Budget-Friendly Clean + Natural Face Moisturizer
I’m sharing the best budget-friendly clean, natural, organic, non-toxic face cream that’s perfect for dry, sensitive, combo, acne-prone or mature skin. Perfect for young adults, teens and tweens! From face moisturizer to face lotion to eye cream, these products all contain nourishing ingredients to treat your skin concerns without harmful chemicals!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A good skincare routine should incorporate face moisturizer that works for your skin type. High quality face cream doesn’t have to break the bank or contain harsh chemicals.
Ingredients To Avoid In Face Moisturizer
- Parabens– Parabens are a type of preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria and prolong the shelf life of lip balm, deodorant, lotion, and other beauty and personal care products. The most commonly used are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben and butylparaben. Based on a study conducted at the University of California Berkeley, researchers found that parabens were able to stimulate breast cancer cell growth, even at concentrations 100 times lower than the natural growth factor heregulin. These findings suggest that paraben exposure doesn’t have to be high to lead to cancer growth.
- Phthalates– Phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and transparency in plastics. They’re also found in personal care products, and they enhance product absorption, help products stick to your skin and keep fragrance smelling fresh. Phthalates mimic hormones, interrupting hormone production. A 2018 review found that current human exposure to phthalates may have effects on the male reproductive system.
- Polyethylene glycol (& other ethoxylated ingredients)– Polyethylene glycol is used to make personal care products thicker and better able to transport moisture to the skin. The manufacturing process introduces impurities and by-products, such as ethylene oxides and 1,4-dioxane, which are known carcinogenic materials.
- Synthetic fragrance- Personal care products can list fragrance as one ingredient and don’t have to disclose the fact that these formulations may contain hundreds of ingredients. Synthetic Fragrance may contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, respiratory irritants and neurotoxic chemicals. Synthetic musks like galaxolide and tonalide, are linked to hormone disruption. Fragrance formulations also contain phthalates, which are hormone disruptors.
If your facial skin is super sensitive, you may need a face lotion specifically designed for sensitive skin. Beyond your face lotion, swap out conventional body lotion for natural body lotion and use non-toxic lotion on the kids in your family.
I’ve rounded up affordable clean, non-toxic, natural face moisturizer brands for all your skin care needs, and they’re all budget-friendly! Swap out your conventional face moisturizer for a more natural brand that hydrates, moisturizes and nurtures your skin – one that makes your face feel great! *Cost was calculated at the time this article was published, and is subject to change.
Daily Moisture
Honest The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer
Cost: $29.99 for 1.7 oz ($17.67 per ounce)
From the Honest website: Honest The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer is designed for sensitive skin. This soothing, lightweight moisturizer hydrates and helps strengthen the skin barrier, and it’s made with Calming Phyto-Blend™ + Liquid Crystal Technology. Works for all skin types. Made without Parabens, Phthalates, PEGs, Dyes, Mineral Oil and Synthetic Fragrances.
Three Ships Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Day Cream
Cost: $35 for 1.7 oz ($20.59 per ounce)
From the Three Ships website: Three Ships Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Day Cream is formulated for thirsty skin that feels tight and in need of hydration. This cream is a fast-absorbing and light-weight moisturizer, and it quenches skin with revolutionary grape stem cells and natural squalane derived from sugar cane. This cream is designed to enhance your skin’s ability to retain moisture, leaving it nourished and radiant.
Innbeauty Project Next Level Moisturizer
Cost: $24 for 1.7 oz ($14.12 per ounce)
From the Innbeauty project website: Innbeauty Project Next Level Moisturizer is a daily moisturizer that’s perfect for hydrated, glowing & even-toned looking skin. This super lightweight formula features a gel-cream texture that deeply hydrates skin and absorbs quickly. The pH balanced formula contains niacinamide, ribrose and licorice to help reduce the appearance of pores, increase brightness and support a healthy skin barrier.
Acure Brightening Day Cream
Cost: $11.26 for 1.7 oz ($6.62 per ounce)
From the Acure website: Acure Brightening Day Cream is packed with cica (centella asiatica) and argan oil and is suitable for all skin types. This powerhouse combo helps moisturize and protect with a one-two punch that fights dullness and evens out skin tone for skin that’s bright and beautiful.100% VEGAN. Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free, Formaldehyde free, Cruelty free.
Mad Hippie Face Cream
Cost: $21.99 for 1.02 oz ($21.56)
From the Mad Hippie website: Mad Hippie Face Cream is packed to the brim with peptides and antioxidants, including niacinamide and acai. This face cream is a light, easily absorbing formula that moisturizes, soothes & rejuvenates the skin, naturally.
Bybi Vitamin C & Caffeine Day Cream
Cost: $25 for 2.1 oz ($11.90 per ounce)
From the Bybi website: Bybi Vitamin C & Caffeine Day Cream is a caffeine and vitamin C face cream for everyday use. Lightweight and nourishing, it brightens and softens skin whilst reducing morning puffiness. Formulated with a powerful combination of essential skin nutrients including vitamin C, caffeine, and matcha, this day cream helps to brighten skin and energize lackluster complexions leaving skin nourished and smooth. Natural, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Carbon Neutral.
Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream
Cost: $22 for 1.7 oz ($12.94 per ounce)
From the Cocokind website: Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream is a lightweight, nutrient-rich, moisturizing smoothing cream that improves skin tone, texture, and firmness while providing all-day hydration, like a green juice for your skin. The cushiony formula features a blend of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins that nourishes skin. It also helps minimize the appearance of large pores, controls shine, and leaves skin with a smooth, satin finish.
Desert Essence Daily Essential Moisturizer
Cost: $13.23 for 4 oz ($3.31 per ounce)
From the Desert Essence website: Desert Essence Daily Essential Moisturizer nourishes normal skin, and is lightly scented with pure, sweet Geranium Oil. Jojoba Oil and Organic Aloe help rehydrate, soothe and soften, while Safflower Oil smooths dry, flaky skin. Lightweight and non-greasy, this cream wears beautifully under makeup. Apply morning or night for optimal hydration and a healthy glow.
Night Cream
Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Heavenly Night Cream
Cost: $18.99 for 1.7 oz ($11.17 per ounce)
From the Andalou Naturals website: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Heavenly Night Cream is a velvety cream, with alpine rose stem cells, and it delivers essential hydration and dermal vitality to soothe and nourish sensitive skin. Pomegranate uplifts tone and hyaluronic acid and aloe vera help revive skin’s hydro lipid barrier for a flawless looking complexion.
Andalou Naturals Age Defying Resveratrol Q10 Night Repair Cream
Cost: $17.97 for 1.7 oz ($10.57 per ounce)
From the Andalou Naturals website: Andalou Naturals Age Defying Resveratrol Q10 Night Repair Cream uses fruit stem cell complex, resveratrol CoQ10 and super antioxidants to boost dermal vitality. Goji glycopeptides uplift tone and texture overnight for velvety soft skin with the appearance of fewer fine lines and wrinkles and a rejuvenated complexion.
Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream
Cost: $17.07 for 1.7 oz ($10.04 per ounce)
From the Acure website: Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream utilizes multi-peptides, ferulic acid & vitamin C for age performance. This lightweight whipped superfood cream is packed with multi-peptides, vitamin C, ferulic acid, glacial glycoproteins to soothe and hydrate. 100% Vegan. Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free, Formaldehyde free, Cruelty free.
Three Ships Dream Bio-Retinol Night Cream
Cost: $35 for 1.7 oz ($20.59 per ounce)
From the Three Ships website: Three Ships Dream Bio-Retinol Night Cream harnesses the power of plant-based retinol and vegan squalene to provide the feeling of intensely hydrated and smooth skin. Overnight, skin will feel softer and smoother thanks to seed butters like shorea and murumuru which help provide a creamy texture and the feeling of sealed in moisture. This cream has a super gentle formula.
Bybi Bakuchiol Night Cream
Cost: $18 for 1.4 oz ($12.86 per ounce)
From the Bybi website: Bybi Bakuchiol Night Cream regenerates, replenishes, and soothes the skin for a brighter, softer, and more even-toned skin. The gentle alternative to retinol is paired with nourishing oils and butters to condition and smooth fine lines so you wake up renewed and refreshed. Sustainably sourced bakuchiol is proven to increase cellular turnover and boost collagen production to help tone and smooth skin texture. Over time, the plumping powers of Bakuchiol Skin Restore will help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven dark spots on skin.
Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream
Cost: $26.99 for 2.1 oz ($12.85 per ounce)
From the Mad Hippie website: Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream is a deeply hydrating treatment packed with 3 forms of vitamin C, potent antioxidants and adaptogens. With 19 cutting-edge actives, this synergistic formula brings dramatically brighter, healthier, smoother looking skin in just one jar.
Maximum Hydration
Nourish Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Cream
Cost: $19.93 for 1.7 oz ($11.72 per ounce)
From the Nourish Organic website: Nourish Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Cream is the ultimate green dream cream – packed with ultra-nourishing superfoods. This rich, fast-absorbing hydrating cream helps soften and smooth dehydrated skin and restore barrier strength, while gentle fruit actives provide radiance and antioxidant protection.
Honest Hydrogel Cream
Cost: $24.99 for 1.7 oz ($14.70 per ounce)
From the Honest website: Honest Hydrogel Cream is a cooling, hyaluronic acid infused face cream that’s perfect for thirsty skin. It’s made with Squalane, Jojoba Esters, and 2 sizes of Hyaluronic Acid, and works for all skin types. Made without Parabens, Phthalates, PEGs, Dyes, Mineral Oil and Synthetic Fragrances.
Honest Deep Hydration Face Cream
Cost: $38.49 for 1.7 oz ($22.64 per ounce)
From the Honest website: Honest Deep Hydration Face Cream is infused with moisture-rich seed oils to soften + condition skin. Made with Daikon Radish Seed Oil + Baobab Seed Oil + Shea Butter and works for all skin types. Made without Parabens, Phthalates, PEGs, Dyes, Mineral Oil and Synthetic Fragrances.
Paloroma Cloud 9 Daily Cream For Face And Body
Cost: $21 for 5 oz ($4.20 per ounce)
From the Paloroma website: Paloroma Cloud 9 Daily Cream For Face And Body is a gentle, nutrient-rich cream that’s packed with safflower seed, jojoba seed, sea buckthorn oil, and shea butter to help maintain the skin’s natural elasticity and nourish dry, chapped areas. This cream is mild enough for newborn baby and sensitive skin.
Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
Cost: $27 for 1.7 oz ($15.88 per ounce)
From the Cocokind website: Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream is a rich cream that instantly restores skin’s moisture levels and provides increased plumpness. The dreamy cushion-like texture hugs the skin while improving radiance, supporting the skin’s natural collagen and helping reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This cream is perfect for dry skin types or those looking for deep hydration seasonally.
Aure Ultra Hydrating Overnight Cream
Cost: $19.99 for 1.7 oz ($11.76 per ounce)
From the Acure website: Aure Ultra Hydrating Overnight Cream works its magic to hydrate and fight wrinkles while you sleep. With dreamy melatonin, hemp seed oil, and soothing shitake mushroom. Melatonin & hemp seed oil, overnight booster mask, for thirsty skin. Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free, Formaldehyde free, Cruelty free. 100% Vegan.
Oil Control
Beauty by Earth Oil Control Face Moisturizer
Cost: $25.99 for 1 oz ($25.99 per ounce)
From the Beauty by Earth website: Beauty by Earth Oil Control Face Moisturizer has the perfect blend of natural ingredients to help your face balance oil production without feeling heavy or uncomfortable. Perfect for balancing out the oil produced by your skin, hydrating and nourishing your skin all day, boosting skin elasticity and diminishing fine lines.
Acure Incredibly Clear Mattifying Moisturizer
Cost: $24.99 for 1.7 oz ($14.70 per ounce)
From the Acure website: Acure Incredibly Clear Mattifying Moisturizer features lilac extract & chlorella, a perfect combo for oily skin. This easily absorbed facial moisturizer improves the appearance of skin’s texture and tone with the rejuvenating hydration and moisture of lilac extract and chlorella. 100% Vegan. Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free, Silicone free, Cruelty free
Andalou Naturals Acai + Kombucha Oil-Free Moisturizer
Cost: $15.89 for 2.1 oz ($7.57 per ounce)
From the Andalou Naturals website: Andalou Naturals Acai + Kombucha Oil-Free Moisturizer features a fruit stem cell complex with argan stem cells, acai berry, and kombucha probiotics to nourish and fortify. Aloe vera polysaccharides soothe and condition with oil-free hydration for a clear, balanced complexion.
Indie Lee Active Oil-Free Moisturizer
Cost: $48 for 1.7 oz ($28.24 per ounce)
From the Indie Lee website: Hydrate your skin with Indie Lee Active Oil-Free Moisturizer. Daisy and Vitamin C Mandarin extracts provide hydration and nourishment to help improve your complexion. A perfect lightweight moisturizer for happy, healthy-looking skin.
Moisturizer For The Eyes
Acure Radically Rejuvenating Eye Cream
Cost: $15.51 for 1 oz ($15.51 per ounce)
From the Acure website: Acure Radically Rejuvenating Eye Cream features CoQ10 & edelweiss extract for aging skin around the eyes. Edelweiss extract and CoQ10 provide deep hydration to protect the skin’s moisture barrier. 100% VEGAN. Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free, Formaldehyde free, Cruelty free.
Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Eye Revive Contour Gel
Cost: $9.59 for 0.6 oz ($15.98 per ounce)
From the Andalou Naturals website: Petal soft to protect delicate eye area, this soothing Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Eye Revive Contour Gel with alpine rose stem cells gently hydrates as pomegranate, rich in tannins and polyphenols, uplifts tone while hyaluronic acid and aloe vera instantly revive to visibly reduce fine lines, puffiness, and under-eye circles.
Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream
Cost: $19 for 0.5 oz ($38 per ounce)
From the Cocokind website: Reduce the look of fine lines, dark circles, puffiness, and sagging with our all-in-one eye Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream featuring plant-powered ingredients. Promotes brighter, smoother looking skin around the eyes, by hydrating and refreshing dry surfaces. Reduces the appearance of bags and dark circles by moisturizing the contour of the under eye and locks in hydration around the eyes (this area loses moisture 50% faster than the rest of your skin!
Bybi Overnight Eye Cream
Cost: $20 for 0.5 oz ($40 per ounce)
From the Bybi website: Bybi Overnight Eye Cream is a concentrated, active bakuchiol eye cream to smooth and firm the skin under the eye. A combination of broccoli seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and bakuchiol, (a natural alternative to retinol), replenishes and regenerates whilst regulating the skin’s moisture levels, visibly improving signs of lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture around the eyes. Natural, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Carbon Neutral.
Honest Deep Hydration Eye Cream
Cost: $14.85 for 0.5 oz ($29.70)
From the Honest website: Honest Deep Hydration Eye Cream is a deeply hydrating eye cream that plumps, moisturizes, and hydrates for healthy-looking skin around the eyes. Made with Hyaluronic Acid + Chamomile & Calendula. Works for all skin types. Made without Parabens, Phthalates, PEGs, Dyes, Mineral Oil and Synthetic Fragrances.
Beauty by Earth Coffee Bean Eye Cream
Cost: $29.99 for 1 oz ($29.99 per ounce)
From the Beauty by Earth website: Beauty by Earth Coffee Bean Eye Cream is enhanced with coffee seed extract. This cream will gently nourish the delicate skin around your eyes, softening wrinkles and leaving you looking bright and awake. Perfect for anyone looking to wake up tired eyes and to keep eyes youthful.
Mad Hippie Eye Cream
Cost: $20.99 for 0.5 oz ($41.98 per ounce)
From the Mad Hippie website: Mad Hippie Eye Cream features powerful peptides & antioxidants, including niacinamide to tackle everything from the dreaded crows feet to those tiring bags under the eyes.
More Clean Beauty Inspiration
- Clean Face Wash On A Budget
- Budget-Friendly Clean + Natural Makeup
- Clean, Natural + Non-Toxic Shampoo
- Natural Sunscreen Guide: Part 1
- Natural Sunscreen Guide: Part 2
- Make The Switch To Natural Deodorant
- Organic & Natural Lip Balm For Dry Lips
- The Best Natural Mascara
- The Best Clean & Natural Lotion For Dry Skin
- Make The Switch To Natural Dry Shampoo
- The Best Natural & Clean Eyeliners
References
- Pan S, Yuan C, Tagmount A, Rudel RA, Ackerman JM, Yaswen P, Vulpe CD, Leitman DC. 2016. Parabens and human epidermal growth factor receptor ligand cross-talk in breast cancer cells. Environ Health Perspect 124:563–569; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409200
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1409200 - Patisaul, H.B. and Adawele, H.B. Long-Term Effects of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on Reproductive Physiology and Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci. 2009; 3: 10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706654/ - Adke, E.G. et al. Phthalate exposure and male reproductive outcomes: A systematic review of the human epidemiological evidence. Environ Int. 2018 Dec;121(Pt 1):764-793.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30336412 - Jang, H.J. et al. Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use. Toxicol Res. 2015 Jun; 31(2): 105–136.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505343/ - Nudelman, J. and Engel, C. Right To Know. Exposing toxic fragrance chemicals in beauty, personal care and cleaning products. Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. Sept. 2018.
https://d124kohvtzl951.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/26092837/BCPP_Right-To-Know-Report_Secret-Toxic-Fragrance-Ingredients_9_26_2018.pdf - Synthetic Musks. Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. A Project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.
http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/synthetic-musks/