A good day cream will give your skin a hit of hydration, repair dry or damaged areas, and improve its overall texture. But with face moisturisers costing into the hundreds, you may be forgiven for skipping this important skincare step.
The Good Housekeeping Institute wanted to find the face creams that are light on your wallet but not on results, so we put the latest drugstore and own-brand day creams to the test, and found some impressive winners...
- Winner: Boots Botanics All Bright Hydrating Day Cream SPF15
- Runner-up and best lightweight formula: Aldi Lacura Caviar Day Cream SPF15
- Best for dry skin: Amazon Belei Detox Day Moisturiser with SPF 15
- Best SPF own-brand day cream: ASDA NSPA Expert Daily Rejuvenate Cream SPF30
- Best vegan own-brand day cream: Hema Urban Remedy Day Cream SPF15
- Best for sensitive skin: Tesco Kind & Pure Hydrating Daily Moisturiser
- Best anti-pollution formula: Superdrug Vitamin E SPF15 Moisturising Cream
- Best anti-ageing own-brand day cream: Lidl Cien Q10 Day Cream
- Best for soothing effect: Primark Chamomile And Aloe Vera Daily Moisturiser
- Best budget own-brand day cream: Poundland No.6 Anti Ageing Day Cream
How do day creams work?
Applying a moisturiser on a daily basis is key to keeping skin hydrated, healthy and nourished. Your skin becomes drier as it ages, so it's always important to look for a cream with hydrating properties. These creams target the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis) to lock in and replenish moisture, and are typically made up of the following ingredients:
- Humectants: draw water from their surroundings, eg. hyaluronic acid
- Emollients: create a smooth surface, eg. ceramides
- Occlusives: create a physical barrier to prevent water loss, eg. jojoba oil
What is an own-brand day cream?
The term "own-brand" describes a product that's been made by the retailer it's stocked by. Whether it's a drugstore like Superdrug or Tesco supermarket, many retailers have started to create more affordable skincare lines that rival some of the cosmetic giants.
Things to consider
Skin type: although hydrating day creams are generally suitable for most skin types (including oily), those with sensitive skin should avoid any with potential irritants such as fragrances.
SPF: this should be applied every morning, so having a moisturiser with SPF is beneficial.
Packaging: As well as looking pretty, the packaging should be practical too. If you want a handbag-friendly option, for example, avoid bulky jars.
Vegan/cruelty-free: Look for the relevant logos, which should be displayed clearly on the packaging.
Ingredients: If you’re looking for additional benefits on top of hydration, keep an eye out for creams that claim to do more, eg. reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
How we test
Our panel of 128 testers trialled a variety of own-brand day creams over a two-week period. They judged each one on a range of factors, including the packaging and dispense design, the texture, and its overall effect on the skin.
In the lab, we used a special device to measure hydration levels in the skin immediately after application and again after a six-hour period to see how effective each cream was.
Score: 86/100
Infused with natural Hibiscus extract, this lightweight SPFday cream is designed to gently exfoliate and brighten skin, leaving you with a more youthful-looking complexion.All testers agreed that skin felt hydrated both immediately after application and at the end of the day. And our lab assessment also showed a considerableimprovement in hydration levels. After the trial period, 75% of testers saw a positive difference in the condition of theirskinand all said theywould continue using it.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: Yes (SPF 15)
Fragrance:Floral
Read the fullBoots Botanics All Bright Hydrating Day Cream review
Score: 83/100
Light enough to be worn under makeup, this SPF day cream aims to smooth and repair damaged skin with its ingredients ofcaviar extract and pro-vitamin B5.All testers agreed that their skin still felt moisturised at the end of the day and their skin's overallappearance improved over the two-week period. It's fresh, floral scent was a hit with most testers, too. In the lab, it scored a middle-of-the-road five out of10, showing some signs ofimprovement in hydration levelsimmediately and after six hours of wear.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: Yes (SPF 15)
Fragrance: Floral
Read the fullAldi Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream review
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Score: 82/100
Testers were impressed with how well this fragrance-freecream absorbed into skin, especially consideringitsrich, thick texture. From our panel,86% saw an improvement in their skin and hydration levels after the trial period, while some improvements were also seen in the lab, where it scored five out of 10. If you're looking for deep moisturisation and the ultimatenourishment, this Swiss-based formula is the one to buy.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: Yes (SPF 15)
Fragrance: No fragrance
Read the fullAmazon Belei Detox Day Moisturiser review
Score: 80/100
With a blend of flower and seed extracts, this vegan formula aims to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and comes with SPF 30.Most of our testerswere pleased with its texture, which sank into skin without being too greasy or sticky, and almost all said it instantly hydrated -80% said skin still felt hydrated at the end of day, too. With a score of six out of10 in the lab test, this is a reliable buy at a very reasonable price.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: Yes (SPF 30)
Fragrance: Fresh, floral
Read the fullASDA NSPA Expert Daily-Rejuvenate Cream review
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Score: 81/100
The non-greasy, non-sticky texture of this vegan formula was a hit with testers, sinking into skin quickly and adding a dose of instant hydration. Overall, 93% of testers said they would continue using it after the trial period, as they noticed visible improvements. We were equally pleased in the lab, where we saw some improvement in hydration levels instantly and after six hours.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: Yes (SPF 15)
Fragrance: Citrus
Read the fullHema Urban Remedy Day Cream review
Score: 75/100
Packed full of beneficial vitamins, thisformula is high in antioxidants that help protect skin from air pollution, whileSPF15 providesUVA and UVB protection. The smooth cream spreads easily across skin and instantly softens dry patches.Some testers said it had a slightly greasy feel after application, but 83% said skin still felt hydrated at the end of the day.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: Yes (SPF 15)
Fragrance: No fragrance
Read the fullSuperdrug Vitamin E Moisturising Cream review
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Score: 79/100
Anyone with sensitive skin will appreciate Tesco's own-brand day cream, as it's formulated with soothing chamomile, rosehip and vitamin B5. It's also fragrance free and dermatologically tested. Testers appreciated the fuss-free application the tube offered and 82% said they liked the cream's texture. Both the lab results and testers agreed that skin hydration improved in the short and long term.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: No
Fragrance: No fragrance
Score: 73/100
Here, hyaluronic acid and Q10 help to reduce the appearance of deep-set wrinkles and work to prevent them developingin the future. Its creamy texture spread effortlessly across skin and absorbed quickly, but some testers said it felt alittle greasy after application. They were pleased with how hydrating it was though, and the lab results back this up.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: No
Fragrance:Soft floral
Read the fullLidl Cien Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream review
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Best for soothing effect
Primark Chamomile And Aloe Vera Daily Moisturiser
Score: 73/100
This 94% natural, vegan moisturiser contains a soothing blend of aloe vera and chamomile to soften the skin. Although a few testers found it a little runny, most agreed that it absorbed quickly and did not leave a greasy or sticky residue. It scored an impressive seven out of 10 in our lab tests, showing notable improvements in skin hydration levels. Testers weren't as impressed though, with mixed feedback on the long-term effect.
Key specifications
Suitable for: All skin types
SPF: No
Fragrance: No fragrance
Read the fullPrimark Chamomile And Aloe Vera Daily Moisturiser review
Best budget own-brand day cream
Poundland Perfect No.6 Anti-Ageing Day Cream
Score: 72/100
Formulated with ceramides, sweet almond oil, algae extract, collagen and vitamins A and E, this day cream aims to fight the visible signs of ageing and deliver healthier-looking skin. The creamy formula sinks into skin quickly and only a little is needed per application, which makes it even better value for money. Some testers noticed instant hydration, while other did not. The lab scored it five out of 10, which is equal to many others on this list.
Key specifications
Suitable for:All skin types
SPF:No
Fragrance:Fruity
Read the fullPoundland Perfect No.6 Anti-Ageing Day Cream review
Sunayah Arshad
As a beauty tester and writer at the GHI, Sunayah reviews products and tools to get the low-down on how well they (actually) work. You can go to her for all your beauty questions!
