs an everyday moisturizer that just works. This is an excellent choice if you want a single face cream that can handle both morning and night without feeling heavy.

The texture is a light cream that glides on easily, sinks in quickly, and leaves a soft, satin finish rather than a greasy film. It combines ceramide 3, niacinamide, glycerin, and La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal water to support the skin barrier and soothe redness over time.

It is fragrance free and formulated for sensitive skin, which makes it a smart pick if your face tends to sting, flush, or react to many products. The pump packaging is also more hygienic than a jar or tub and makes it simple to dispense the right amount for face and neck.

Compared with CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, this one feels more elegant and less occlusive, but it is also more expensive per ounce and not quite as heavy hitting for severely dry or flaky patches. If you are looking for anti-aging ingredients like peptides and a richer texture, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free is the better pick, but for a gentle, daily basic moisturizer, Double Repair is hard to beat.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel review

Best for oily, combination, or normal skin that feels dehydrated but hates thick creams. Hydro Boost Water Gel is especially helpful in hot weather or for anyone who wants moisture without shine.

The formula is a lightweight water gel that feels cool and refreshing on contact. It uses hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate while avoiding heavy oils, so it absorbs quickly and leaves a smooth, almost velvety finish that works well under sunscreen and makeup.

The tradeoff is that this version includes fragrance and color, and may contain drying alcohol, which can be an issue for very sensitive or reactive skin. It also may not be enough on its own for severely dry or peeling skin, in which case you might pair it with a gentle serum underneath or switch to something richer like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream at night.

If you are torn between this and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair, go with Hydro Boost if your T zone gets shiny by midday or you live in a humid climate. Choose Double Repair if you are even slightly sensitive, your skin feels tight after cleansing, or you want something that better supports your barrier over time.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free review

Best for normal to dry or mature skin that wants more than basic hydration. This version of Olay Regenerist is fragrance free, which makes it friendlier to sensitive skin than the original scented formula.

The texture is a rich, silky cream that feels cushy going on and leaves skin looking instantly a bit plumper and smoother. Key ingredients include niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, a trio that helps improve tone and texture, support firmness, and soften the look of fine lines over time.

Because it is richer than something like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, it works especially well at night or in cooler weather. If your skin is very oily, this may feel like too much, but those with normal to dry or combination skin often find it comfortable as long as they keep the amount small during the day.

Versus CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair, Olay Regenerist is the better choice if anti-aging is your top goal rather than pure barrier repair. Just keep in mind that it is not a substitute for a dedicated retinoid or daily sunscreen, which are still the most effective tools for long term wrinkle prevention.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free

How to choose the best Target moisturizer for your skin

Before you grab a jar or pump bottle, it helps to be clear about your skin type and what you want your moisturizer to do. Use these simple checkpoints to narrow things down quickly.

Match texture to skin type

• Very dry or tight, flaky skin: Look for rich creams and balms with ceramides and occlusives. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free are the strongest options here.
• Normal to slightly dry skin: Light creams are usually best. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair fits this category and can work year round for many people.
• Oily or combination skin: Gels and gel creams feel fresher and less heavy. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is ideal if you want hydration without extra shine.

Consider sensitivity and breakouts

• If your skin stings easily or you have conditions like rosacea or eczema, choose fragrance free formulas and avoid strong essential oils and heavy perfumes. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair are the safest bets on this list.
• For acne prone skin, look for the words non comedogenic and keep textures light to medium. You can often use CeraVe or La Roche-Posay as long as you do not glob them on and you are using an appropriate cleanser and treatment.

Think about your routine and budget

• If you want one moisturizer for both day and night, pick a midweight, non greasy cream such as La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair.
• If your budget is tight and you need something that can cover face and body, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream gives you the most flexibility per dollar.
• If you already use a strong retinoid or exfoliating acid, you may want to pair it with a simple, soothing moisturizer like CeraVe rather than another product packed with actives.

How to fit a Target moisturizer into your routine

A good moisturizer only works if it fits smoothly into your daily routine. Here is how to use these Target picks effectively without overcomplicating things.

Morning routine

1. Cleanse with a gentle, non stripping cleanser appropriate for your skin type.
2. Treat with a vitamin C serum or other antioxidant if you use one, and let it absorb.
3. Moisturize: Apply a pea sized amount of your chosen moisturizer over face and neck. Use less if you are oily and a bit more if you are dry.
4. Protect with a broad spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher, layered on top of your moisturizer every single morning.

For lightweight daytime moisture, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is especially comfortable under sunscreen and makeup. If your skin is dry or you are in a cold climate, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair or a thin layer of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream will help prevent that tight feeling by midday.

Night routine

1. Cleanse away sunscreen and makeup thoroughly.
2. Treat with any prescribed products or your retinoid if you use one. Let it dry for a few minutes.
3. Moisturize generously with a slightly thicker layer than you use in the morning. At night, your skin can often tolerate a richer texture without looking shiny in public.

Here, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free shines for normal to dry or mature skin, while CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is excellent for barrier repair if your face feels irritated or over exfoliated. Even if you rely on a lighter gel like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel during the day, switching to a cream at night can make a big difference in how comfortable and resilient your skin feels.

See also

If your face is still feeling tight or flaky, see our complete skin routine for dry skin, or compare formulas in our guide to the best moisturizer for combination skin if you are more balanced or oily in the T zone.

• For soft, hydrated limbs to match your face, explore our picks for the best body lotion.
• If you have dark skin and want to build a whole routine from the drugstore, check out our guide to the best drugstore skincare for dark skin on a budget.
• For richer, head to toe moisture that flatters deeper tones, see our recommendations for the best lotion for Black skin.

FAQ

Are Target moisturizers as good as high-end brands?

In many cases, yes. Brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena, and Olay use the same types of ingredients that show up in prestige skincare, such as ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptides.

The main differences tend to be texture, packaging, and marketing rather than raw effectiveness. If you match a Target moisturizer to your skin type and needs, you can absolutely get results on par with more expensive options.

Which Target moisturizer is best for very dry skin in winter?

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is usually the most reliable starting point for very dry winter skin. Its rich, fragrance free formula is designed to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent water from evaporating.

If you also want anti-aging benefits and your skin can tolerate a slightly more active formula, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free is another strong choice, especially at night. For extremely dry or eczema prone patches, you can even layer one of these creams over a hydrating serum for extra comfort.

What is the best Target moisturizer for acne prone or oily skin?

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is often a great fit for oily or acne prone skin, because it is lightweight, oil free, and absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy film. It gives you hydration so your skin does not overproduce oil, but it does not add greasiness on its own.

If you are sensitive to fragrance or you use strong acne treatments that leave your skin a bit raw, you may do better with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. It is fragrance free, barrier focused, and still relatively light compared with very rich creams.

Can I use the same Target moisturizer for day and night?

Yes, most of the moisturizers in this guide are flexible enough to use both morning and night. The main difference is that at night you can usually apply a slightly thicker layer, since you do not have to worry about shine or how makeup will sit on top.

If you prefer a simpler routine, pick a midweight, non greasy option like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer and adjust only the amount you use. Just remember to add a separate broad spectrum sunscreen in the morning, because very few Target face moisturizers include enough UV protection to rely on alone.

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