9 Best Dermatologist-Approved Paraben-Free Moisturizers For Women (2024)

Are you searching for paraben-free moisturizers for your dry skin? Then, you’ve landed in the right place! Parabens have been used as preservatives in cosmetic products since the 1950s. But, their connection to breast cancer as well as other health concerns and disorders has only recently earned them a pretty bad reputation. Dr. M. Khawar Nazir, cosmetic dermatologist, says, “Keeping the skin well hydrated is very important so that it remains healthier and looks youthful. I personally suggest paraben- free moisturizers to all of my patients to avoid any possible hormonal changes.”

So, if you have dry skin concerns and want to replace your usual moisturizers with a paraben-free one, we’ve got you covered. The top 9 paraben-free moisturizers for women are listed in this article. These are devoid of any other harmful ingredients apart from parabens. Check them out by scrolling down!

What Are Parabens?

Parabens are added to cosmetics to prevent molds and bacterial growth. You can spot them on ingredient lists in different forms like methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isopropyl paraben, and isobutyl paraben. Parabens are alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid and are used as preservatives in most cosmetic products. Almost all parabens are made artificially; the only naturally occurring paraben is found in blueberries.

Why Should We Avoid Parabens In Our Skin Care Routine?

Parabens can hamper the hormonal functions of the body. They are xenoestrogens, which means that they mimic estrogen in the body and cause an imbalance in hormone levels. According to research parabens have been linked to breast cancer, early onset of puberty, and even reduced sperm count (1). Studies also show that parabens get stored in cells and can cause long-term damage after prolonged exposure (1). Therefore, it is best to use paraben-free products.

Let’s now look at the 9 best paraben-free moisturizers for women available online.

9 Bestselling Paraben-Free Moisturizers For Women – Top Picks Of 2024

1. Best Plant-Based:eraorganics Complete Face Moisturizer

4

Image: Era Organics

BUY ON AMAZON | $27.45

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The eraorganics moisturizer is plant-based, non-greasy, lasts up to 8-12 hours, and comes at an affordable price. It contains skin superfoods like aloe vera, manuka honey, MSM, coconut oil, shea butter, blue green algae, olive oil, cocoa butter, hemp seed oil, and cehami. This product works as an anti-aging moisturizer or night cream as the ingredients stimulate cell growth, boost collagen production, repair damaged cells, and improve elasticity. The moisturizer also prevents damage from free radicals and gives you radiant skin. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles and soothes redness and irritation.

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Manuka honey, MSM, Coconut oil, Shea butter, Blue green algae, Olive oil, Cocoa butter, Hemp seed oil, and Cehami extract

Quick Tip

It can also be used as a hand and body cream and does not have any added fragrances that irritate the skin.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

More than 6,246 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.

2. Best Allergy-Tested:Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer

4.5

Image: Neutrogena

BUY ON AMAZON | $24.18

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 The Multi-Vitamin Moisturizer by Neutrogena has 97% naturally derived ingredients fortified with vitamins B, C, and E and antioxidant omega bio-nutrients. This clinically proven formula builds the skin’s defense against dullness and roughness and gives it a healthy, youthful, and radiant complexion. It replenishes the skin’s essential nutrients by supplying nourishment and moisture throughout the day, promoting healthy skin. The multiple reviews on Amazon suggest that this moisturizer works really well for dry and sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Vitamins B, C, and E and Omega Bionutrients

3. Best Dye-Free:HONEST BEAUTY Deep Hydration Face Cream

4.4

Image: Honest Beauty

BUY ON AMAZON | $25.93

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The HONEST BEAUTY Deep Hydration Face Cream has an extra rich, creamy texture for long-lasting hydration and a dewy glow. It can be used on both dry and normal skin types. It has a mild shea butter scent and contains hyaluronic acid to bind retain moisture to the skin. The daikon radish seed and baobab seed oils are rich in fatty acids that restore the skin’s natural barrier, while the jojoba esters make the skin smooth, soft, and supple. According to multiple reviewers, this dermatologist-tested product works as a day or night moisturizer and leaves the skin replenished.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Daikon radish seed oil, Jojoba esters, and Baobab seed oil

Pro Tip

Apply the moisturizer on damp skin using circular motions for better absorption.

	eraorganics Complete Face Moisturizer Best Plant-Based	Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer Best Allergy-Tested	HONEST BEAUTY Deep Hydration Face Cream Best Dye-Free
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Dimensions	4 x 4 x 4 inches	1.63 x 2.5 x 5.88 inches	2 x 2 x 4 inches
Weight	3.1 Ounces	4.48 Ounces	3.82 Ounces.
Rating
Reviews	6,246	3,501	1,042
Price	$27.45	$24.18	$25.93

4. Best Fragrance-Free:LA ROCHE-POSAY Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

4.5

Image: La Roche-posay

BUY ON AMAZON | $21.99

Buy on Walmart

The LA ROCHE-POSAY moisturizer is packed with carefully selected dermatologist-recommended natural and skin-friendly ingredients to maximize skin benefits and restore the health of the skin without clogging the pores. This oil-free formula with a high concentration of prebiotic thermal water nourishes the skin’s microbiome, provides hydration for up to 48 hours, and restores the natural skin barrier. Ceramide-3 is an essential ceramide naturally found in the skin, niacinamide (vitamin B3) has soothing properties, and glycerin naturally attracts water to the skin to keep it moisturized. This moisturizer is also tested for allergens to help prevent any reactions.

Key Ingredients: Prebiotics thermal water, Ceramide-3, Niacinamide, and Glycerin

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

This product has received 4,377 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.

5. Best Non-Greasy:L’OREAL PARIS Revitalift Moisturizer

4.5

Image: L’oreal Paris

BUY ON AMAZON | $19.11

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This rich, non-greasy moisturizer by L’Oreal strengthens, repairs, and offers skin barrier support to resist aging signs like visible lines and loss of firmness. The clinically-tested formula contains wrinkle-fighting Pro-Retinol and Centella Asiatica which delivers visible results by maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Its proven efficacy offers not only smoother, softer, and supple skin but also 24-hour hydration, ensuring a rejuvenated, revitalized, and glowing complexion.

Key Ingredients: Pro-Retinol and Centella asiatica

Quick Tip

Do not forget to apply the moisturizer along your lower jawline, ears, neck, and the visible parts of the chest.

6. Best For Natural Glow:VICHY Aqualia Thermal Richie-Rich

4.4

Image: Vichy

BUY ON AMAZON | $32.0

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The velvety-soft, rich VICHY Aqualia Thermal face moisturizer is formulated with 97% natural ingredients to smoothen fine lines and reveal glowing skin. Its deeply hydrating ingredients include pure hyaluronic acid, Vichy volcanic water, and plant sugar. The Vichy volcanic water is sourced from the heart of French volcanoes and comes with 15 essential minerals that strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and protect it against external elements like UV rays and pollution. The pure hyaluronic acid visibly hydrates and plumps the skin. The plant sugar delivers high-performance hydration and visible results by strengthening and rejuvenating the skin barrier to prevent water loss.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vichy volcanic water, and Plant sugar

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 2,871 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.

7. Best pH-Balanced Formula:ATOPALM Intensive Moisturising Cream

4.5

Image: Atopalm

BUY ON AMAZON | $27.72

The ATOPALM Intensive Moisturising Cream is rich, gentle, and deeply hydrating for the face and body, especially the knees and elbows. Its patented MLE (Multi-Lamellar Emulsion) formula contains plant-derived ingredients to replenish the lost skin lipids and prevent over-evaporation of the skin’s moisture. This beauty product shields the skin against damage from environmental stress and seals in moisture to make your skin soft and supple. Use it as a repair treatment for itching, irritated skin, redness, cosmetic allergies, and after procedures like microdermabrasion.

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Glycerin, and Vegetable oil

8. Best Lightweight:NĀELI Day Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

4.2

Image: Naeli

Now 24% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $18.95

The NĀELI Face Moisturizer is a lightweight, hydrating, peptide-rich cream that offers anti-aging benefits, collagen regeneration, and protection from UVA/UVB rays and photoaging. The antioxidant extracts, vitamin A, and hydrolyzed oat protein increase elasticity and cellular regeneration, minimize wrinkles, smoothen fine lines, and prevent aging with the broad-spectrum SPF 30. This lightweight moisturizer contains restorative peptides, moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid, and replenishing ceramides for plump, firm, and youthful skin. It absorbs readily, leaves no chalky white residue, does not clog pores, or irritates the skin.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, Hydrolyzed oat protein, Collagen, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Ceramide NG

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The extensive 1,316 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.

9. Best Non-Comedogenic:Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

4.4

Image: Aveeno

BUY ON AMAZON | $13.95

Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel moisturizer is a paraben-free lightweight gel moisturizer formulated with prebiotic oats that moisturize and soothe the skin. It is also infused with panthenol, glycerin, and chamomile extracts that calm and strengthen the skin barrier. This hypoallergenic facial moisturizer is a non-greasy and quick-absorbing gel formula that leaves your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed for a long time. It doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, which makes it perfect for morning and nighttime routines. All skin types, including sensitive skin, can use this soothing and non-irritating cream according to multiple Amazon reviews.

Key Ingredients: Prebiotic oat, Panthenol, Chamomile

Now that you know about the best paraben-free moisturizers for your skin, let’s consider the necessary pointers to keep in mind before investing in one.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Paraben-Free Moisturizer

• Check The Ingredients

Scan the ingredient list to analyze other preservatives used in place of parabens and their effects. In many cases, parabens are replaced with natural and safe ingredients. However, beware of formaldehyde, an irritating ingredient that can cause skin problems.

• Shelf Life

Check the expiry date before buying a paraben-free moisturizer. Storing with care is important if you intend on increasing its potency. A cool, dry place, away from the sunlight, should keep it in good condition.

Infographic: Key Ingredients In Paraben-Free Moisturizers

A paraben-free moisturizer is safe for your skin. But to know if a formula is effective for improving your skin’s health, check its ingredients list. Some moisturizers are infused with potent ingredients that can visibly improve your skin’s health and texture. Go through the infographic below to know about these ingredients and learn how they can benefit your skin.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are parabens bad for the skin?

Yes, parabens are bad for your skin as they may cause hormonal imbalances in the body since they mimic estrogen.

What are examples of parabens?

Some commonly used parabens are methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isopropyl paraben, and isobutyl paraben.

Do parabens really cause breast cancer?

Research shows the presence of parabens in breast tumors. However, more studies are required to establish a connection.

How to identify parabens in the ingredient list?

Parabens are easily identifiable by their names, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or ethylparaben.

Does paraben-free mean sulfate-free?

No, it does not mean the same. While sulfates are cleansing agents, parabens prevent the growth of bacteria and increase the shelf life of products. The exclusion of one does not mean the exclusion of both from a product. So, always double check before getting your products.

How much paraben is safe for the skin?

Up to 25% of parabens are safe for use in cosmetics. According to The European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, 0.4% and 0.8% of methylparaben and ethylparaben are within safety limits.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach. She shared tips for choosing the best moisturizers in her buying guide and explained how to consider ingredients and shelf-life parameters for better results. After conducting extensive research and reviewing numerous online customer feedback, she listed the best paraben-free moisturizers. These products hydrate your skin without causing hormonal imbalance.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. M. Khawar NazirMBBS

   

Dr. M. Khawar Nazir has 10 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and is the CEO of Boston Aesthetics Lahore, Pakistan. He earned his MBBS degree from Nishtar Medical College, Multan, Pakistan, and did his post graduation from Boston University, School Of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Read full bio of Dr. M. Khawar Nazir

Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

 

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti

Aditi NaskarAssociate Commerce Editor

Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.

Read full bio of Aditi Naskar

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda