We have returned to the search of all things cruelty-free, to find the best cruelty-free facial moisturizers. Applying moisturizer to your skin after washing it is a necessary and crucial step in one’s beauty regiment. Washing your face strips the skin of its natural oils that keep the skin soft and supple. By applying moisturizer, you are able to restore the hydration to your skin, and preventing the sebaceous glands from producing excess oil.
But what does it mean if a moisturizer is cruelty-free? A product being cruelty-free means that the product, or any of its ingredients, were never tested on animals, at any stage of production, supply or even retail. This is a conscious step taken by beauty companies to ensure that their products have been created using the highest standards of ethics and sustainability.
Therefore, by choosing these products, consumers too are committing to these higher standards. And just to be 100% certain that your product wasn’t tested on our furry little friends, look for the Leaping Bunny certification on the packaging. This is a universal mark that declares that no animals ever came into contact with the product.
When purchasing your cruelty-free facial moisturizer, just be certain to choose a product best suited for your skin type, as some moisturizers are better suited for dry skin while others are designed for oily skin. All of the products on our list are free of parabens and SLS and silicones, which makes them oh-so-good for your beautiful skin!
Therefore, in no particular order, these are our top selections for the best cruelty-free facial moisturizers available.
The 8 Best Cruelty-Free Face Moisturizers:
1. Pacifica Coconut Probiotic Water Rehab Cream
This moisturizer is recommended for all skin types and it smells like coconuts, so that’s a winner in our book already! This is an oil-free formula that is loaded with probiotics and hyaluronic acid which softens your skin and injects it with the hydration, making it appear dewy and radiant. This is a lightweight formula that is non-comedogenic and absorbs easily into the skin. Which is why we love it as a primer as well. Conversely, try mixing equal parts of the moisturizer with any cruelty-free foundation to create your very own tinted moisturizer for days when you need your makeup to do double duty.
2. Alba Botanica Acnedote Oil Control Lotion
This moisturizer is designed for oily skin that is prone to breakouts. It contains 2% salicylic acid that helps combat breakouts. It is lightweight and soaks into the skin very quickly – and because it sinks in so quickly, it is also mattifying! A little goes a long way with this product, so we recommend that you apply it to your face and neck and massage it in thoroughly. The product smells like peppermint, which may be a problem for some, but we found it to have a cooling and soothing effect on our skin. However, we love it for its acne-fighting active ingredients. A true winner!
3. Yes To Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer
Did you know that tomatoes are one of nature’s best-kept secrets for tightening up yawning pores? So, naturally, we had to include it in our favorites list! With active fruit ingredients, this moisturizer skins into your skin and feels wonderful! It balances the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and soft. The product has a fruity scent and a little goes a long way. We recommend making it part of your daily morning routine and finishing it off with your favorite sunblock before going on with your day.
4. ACURE Radically Rejuvenating SPF Day Cream
We love our multitaskers! This is why this moisturizer with sun protection has made our list. While this moisturizer is formulated for all skin types, it also boasts brightening agents, such as Vitamin-C and turmeric, to give you radiant skin. This moisturizer is recommended to be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure, but here’s the best part – its non-greasy! There is no oil buildup on the face, which is typical of most SPF products. It hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling soft and glowing. While the product does smell mildly of bananas, if you can accept the smell, you’ve got a true winner in your hands. It has fantastic staying power and is great on sensitive skin. If you have a sensitive skin check our article about face washes for your skin type!
5. Mad Hippie Face Cream
This moisturizer is jampacked with the anti-aging benefits! It contains peptides and antioxidants that boost skin elasticity and neutralize the aging effects of free radicals. But most importantly, it is not greasy, nor does it leave any sticky residue! While there is a mild adjustment period with this moisturizer (as is with all peptide products) this product has shown wonderful results on sensitive skin, soothing flareups and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. A little goes a long way and it can be used both day and night (although we prefer to use it at night so all its benefits can work on our skin while we sleep). A must-have product!
6. skyn Iceland The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion – Our Top Pick
Summer is approaching, and everyone is looking to keep cool. So, naturally, we gravitated towards this unique cooling moisturizer that has been formulated with some of nature’s best ingredients. It contains mint, which accounts for the cooling sensation on the skin (so be certain to avoid your eyes), but it also helps to soothe inflammation and regulate oil production. The power ingredient is white willow bark which is a natural form of salicylic acid. This works to prevent breakouts and unclog pores, making it a go-to for those with oily and acne-prone skin. A little goes a long way, so dot the product on your face and feel free to blend it out with a cruelty-free makeup brush.
Related: Top Face Washes for Oily Skin
7. Avalon Organics Brilliant Balance Ultimate Night Cream
Dry skinned beauties, your new best friend is here! This is a night time cream, but in actuality, it’s so much more. Formulated with lavender and chamomile, this moisturizer goes to work instantly, soothing the skin and making it appear brighter and feel softer. It has a pleasant scent of lavender which helps to soothe the senses at night as you sleep. But it can also double up as a day time moisturizer too, depending on how dry your skin is. The formula is rich and thick and non-comedogenic and it is our winter bestie.
8. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
This moisturizer has been dubbed a ‘holy grail’ product for those with dry and sensitive skin. So, if you’re combating conditions such as eczema or dermatitis, look no further! Rich and dense, this moisturizer is suitable for all skin types. It has the texture of the softest whipped cream that soothes red and irritated skin when applied – and it is not just limited to the face either! Use it anywhere on your body. The best part it absorbs quickly and goes to work immediately, calming down flareups and reducing the appearance of flaky patches.
Pro tip: you can use it as a primer under your makeup. Just be sure to give it a minute to skin into your skin before you move onto the rest of your makeup routine. On our part, we highly recommend this moisturizer for use during winters and in drier climates because once you use it, we promise you will never turn to another!
Conclusion
A moisturizer is a necessary tool in anyone’s arsenal, any time of the year. Forgetting to apply it is an act of neglect and if you have sensitive skin, it will punish you for it. Most cruelty-free moisturizers have a life span of six to twelve months; therefore, it is highly recommended that you consume your product within this time to ensure that you get the best that the product has to offer. Our list is by no means exhaustive! It is merely the tip of the iceberg and by choosing cruelty-free products, you are taking a conscious step in an ethical direction that is sustainable for the planet and kind towards our furry babies.
So, remember, when you choose a cruelty-free product, you take with you the knowledge that from your conscious choice, absolutely no bunnies, or any other animals, were tested upon when the product you hold in your hand was being developed. Moreover, the Leaping Bunny Program has implemented strict practices and guidelines that over 1,300 companies have subscribed to and have attained their cruelty-free certification, all to ensure that your product is indeed cruelty-free.
The shift towards sustainable practices has forced large manufacturing companies to become aware of their ethical conduct and minimize their ecological footprint. So, be happy, beautiful people! Because this way, as you chase your favorite cruelty-free products, you are ensuring that none of your choices affect our furry little friends and life can go on beautifully.
Check also:
- Good Cruelty-Free Mascaras
- Cruelty-Free Deodorants
- Top Cruelty-Free Concealers
- Face Self Tanners for Acne-Prone Skin
Joan S. Wilson is a lifelong makeup and skincare enthusiast. She used to work as a makeup artist for 5 years. Joan is always curious and wants to learn more when it comes to makeup and skincare. She tries her best to make other people’s skin health better. This is why Joan is so passionate about writing articles on beauty topics. She always looks for products that are high-quality, dermatologist-tested, and does that it says on the label. In every article, she shares her knowledge to make your life healthier and happier!