Figuring out your perfect formula for dewy, hydrated skin is a little like the story of Goldilocks. Too much moisture and you’re an oil slick by noon. Too little and your skin will cry out for hydration with dry spots, uneven texture, and discomfort. And then there’s combination skin, which can complain in both ways simultaneously. A couple of products have gained cult followings for solving these problems—but they created others. Mostly, they cost an arm and a leg. And that’s where these Tatcha Water Cream dupes come in.

There’s no denying that Tatcha Water Cream is an amazing skincare product. It hydrates and balances so that you get that dewy glow no matter your skin type. We get the appeal, of this product and of Tatcha as a brand. Our budgets just can’t justify the price tag. (That’s why we also hunted down Tatcha Silk Canvas dupes.) So it’s a good thing they don’t have to. There are plenty of water creams once you start looking that also deliver refreshing moisture without any greasy feeling.

Wait, what is a water cream?

A water cream is an ultra-lightweight moisturizer that’s free of oils. Typical moisturizers use oils as a base to hydrate dry skin, which also contribute to their thicker texture. Water creams have a water base so they absorb quickly to hydrate skin almost instantly. Many people describe them as refreshing because they go to work so quickly. Some water creams come in a gel-like formula while others look like a cream that quickly turns liquidly upon contact.

A water cream may not be the best option for your skin, though—or may only work for you part of the year. Water creams tend to be best for oily or combination skin, although several of the Tatcha Water Cream dupes below have fans spanning all skin types. That’s because they’re hydrating but also balancing. The best formulas balance sebum production, leaving the T-zone looking less oily without drying it out. But even for people with oilier skin, a water cream may not provide enough moisture for dryer winter months.

Tatcha Water Cream dupes for oily and combination skin

• Belif The True Cream Aqua Balm
• boscia® Cactus Water Moisturizer

Tatcha Water Cream dupes for dry skin

• MAKEP:REM Hydrate Me Micro Tension Cream

Tatcha Water Cream dupes for all skin types

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
• Dr. Jart+ Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer
• Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mineral Water Gel Facial Moisturizer
• First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream
• Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream
• Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
• Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

Tatcha Water Cream dupes for oily and combination skin

You can think of these water creams as on the lighter end of the spectrum. They’re great Tatcha Water Cream dupes for people with more oil production because they go to work balancing out your sebum without over-delivering on the hydration. If you have drier skin, scoll on. These likely won’t moisturize your skin enough, especially in the winter months.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Balm

Overall verdict: Although Belif formulated their Tatcha Water Cream dupe for all types of skin, it’s people with combination skin that rave about their product the most. This moisturizer, which is free of oils, successfully balances skin’s hydration levels. That means less sebum on your oily zones and more moisture and glow for your drier areas.

Main features:

• Light citrus scent
• Hydrating and balancing
• Absorbs quickly

boscia® Cactus Water Moisturizer

Overall verdict: boscia is open about the fact that this moisturizer is not for everyone. So it may not be a perfect dupe for Tatcha Water Cream, but it’s pretty darn close for people with combination or oily skin. It feels lightweight but, thanks to select ingredients, hydrates effectively. Its main ingredient comes from cactus and may feel sticky for a couple minutes until you find the right amount for your skin. But fans of this formula say taking the time to find the perfect ratio is worth it thanks to the glowing skin you’ll see as a result.

Main features:

• Balances excess sebum
• Lightweight but hydrating
• Takes time to absorb

Tatcha Water Cream dupes for dry skin

Water creams probably aren’t the best option for people with dry skin. They’re simply not thick enough to provide the moisture your skin needs. But if you sit right at the cusp—so you lean drier but you’re not totally parched—this Tatcha Water Cream dupe may just fit the bill. Plus, with its far-lower price tag, there’s truly no reason to not give it a try.

MAKEP:REM Hydrate Me Micro Tension Cream

Overall verdict: People with combination skin may want to opt for another Tatcha Water Cream dupe, but this one is perfect for those at the dry end of the spectrum. The lightweight formula belies its intense hydrating abilities—a little goes a long way. It shares some of the same ingredients as the cult favorite moisturizer, but adds an additional powerful humuctant (a product that retains moisture) for dewy skin that lasts all day.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Absorbs quickly
• Doesn’t leave residue

Tatcha Water Cream dupes for all skin types

Since the cult classic brand claims their water cream is for all skin types, a true Tatcha Water Cream dupe has to do the same—and live up to it. These creams are the perfect fit, your Goldilocks moment. They’re neither too lightweight nor too heavy. Your dry patches will feel quenched and your oily zones will tone down the mid-afternoon sheen. You may need to play around to find your perfect amount, but once you get the application right, you’re sure to love your new (far cheaper) moisturizer.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream

Overall verdict: Neutrogena’s gel-cream contains many of the same hydrating ingredients as the more expensive product, making it a good Tatcha Water Cream dupe. Hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin for a plumper, dewy complexion that isn’t oily or greasy, even right after application. All that, and this drugstore staple will only set you back around $20.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Absorbs quickly
• Doesn’t make skin feel oily

Dr. Jart+ Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer

Overall verdict: Dr. Jart’s formula is literally as described: a water drop. Some people found that annoying, with the product sliding off their fingers as they tried to apply it. Others found it extremely refreshing, a splash of cooling water for their dry skin. Most agreed that this formula was better for summer months than winter because they needed something stronger to combat the cold, dry air of the more frigid months.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Cooling sensation when applied
• Turns liquid on contact

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mineral Water Gel Facial Moisturizer

Overall verdict: One fan claims her skin practically sighs when she applies this Tatcha Water Cream dupe because of the quick dose of hydration. You’ll also get a plumper, dewy look after application thanks to its formula that uses hyaluronic acid and thermal water. Even better, your face is touchably-soft, not sticky, moments after you swipe it on.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Cooling sensation when applied
• No sticky residue
  

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream

Overall verdict: Although many fans of this FAB product swear by it in summer, many need something thicker come wintertime. But the light coconut scent of this Water Cream dupe does make it perfect for the hotter months. And even people with oily skin claim this formula balances out their sebum production. That means it tames dry areas and balances oily areas without leaving any grease or causing breakouts.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Absorbs quickly
• Non-comedogenic formula

Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream

Overall verdict: People who use this Tatcha Water Cream dupe as a nighttime mask swear there’s no greasy residue in the morning, and that this lightweight gel cream doesn’t make them break out. The formula itself packs six separate hydrating ingredients to calm dry patches and soothe the overproduction of face oil. If you’re sensitive to smells, though, you may want to start with a sample size since it does come with a distinct floral scent.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Light floral scent (but not rose)
• No greasy residue

Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream

Overall verdict: There’s one big way this formula differs from Tatcha’s—it may leave you feeling “tacky” for a couple minutes after applying. Other than the passing feeling of residue—it does go away, by the way—it’s a pretty close Water Cream dupe thanks to its ability to hydrate and balance at the same time.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Absorbs quickly
• May feel “tacky” after applying

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

Overall verdict: This is the closest to a cream of all the Tatcha Water Cream dupes on this list. But, once applied, it quickly turns into a watery liquid that’s intended to drench dry skin. You may need to play around with how much you use and how to apply it. Some people have better results applying a thicker layer and letting it sit, while others love a thin layer rubbed in immediately.

Main features:

• Lightweight but hydrating
• Cream, not gel, texture
• Fragrance-free formula