Your skin directly influences your perceived age. And not moisturizing can easily make you look 5 to 10 years older. But creams and lotions penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Terms like “natural” often mean little more than clever marketing. This lack of transparency leaves consumers guessing about the hidden ingredients behind the label.
As you think about your skin, you may be asking, “But which ingredients should I look for on the label?” Ultimately, you need deep, nourishing “skin food” that gives you luminous, velvety skin. Out of five popular moisturizers, we voted the Weleda natural face moisturizer best overall.
Your body needs food… your skin needs “skin food.” The name “Skin Food” on the Weleda natural face moisturizer bottle points to deep nourishment… with zero chemicals. This plant-rich cream lives up to the brand’s slogan, “Skincare with Purpose.” What does that mean? It’s Certified B Corp, cruelty-free, and made using biodynamic farming, ethical sourcing, and no synthetic fragrances or preservatives. It’s also certified natural by NATRUE, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. The active ingredients—calendula, pansy, and squalane—provide triple defense: they calm, protect, and hydrate.
Moreover, hydration is the focus here, with olive leaf extract for antioxidant protection, squalane to strengthen your skin’s barrier, and sunflower oil to replenish moisture. The result? Velvety, radiant skin that feels as good as it looks—all day long. We voted this natural moisturizer best overall for its quality ingredients and certification by NATRUE. Use it as a base for makeup or let it shine on its own.
If the 100,000+ bottles sold this month don’t catch your eye, the 4.6-star rating from over 62,000 customers will. The La Roche-Posay natural face moisturizer earns its runner-up spot for its active ingredients: ceramide to repair, niacinamide to calm, and glycerin to hydrate. Most noteworthy, it was awarded Cradle to Cradle certification for the categories of sustainable manufacturing practices, safer ingredients, and worker well-being.
Additionally, it’s suitable for all skin types and is ranked #1 in Face Moisturizers. Price-wise, the runner-up is slightly more expensive than the best overall—as of this writing—by only a few dollars. One delighted customer wrote, “This stuff is a miracle. It feels silky, non-greasy, goes on smooth, not too thick or thin, absorbs easily, and makes my skin feel much less tight and rough after only a few days of using it.” So, which cream is more “natural”—the best overall or the runner-up, and why? The Weleda moisturizer is more “green” because it contains plant-rich ingredients. In contrast, the runner-up focuses on dermatological ingredients like ceramide and niacinamide.
As you consider this third moisturizer, you might wonder how anything could beat a 4.6-star rating. Say hi to the Eight Saints natural face moisturizer, a cream with a 4.8 rating. This number can drop as the number of reviews increases, but it has managed to maintain its rating from 2,316 customers. The verdict? It’s a best-seller. The brand sums up perfectly what they’re about with its slogan: “Go clean. Glow natural.”
They focus on eight key ingredients that deliver real results. These include: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, rosehip oil, borage seed oil, tamanu oil, green tea extract, peptides, and calendula, all working together to hydrate, protect, and rejuvenate your skin. What I like the most? The 30-day worry-free return policy ensures you can try it with confidence. Price-wise, it costs $32 (as of this writing), which is more than the best overall and the runner-up. As a bonus, its cruelty-free and fragrance-free formula is made in the USA with globally sourced natural and organic ingredients.
Under $10 and a 4.6-star rating? The Sukin natural face moisturizer has earned a reputation for leaving skin soft and supple. The brand’s slogan is fitting: “It’s what we leave out that makes us special.” To back up that claim, this moisturizer doesn’t contain parabens and sulfates. And it has 98.8 percent naturally derived ingredients like rosehip, avocado, sesame seed, and jojoba oils. These provide nourishment, while wheat germ and vitamin E protect the moisture barrier.
This moisturizer also comes in recyclable packaging to reflect the company’s sustainable values. A happy customer shared the following review: “This is the best moisturizer that has ever worked for my skin. It’s natural and very moisturizing. I have dry to combination skin that’s slightly sensitive and acne-prone. It has a pleasant, mild orange peel scent. Ultimately, I would highly recommend it!”
Milk + honey = unstoppable radiance. And the Lily Sado moisturizer’s velvety formula delivers exactly that. It combines coconut milk, manuka honey, and gotu kola to quench dryness. You can count on a gentle, cruelty-free formula that’s paraben-free and loaded with the finest botanicals. It works for every skin type and always feels plush, not heavy. The result is a complexion that looks plumped, clear, and seriously dewy.
You can apply it first thing in the morning as a primer—makeup glides on top easily. Moreover, vitamins B5 & E, soluble collagen, and cocoa butter help soften fine lines and brighten tired skin. You can use it at night as a collagen-charged treatment that works while you rest. Essentially, this cream smooths away dullness, blemishes, and under-eye shadows.
It’s disheartening when you invest in a so-called “miracle cream” only to see no difference in your skin. There’s a reason one bottle of Weleda natural face moisturizer sells every 11 seconds. Customers see results. Moreover, the brand offers a lineup of skin-loving products grounded in the same principles: transparency, plant-rich formulas, and cruelty-free standards.
In short, if you want a cream that’s trusted worldwide—one that proves its worth in real results, not just fancy claims—Weleda’s range of skin products is my #1 choice.
It’s important to define what “natural” means in the context of skincare. The term can be nebulous because various brands and marketing labels use it differently. Generally, a “natural” skincare product sources its active ingredients from nature—think botanical extracts, oils, and butters—rather than primarily relying on synthetic chemicals.
If your goal is to find a formula with high-quality, plant-based actives, keep reading. Below, I’ll share some tips on reading labels and understanding what matters most in a natural moisturizer.
One of the quickest ways to gauge the credibility of a natural product is to look for reputable certifications. These certifications act as third-party validations, giving consumers a quick shorthand to confirm that a brand’s ingredients, manufacturing methods, or sourcing are up to certain standards.
The next step in choosing a natural face moisturizer is to scrutinize the ingredients list. These labels typically list ingredients in descending order of concentration. Here are some common ingredients you’ll often see in high-quality natural moisturizers—and why they’re beneficial:
If you’re aiming for a truly natural product, here are some ingredients you might want to skip:
There’s a reason I keep circling back to the Weleda natural face moisturizer. For starters, it’s Certified B Corp, cruelty-free, and boasts NATRUE certification. In my book, that’s a triple win for sustainability, social responsibility, and product integrity. Moreover, it’s free from synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or colorants—which not every “natural” product can claim.
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin and want a moisturizer that’s proven safe for reactive complexions, this is a great choice. Dermatologists often recommend ceramide-rich products for compromised or sensitive skin, and niacinamide has been shown to help reduce redness.
That depends on your skin’s needs, your budget, and how strictly you define “natural.” If you’re looking for a tried-and-true, plant-based product that’s backed by numerous certifications (and a history dating back to 1921), Weleda Skin Food is a compelling choice. It’s earned its 4.5-star rating and 3,000+ monthly sales for a reason—people simply love how it feels on their skin.
Alternatively, if you want something with a more dermatological angle—perhaps you have particularly reactive skin or you appreciate ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide—La Roche-Posay’s natural face moisturizer might be your go-to. You’ll pay a little extra, but for many, the brand’s reputation and results are well worth it.
Botanical extracts like calendula, chamomile, and aloe vera are excellent for soothing and retaining moisture, while oils such as sunflower and jojoba deeply nourish the skin. The Weleda natural face moisturizer, for example, includes calendula and sunflower oil to help lock in hydration and improve overall skin texture over time.
Natural formulas, especially those with plant oils and botanical extracts, mimic the skin’s own lipid structure, which can lead to quicker absorption for many people. Weleda, despite its rich consistency, absorbs surprisingly fast and leaves a velvety finish rather than a heavy residue.
A natural face moisturizer can help relieve dryness around the eyes, but it’s often not enough by itself. You must also consider an exfoliating face wash to clear away dead skin cells and a quality eye cream for best results.
Natural products often rely on milder preservatives, so they may have a shorter shelf life than conventional creams. It’s a good idea to check the expiration date and store them properly.
Yes—they can include scientifically developed ceramides or peptides, as long as the brand adheres to the overarching principle of minimal synthetic additives. Some products labeled “natural” balance both plant-based actives and lab-created ingredients when they enhance overall skin health.
They act as nourishing emollients, sealing moisture into the skin and supporting a healthy barrier function. In the Weleda natural face moisturizer, for example, sunflower oil helps replenish lost lipids, while olive leaf extract adds antioxidant protection—together, they keep skin soft and hydrated.
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