You could say this guide was over ten years in the making. That’s how long I’ve been on this low-tox journey testing out different brands and products.

As you can see, I’ve tried a lot of different brands over the years. (This is not even a complete list! I’ve left the ones I didn’t like off, and included the ‘iffy’ ones at the bottom.)

But if you’re looking for the best natural face lotions, I’ve rounded them all up here and sorted them according to skin type and preference.

This article is focused more on lotion-style face moisturizers and balms (as opposed to serums and oils). Maybe I’ll do separate review articles on those in the future… but this one for non-toxic face lotions is long enough as it is!

My top picks by category:

Most affordable: Acure and Honest

(Mostly) Organic: Birch Babe (vegan), Primally Pure, or Toups & Co.

My favorite for dry skin: Ursa Major

Best for sensitive skin: Primally Pure

Best for acne-prone or oily skin: withSimplicity

Best for aging/mature skin: True Botanicals

My favorites for nighttime: True Botanicals (more luxe) or Wildling (more affordable).

Top picks for men: Wild Roman (tallow-based), Jackfir (vegan), or HygieneLab (unscented)

Best for teens: Earth Harbor

Best for rosacea: Primally Pure

Best natural face lotion with SPF: Saie

Best Luxury: Ogee or True Botanicals

Tallow-Based: Primally Pure (my fave) or Toups & Co.

Plastic-free/low-plastic: Plaine Products (refillable). Or many of the other brands below are low-plastic.

Target Pick: Honest

Ulta Pick: OSEA

This guide contains product recommendations, and we may receive compensation through affiliate links or editorial fees. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!


My skin type, climate, & preferences

Before we get to my reviews, it might be helpful for you to know a little about what I’m working with:

My skin type is ‘normal/mixed.’ It doesn’t get super oily, nor does it get super dry. I’m in my mid-30s so I’m definitely seeing those fine lines and wrinkles show up, and I haven’t done any injectables. Although I do deal with some clogged pores and blackheads, I don’t have acne-prone skin.

I’m very picky about how thick and oily my morning/daytime moisturizers are. I like very lightweight natural face lotions for the daytime. I generally save the more oil-based products for nighttime.

I currently live in southwest Ohio, where we have four seasons and a good amount of humidity. I have, however, lived in different types of climates throughout my years of testing these clean face moisturizers, including dry northern California and a couple of different cities in Colombia which mostly had moderate climates.

Lastly, this article is already long, so I’m not going to go into detail about specific ingredients to look for or avoid in skincare. You can read more about that here. But the short version is: all of the brands below are free from known endocrine-disruptors and carcinogens, such as phthalates and parabens.

Now let’s get right to it:

My favorite non-toxic face moisturizers

Acure

A tube of Acure Brightening Day Cream is placed on a granite bathroom counter in front of its matching box. Both items are labeled 1.7 fl oz / 50 ml. A mirror and part of a sink are visible in the background.

Best for: Best budget choice for a variety of skin types, ages, and genders

What I’ve tried: Brightening Day Cream

Other types available: Advanced Barrier Support Moisturizer, Future Fusion PM Moisturizer, Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream, Soothing Day Cream, Brightening Night Cream, Ultra Hydrating 12 Hour Facial Moisturizer, Radically Rejuvenating SPF 30 Day Cream

Price: $20

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Aluminum tube with plastic lid

I really like this face moisturizer—I’ve actually re-purchased it a few times over the years. I think it’s a great daytime moisturizer for a variety of skin types, genders, and ages.

I’d put it in the ‘mid-weight’ category. It’s not the lightest face cream I’ve ever used, but it’s definitely light enough to use in the morning (and I’m really picky about that).

The *star* ingredients are argan oil and cica (aka Centella asiatica, aka “tiger grass”), which is good for reducing redness, boosting collagen, and calming inflammation (which also makes this good for people with acne-prone skin).

I like the smell, too. It’s has a light orange scent which is another thing that makes it a good morning moisturizer because it gives it a little bit of an energizing vibe. It’s not overpowering at all though.

Would I re-buy it? Yep, already have!


withSimplicity

Best for: Clean face moisturizers for acne-prone and/or oily skin

What I’ve tried: Face Jelly (oily skin), Face Lotion (normal/combination skin), Clarifying Face Lotion (acne-prone skin), Blue Dew (sensitive skin), Face Cream (dry skin)

Price: $24 (on sale) – $52

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes, most of their products are. But a few of them contain beeswax and/or honey, so just check the ingredients before purchasing.

Packaging: Mostly glass jars with plastic lids.

This is one of the few brands where I’ve tried pretty much all of their different natural moisturizer options. Even though some of them are more suitable for my skin than others, I honestly have really liked all of them.

Here’s my experience with each one:

The Face Jelly: I didn’t even know what this was at first. 😅 I don’t know if I’ve ever used a product quite like it before. It’s a very lightweight moisturizer that, while especially good for oily and/or sensitive skin (it’s oil-free), can be used by all skin types. You can even layer it with other moisturizers if you want to. It’s light enough that you could use it as more of a serum, and then layer another mid-weight face cream on top if you wanted even more hydration.

I’d also say it’s really good for the summer months or if you live in a warm climate. It absorbs really easily and does not leave my face feeling weighed down at all.

It is technically fragrance-free, but it does have a nice light smell to it, which comes from the ingredients themselves. I thought it would smell like blue tansy, but it really doesn’t. I can’t really put my finger on what exactly it smells like, but I like it!

The Face Lotion (normal/combination skin): is another really great daytime moisturizer. It’s not quite as lightweight as the Face Jelly, but it’s still pretty lightweight and fast-absorbing. Honestly, this would make a really great everyday moisturizer for all kinds of people, regardless of skin type, gender, or age.

Like a lot of withSimplicity’s other products, it’s technically ‘fragrance-free’ because it doesn’t contain any added fragrance… But it does have a scent that comes from the natural ingredients. This one has a nice, refreshing, flowery smell to it.

Clarifying Face Lotion (for acne-prone skin): Another great lightweight option that’s specifically formulated to help prevent and heal blemishes without being too harsh. It’s a great morning face moisturizer that can be worn under makeup or paired up with other skincare products. It rubs in very well and does not feel heavy or oily at all.

It’s got tea tree to help with acne, sea buckthorn to not only improve texture but also serve antioxidants, and niacinamide for calming and balancing. (Also, it’s yellow!)

This Blue Dew is one of withSimplicity’s most popular products. (And it actually won Think Dirty’s 2022 Moisturizer of the Year.)

It’s relatively lightweight, but it’s still an oil-based moisturizer, so—true to its name—it does leave my skin with a dewy feel.

Moisturizing the skin is only one thing this balm is good for… It can also help calm inflammation, reduce redness, and help with dry or irritation skin. So while it can absolutely be used by any & all skin types, those with sensitive skin might find it the most beneficial.

This Face Cream is the thickest option out of all of these. It does have a whipped texture to it, which I like, and it absorbs pretty nicely for how thick it is. Although it feels a bit greasy at first, that part honestly doesn’t last more than a couple of minutes.

And while it’s not technically marketed as an anti-aging product, it does have a lot of ingredients that help with wrinkle prevention and skin texture, including natural vitamin A.

You can technically use this as a daytime or nighttime cream, but I personally only use it in the evening because of how thick it is. They do not recommend it for acne-prone skin.

And here’s the best part: If you don’t know which face lotion you’d like best, you can try them all with their Skincare Discovery Kit. You can choose whatever 7 minis you want so that you don’t have to worry about wasting a full sized bottle of something you don’t love. (These minis are also great for travel.)

Would I re-buy them? Yes, I really like pretty much all of withSimplicity’s clean face lotions.

Get 15% off with code THEFILTERY if you decide to try withSimplicity for yourself!


Ursa Major

An open jar of Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream sits on a countertop, with some cream visible on the container lid. The product box is in the background, showing the same label and blue-and-white design.

Best for: Dry skin

What I’ve tried: Golden Hour Recovery Cream

Other types available: Alpine Rich Cream, Fortifying Gel Moisturizer

Price: Starting at $46

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Glass jar with plastic lid.

Would I re-buy it? Yep, I have a couple of times.

I love love love this moisturizer in the wintertime. It’s incredibly nourishing, yet fast-absorbing. I will absolutely be using it again during the cold winter months.

It smells really good, as do pretty much all of Ursa Major’s products. I will say though: if you are sensitive to essential oils or fragrance allergens, you might want to avoid this brand (or check the ingredients before buying) because a lot of their products use a lot of them.

As you can see from the photo, they offer genderless products, which work for literally any kind of person of any age. Ursa Major is also a B Corp certified company with various sustainability initiatives in place, including wind-powered production, give-back initiatives, and more.


Toups & Co.

Toups & Co Organics Frankincense Face Balm in a blue glass jar with lid and box on a bathroom countertop.

Best for: A tallow-based organic face moisturizer that’s mostly plastic-free.

What I’ve tried: Frankincense Face Balm

Price: $52

Vegan/cruelty-free? No (tallow-based)

Packaging: Glass jar

Toups & Co.’s grass-fed tallow balm is made using whole-food nourishment, full of healthy fats and minerals to give your skin a boost. This whipped tallow is non-fractionated, which means that each ingredient remains in its whole form. 

Abbie’s take: It took me a long time to get on the tallow train, but it was Toups & Co, who finally converted me. I love their tallow balms; they leave my skin feeling so soft and moisturized.

I personally don’t prefer to use tallow on my face most of the time. I know a lot of people, including Celia (below) and my friend Casey, who love this tallow balm for their face. (That said, I have absolutely re-purchased their tallow balms to use as body lotion.)

Celia’s take: This tallow face balm is extremely lightweight and the scent is amazing— the lavender frankincense combo smells like it came straight out of a spa. The whipped texture is perfect for an everyday moisturizer, and it doesn’t break me out.

Would I (Celia) re-buy it? Absolutely. The texture, scent, and quality of this tallow balm are perfect (in my opinion). It doesn’t break me out, and it’s a fantastic natural moisturizer if you’re looking to try something new.

Code THEFILTERY will get you 15% off.


Primally Pure

Best for: An organic face moisturizer for sensitive skin (including eczema and/or rosacea)

What I’ve tried: Soothing Cream, Antioxidant Balm

Other types available: Everything Balm, Clarifying Cream, Plumping Cream

Price: $30-44

Vegan/cruelty-free? No (tallow-based)

Packaging: Glass jars with plastic lids

Would I re-buy it? Yyyyessss.

I know I said I don’t usually prefer to use tallow on my face, but I make a BIG ‘OL exception for these balms. I absolutely love them.

The blue tansy Soothing Cream: This soothing cream is as luscious as they make it seem. I really love the texture—it’s really so smooth and I love the blue tansy scent.

They combine the organic tallow with things like emu oil and blue tansy, which help with things like irritation, redness, dermatitis and dryness. (And even though the balm looks blue, it rubs in clear.)

The Antioxidant Balm is one of the newer products. It’s similar in texture to the Soothing Balm, but they added things like astaxanthin, hibiscus oil, and plum kernel oil. Together, these ingredients make for a very potent antioxidant blend that can help to protect from UV and other environmental stressors, brighten skin and repair pigmentation, and prevent early signs of aging.

It’s got a slight earthy scent that’s not bad at all (though it’s not as nice as the blue tansy in the Soothing Cream!).

Even though these are both oil-heavy formulations, I’d put them more in the mid-weight category. Plenty of people use them in the morning and evening. I personally prefer to them mostly at night, though I will occasionally use them as a part of my morning routine as well, especially if I’m just working from home and I want an extra dose of nourishment.

Would I re-buy these? Yes.

Code THEFILTERY will get you 10% off.


Birch Babe

The photo shows a hand holding an open jar of Birch Babe "Hydrating Face Cream" over a white bathroom sink, revealing the thick white cream inside with the lid resting on the speckled counter nearby.

Best for: An all-natural, mostly-organic vegan face cream for daily use

What I’ve tried: Hydrating Face Cream

Other types available: Rejuvenating Face Cream

Price: $48-55

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Glass jar

This Hydrating Face Cream is made out of all natural ingredients (93% of them are certified organic!). Among those ingredients is hyaluronic acid, which is great for hydration but also anti-aging and plumping.

It’s CertClean certified, which is a Canadian-based certification for ingredient safety. (This product won 2nd place for Best Face Cream in the 2023 CertClean Awards.)

I’m a big fan of this one. It’s super moisturizing, making it a good nighttime cream, BUT it’s also still light enough and soaks in fast enough that I use it for the daytime as well. I think it would be suitable for a variety of skin types.

I love the smell, too—it has kind of a fresh flower/rosey scent to it.

Would I re-buy it? Yes—I already have.

You can use the code THEFILTERYBB10 for 10% off your order.


Ogee

Best for: Luxury skincare, body-and-face combo cream, nighttime moisturizer

What I’ve tried: Hydranics Complete Cream and Indigo Dream Renewal Cream

Price: $48-139

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Glass jars with plastic lids

Hydranics Complete Cream They call this a “complete cream” because it can be used on the whole body (including face), morning or night.

And in my experience, that’s pretty accurate! It’s a really nice mid-weight, multi-purpose moisturizer.

It’s non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. It’s got hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C.

The smell is refreshing too; it had that signature Ogee scent that a lot of their products have. It’s very pleasant, but not overpowering.

Indigo Dream Renewal Cream is a great nighttime moisturizer. Although, I will say that it’s not as thick as some of the other nighttime restorative creams I’ve tried.

It utilizes blue tansy, which has natural anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, electric daisy extract, and various other nourishing plant-based oils.

You can definitely smell the blue tansy, but it’s pretty subtle compared to the other blue tansy products I’ve tried. It’s nice though!

I don’t have anything groundbreaking to say about this cream. It’s a great natural nighttime face cream and I have no complaints.

Would I re-buy it? Yes. It’s expensive, but if you have the cash to spend on a really nice organic luxury lotion, I think you’ll like this one.


True Botanicals

The photo shows the Phyto-Retinol Advanced Clinical Cream from True Botanicals with its box arranged on a granite countertop with a bathroom mirror in the background.

Best for: Nighttime anti-aging cream, luxury skincare

What I’ve tried: Phyto-Retinol Advanced Clinical Cream

Other types available: Chebula Extreme Cream, Ginger Turmeric HydraGlow Cream

Price: $110

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes.

Packaging: Glass jars with plastic lids

This luxurious cream is on the thicker side, so a little goes a long way. It contains Peptilium® as the active, retinol-alternative ingredient, and also utilizes things like illipe butter (illipe is a kind of nut!) and carotenoid-rich oils to help improve elasticity, prevent dark spots, and decrease the look of wrinkles.

This one also has a very light scent to it, which I honestly really like. I’m sensitive to smells and this one is not too strong for me at all.

I really only put this one on at night because of how thick it is. It definitely gives nourishing, hydrating vibes, and I love the way it feels on my skin.

Would I re-buy it? Absolutely.


Wildling

Wildling Moonbounce 2% Bioretinol Sea Moss Plumping Moisturizer open jar and box, 1.7 fl oz, 99.5% natural origin, on granite bathroom counter

Best for: An affordable nighttime retinol replacement

What I’ve tried: Moonbounce Plumping Moisturizer

Price: $18

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Glass jar with a plastic lid

I’ve actually been using Wildling’s products here and there since their founding. I bought their Empress Collection when it first came out and still use that gua sha to this day.

But their collection has expanded since then! I’ve been using their Moonbounce Plumping Moisturizer and I loooveee itttt.

First of all, how fun a name is Moonbounce?

Second of all, the smell is yummy. It has marshmallow root extract in it, and it’s definitely giving marshmallow vibes. It’s got like a warm, sweet scent.

The texture gives marshmallow as well. It’s kind of thick, but somewhat fluffy at the same time. I would say it’s ‘mid-weight’ compared to other moisturizers. Not the lightest, not the heaviest, making it a good option that can be applied in the morning or at night. (I’ve used it both.)

In term of ingredients, there is nothing concerning to me in this formulation. It’s got 2% bioretinol (in the form of rock samphire plant) to help reduce wrinkles, Irish sea moss to improve elasticity, slippery elm bark to add hydration (together with the marshmallow root), turmeric for anti-inflammation, and several other functional plant ingredients.

They do not use any synthetic fragrances or essential oils, making this a good option for sensitive skin. Not all of the ingredients are certified organic, but many of them are.

Would I re-buy it? Yes, definitely.


Earth Harbor

Best for: Clean face lotion for teens

What I’ve tried: MERMAID MILK Nutrient Glow Moisturizer (my top pick for tweens and teens), Mermaid Moon Line-Filling Balm Cream (anti-aging), SIREN SILK Bio-Retinol Hydration Cream

Other types available: AZURE Peptide Smoothing Water Cream (another great option for teens and/or acne-prone skin), TREASURE Barrier Boost Glazing Milk, NYMPH NECTAR Superfruit Repair Balm (nighttime sleep mask)

Price: $22-26

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes, PETA® Certified Vegan & Cruelty-Free

Packaging: Glass jars with either plastic or aluminum lids

If you have a tween or teen, this is one of my favorite skincare brands that can be shared by everyone of all ages. They have some really fun products that younger people will like, but they also have anti-aging formulations as well.

The MERMAID MILK Nutrient Glow Moisturizer is my top pick for teens. (And/or it makes for a great daytime moisturizer for adults, too.) It’s lightweight and smells really good (it’s got blue tansy). It’s actually got a slightly jelly/bouncy consistency to it. It absorbs quickly but still gives hydration and protection for the day.

It’s got ingredients like spirulina, seaweed, an matcha—all of which give your skin antioxidants and other nutrients. It’s also got turmeric which can help soothe acne-prone or irritated skin. And I think the green color makes it a little more fun.

Although I haven’t personally tried them yet, I think teens might also like their AZURE Peptide Smoothing Water Cream, TREASURE Barrier Boost Glazing Milk, and NYMPH NECTAR Superfruit Repair Balm.

The Mermaid Moon Balm might be my favorite Earth Harbor product. I love the texture—it is so smooth and fluffy. It smells really good too, which I think might be the combination of meadowfoam flower and blue tansy. This is definitely a night-time cream for me. Although it has a sort of ‘marshmallow-y’ texture, it’s a bit too thick for a daytime moisturizer.

The SIREN SILK Bio-Retinol Hydration Cream is a nice mid-weight moisturizer. They call it a “whipped cream,” which I’d say is accurate—it’s got a bit of a marshmallow-y vibe while still packing a lot of moisturization power. My face definitely feels softer after using it. It doesn’t have much of a smell to it.

This one has a lot of different plants in it, including rosehip seed oil (a plant-based retinol alternative), sunflower vitamin e (which helps to protect against UV and environmental exposure), and meadowfoam seed oil (which is high in omega fatty acids to help strengthen the skin barrier).

Would I re-buy it? Yes, I’d re-buy any/all of these.


Plaine Products

A hand holds a silver bottle of Plaine Products face moisturizer with a pump dispenser over a granite countertop and a white sink.

Best for: Refillable natural face lotion!

What I’ve tried: Face Moisturizer

Price: $22

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Refillable aluminum bottle with plastic pump lid. (You keep the lid for re-use when you refill it.)

This moisturizer is one of my husband’s favorites. It’s is a nice morning/daytime option— one of the lightest moisturizers that’s currently in my arsenal.

It’s got a light scent that’s really nice but not overpowering at all.

This one does contain phenoxyethanol, which may not be ideal for some, especially since it’s a leave-on product. (But, I do think it’s also more necessary for lighter-weight moisturizers because there’s more water involved. More water = more chance for mold/bacteria growth, which I do not want.) You can read more about phenoxyethanol here in order to decide if you’d want to use it or not.

The Face WashTonerMoisturizer combo is a great minimalistic skincare routine for someone who wants to take care of their face without a bunch of bells and whistles.

Will I re-buy it? Yes. I’d especially re-buy it for my husband since he likes it and it’s hard for me to get him to actually use face lotion! I also like this one for travel.

Fun fact: Plaine Products is local to me! Here’s me with their owners, Ali and Lindsey. And here is my full Plaine Products review.

Three women stand in front of shelves with bottles, each holding a different colored bottle. The background features a framed photo, certificates, and plants, with a wooden table in front of the women.

Use code THEFILTERY20 for 20% off.


Saie

A black tube labeled Saie Slip Tint stands upright on a white surface. Two small blobs of light beige tinted moisturizer are beside it. The background is a plain, light-colored wall.

Best for: non-toxic SPF moisturizer (tinted and non-tinted options)

What Lauren P. tried: Saie Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer, SPF 35

Other options: Sunvisor, which is not tinted. It’s a serum, oil, moisturizer, and SPF 35 sunscreen rolled into one.

Price: $38

Vegan/cruelty-free? No (beeswax)

Packaging: plastic foundation-pump style

Lauren’s review:

I love this face sunscreen! It’s been at least a decade since I’ve used a tinted moisturizer so this really was like a first go-round for me. 

I used the shade finder quiz as I was struggling to figure it out and it nailed it. I got a Three—light to medium peach.

The smell is slightly makeup-like but mostly skincare. I have a weird sensitivity to makeup smells and this doesn’t bother me. 

The texture is more like a hybrid between a foundation and a moisturizer. It hydrates like a moisturizer but sits on the skin more like a foundation. If you’re not used to wearing anything foundation-like, it might take a few wears to get used to it. 

Saie recommends one to two pumps, though it wasn’t clear how much you actually need to hit the full SPF 35. For me, one pump is perfect, I don’t know if I could use two. So this will have to work!

It’s meant for everyday wear which works for me. I sometimes wear something foundation-adjacent, so this fits into my routine easily. I quickly started reaching for it over my usual foundation because it provides enough of the coverage I want from a ‘foundation’ while also giving me sun protection. 

It’s moisturizing enough that my skin looks a little glossy after, in a good way, not a greasy way.

Would I re-buy it? Absolutely.


Wild Roman

A jar of Wild Rose face moisturizer with the lid off sits on a granite countertop next to its white product box labeled Face Moisturizer Sandalwood • Bergamot.

Best for: Men who are interested in all-natural ‘primal’ skincare and/or who like scented skincare products

What I’ve tried: Face Moisturizer

Price: Starting at $43

Vegan/cruelty-free? No (tallow)

Packaging: Glass jar with plastic lid

My husband Keith loves scented products, so he really likes this one. The smell is so refreshing. It comes from sandalwood and bergamot, so it’s on the masculine side, but I personally feel great wearing it as well. (It doesn’t linger.)

All of their ingredients are natural and their formulations are pretty minimal. They use things like grass-fed tallow, organic coconut oil, and essential oils to deliver functional cleanliness and hydration.

It’s lightweight but still on the greasier side in my opinion. I’m pretty picky about how oily my daytime face creams are, so I will usually only put this on at night. Keith likes using it in the morning, though. It definitely moisturizes well and leaves my skin feeling soft though. And a little goes a long way!

Would I re-buy it? Yes, especially for Keith.

Use code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off.


Jackfir

Three green tubes of JACKFIR men's grooming products—Daily Facial Moisturizer, Daily Facial Cleanser, and Shave Cream—are leaning against a white subway tile surface.

Best for: Vegan natural face moisturizer for men

What I’ve tried: Classic Daily Facial Moisturizer

Price: Starting at $39

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Plastic squeeze tube

Unlike Wild Roman and HygieneLab, this non-toxic face lotion for men is totally vegan.

It’s EWG Verified, which means it’s been third-party verified to be free from toxic ingredients like phthalates, carcinogens, and more. It’s also certified vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and made with 70% organic ingredients.

My husband Keith and I have used Jackfir off and on over the last several years, and we really like it. The moisturizer definitely gets the job done—and a little bit goes a long way. It’s got a light, natural scent which is pleasant but not overpowering. (It’s kind of a pine, foresty vibe.)

If you combine this face lotion with their cleanser, it makes for a really great, simple regimen that would work for a variety of skin types. Nothing fancy or complicated—just basics products that get the job done and are gentle on the skin.

The one thing I want to note here is that this moisturizer contains Bulnesia Sarmientoi wood oil, which is a type of palo santo that’s on the endangered list. I don’t love that. But it’s at the very bottom of the ingredient list, which means it’s probably a minimal amount used.

Would I re-buy it? Technically yes, but I do wish it was lower plastic.


HygieneLab

The photo features an unscented "face moisturizer" from the brand Hygiene Lab, shown as a matte-brown pump bottle next to its white packaging and a black cap on a granite countertop.

Best for: Unscented face moisturizer for men

What I’ve tried: Face Moisturizer

Price: $27

Vegan/cruelty-free? No

Packaging: Plastic bottle with pump-style lid

Here’s another good non-toxic face lotion for men, but unlike Wild Roman and Jackfir, this one is unscented. So it’s definitely suitable for people who are sensitive to smells.

It’s lightweight, which I appreciate for morning/daytime wear. It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help with anti-aging and strengthening the skin’s barrier, which I appreciate.

If you have super dry skin, then you might need to enlist the help of a stronger moisturizer for nighttime. I personally would use this one in the morning and then use something stronger at night.

My husband has been using this one as well—he has no complaints and would continue using it.

Would I re-buy it? Like Jackfir, I’d re-buy this one, but I do with there was a lower-plastic or refillable option.


Honest

A collection of Honest Beauty skincare and makeup products, including serums, creams, lip color, and mascara, is arranged on a white bathroom counter in front of a mirror.

Best for: Non-toxic face moisturizer that’s available at Target!

What I’ve tried: Hydrogel Cream

Other options: Deep Hydration Face Cream, Sensitive Skin Daily Calm Moisturizer, Ageless Firm and Smooth Cream, Hydrorich Cream Face Moisturizer

Price: $20-30

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Mostly plastic bottles

Honest is a great accessible option for non-toxic skincare—not only is it available at big retailers like Target, but it’s also one of the cheapest brands.

They have face lotions for a variety of skin types, but I think the only one I’ve tried is the Hydrogel Cream. I’m definitely a fan—it’s lightweight, fragrance-free, and has anti-aging ingredients like (two types of) hyaluronic acid.

Would I re-buy it? Yep.


OSEA

Best for: Ulta shoppers!

What I’ve tried: Atmosphere Protection® Cream and Dream Night Cream with Bio-Retinol

Other types available: Seabiotic® Water Cream (lightweight daytime), Advanced Protection Cream (anti-aging)

Price: $54-108

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes

Packaging: Mostly glass jars with plastic lids

OSEA’sAtmosphere Protection® Cream is a lightweight face moisturizer that’s meant to be worn during the day. In fact, they advertise it as having been “clinically shown to instantly create a barrier against environmental pollutants,” which I think is kind of cool. The protection supposedly comes from elfdock, which is a plant in the sunflower family.

I definitely like the feel of this moisturizer—it is fast-absorbing and lightweight enough to put on in the morning, but still leaves my skin feeling thoroughly moisturized.

It doesn’t have any added fragrance, but it has a light smell. It’s floral-y (it has rose and geranium). It does remind me of my grandma, but not in a bad way! 😆

This does contain honeysuckle extract, which some folks choose to avoid for fear of potential endocrine-disrupting capabilities. (Without getting too into it here, I personally have mixed thoughts on this. The concern is that honeysuckle contains parahydroxybenzoic acid, which is chemically similar to parabens. While I think this is a very legitimate concern that needs to be studied more thoroughly, the current evidence we have is contradictory.)

For nighttime, I’ve tried their Dream Night Cream with Bio-Retinol, which I also like. It’s very hydrating, as it’s meant to be. It contains lavender, which you can smell, but it’s light. (It also contains undisclosed ‘natural fragrance,’ which is the most annoying thing about OSEA. It’s not ideal, but I make an exception for them because I’ve been using their products for so long and I know it’s all-natural and phthalate-free.)

Apparently their Seabiotic® Water Cream is a fan-favorite, so I definitely want to try that one out at some point.

Would I re-buy it? Yes, the Atmosphere Protection cream is a great everyday moisturizer and I like this one for travel.

Use code THEFILTERY10 for 10% off.


Even more moisturizers I’ve tried

DIME: I actually really like their Dewy Day Cream from a user perspective; it’s the perfect texture for a daytime moisturizer. The only reason it didn’t make the ‘best of’ list is because it contains carbomer, which is an ‘iffy’ ingredient for me. Same with their Restorative Night Cream. You can read more of my thoughts here.

cocokind: Lauren P. reviewed this lightweight moisturizer in her cocokind deep dive. Like the DIME options, she really liked this one as a user, but it unfortunately has a couple of not great ingredients that keep it from making our ‘best of’ list.

Naked & Thriving: The ingredients in this one are clean and I really like the texture and feel of it. It’s a great lightweight, natural face lotion that I can comfortably wear during the day without feeling oily. The reason it didn’t make my favorites list is because of the smell. I think it smells kinda like wet dog. 😳 It’s not terrible, and it goes away after a couple of minutes. I did use up the jar I had, but that’s the reason I wouldn’t re-buy it.



About Abbie

Abbie Davidson is the Creator & Editor of The Filtery. With almost a decade of experience in sustainability, she researches and writes content with the aim of helping people minimize environmental toxins in an in-depth yet accessible way.


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