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Looking for the best cruelty-free & vegan face moisturizer that nourishes, smooths, and refreshes skin without leaving it greasy or sticky?
In this cruelty-free face moisturizer guide, I’m sharing the best vegan facial moisturizers; whether you prefer a fragrance-free, oil-free, gel, whipped, or water-cream formula, there’s something for you in this list!
What To Look For:
Let’s first begin by asking what exactly are vegan moisturizers. Some face lotions contain animal-derived ingredients and by-products, including tallow, beeswax, honey, animal-based glycerin, stearic acid, or some other animal-derived additives.
In addition, most drugstore and high-end face creams are from brands that still test on animals like Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Aquaphor, CeraVe, Vaseline, Eve Lom, Olay, La Mer, Peter Thomas Roth, SkinCeuticals, Lancome, La Roche-Posay, Fresh, Kiehl’s, Dr. Jart+, Origins, Clinique, Caudalie, Laneige, Aveeno, SK-II, Belif, Avène, Glamglow, Shiseido, and should be avoided when looking for a cruelty-free and vegan moisturizer.
Best Vegan Face Moisturizers in 2023
Below is a list of the best-rated and best-selling vegan, cruelty-free moisturizers for face and their product claims.
All of the face moisturizers mentioned in this post are from brands that have been verified as being truly cruelty-free and don’t test on animals. Note that I’ve included some options from cruelty-free brands that are owned by an animal-tested parent company. If you choose not to purchase from these beauty brands, avoid the ones marked with an * asterisk.
And all of the cruelty-free moisturizers have been verified as being vegan-friendly and don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, always check the manufacturer’s website for the most up-to-date information as ingredients and formulations may change.
E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Vegan Face Cream Fragrance Free
For a powerful boost of hydration to the face and luminous skin, indulge in the fragrance-free version of E.L.F’s award-winning moisturizing vegan face cream. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients that even out skin tone and replenish lost moisture for a firmed up, bouncy complexion. Great for daytime and nighttime use even on sensitive skin, the non-greasy formula quickly sinks into the skin for a smooth, super-soft feel.
Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream
This lightweight vegan moisturizing gel cream with a jelly-like texture absorbs instantly and disappears into your skin, leaving it feeling refreshed, never greasy. Sodium hyaluronate (like hyaluronic acid it helps draw in and retain moisture in skin) and aloe leaf juice hydrate while natural antioxidants found in green tea soothe skin, fight damaging free radicals, and quiet inflammation. Best of all, this daily moisturizer won’t clog pores.
*The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
This formula offers non-greasy hydration that acts as a direct topical supplement of natural moisturizing factor components. It contains 11 amino acids, phospholipids, alpha/beta/gamma fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols and sterol esters, glycerin, ceramide precursors, urea, saccharides, sodium PCA, and hyaluronic acid, offering immediate hydration and lasting results with continued use.
*Note: The Ordinary is cruelty-free, but The Ordinary is owned by Estee Lauder, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer
This vegan face moisturizer is formulated with peptides, which are small but mighty amino acid chains that support the firming, hydrating proteins for your skin. With continued use, these peptides help support natural collagen, leaving skin youthful and comfortable.
Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream
Hydration doesn’t have to be heavy. This award-winning, bestselling, cruelty-free, lightweight, moisture-release water cream refreshes and cools on application as it leaves a dewy finish. Infused with Jojoba + Squalane to help hydrate and soothe thirst, while 2 sizes of Hyaluronic Acid help soften and firm skin (reducing the appearance of fine lines).
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is non-greasy, easy to spread, and quickly absorbed. Helps restore and maintain a normal moisture level. Soothes red, irritated, cracking, or itchy skin. The ideal moisturizing formula for dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, ichthyosis, and winter itch.
*First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
The award-winning Ultra Repair cream absorbs instantly to immediately relieve parched skin, is safe for sensitive skin, and is suitable for all skin types and the whole family. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, this soothing cruelty-free moisturizer leaves skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and comfortable after one use.
*Note: First Aid Beauty is cruelty-free, but FAB is owned by P&G, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
*Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Vegan Moisturizer SPF 30 Sunscreen
This lightweight vegan face moisturizer with SPF applies invisibly on all skin tones and works with makeup—no pilling or flashback. It brightens skin, evens skin tone, and makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible, instantly and over time.
*Note: Fenty Skin is cruelty-free, but Fenty is owned by Kendo, LVMH, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
*Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Vegan Moisturizer
This daily lightweight vegam face cream is made with a proprietary superfood-extract blend of kale, spinach, and green tea to help fight free radicals and hyaluronic acid to support skin barrier function for healthy-looking skin. It works well under makeup, absorbs quickly, and has a light fresh scent.
*Note: Youth to the People is cruelty-free, but YYTP is owned by L’Oreal, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Vegan Face Moisturizer
This refreshing vegan moisturizer reduces the effects of daytime stressors by improving skin’s moisture barrier with probiotics, leaving skin visibly brighter and more balanced. The formula also reduces the appearance of pore size and calms the look of redness with red seaweed and ginger extract.
*Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer
This delicate, cruelty-free face cream feels like a softening cloud of hydration on application. It improves glow and suppleness with a restorative blend of omega fatty acids that uniquely nourish the moisture barrier for softer and smoother skin over time.
*Note: Paula’s Choice is cruelty-free, but Paula’s Choice is owned by Unilever, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
*Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer
A rescue cream infused with six African oils and a plant ceramide complex for intense moisture and replenishing barrier support. With a pH level of 5.2, Lala Retro™ has the luxurious texture of a rich face cream without feeling suffocating or heavy.
*Note: Drunk Elephant is cruelty-free, but Drunk Elephant is owned by Shiseido, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
*Tatcha The Water Cream
The Water Cream provides nutrient-rich, balanced hydration with the unique water-burst that breaks upon application to deliver nourishment without leaving skin sticky or greasy. It clarifies and refines skin with pure, powerful Japanese botanicals: Japanese wild rose visibly tightens pores and smooths skin texture; Japanese leopard lily helps control excess oil and purify skin by supporting natural skin turnover; and hadasei-3—an anti-aging trinity of green tea, rice, and algae—restores healthy-looking radiance. The formula imparts a subtle, shine-free glow with a touch of 23-karat gold.
*Note: Tatcha is cruelty-free, but Tatcha is owned by Unilever, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
*Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer
This fragrance-free, lightweight daily moisturizer hydrates, reduces the look of shine, and helps balance oil. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid, two powerful moisture magnets that support skin hydration while niacinamide and galacturonic acid absorb excess oil and visibly combat shine. It also contains moringa and papaya to nourish and refresh skin, leaving long-lasting hydration without ever feeling greasy.
*Note: Farmacy is cruelty-free, but Farmacy is owned by P&G, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
