19 Best Natural Face Moisturizer Options – GWC Mag

We’ve rounded up the best non-toxic face moisturizers made with clean ingredients, including moisturizers for day and night time, plus natural moisturizers with SPF – so you can keep your dry skin nourished and hydrated at all times.

Why it’s time for a Natural Face Moisturizer

Now you could run out to the nearest drug store and pick up some random face moisturizer, or keep using the one you’ve used for years because your mom recommended it.

BUT….maybe it’s time to switch to a natural face moisturizer with safe, non-toxic and organic ingredients. You want a face moisturizer that is made without parabens, phthalates,  artificial fragrances, or other ingredients that may cause more harm than good to your skin.

Your skin is your largest organ and your face is where you show yourself to the world – so keep it looking good, naturally!

Lucky for us, there are plenty of face moisturizers made with nourishing naturally derived, clean ingredients, and many of them can be found at stores around town like Target, Whole Foods or your local co-op.

Ingredients in a Natural Moisturizer for Face

Assuming that you want to make the switch to non-toxic moisturizers, made with clean and organic ingredients, here are a few things to look for:

A good moisturizer will have ingredients that draw moisture into the skin (known as humectants), and also ingredients that seal the moisture in (called occlusive ingredients). 

Moisture attracting ingredients:

• Hyaluronic acid/Sodium Hyaluronate – This popular ingredient is known for its unique ability to hold up to a thousand times its weight in water molecules. It helps draw water into the skin and infuse it with moisture, making skin more plump and supple. 
• Aloe vera – The gel from the aloe vera plant is a humectant that draws water from the air and into skin.
• Vegetable glycerin – Glycerin is created when vegetable oils are heated and mixed with an alkali substance. The resulting liquid asks as a humectant.

Moisture sealing ingredients: 

• Squalane – A very lightweight oil that is known for its ability to keep moisture locked in. It also fights against UV damage and helps reduce fine lines, scars and wrinkles.
• Natural oils like jojoba, sunflower, argan oil and many more
• Seed or nut butters like shea butter, cocoa butter or mango seed butter
• Natural waxes like beeswax or carnauba wax

AVOID moisturizers that contain mineral oil or other petroleum-based ingredients, paraben preservatives and anything with artificial fragrance. 

Best Organic Face Moisturizer Options for Dry Skin

So here’s a peek at some of my favorite natural & organic moisturizers for dry skin. I get bored using the same products every day, and I tend to switch things up when the seasons change. So I have a few different options to choose from – both for daytime and nighttime, plus face moisturizers with sun protection. I’m hoping you’ll see something in this lineup that might work for you too!

I’ve included a range of price points, from some very luxurious moisturizers to affordable natural moisturizers, and in between. The budget brands are more likely to be basic formulas, without as many extra ingredients. The more expensive brands tend to have more specialty ingredients. I’ve also included the key ingredients and the EWG rating, to help guide you. Many of these products are EWG-Verified, the highest rating from the Environmental Working Group.

Of course, before you moisturize, be sure to start with a good, natural facial cleanser and either a toner or a face serum before you layer on the moisturize cream.

Learn More: How to Buy Non-Toxic Beauty & Personal Care Products

Best Natural Moisturizer for Face During the Day Time

These face moisturizers are lightweight yet still packed with moisturizing ingredients that will keep your skin hydrated all day long. 

Beautycounter Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream

• A weightless water cream with two forms of hyaluronic acid, and barrier-protecting ceramide.
• EWG rating: N/A
• Key ingredients: ceramide, sodium hyaluronate, sodium acetylated hyaluronate
• $78 for 1.7-oz

Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion 

• A lightweight lotion that hydrates for up to 24 hours and adapts to the skin throughout the day. 
• EWG Verified
• Key ingredients: Squalane, plum oil, shea butter, glycerin
• $54 for 1.7 oz 

Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream 

• A lightweight moisturizer that hydrates while providing barrier protection against environmental pollutants. 
• EWG rating: 3 (due to essential oils)
• Key ingredients: Seaweed extract, shea butter and macadamia seed oil
• Read my review of OSEA skincare
• $54 for 2-oz (Use code MINDFULMOMMA for 10% off)

Graydon Super Sensitive Skin Stuff 

• An ultralight ceramide moisturizing cream made to replenish skin’s moisture barrier. 
• Hypoallergenic and fragrance free (great for sensitive skin)
• EWG rating: 1
• Key ingredients: Ceramides, maple sap water, Vitamin C from rosehip extract, rosehip seed oil
• $54 for 1.7 oz

Follain Moisturizer

• A silky, deeply hydrating moisturizer that is clinically proven to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.  
• EWG Verified
• Key ingredients: Bakuchiol (plant-derived retinol), sodium hyaluronate, aloe leaf juice, jojoba oil, shea butter.
• $32 for 1.7 oz 

Acure Seriously Soothing Day Cream

• A soothing day cream made with 100% vegan ingredients. 
• EWG rating: 2
• Key ingredients: Aloe vera, organic chamomile, argan oil, sunflower amino acids
• $19.99 for 1.7 oz  (BUDGET BRAND)

Best Natural Moisturizer for Night Time

These rich moisturizers (also known as night creams), are heavier weight and loaded with ingredients that hydrate dry skin and reduce the signs of aging while you sleep.

(Some of you may prefer a facial oil instead of a night cream – I’ve got great facial oil options listed here.)

Osea Collagen Dream Night Cream 

• An overnight moisturizer that reduces the effects of stress on skin using algae-derived bio retinol, vegan collagen plus other hydrating ingredients.
• EWG rating: N/A
• Key ingredients: Bio retinol, vegan collagen, shea butter and wild lavender
• Read my review of OSEA skincare
• $68 for 1.9-oz (Use code MINDFULMOMMA for 10% off)

Beautycounter Supreme Cream 

• A very rich and deeply hydrating cream that promotes elasticity and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. 
• EWG Verified
• Key ingredients: Bakuchiol (plant-based retinol), Swiss Alpine rose, tetrapeptide, glycerin, shea butter
• $98 for 1.7 oz

OSEA Advanced Protection Cream

• A rich and nourishing face cream for aging skin which visibly firms and plumps the skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines.
• EWG rating: N/A
• Key ingredients: DPHP (a plant-derived amino acid), Gigartina Skottsbergii extract (a marine algae)
• $108 for 2-oz (Use code MINDFULMOMMA for 10% off)

Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream 

• A rich yet fast-absorbing face cream that provides deep hydration and nourishment to soothe and replenish weary skin.
• EWG rating: 2 (due to essential oils)
• Key ingredients: Aloe vera, organic sea buckthorn, calendula, black current, sunflower seed oil
• $52 for 1.57 oz

True Botanicals Chebula Extreme Cream

• A supercharged moisturizer that uses Chebula, a bioactive antioxidant that visibly fights five signs of aging. Clinically proven to deliver extreme moisturization both instantly and over time.
• EWG-Verified and MADE SAFE® certified
• Key ingredients: mango seed butter, hyaluronic acid, chebula, acerola cherry, calendula, aloe vera
• $110 for 1.7 oz

Prima The Afterglow 

• An ultra-rich, deeply nourishing, CBD-infused face cream that combats age-inducing toxins like pollution and blue light, and delivers serious hydration.
• EWG-Verified
• Key ingredients: Whole hemp CBD, vegan collagen, squalane, hyaluronic acids, butterfly ginger extract, turmeric, shea butter
• $68 for 1.7 oz (Use code MINDFUL20 for 20% off your first order)

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer

• A luxurious hydrating moisturizer infused with resveratrol and formulated to improve the appearance of skin tone and luminosity.
• EWG rating: 2
• Key ingredients: Resveratrol, fruit stem cells, aloe vera, organic jojoba oil, organic shea butter
• $70 for 1.7 oz

Four Elements Rose Comfrey Cream

• A reparative moisture cream made with soothing comfrey and rose
• EWG-rating: N/A
• Key ingredients: Organic sunflower oil, comfrey, beeswax, Vitamin E, rose essential oil
• $29.95 for 2-oz (BUDGET BRAND)

Best Natural Face Moisturizer with SPF

These facial moisturizers have daily sun protection as well as other clean and natural ingredients. Some are tinted facial SPFs and some are non-tinted.

Ursa Major Force Field Daily Defence Lotion

• A lightweight, unscented moisturizer that helps combat the visible signs of aging and provides broad-spectrum sun protection.
• SPF 18
• EWG rating: 2
• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide (non-nano), swiss apple stem cells, squalane, sodium hyaluronate
• $56 for 1.7 oz

Beautycounter Dew Skin 

• A sheer-coverage tinted moisturizer that helps even skin tone as it protects against sun’s damaging rays.
• SPF 20
• EWG rating: 3 (due to essential oils and flower oils)
• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide (non-nano), black currant seed oil, peony root extract, Vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate,
• $50 for 1.35 oz

MyChelle Tinted Sun Shield Liquid

• A weightless, sheer-tinted, oil free formula that provides broad-spectrum protection and gives skin a fresh, healthy glow. 
• SPF 50
• EWG rating: 6 (EWG does not like SPF 50 products. Based on ingredients the rating would be a 1 or 2)
• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, agave leaf extract, glycerin, bentonite clay
• $28 for 1 oz

Mad Hippie Hydrating Facial SPF

• A clear mineral sunscreen lotion that protects and nourishes skin with hydrating hyaluronic acids and antioxidant-rich oils.
• SPF 25
• EWG rating: 2
• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide (non-nano), hyaluronic acids, polyglutamic acids, aloe vera, carrot seed oil, red raspberry seed oil, shea butter
• $19.99 for 2 oz

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Daily Shade Facial Lotion

• An ultra-sheer facial lotion that provides essential hydration and broad spectrum sun protection.
• SPF 18
• EWG rating: 2
• Key ingredients: Octisalate, octocrylene, avobenzone, aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate, alpine rose stem cells, sunflower seed oil
• $15.99 for 2.7 oz (BUDGET BRAND)

Promise me – don’t go out with a parched face this winter or any time of year! Find a new favorite natural face moisturizer instead!

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Your turn! Do you have any favorite non-toxic face moisturizers? Please share!

Please share in the comments so we can all learn from each other!