These hydrating gel moisturisers feel a lot like the cult Laneige Water Bank Moisturiser – but for more than £25 less

Laneige Water Bank is a refreshing, long-lasting gel moisturiser that claims to deliver up to 48 hours of hydration. It makes an incredible moisturiser and primer for makeup, and it feels cooling, sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave any greasy residue behind.

Tried & tested by Style Writer Phoebe Denman: Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream basically feels like a big drink of water for your skin, and doesn’t leave behind any annoying sticky or greasy feel. It’s more of gel than a gel-cream formula, so those with oilier skin types, like me, will like this.

This hydrating gel moisturiser by Neutrogena is formulated with hyaluronic acid, amino acids and electrolytes for visible smoothing and nourishment. The non-greasy, thirst-quenching formula is an excellent alternative.

Tried & tested by Style Writer Phoebe Denman: "If you want to see what all the fuss is about, this affordable dupe from Neutrogena does a really good job at mimicking the results of the Laneige moisturiser and is amazing for giving skin a lil’ hydration boost when needed. In fact, I’d say this is probably one of my favourite drugstore moisturisers ever."

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturiser that leaves your skin feeling super soft, this is a great option. It’s oil-free, absorbs instantly and also works to boost your skin barrier.

Tried & tested by Style Writer Phoebe Denman: "For less than half the price of the Laneige moisturiser, this Byoma gel cream provides similar hydrated results for a calm and fresh-faced complexion. If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, this is just as great."

Designed to get skin glowing, The Body Shop’s vitamin C moisturiser is £10 cheaper than the Water Bank Moisturiser. Formulated with powerhouse ingredients including vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, it’s not only brightening but super hydrating.

Tried & tested by Style Writer Phoebe Denman: "This plumping moisturiser is just as good as Laneige. The long-lasting formula absorbs in a flash, layers well underneath SPF and makeup, and leaves my skin looking luminous and fresh immediately after applying."

The Inkey List’s Omega Water Cream makes a lot of promises – claiming to hydrate, support the skin barrier, tighten, and regulate oil production, all while reducing redness and preventing pesky pimples. It’s chock full of potent ingredients to unlock your plumpest, healthiest skin yet, like omegas 3, 6 and 9, soothing hydrators and blemish-busting niacinamide. The lightweight, water-based cream absorbs into skin with ease, providing the perfect base for makeup.
Tried & tested by Style Writer Phoebe Denman: "This moisturiser really is top class. It gives a lovely sheen to the complexion, but my skin also feels softer and firmer after using."

Starring hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin conditioning vitamin E, soothing matricaria extract and more – this anti-ageing moisturiser deeply repairs and tightens dry, rough, skin with a loss of elasticity. It has a creamy consistency that’s intensely moisturising without overwhelming those with sensitive skin.

Customer review: "I have combination dry, sensitive skin with an oily t-zone. Trust me when I say I never went back to any other cream after trying this. This cream feels so luxurious but doesn’t make your skin feel oily. It took away any dryness from my face and left my skin feeling so hydrated."

If you love Laneige Water Bank’s supreme hydrating powers, Etude House’s SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream will be your holy grail. It contains herbal extract madecassoside, along with shea butter and panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and maintain moisture levels.
Customer review: "Makes my skin feel moisturised but not to the point of feeling greasy and looking shiny. I use this with the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence and an SPF, which creates the perfect base for make-up."

This hydrating cream has an impressive 4.6-star rating on Amazon, and we understand why. It touts skin-essential minerals, which are a must for keeping skin feeling happy and healthy. For only £8.46, it’s 100% worth adding to cart if you ask us.
Customer review: "This was my first time using a gel type of moisturiser, but I have to say the results are really positive within the first week of using it. So far, I’ve had no problems with this, and have found that my flakiness has mostly disappeared since I started using it. It has a slight fragrance but isn’t too strong and appears to absorb quite well in little time."