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Iโ€™ve personally tested and researched dozens of clean beauty brands โ€” these are my favorite natural and nontoxic face moisturizers ranked based on hydration, ingredients, affordability, and texture.

Ever since I can remember, Iโ€™ve been a dry desert gal. Even growing up in the humid Midwest, my skin looked like the cracked plains of the Mojave. Now I actually live in the desert, in Joshua Tree, California, and my skin yearns for even more moisturization and hydration. I also travel quite a lot โ€“ from mountaintops to major cities โ€“ and staying on top of my skin routine is one of my priorities. Whether Iโ€™m in an airport or going for a walk in my neighborhood, I always have a face oil or hydration mist at the ready to add some extra love to my skin. 

I prefer an easy and clean routine. I only wear full makeup a couple times a week, so products that keep my face hydrated, clear, and smooth is a top priority. My typical evening routine includes: 

  1. Oil cleanser
  2. Serum
  3. Moisturizer 
  4. Eye cream
  5. Bonus: Sometimes I add an oil serum or a face oil if Iโ€™m feeling extra dry! 

In the morning, I rinse my face with water and follow the same steps. I often use my gua sha between my serum and my moisturizer. 

So, what does face moisturizer actually do?

Most moisturizers work through a combination of hydrating the surface layers of your skin and trapping in moisture and nutrients. (Yes, that means applying moisturizer to damp skin is more effective!) Moisturizer can have other unexpected benefits, like helping with acne, since it stops the need for oil production. Curious how face moisturizers compare to serums and face oils? Serums have more active ingredients that are water-based โ€” the small molecules in serums mean they rapidly absorb and penetrate deeply into skin. Face oils have larger molecules and a slower absorption rate, so they’re good for sealing in other products and giving you that glow. Moisturizers are more for sealing in water and protecting your skin barrier. They’re great to use on their own after a cleanser โ€” but you can also use all three products in this order: Serum, moisturizer, and then face oil.

Why choose a nontoxic face moisturizer?

Going for a nontoxic face moisturizer is like quenching your skin with all the good stuff and none of the junk. Nontoxic and natural ingredients like organic shea butter, aloe vera, and plant oils keep your skin happy and hydrated without any irritating and unnecessary chemicals that can throw your skin off (or cause an allergic reaction). Plus, it’s a win-win for both you and the planet because nontoxic moisturizers often use eco-friendly ingredients that are easy on the environment. And let’s not forget the long-term benefits – by ditching the toxic stuff, you’re setting yourself up for healthier skin and overall wellness down the road. 

What ingredients should you look for in a natural moisturizer?

All good moisturizers contain three types of ingredients. Humectants draw in and retain water โ€” some of our favorites in this category are hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Occlusives give skin a protective outer layer that seals in water to reduce evaporation. Petroleum jelly, beeswax, and coconut oil are all great occlusives, but these can be too heavy and comedogenic for some โ€” we like more universal occlusives like shea butter and triglycerides. Lastly, moisturizers need emollients to blend it all together and to smooth and soften the look and feel of skin. Common emollients are ceramides, squalane, jojoba oil, amino acids, lipids, vitamin E, and dimethicone. We also like to stay away from common irritating ingredients like fragrance and essential oils.

How do I know that my skincare is clean?

When shopping for skincare and body care products, we love using informative, non-partisan online resources that break down each ingredient so you can see what might be problematic. INCIdecoder takes you ingredient by ingredient for practically any skincare product. And if you want to know more about a specific ingredient, we like the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website โ€” they even have handy โ€œdirty dozenโ€ and โ€œclean fifteenโ€ ingredient lists.

โ€œCleanโ€ or โ€œnaturalโ€ are somewhat arbitrary words when it comes to beauty products since theyโ€™re unregulated. But as a rule of thumb, we like to check individual ingredients to make sure theyโ€™re not potentially harmful, and support brands with transparent sustainability specs. We keep an eye out for third-party sustainability certifications like B Corp, EWG Verified, USDA Organic, Made Safe, and Fair Trade. 

We think about packaging, too โ€” the FSC certification means a productโ€™s cardboard box was made with sustainably harvested wood, and weโ€™re always prioritizing glass or aluminum over plastic packaging, which isnโ€™t as easy to recycle and breaks down into microplastics.

Our methodology & criteria:

I was super excited to test deep moisturizers given my obsession with staying hydrated! Though some of the moisturizers I tested are lighter than others, I did not categorize any of the moisturizers as lightweight since they are all focused on deep moisture. Iโ€™m in a season where Iโ€™m opting for more hydration, both in water intake and in what Iโ€™m putting on my skin. 

Deep moisturizers are a great choice for those with dry skin, who want to add a night cream to their PM routine, who travel, are impacted by dry or shifting environments, who change their routine based on the season, and/or that want to reduce signs of aging. 

I tested each moisturizer for 24 hours. I started with the moisturizer in my PM routine and used it in the AM the next day. All of my photos and videos are taken in the morning during or right after application. I tested each of the moisturizers back to back in the span of 14 days. At the end of the 14 days, I revisited each of the moisturizers and compared their scents, colors, and textures. Plus, I found ones that I will definitely be reordering!

  • NONTOXIC | These clean face moisturizers are made with high-quality ingredients, including organic and nontoxic additions that wonโ€™t irritate your skin and will keep it in its best state, naturally.
  • HYDRATING | After testing each of these face moisturizers, I can confirm each will deliver nourishing and vitamin-rich moisture that’s suitable to your skin type for that all-day glow! โœจ
  • AFFORDABLE | Clean beauty can get pricey, so I’ve made sure to showcase some of my favorite face moisturizers from ethical and eco-friendly brands that are budget-friendly.
I tested each of these face moisturizers on my dry, sensitive skin to see how they’d support my skin in my desert environment.

I’m confident there is something for everyone on the list. Let us know your favorites in the comments. And if youโ€™re on the hunt for other natural beauty recommendations, check out our guide to organic makeup and organic skincare products.


1. OSEA

Climate neutral
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
Family owned
Gives back
Gluten free
Subscriptions available
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Our overall favorite
Product Tested | Seabiotic Water Cream
Texture | Mid-weight
Price | $54

Itโ€™s no secret our editors (and readers!) are obsessed with OSEA (read our full OSEA review here). Their formulations have fantastic UXโ€“ thatโ€™s the major difference between drugstore and higher-end creamsโ€“ with gorgeous textures and signature frosted-glass packaging thatโ€™s just as nice. OSEA is Climate Neutral Certified and delivers its skincare in recyclable packaging. Theyโ€™re certified vegan and cruelty-free, science-backed, and use only the cleanest ingredients. They offer a full range of face and body products, including creams, serums, cleansers, eye creams, lip masks, sunscreen, and body oils. Seaweed is the signature ingredient youโ€™ll find in all their products, which harnesses the healing power of the ocean through naturally occurring antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, and essential minerals. It feels luxurious and has mid-high range price points, with products ranging from $28 for a lip mask to $108 for a moisturizing cream. OSEA has been a staple in spas around the world for decades now, and it is a company we wholeheartedly trust with our skin! 

Stevieโ€™s Review: I absolutely love the texture of the Seabiotic Water Cream โ€“ it’s slippery (in the best way), rich, and refreshing without feeling too heavy. I would put OSEA in its own category of thickness, due to the slick texture that the seaweed creates. Though deeply moisturizing, it doesnโ€™t feel dense. I plan to keep this in my daily routine, though it could be used as a night cream if you prefer a lighter moisturizer during the day. I found that my face gave off a subtle glisten all day long โ€“ I didnโ€™t feel the need to add face oil for extra moisturization at any point in the day. There are no added fragrances or essential oils in it, yet the smell is one of my favorites (up there with Ursa Major and Jones Road) โ€” a cool, saltwater scent due to the seaweed! The powerhouse ingredients in the Water Cream include seaweed, which naturally repairs your skin barrier, squalane, which makes the moisturization more long-lasting, and bisabolol, which soothes dry skin. Iโ€™ll be reordering this one over and over again, and plan to try their other products like their new Marine Screen and Dayglow Face Oil.

Read our in-depth editor review of OSEA here.


2. Ursa Major

American made
B corp
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
Gives back
Recycled materials
Subscriptions available
Vegan

Best For | Deep Hydration
Product Tested | Alpine Rich Cream
Texture | Heavy
Price | $68

Ursa Major is a certified B Corp focused on making fuss-free clean skincare essentials with powerful, forest-infused formulas. Theyโ€™re made in Vermont, and you can tell! The scent in their products will make you feel as if youโ€™re swimming in a cove surrounded by pine trees. They do not use harsh chemicals, so you can trust that what youโ€™re putting on your skin is safe! They are also part of the B Beauty Coalition, which works to improve the beauty industryโ€™s standards. On top of all of that, they partner with Pact Collective to sort, clean, and responsibly recycle their returned product. All of their products are packaged in glass and recyclable plastic, and theyโ€™re certified plastic negative, which means they fund the removal of twice as much plastic from the environment as they produce. They offer a full range of face, body, and hair products including cleansers, moisturizers, eye creams, serums, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Their pricing is mid-high range, with products ranging from $14 for lip balm to $84 for a serum.

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Alpine Rich Cream is thick โ€“ at first touch, it feels like a putty, then turns to a dewy cream when you rub it into your skin. I love the way it deeply moisturizes without feeling super greasy or heavy. And the smell! Heavenly. It literally smells like a coastal pine forest. I truly loved the texture and smell of this one, and it lasted all day long. It will become a staple in my cabinet, especially for the winter when I need extra hydration. It would also be great as a nourishing night balm. A few of the key ingredients in the Alpine Rich Cream are tremella mushroom, which helps retain hydration; cloudberry, which softens skin; red maple bark, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and skullcap, which boosts the skinโ€™s barrier and soothes sensitive skin. Though higher in price, I personally think the quality makes it worth it.


3. ILIA

1% for the planet
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
Gluten free
Plant trees
Subscriptions available
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Sensitive Skin
Product Tested | Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream
Texture | Mid-weight
Price | $64

A TGT favorite for several years now, ILIA blurs the line between makeup and skincare with beautifully (and sustainably) packaged products. โ€œNot every natural ingredient is good for the skin, nor is every synthetic bad,โ€ according to the brandโ€™s ethos, which has led them to create some pretty innovative hybrid makeup and skincare products like their iconic skin tint and an eye cream with a subtle shimmer. They are Leaping Bunny certified, committed to 1% For The Planet, vegan, and cruelty-free, too. Their packaging is made up of recycled aluminum, glass, and responsibly sourced paper, plus they host a mail-in recycling program for empties (on each product page there are instructions for recycling or repurposing your empty). Ilia is the place to go if you want to get your clean skincare AND makeup routine all in one place! Their pricing is mid-range, with products starting around $26 and going up to about $64. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Barrier Build Skin Protectant was one of the lightest of the test bunch (second only to Jones Road)! It has a silky, perfectly smooth texture and feels almost weightless, yet so nourishing. I still rank it as mid-weight because itโ€™s considered a deep moisturizer, and Iโ€™d happily use this one in my daily routine. The staying power on it is strong, and I found my face still feeling hydrated by the end of the day. I love that it’s unscented, with a slight hint of the oatmeal scent coming through, which I found very calming. My favorite part about the Barrier Build Skin Protectant is that it holds the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. I have episodes of eczema and will definitely keep this around if I have any flare-ups. This one is definitely for those with sensitive skin! Its powerhouse ingredients include colloidal oatmeal for strengthening the skin barrier, ceramide complex to replenish the skin barrier, algae hydrogel for long-lasting hydration, and bioavailable calcium for a more resilient complexion.


4. RMS

Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
Gluten free
Natural materials
Subscriptions available
Woman owned

Best For | Mature Skin
Product Tested | Kakadu Luxe Cream
Texture | Mid-weight
Price | $60

Founded by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, RMS has been one of the leaders in the clean makeup space since 2009. They meticulously source the clean ingredients for their beauty products โ€” which include super simple, apply-with-your-fingers products like liquid eyeshadow, cream lip-to-cheek product, and tinted SPF. Theyโ€™ve branched out into the skincare space, too, with a handful of equally elegant, uncomplicated products like cleansing balm, kakadu oil, and the Kakadu Luxe Cream. Though they donโ€™t have a wide range of skincare products, the ones they do have are heavy hitters focusing on ingredients you can pronounce and that have natural anti-aging benefits. Their products come in at a mid-price point (ranging from $15 for a mascara to $60 for a moisturizing cream). Their products are free from: Parabens, gluten, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, sulfate, phthalates, and talc, and they never test on animals. They have an ingredient glossary on their site so you can see which products an ingredient appears in, how itโ€™s sourced, why they love it, and certifications. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Kakadu Luxe Cream is a smooth, velvety-rich moisturizer that I loved using for my evening and morning routine. Though a bit thicker than Osea, I would still consider this mid-weight compared to a few of the others I tested (Ere Perez, Cocokind, and Ursa Major fall in the Heavy category for me), and I would definitely use this in my daily routine or switch to it in the winter when the wind becomes colder and harsher, and I need something more soothing. I love that this cream has very little scent to it, if any at all! There are no added fragrances in it. The shea butter ingredient offers a calming effect both in scent and feel. Itโ€™s enhanced with niacinamide, plant-based peptides, and kakadu plum oil (rich in vitamin C) to promote skin plumping, which is great for maturing skin! Plus, it comes in a beautiful light pink glass jar that Iโ€™m more than happy to display on my vanity.


5. Jones Road

Cruelty free
FSC
Gluten free
Woman owned

Best For | Daily Hydration
Product Tested | Light Moisture Cream
Texture | Mid-weight
Price | $42

Jones Road, Bobbi Brownโ€™s skincare line, reimagines what skincare can be with simple, effective formulations and attractive, eco-conscious glass packaging to boot. Brown created the brand to simplify makeup applicationโ€“ formulations shouldnโ€™t be difficult to master, and they should work on all skin types and tones. They follow guidelines more stringent than the EU for their clean formulations, and while they started in makeup products, they now have a line of streamlined, unfussy skincare. Their products are formulated without harmful chemicals, and the brand emphasizes transparency in ingredient sourcing. They avoid phthalates, sulfates, parabens, PEGs, cyclic silicones, EDTA, or BPA. They live in the mid-price range with mascara at $28 and serum at $52. Theyโ€™re a great one-stop shop for makeup, skin, and body care.  

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Light Moisture Cream will remain a staple in my routine. Of all the deep-moisturizing creams I tested, this was the most lightweight and delicious-smelling. It has a bouncy, gel-like texture and is perfectly smooth. During my time testing, I travelled to a hot, humid climate and opted for this moisturizer because it felt lightweight enough to hold up in the wet climate while still hydrating my skin. I think this one would be great for those who typically have more oily or combination skin since itโ€™s not as heavy as some of the other moisturizers in this review. I loved the scent of this creamโ€“ it has hints of citrus. The hero ingredient is Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), which makes skin glowy and corrects uneven skin tone. I opted to test the Light Moisture Cream instead of the Miracle Cream because I wanted something to hold up to my daily routineโ€“ if youโ€™re looking for more of an overnight mask, the Miracle Cream would be your gal (solid in the jar, the product has lots of shea butter and melts down when you warm it in between your fingers โ€” it finishes greasy and nourishing).


6. cocokind

BIPOC Owned
Budget friendly
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
FSC
Gives back
Recycled materials
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Affordable Option
Product Tested | Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
Texture | Heavy
Price | $27

Priscilla Tsai set out to start cocokind to break the cycle of “aspirational beauty” with highly effective, gentle skincare products that are, above all, fairly priced. They are genuinely budget-friendly, with most products falling between $18 and $30. Plus, itโ€™s easy to find their products at Target, Ulta, and Whole Foods. They focus on botanical-forward ingredients and short ingredient listsโ€“ each product gives you a detailed ingredient and carbon footprint breakdown. cocokind is an incredible place to start for those looking to dip their toes in clean beauty. All of their products are packaged in glass, paper, and other recyclable materials. Plus, theyโ€™re vegan and cruelty-free. They host the perfect amount of skincare products so you can cover your whole routine without feeling overwhelmed: cleanser, toner, serums, moisturizers, lip balms, masks, sunscreen, and eye creams. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: Iโ€™ve been using cocokind for yearsโ€“ itโ€™s affordable, clean, and easy to purchase from my local Target. It was my entry point into a clean skincare routine. The Resurrection Polypeptide Cream is one I return to time and time again for deep hydration. The texture is a thick cream with tiny specs in it that melt into your skin. This is one of the heavier moisturizers that I tried, most similar to the thickness of True Botanicals, Kora Organics, and Ere Perez. The hydration lasts all day. I donโ€™t need any extra oils or serums when I use this moisturizerโ€“ it’s one and done! There is hardly any scent to it, which makes it a great choice for those who are sensitive to smells. I love that two of its core ingredientsโ€“ polypeptide complex and watermelon seed oilโ€“ aid in signs of aging. This will continue to be my go-to when sticking to a budget.


7. KORA Organics

Climate neutral
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
FSC
Subscriptions available
Third party tested
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Normal/Dry Skin
Product Tested | Turmeric Glow Moisturizer
Texture | Heavy
Price | $68

Not only are KORAโ€™s products certified organic and cruelty-free โ€” they also donโ€™t compromise on effectiveness or user experience. Organic ingredients produce up to 60% more antioxidants than non-organic ingredients, which means youโ€™re getting gentler formulas with even more powerful properties. KORA has luxe-feeling packaging, subtly refreshing scents, and beautiful textures, too, so itโ€™s no wonder theyโ€™ve been racking up beauty awards lately. The Climate Label Certified skincare line comprises everything from mists to SPF to body care, and many of their productsโ€“ including moisturizersโ€“ come in refillable packaging to reduce plastic waste. Their products also have the Sorette Seal of Approval, meaning they have undergone a vetting process backed by their team of experts to meet Soretteโ€™s strict standards for pregnancy and breastfeeding, so they are science-backed safe for pregnancy! Their pricing is in the mid-high range, with most products ranging between $48 and $100. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Turmeric Glow Moisturizer made my skin shine with a perfect glowโ€“ it really lived up to its name! The texture is smooth and thick, and the yellow tint of the turmeric melts deliciously into the skin, leaving behind a dewy glint of hydration. This is the perfect moisturizer to use in your daily routine if you err on the side of normal or dry skin. Two of my friends commented on how good and glowy my skin looked when I wore it. The scent is light and nutty, and I love the glass container it comes in with a refillable pod to reduce waste. The powerhouse ingredients are turmeric to brighten skin tone, licorice to help fade dark spots, an oil blend to enrich skin, shea butter to plump skin, hyaluronic acid to attract moisture, and noni to promote skinโ€™s natural radiance.


8. True Botanicals

1% for the planet
Biodegradable
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
FSC
Made safe
Subscriptions available
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Luxe 
Product Tested | Chebula Extreme Cream
Texture | Heavy
Price | $110

The heart of True Botanicals is Hillary Peterson. Confronted with a cancer diagnosis, she chose to turn a challenge into purpose: to create beauty products that heal, protect, and perform โ€“ without harm to people or the planet. True Botanicals is guided by four tenets of botanical intelligence: bio-compatible for absorption, bioactive for potency, bioholistic for multi-sensory effects, and bioprotective for safety. These synergistic dimensions of plant intelligence fuel their formulas and transform their products into luxurious user experiences. They are Made Safe Certified, 1% For The Planet, a Certified B Corp, vegan, and cruelty-free, plus all of their formulas are biodegradable and proven not to bioaccumulate in humans or the environment. They are certified plastic negative by rePurpose Global and are working to innovate 100% recyclable packaging (including closures) within the next five years. True Botanicals is pulling out all the stops for the environment and our bodies! Their products are a genuine investmentโ€“ prices are between $48 and $110 per product, landing it firmly in luxury territory.

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Chebula Extreme Cream was the most luxurious moisturizer I tested โ€” with a price to reflect it! It definitely felt like a splurge. It comes in a beautiful amber glass container, and the texture is a soft, thick cream. I loved the scent โ€“ nutty and woodsy. This cream claims to be the first of its kindโ€“ using the ingredient Chebula, which is a more powerful antioxidant than Acai and fights five signs of aging (typically wrinkles, sagging, reduced tone, thinning, dryness). Luckily for the price point, a little goes a long way. A pea-sized drop can coat your whole face and keep up with an active day. Iโ€™d happily incorporate it into my AM and PM routine. True Botanicals also sells a Chebula Active Serum, Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches, and Chebula The Hand Cream that would go perfectly with this cream.

Read our in-depth editor review of True Botanicals here.


9. Ere Perez

BIPOC Owned
Cruelty free
Eco friendly packaging
Gives back
Gluten free
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Superfood-Forward
Product Tested | Wild Tomato Riche Creme
Texture | Heavy
Price | $65

This boutique Australian beauty brand with transparent sustainability specs was started by Ere Perez, who emigrated to Australia from Mexico and combines both of her identities in this makeup, skincare, and beauty tool line that prioritizes powerful natural ingredients and easy-to-use formulations. Their skincare products each emphasize a different effective botanicalโ€“ like papaya, grape water, or moringaโ€“ and you can use the locator on their website to find a store near you that carries their products. They have been certified carbon neutral since 2016, offsetting carbon from every stage of production. Packaging leans sustainable too, from recyclable glass, aluminum, and post-consumer recycled plastic to refillable makeup compacts and zero-waste Coco Crayons. Their formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and built on nourishing plant-based superfoods. They are also a one-stop shop for a full skincare and makeup routine. Their pricing is mid-high range, with products ranging from $46 for mascara to $65 for moisturizer. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: Iโ€™m a sucker for tomato-scented products (ie., Flamingo Estateโ€™s Heirloom Tomato candle), so I was very excited to try Ere Perezโ€™s Wild Tomato Riche Creme. And it lives up to its name! It has a lovely scent of tomato, equally balanced with lavender. If youโ€™re extra sensitive to smells, I might steer clear of this one because the lavender is powerful, but I really did love it. The texture is dense, a mix between a clay and putty, when you first dip your finger in, but then easily melts into the skin when you rub it in. A little goes a long way! The tomato and lavender ingredients are great for reducing redness and balancing skin tone, and I loved the pearly white glass container it came in. This one will be more of a โ€œspecial-occasionโ€ creamโ€“ maybe when Iโ€™m feeling stressed and want to treat myself to the luxurious and relaxing balm of tomato and lavender.


10. 100% PURE

American made
Cruelty free
Gives back
Recycled materials
Subscriptions available
Vegan

Best For | Botanical-Forward
Product Tested | Superfruit Oil Nourishing Cream
Texture | Mid-weight
Price | $48

Our editors love 100% PURE‘s tiny but mighty tubes for hydration on the go! Theyโ€™re vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA. Their products have gorgeous floral scent profiles that remind us of warm sunshine on those first spring days. Divine! They are known for their signature Fruit Pigmentedยฎ formulas, which use pigments from fruits, vegetables, tea, and cocoa instead of FD&C colorants and heavy metal dyes. All of their products are either organic or natural, which they define as โ€œan ingredient or formula composed of plant, mineral, and/or marine vegetation that undergoes chemical changes due to biological processes such as fermentation, distillation, and cold processing.โ€ They also partner with B1G1 to give back to environmental efforts around the world. You can stock up on makeup, skincare, and body care from 100% PURE โ€“ they do it all โ€“ and at a mid-range price point with products ranging from $28 for mascara to $68 for moisturizer. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: The Superfruit Oil Nourishing Cream is deeply moisturizing and comes in a squeeze tube for germ-free, easy application. I love the silky, smooth texture while not being too thick. For reference, it was a bit thicker than Jones Road, but thinner than Ursa Major. The scent was the strongest of my testing group โ€“ it seemed lavender and berry heavy โ€“ which would deter me from using it often. Iโ€™d use it similarly to the Ere Perez โ€“ on special occasions or at night when I want to relish the floral scent. The hero ingredients in it are aloe juice for soothing and moisturizing, goji berry for skin elasticity, prickly pear for collagen production, acai oil for antioxidants, and sea buckthorn oil for healing and conditioning.


11. Three Ships

B corp
Cruelty free
Subscriptions available
Vegan
Woman owned

Best For | Purchasing IRL
Product Tested | Radiance Squalane + Grape Stem Cell Daily Hydrating Cream
Texture | Mid-weight
Price | $38

Another brand on the more affordable side, Three Ships can be found in stores like Credo and Whole Foods, plus theyโ€™re B Corp and EWG certified. Their clearly labeled, down-to-earth products are designed to eliminate the need for a 12-step skincare routine โ€” and theyโ€™re all dermatologist-tested, sustainably sourced, and vegan-friendly. The brand specializes in skincare (no makeup for now), and we love how they separate their products by skin type and by benefit, for super easy shopping. They are so transparent about the sourcing of their ingredients, too! You can find an โ€œIngredient Glossaryโ€ on their website which shows exactly where each ingredient comes from, why itโ€™s used, what itโ€™s targeting, which products it appears in, and if itโ€™s verified. Three Ships is the perfect combination of affordability and safe ingredients. Their pricing is low-to-mid range, with products ranging from $18 for lip treatment to $42 for moisturizer. 

Stevieโ€™s Review: Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Ultra-Hydrating Cream is a smooth cream that feels nearly as light as Iliaโ€™s Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream. It held up all day, and could be used in both an AM and PM routine or simply as a night cream. The scent comes across as a citrus and floral blend and may have been a bit too strong for my personal preference. While its plastic packaging isnโ€™t ideal, itโ€™s part of what keeps it so affordable and easy to recycle. I personally did not like the pump top. It clogged a couple of times, making the cream come out unevenly. I prefer being able to see how much is left in a container and using my fingertip to portion it out.


Stevie Rozean is a writer and wedding planner based in Joshua Tree, California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and writes about her pursuit of a creative life on her Substack, Mixed Multitudes. In her free time, you can find her sketching with her friends at art club, curating her home through flea market finds, and exploring the desert. 


The Good Trade editors are a diverse team of writers, researchers, and sustainable product enthusiasts. Every recommendation is informed by hands-on testing, rigorous vetting, and years of reporting on the products and practices that shape our daily lives. We are not a marketplace, and we are not owned by a brand. Our editorial team maintains independent standards across every review and recommendation.


Psst! Google launched a new feature that lets you choose โ€œPreferred Sourcesโ€ โ€” so your searches highlight trusted, values-driven outlets instead of clickbait. To add The Good Trade, tick the box beside our name. Thatโ€™s it โ€” our stories will be waiting whenever you search. Read more about it here.