15 Best All-Natural Moisturizers To Nourish Your Skin
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It seems that vegan beauty products are everywhere. For that reason, you may think it is safe to assume that natural beauty items are just as available. Unfortunately, vegan is not synonymous with natural, as some ingredients in vegan beauty items are synthetic or man-made.
While vegan products with synthetic ingredients aren’t necessarily bad, they also just aren’t natural. ‘Natural’ means that these products include ingredients derived without human intervention and, as such, tend to have a shorter shelf-life compared to those made with synthetic ingredients. Other benefits may include: cheaper prices, versatility, safety for most skin types, and supporting holistic beliefs. So, what is one simple natural product that you can incorporate into your everyday skincare routine? An all-natural face moisturizer.
What is An All-Natural Moisturizer Exactly?
An all-natural moisturizer is made entirely of ingredients produced in nature. These hydrating products are often multi-purpose and can be used anywhere on your body—for example, mixed in as part of a DIY moisturizer or face mask—or even used with food. If you’re not a DIY person, don’t worry because many brands create natural moisturizers for easy use!
Coconut Oil
Do you remember the coconut oil trend—those years when everyone tweeted about the benefits of coconut oil as a face, body, and even hair lotion? Well, this wasn’t just a trend that became popular for no reason. Coconut oil is arguably the most available and versatile of all-natural moisturizers. Its benefits, when applied to the face or body, may include eczema relief, reduced inflammation, increased elasticity, and so much more.
Coconut oil is also a carrier oil that can dilute harsher oils, making them safe for all to use. For example, a drop of tea tree oil mixed with coconut oil makes for an all-natural face moisturizer that simultaneously fights acne.
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Almond Oil
Similar to coconut oil, almond oil is a true multi-purpose sealant that can be used as an additional moisturizer to an already wet surface. It can be used on your body, on your hair, or as the perfect lightweight facial moisturizer. The thin quality of almond oil also makes it a great carrier oil for DIY hydrating face masks or cleansing oil mixtures, and due to its anti-inflammatory properties, is effective as a natural under-eye treatment and acne treatment (by way of the fatty acids). It can even be used in the improvement of scars, sun spots, and skin complexion, due to the vitamin E found in the oil!
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Sweet Almond Oil
Nature’s Leaf
Extremely nourishing to keep your skin safe, healthy, and feeling renewed.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is not just a potent face moisturizer, it is arguably the best all-natural oil moisturizer for dry skin. Unlike many popular oils, sunflower oil is an emollient—a substance that softens, soothes, and hydrates—which in turn reduces flakiness, dryness, roughness, and itchiness. Thanks to the abundance of linoleic acid, which provides hydration and protection, sunflower oil is highly praised for its ability to improve the skin barrier. It is also known to be rich in antioxidants, reduce signs of aging, and to act as a non-comedogenic to help unclog pores.
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Organic Sunflower Oil
Pura’Dor
This sunflower oil fights acne, perfects skin, and is 100% pure and natural.
Olive Oil
Olive oil might be one of the trickier multi-purpose oils on the list. While you can use it on your body, hair, or in your food, you may not want to use the same olive oil in each of those places! This is because some olive oil brands have a distinct smell—one that many would love to taste, but not to wear. However, a subtly scented olive oil can be a game changer when it comes to hydrating your face and body.
Olive oil nourishes skin through its high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins—resulting in anti-aging effects, increased collagen, and anti-bacterial properties.
Note: While this is a great moisturizer to keep around, it should be said that those with very sensitive and/or oily skin, or those with skin conditions, such as eczema, may find that this oil can increase irritation or existing skin concerns.
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Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil
Tropical Holistic
This 100% organic and cold-pressed oil nourishes your entire body.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is another great sealing oil that provides moisture in the process. It is a thick, sticky, and very strong smelling oil that is an especially potent tool for nourishing hair and healing skin. Rich with ingredients like ricinoleic acid, which boasts pain-reduction and anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil can also help to heal sunburn and reduce puffiness. Additionally, the antioxidants found in this oil help to reduce wrinkles, while the antibacterial properties can clean pores and fight acne.
Note: Be sure to only use 1-2 drops or dilute with a thinner carrier oil when applying as a moisturizer. This will mask the smell as well as make application easier.
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Castor Oil
Kate Blanc Cosmetics
A USDA-certified oil that smoothes skin, reduces dark blemishes, and promotes healthier hair growth.
Avocado (or Avocado Oil)
It’s not just a food full of nutrients—your skin and hair will love avocado, too! Avocados—and avocado oils—contain multiple ingredients that moisturize skin, such as potassium, vitamins A, D, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties support the skin's elasticity and can help heal skin ailing from sunburn or acne. Avocados or avocado oils are the ideal addition to any DIY nourishing face mask!
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Natural Avocado Oil
Maple Holistics
Made of real ingredients and rich in oleic acid and vitamin E to deeply moisturize from head to toe.
Grapeseed Oil
Another non-comedogenic, grapeseed is a moisturizing oil that will also help keep your pores clear, thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This lightweight oil absorbs quickly and improves the effectiveness of vitamin E and C on your skin. It also contains antioxidants that even out skin tone and protect it from UV rays. (The richness in omega fatty acids is just an added bonus.)
Grapeseed oil is another thin carrier oil that can be used on its own or combined with other ingredients to make the natural face moisturizer just right for your skin.
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Grapeseed Oil
NOW Solutions
Ideal for the most sensitive skin, this odorless oil has a silky texture that is ultra-soothing and will not cause any pesky break-outs.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is yet another powerful all-natural moisturizer that seems to do it all with anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also acts as an antioxidant to aid in cell regeneration, collagen production, and wound healing. Shea butter is typically a very thick substance, containing fatty acids that rejuvenate lipids and produce moisture that seals and strengthens your skin’s barrier. But due to its consistency, skin is less likely to become oily as a result of the application.
Note: Some people do find shea butter to be too thick, however. If that’s you, try mixing a small amount of shea butter together with a 1-2 drops of your preferred moisturizing oil. By rubbing it in your hands, you’ll be able to create a smooth consistency that is easier to apply.
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Facial Shea Butter
Buttah.
No matter your skin type—this shea butter will hydrate, moisturize, and protect.
Honey
If you’re at all familiar with natural products, you may have noticed a “bee trend,” where all bee byproducts—from beeswax to honey—are being used in all-natural beauty products. Honey is an especially beneficial tool for the face, body, and hair. As a potent humectant, honey draws water into the skin, making its hydrating prowess one of the strongest amongst natural products.
Honey intensely moisturizes—while also gently exfoliates—the skin, thanks to its natural enzymes. It also fights acne (a result of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties), and may reduce signs of aging from its ample antioxidants and ability to promote collagen production. Try using honey by itself in spot treatments for problematic skin concerns, such as acne. However, honey is also one of the best additions to any DIY face mask or moisturizer!
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Manuka Honey
Advanced Clinicals
Get more radiant skin with this all-natural honey cream that guarantees to relax, hydrate, renew, and restore your dry, damaged skin.
Aloe
Aloe vera is a magical plant. Its clear liquid inside is known to soothe and treat burns, frostbite, and even psoriasis. Part of its wound healing powers derives from its collagen-promoting qualities, which decreases the skin’s healing time. Aloe is also a humectant, which can absorb moisture from the air for use in your skin. Its thicker, gel-like consistency also means that you’ll only need a tiny amount to experience its benefits.
While aloe also contains other moisturizing components, such as amino acids, lipids, and vitamins, be cautious when using it regularly. Too much aloe can dry out skin, due to its naturally exfoliating enzymes.
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Aloe Vera Gel
Being Naturals
One of the most affordable pure aloe gels in the market, it’s safe to use as a daily treatment on hair, skin, and nails.
more Moisturizers
If the above moisturizers are too minimalist or DIY-like for you, trust me you are not alone. That is why a few brands have done the hard work for you in creating all-natural moisturizers.
Image: OSEA
Dayglow Oil
OSEA
Made with ultra-nourishing argan oil and grapeseed oil, this luxury brand’s facial oil keeps skin moisturized all day and all night.
Image: U-Beauty
The sUPER Intensive Face Oil
U-Beauty
This breakthrough oil-hydrator is built to prevent dry, dehydrated skin by matching the skin’s natural composition with two key ingredients: hyaluronic acid and avocado oil.
Image: Weleda
Sensitive Skin Facial Lotion
Weleda
Made with almond oil, we love this facial moisturizer for its calming formula for the most sensitive skin.
Image: Ulta
Shea Butter Body Lotion
L'OCCITANE
A lightweight formula that helps soothes the driest skin and will leave skin feeling moisturized for up to 48 hours after application. It is also lightly scented with the gentle aroma of shea.
Image: Ulta
Soy Milk & Honey Body Butter
Kiehl’s
A luxurious body cream that is loaded with shea butter, jojoba butter, and almond oil to nurture your skin.