I avoid perfumes due to sensitivities, both skin and nasal, but I think it really depends a lot on your skin type. You can always consult a dermatologist for the best answer if you have access to healthcare. But generally it’s a balance. Some moisturizer is usually better than none. Also, some expensive moisturizers tend to be thicker than necessary for effectiveness. You often don’t need to use as much as you might be used to using of the cheaper stuff. Or you can often mix with cheaper ones or even sometimes just a bit of water or inexpensive moisturizing oils to make them spread more before they soak in or evaporate.