A skincare expert has shared his top budget-friendly moisturisers that are effective without breaking the bank – and a £1.45 Boots cream has got everyone talking08:33, 30 Aug 2026Some people's skincare drawers are worth a couple of hundred pounds, but one man has urged people to rethink their beauty shopping habits and invest more wisely in products.‌It turns out, you don't need to break the bank to have hydrated skin. So if you're looking to cut back on your skincare spending, a beauty guru has plenty of recommendations for you. Apparently, they'll make your skin feel better in no time, without compromising on quality.‌Skincare fan Andrew Donaldson-Wheatcroft shared that it's better to spend the big bucks on products like retinol and cut costs elsewhere. He also recommends trying budget-friendly moisturisers before deciding you need a "luxury one". So what should you put in your basket?‌Budget-friendly moisturisersAndrew starts with the Aveeno Calm & Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser, which is not only fragrance-free but also perfect for sensitive skin.Right now, you can pick this up for just £7.72 on Amazon. Andrew describes its "brilliant" formula as "hydrating but not greasy," making it suitable even for those with oily skin.Andrew then raves about Neutrogena's Hydro Boost water gel, arguing: "This is comparable to that Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream," yet it's available at just a fraction of the price.‌He describes the product as "so gorgeous" and "great for all skin types". At the moment, the Neutrogena cream is available for £7.62, a bargain compared with the Magic Cream's eye-watering £79 price tag.Lastly, he mentions the "blue pot" Nivea creme, calling it "iconic". Andrew confesses: "Everyone loves it, but it's a little bit too rich for me".‌He noted that for anyone with drier skin, it's a "superb" option. Right now, you can pick up 400ml of the product for only £5.75, and it works for both face and body use.Bargain Boots moisturisersAndrew also highlighted a Boots Derma Care product that's perfect for people with dry skin. It's a daily moisturising cream costing £4 for 150ml.However, there's a £1.45 moisturiser that customers love just as much. It's the Boots Everyday moisturising cream, available for just £1.45.‌On the website, the product description reads: "We've formulated our sensitive skin range enriched with vitamins to gently care for your skin. Our vegan moisturising cream, with added antioxidants, is perfect for you to use both day and night. Leaving you with hydrated, nourished and beautifully soft skin."Reviewers agree that the product works well and is a great value, with a 4.3/5-star rating on the Boots website. One happy customer said: "I have been using this for a couple of months, my skin is so shining and hydrated. I have had a few compliments recently asking what I use. It's amazing is this product."And another said: "A quickly absorbed cream that's fragrance free and perfect for sensitive skin. At a sensible price too."Article continues belowSo what are some of your favourite budget-friendly beauty buys? Don't forget to leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.