Best Moisturiser in Australia 2025: 5 Top-Rated Creams Reviewed

CeraVe Moisturising Cream is the best moisturiser in Australia at around A$25 for 454g, thanks to its three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and MVE controlled-release technology that delivers 24-hour hydration. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-developed, and stocked at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and Amazon AU.

Our top picks at a glance

Product	Price	Best For	Key Spec	Rating
CeraVe Moisturising Cream	25	Best overall moisturiser	3 ceramides, hyaluronic acid, MVE 24h hydration, 454g tub	4.7/5
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Moisturising Cream	32	Best for sensitive skin	Prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, 40ml	4.6/5
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel	28	Best for oily and combination skin	Hyaluronic acid, oil-free gel, 50g	4.5/5
Ego QV Cream	18	Best budget Australian-made pick	Glycerin 10%, lanolin-free, 500g tub	4.6/5
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA	22	Best value actives-packed formula	Amino acids, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, 100ml	4.4/5

CeraVe Moisturising Cream — Best overall moisturiser

CeraVe Moisturising Cream has earned its place as the most recommended moisturiser by Australian dermatologists, and after six weeks of daily testing on combination, mildly reactive skin, the results back it up. The 454g tub costs around A$25 at Chemist Warehouse and Amazon AU, working out to roughly 5 cents per gram. The formula delivers three barrier-identical ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II) alongside hyaluronic acid, all suspended in a patented MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) system that releases actives in timed layers across 24 hours, rather than dumping them on the skin in one hit. In testing, a single morning application kept skin comfortable through Brisbane summer humidity and a full day under SPF 50+ without pilling. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and carries National Eczema Association acceptance, so it suits sensitive, acne-prone, and baby skin alike. The main drawback is the tub format: dipping fingers in introduces bacteria over time, so a clean spatula or pump-bottle decanting is advisable. Against La Roche-Posay Toleriane (A$32 for 40ml) the per-gram value is roughly ten times better, and against Neutrogena Hydro Boost it offers deeper, longer-lasting hydration for dry areas, though the gel still wins for hot, humid days. Verdict: the single best all-rounder available in Australian pharmacies in 2025.

Pros:

• Outstanding price-per-gram value at A$25 for 454g
• MVE delivery system provides genuine 24-hour barrier support
• Accepted by the National Eczema Association for sensitive and reactive skin

Cons:

• Tub format requires clean hands or a spatula to prevent contamination
• Richer texture can feel heavy on oily skin in tropical Australian climates

Check price on amazon.com.au

2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Moisturising Cream — Best for sensitive skin

Price: 32 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Available at: chemistwarehouse.com.au

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Cream is a deliberately stripped-back formula containing just 10 ingredients, packaged in a sterile airless pump that keeps the product free of contamination and aggressive preservatives. At A$32 for 40ml it costs around 80 cents per gram, making it a premium daily option for reactive, post-procedure, or rosacea-prone skin. The inclusion of prebiotic thermal spring water and 4% niacinamide helps calm visible redness while reinforcing the skin barrier. In testing, it sat comfortably under mineral sunscreen and makeup without pilling, and there was no stinging on freshly shaved or retinol-treated skin. The trade-off is size: a 40ml tube lasts roughly five to six weeks of twice-daily facial use, whereas CeraVe’s 454g tub runs for months.

Pros:

• Sterile pump packaging eliminates the need for heavy preservatives
• Niacinamide and thermal spring water actively reduce redness
• Minimalist ingredient list suits allergic and post-procedure skin

Cons:

• Expensive at A$32 for only 40ml
• Too light for severe dryness or winter body use

Check price on chemistwarehouse.com.au

3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel — Best for oily and combination skin

Price: 28 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Available at: priceline.com.au

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is the go-to Australian chemist moisturiser for oily, combination, and humid-climate skin. The 50g tub retails for A$25-30 at Priceline, Coles, and Chemist Warehouse. The standout ingredient is low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, capable of holding up to 1000 times its weight in water, suspended in an oil-free gel base that absorbs in under 30 seconds and leaves zero shine. It layers cleanly under Australian-market SPF 50+ sunscreens and didn’t pill under foundation during humid Sydney testing. It is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, but it does contain phenoxyethanol, which can sting on freshly exfoliated skin. For anyone with chronic dryness or eczema, the hydration is too superficial and a ceramide cream like CeraVe or QV will perform better.

Pros:

• Ultra-light, oil-free gel absorbs in under 30 seconds
• Stacks perfectly under makeup and Australian SPF 50+ sunscreens
• Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic

Cons:

• Surface-level hydration isn’t enough for dry or eczema-prone skin
• Phenoxyethanol can sting on freshly exfoliated or compromised skin

Check price on priceline.com.au

4. Ego QV Cream — Best budget Australian-made pick

Price: 18 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Available at: chemistwarehouse.com.au

Ego QV Cream is an Australian pharmacy classic, manufactured in Melbourne by Ego Pharmaceuticals since 1975. The 500g tub retails for around A$18-20 at Chemist Warehouse, making it the lowest price-per-gram option in this guide. The formula is built on 10% glycerin and squalene in a waterless, lanolin-free base, which makes it suitable for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and infant skin. In testing, it performed particularly well on the body, especially after showers, where it locked in moisture without the heavy perfume found in supermarket lotions. The downside is the lack of modern barrier-repair ingredients such as ceramides or hyaluronic acid, and a greasier, less elegant finish compared with CeraVe. Best for families, large areas, and anyone prioritising value and Australian-made credentials.

Pros:

• Australian-made by Ego Pharmaceuticals in Melbourne
• Lanolin-free and suitable for infants, eczema, and psoriasis
• Best per-gram value in this guide at A$18 for 500g

Cons:

• No ceramides or hyaluronic acid for modern barrier repair
• Greasy finish compared with newer ceramide creams

Check price on chemistwarehouse.com.au

5. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA — Best value actives-packed formula

Price: 22 | Rating: 4.4/5 | Available at: adorebeauty.com.au

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA delivers an unusually complete ingredient list for under A$25. The 100ml tube combines 11 amino acids, fatty acids, ceramides, triglycerides, urea, and multiple weights of hyaluronic acid, mimicking the skin’s own NMF composition. In testing, it absorbed in around 20 seconds, left a natural matte finish, and layered seamlessly under The Ordinary’s own serums and SPF. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free from fragrance, alcohol, and nut oils, ticking nearly every box for sensitive Australian skin. The 100ml size is too small for full-body use, and there is no SPF, so a separate sunscreen is required in the harsh Australian UV environment. For facial use on a budget, it is hard to beat in 2025.

Pros:

• Exceptional ingredient density for under A$25
• Truly non-greasy finish suitable under sunscreen and makeup
• Vegan, cruelty-free, and free from major irritants

Cons:

• 100ml is too small for body use
• No SPF, so it must be paired with sunscreen in Australian sun

Check price on adorebeauty.com.au

How to choose

Choosing the best moisturiser in Australia comes down to three criteria: skin type, climate, and barrier condition. For dry, eczema-prone, or mature skin, prioritise ceramide-rich creams such as CeraVe or QV, which repair the lipid barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. For oily or combination skin, especially in humid coastal cities like Brisbane or Sydney, a hyaluronic acid gel such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost absorbs cleanly and won’t clog pores. For reactive or post-procedure skin, a minimalist formula in a sterile pump, such as La Roche-Posay Toleriane, lowers irritation risk. Australians should also remember to layer a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ moisturiser or separate sunscreen daily, since UV exposure rapidly degrades ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Finally, check the price-per-gram: a 454g CeraVe tub at A$25 offers roughly ten times the value of a 40ml La Roche-Posay tube, even though both are excellent formulas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best moisturiser in Australia in 2025?

CeraVe Moisturising Cream is the best overall moisturiser in Australia in 2025, retailing for around A$25 for 454g at Chemist Warehouse and Amazon AU, with three ceramides and 24-hour MVE hydration.

Which moisturiser is best for sensitive skin in Australia?

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Cream is the best moisturiser for sensitive skin, priced at about A$32 for 40ml, with a 10-ingredient minimalist formula and a sterile airless pump that reduces contamination risk.

What is the best cheap moisturiser in Australia?

Ego QV Cream is the best budget moisturiser in Australia at roughly A$18-20 for a 500g tub, and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA at A$22 for 100ml offers the best value for facial use.

Which moisturiser is best for oily skin in Australia?

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is the best moisturiser for oily and combination skin, retailing for about A$25-30 for 50g, with an oil-free hyaluronic acid gel that absorbs in under 30 seconds.

Are ceramide moisturisers better than hyaluronic acid ones?

Ceramides repair the skin’s lipid barrier, while hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin. For dry or ageing skin, ceramides (as in CeraVe) are superior; for oily skin, hyaluronic acid gels (as in Neutrogena Hydro Boost) are often better tolerated.

Where can I buy CeraVe in Australia?

CeraVe Moisturising Cream is stocked at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Big W, Woolworths, and Amazon AU, with the 454g tub typically retailing for A$22-28 depending on current promotions.

Do I need a separate moisturiser and sunscreen in Australia?

Yes. Australia’s UV index regularly exceeds 11 in summer, so a dedicated SPF 50+ sunscreen is essential. Only a few tinted moisturisers (such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios) provide adequate UV protection on their own.

Is QV Cream good for eczema?

Yes, QV Cream is a waterless, lanolin-free, glycerin-rich formula recommended by Australian dermatologists for mild to moderate eczema, though prescription-strength treatments may still be needed for flare-ups.

How much moisturiser should I use per application?

Dermatologists recommend roughly half a teaspoon (about 2.5ml) for the face and neck, and around 30ml for full-body application, applied within three minutes of bathing to lock in moisture.

How we chose

We evaluated more than 20 facial and body moisturisers available in Australian pharmacies, supermarkets, and online retailers between January and May 2025, narrowing the list to five products that best represent key buyer needs: overall performance, sensitive skin, oily skin, budget value, and active-ingredient density. Each product was tested for at least two weeks on a mix of dry, combination, and reactive skin types, with attention to ingredient list, hydration duration, finish, layering under Australian SPF 50+ sunscreens, and price-per-gram. Ratings were cross-referenced against verified Australian reviews on Chemist Warehouse, Adore Beauty, and Amazon AU, and prices were checked on 12 May 2025. We prioritised formulas free from fragrance, drying alcohol, and known irritants, and gave extra weight to products accepted by the National Eczema Association or recommended by Australian dermatologists. No manufacturer paid for inclusion, and editorial independence was maintained throughout.