Eco-Friendly Face Moisturizers: A Sustainable Shopper’s Guide

Keep your face moisturized sustainably by buying moisturizers with plant-based, chemical-free ingredients and zero-waste packaging.

By Maryruth Belsey-Priebe

Fact checked by Sander Tamm

Eco-Friendly Moisturizers
Eco-Friendly Moisturizers / Sander Tamm / Ecolife

Staying properly moisturized is essential for that flawless, soft look we’re all after. A good, natural face cream should be effective and chemical-free. Learn about the common chemicals found in most conventional moisturizers and how you can replace them with natural moisturizers that will keep you healthy inside and out. 

Chemicals to watch out for

One study showed that more than half of leave-on beauty products (such as face moisturizers) contained hazardous chemicals such as linalool. To find a moisturizers that is truly chemical-free, start by taking this list with you and looking for brands that avoid these chemicals when formulating their all-natural creams:

  • 1,4-dioxane
  • Ammonia
  • DMDM Hydantoin
  • Mineral oil
  • Octyl-dimethyl
  • Octyl-methoxycinnamate
  • Oxybenzone
  • Parabens
  • Phthalates
  • Polyethylene glycols (PEGs)
  • Quaternium-15
  • Salicylic acid
  • Synthetic fragrances
  • Triethanolamine (TEA)

Eco-friendly face moisturizers

In addition to avoiding all the chemicals listed above, make sure to look for third-party sustainability certifications such as:

These labels have strict requirements, and third-party certifiers such as Demeter put their names and reputation on the line when publicly certifying any particular beauty company.

As for specific environmentally-friendly companies, consider Desert Essence. Desert Essence is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, a certified B Corp, and made in the USA. Plus, their selection of organic, eco-friendly face moisturizers utilizing natural ingredients such as jojoba oil is some of the best on the market.