The Grove guide to natural face moisturizer

Your skin is your largest organ — treat it right by trading out that basic drugstore moisturizer for a natural one that will restore hydration, improve elasticity, and help you put your best face forward — without harmful ingredients.

Achieving a healthy daily glow is all about establishing a daily routine to clean and replenish your skin. Exposure to the sun, the elements, and make-up can really do a number on your skin, stripping it of moisture and nutrients.

But before you slather anything else on your skin, check what’s in your daily moisturizer. It’s important to carefully choose what ingredients soak into your skin, and natural face moisturizers provide all the benefits you need without harsh chemicals.

Make a simple, three-step process part of your morning and evening skincare routine:

While you should moisturize your face daily, it’s important to be careful what you’re exposing your face to. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and its millions of tiny pores soak up the ingredients they come in contact with. Unfortunately, many drugstore moisturizer brands are packed with ingredients that can block your pores, cause irritation, or even change your skin type. Avoid ingredients like:

• Parabens – found in many drugstore brands and can disrupt your hormone production.
• Alcohol – dries out skin and can even cause your skin to produce more oil over time.
• Petroleum – blocks your pores, trapping dirt and oil inside and causing blackheads.

Natural face moisturizer replenishes the skin without exposing it to any of the icky ingredients you’ll find in drugstore brands. Instead, these products feature a thoughtful combination of natural and safe ingredients that are just as effective without any of the yucky effects.

Deciding on the best natural face moisturizer for you is easier once you understand your skin type. You may have the same skin type all the time, or your skin may change a few times a season — dry in the winter and oily in the summer. The natural face moisturizers we offer are specifically formulated to ease common skin woes.

• Dry Skin – If your skin looks dull or rough with nearly invisible pores, you may suffer from dry skin. You may even notice red or flaky patches and more visible lines. Look for a moisturizer designed to deliver ultimate hydration.
• Oily Skin – If you notice enlarged pores and a bit of a shine, oily skin is likely the cause. Blackheads and pimples often go hand-in-hand with oily skin types. You’ll want a lightweight moisturizer that will hydrate the skin without adding excess oil.
• Hydrated Skin – Normal skin requires maintaining the right balance of hydration. Use a daytime moisturizer that’s lightweight and contains a sunscreen, and use a night-time formula to replenish.
• Mature Skin – As you start to age, your skin naturally loses elasticity and more lines start to appear. Look for a natural moisturizer designed to improve elasticity and help minimize lines and wrinkles and regain that youthful glow.
• Sensitive Skin – Do you get a rash, irritation, or break out every time you come in contact with a new formula? Chances are, your sensitive skin is reacting to harsh ingredients. Look for a natural daily face moisturizer specifically designed for sensitive skin. Stay away from added fragrances in your products — especially citrus fragrances such as lemon — and opt for an unscented product.

Ready to try out some natural moisturizers for yourself? Let us introduce you to a few of our faves.

Brand: Pai

Why we love ’em: Designed to promote a clear complexion on sensitive skin, Pai face moisturizers are naturally gentle. Their variety of formulas make it easy to find a face moisturizer for every skin type, ranging from dry to oily.

Brand: Ursa Major

Why we love ’em: Ursa Major offers a wide variety of formulas specifically designed to suit every skin need. Enjoy the brightening benefits of vitamin C, the ultimate hydration of recovery cream, or a dose of daily defense face lotion that’s designed to block both UVA and UVB rays.

Brand: Acure

Why we love’em: Acure skin care products are free of sulfates, parabens, and triclosan, making them safe for a variety of skin types. This U.S. company produces vegan products that are Leaping Bunny-certified. Best of all, a portion of all proceeds go to supporting charities.

Brand: Osea

Why we love ’em: Hydrate, protect, and get rid of daily blemishes with Osea’s line of natural moisturizers and skin care products. Safe and effective ingredients make these face creams, hydrating oils, and blemish balms a delight for any skincare regimen.

Brand: Mad Hippie

Why we love ’em: When you’re looking to rejuvenate your skin, Mad Hippie face moisturizer is a great choice. Their gentle formulas contain peptides and antioxidants to soothe your skin, and they’re so safe and gentle, you can use them both day and night.

Brand: Rooted Beauty

Why we love’em: Rooted Beauty produces their skincare products right here in the USA. Not only are they cruelty-free, but their face moisturizers are also free of parabens, phthalates and sulfates. The gentle formula is suitable for sensitive skin and all skin types — and it all comes to you in responsible packaging.

What are the best natural moisturizers with SPF?

Moisturize and protect yourself from the sun in one easy step when you reach for natural daytime formulas with SPF included, such as Acure Radically Rejuvenation SPF 30 Day Cream.

What are the best natural moisturizers for night?

Make a special nighttime face moisturizer part of your bedtime routine to help replenish your skin after a long day in the elements. Rooted Beauty makes a range of restorative overnight creams to choose from, based upon your skin type. Acure brightening night cream is another formula that will hydrate as you sleep.

What is the best homemade moisturizer?

While you can make an organic face moisturizer at home with coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and aloe vera, achieving an optimal balance of ingredients for your skin type is difficult and time consuming. Try treating your face to a natural moisturizer designed for your skin type.

Looking for more sustainable skin care swaps and other eco-friendly switches you can make at home? Grove has you covered. From timely topics such as our handwashing and hand sanitizer breakdown to evergreen primers like our simple ways to reduce your plastic use at home, our handy guides are here to answer your most pressing questions. And let us know how if you have any menstrual cup questions (or share your own tips for making the switch using #grovehome) by following Grove Collaborative on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

If you're ready to make the switch to natural eye cream or other eco- and body-friendly products, explore Grove Collaborative's skin care selection.