Alcohol and Fragrance-free Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
In search of a new moisturizer? This post contains 11 amazing alcohol and fragrance-free moisturizers for sensitive skin. I started writing this blog post over a year ago, and finally, I have used up at least one full container of each of the moisturizers I’m going to mention! I LOVE trying out different formulas and new products. That has paid off since I now have a good selection of tried and tried moisturizers that I love 🫶🏽
I have compiled a list of moisturizers that are not only alcohol and fragrance-free, but also contain ingredients that help support your skin’s health. Hopefully, this list helps you to find your new favorite non-irritating moisturizer. All of these moisturizers I have tried myself (some even multiple bottles), so I can recommend them from the bottom of my heart ❣️
All of the moisturizers in this list are fragrance-free, sensitive skin-friendly, and free from any drying alcohol and artificial dyes.
The best part – most of the moisturizers I’m going to mention are in the 15-20 USD range. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on your skincare, and these beautifully formulated moisturizers are a great example of that!!
Top picks of Alcohol and Fragrance-free Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
My skin is not only sensitive but also dry, and it gets congested at times. My face gets flushed over new products quite easily, which is why I avoid any common irritants such as drying alcohols (alcohol denat, isopropyl, ethanol), synthetic dyes, fragrances, and most essential oils.
All of the moisturizers mentioned are fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin, and free from any drying alcohol and artificial colorants! I love all of the moisturizers I’ve mentioned, and I rotate between them depending on the season/my skin’s needs. ☀️❄️
COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask
The first ingredient in this moisturizer is rice extract, which is a powerful ingredient for soothing and brightening the skin. The formula contains another favorite ingredient of mine, which is Niacinamide. Niacinamide is an effective ingredient that helps with discoloration, redness, and irritation. It also helps regulate sebum production and congested skin.
The name suggests to be used at nighttime, but for the past 3+ years, I’ve been using this as my morning moisturizer. (especially during the winter). This is my all-time favorite moisturizer under makeup, and it makes my skin look sooo fresh, healthy, and luminous.
Check it on Amazon
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
Like the lighter lotion, this version also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It has a noticeably thicker consistency compared to the lightweight lotion, so this is ideal for dry, to very dry skin types.
This is usually in my rotation in the colder months, and I use it mainly at nighttime. This might not be the best formula under makeup (at least on my skin), but great affordable nighttime moisturizer for the face and body.
Check it on Amazon
Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Cream
The Soon Jung product line is specifically created for sensitive and irritated skin. It’s non-comedogenic, hypoallergic, and dermatologically tested, so this cream is great for all skin types.
This cream has a beautiful, rich consistency, and yet it absorbs the skin super well!
The ingredient list is minimal, and the formula contains some of my favorite sensitive skin-friendly ingredients; panthenol, madecassoside, and shea butter. They protect your skin barrier and leave your skin feeling moisturized for the whole day. One of my favorite moisturizers to use when my skin is feeling extremely irritated or dry. Also a great moisturizer for under makeup!
See it on Amazon
Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
You have probably heard of this before or seen it in your local pharmacy, but this is such an iconic product that it has to be on this list! I have probably gone through at least 20 bottles of these in the past 4 years. I mostly use it on my body, but I find myself slapping this on my face on hot summer days.
This is a lightweight moisturizer that protects your skin barrier and hydrates your skin with simple and minimal ingredients. It has 3 different ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which are all naturally found in our skin.
I love how quickly it absorbs into the skin and doesn’t leave my skin feeling sticky (even during the humid summer days). This is a great all-around, effortless moisturizer that works well for the face and body.
See it on Amazon
Avène Tolerance Cream
Nourishing, and soothing moisturizer, that’s been formulated especially for sensitive skin types. My go-to moisturizer when my skin is having an allergic reaction or feels irritated.
What I love the most about this is the minimal ingredients – there are only 7 ingredients, that all help with soothing the skin and strengthening your skin barrier.
Instead of using preservatives, they use sterilized packaging, which I found super innovative! I enjoy how the product comes out of the tube, and you can easily control how much product you wish to use.
A great, simple, and safe moisturizer if you have rosacea, psoriasis, atopic skin, acne-prone, or highly sensitive skin.
Check it at your local drugstore
Avène Tolerance Emulsion
This emulsion is a lighter version of the previous cream, so this is ideal for normal to combination and oily skin. The consistency is lightweight and it absorbs into the skin beautifully. A safe option for skin with rosacea, psoriasis, and/or eczema. Great for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Like the cream version, this one doesn’t have preservatives, colorants, drying alcohols, or fragrances.
Check it at your local drugstore
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Recovery Balm
This is not an everyday moisturizer for me, but a GREAT product to soothe irritation or extreme dryness on the skin. Whenever I get allergic reactions, I use this as an instant reliever. This product is great for slugging*
*Slugging = applying a thick, occlusive layer on the skin as a last step of your skincare routine. This helps to seal in moisture & all the previous products you’ve applied to your skin.
This balm is a multi-purpose product that helps with allergic reactions, eczema, redness, irritation, itchy skin, and small wounds. It contains Panthenol, Madecassoside, vitamin E, Centella Asiatica, and Shea Butter, which are all great ingredients for protecting, soothing, and hydrating the skin.
I use this especially during the wintertime when my skin gets irritated from the wind and arctic days (I live in Finland so the winters get VERY cold). This is also super inexpensive, and the prices vary from 8-12 USD in my local pharmacies.
Check it at your local drugstore
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
The “whipped”, but rich cream soothes irritated and stressed skin the exact second it touches your skin, which made this a lifesaver last winter! It creates a healthy and luminous glow on the skin and looks beautiful under makeup. The cream is enriched with shea butter which moisturizes and makes your skin as soft as a cloud ☁️ Definitely one of the best formulas I’ve tried.
If you have rosacea (or any redness on the skin like I do), this cream might be the one for you! It’s formulated with colloidal oatmeal, green tea extract, and licorice root extract, which are all amazing, antioxidant-rich ingredients for soothing the skin and neutralizing redness.
Despite not having any artificial fragrances. it still has a light, pleasant, and calming scent, that comes from the natural ingredient of Eucalyptus Leaf Oil. Essential oils can be a trigger for sensitive skin types, but this one has never made my skin flush, or irritated in any way. Eucalyptus oil plays its part in the formulation providing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Check it on Amazon
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
The Ordinary is known for its simple formulas, and this one is not an exception! The formula uses ingredients already found in your skin and protects your skin from external stress. A few of the key ingredients are ceramides, urea, glycerine, and amino acids. The HA at the end of the name means that it’s formulated with Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic acid), which is a great ingredient for making your skin look plump and hydrated.
This is a super simple and safe option for all skin types. If you have dry skin, it might be too lightweight in the colder season. If you don’t want to own multiple different moisturizers, you can add a few drops of facial oil to make it more nourishing! The Ordinary has a great selection of different (and affordable) facial oils. My favorite one is Squalane Oil.
Check it on Amazon
La Roche Posay Toleriane Sensitive Cream
This is the newest addition to my moisturizer collection, and I have been loving it for the past couple of months! It has a beautiful formula that feels occlusive, but breathable and lightweight at the same time.
It has squalane, niacinamide (two of my favorite ingredients!), ceramide np, and glycerin, which all help hydrate and protect sensitive skin. I’ve been loving using it during the daytime, as it gives a nice base for my makeup.
Check it at your local drugstore
Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream
Pyunkang Yul is easily one of my favorite Korean skincare brands. They formulate soothing, moisturizing, and effective skincare products with minimal ingredients. Perfect for sensitive skin <3
I have been obsessed with their essence toner and toner mist for years, and I recently added their nutrition cream to my skincare routine. The Cream has a thick, very luxurious consistency.
The first ingredient in this cream is Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, which is an antioxidant-filled medicinal herb that helps to protect cells against damage. The formula also has Shea Butter, Macadamia Oil, and Sodium Hyaluronate.
This has been one of my favorite night creams recently – I add a few drops of my facial oil and my skin feels and looks healthy and nourished until the next day.
Check it on Amazon
All of the mentioned Alcohol and Fragrance-free Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
- COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask
- Cerave Moisturizing Cream
- Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Cream
- Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
- Avène Tolerance Cream
- Avène Tolerance Emulsion
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Recovery Balm
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- La Roche Posay Toleriane Sensitive Cream
- Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream
Ps.
Each skin type is different, so what works for some, might not work for you! Keeping that in mind, all of these moisturizers contain minimal, and well-tolerated ingredients. When you are trying a new skincare item with extremely sensitive skin, I recommend doing a patch test before you apply it to your whole face. Just to avoid any allergic reactions!
Pss. Don’t be afraid of the good alcohol in skincare products! These can be found under the names Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Lanolin, and Behenyl Alcohol. They are good, fatty alcohols that help moisturize your skin.
If you love reading the INCI lists and want to understand more about the ingredients, I highly recommend checking CosDNA, Skincarisma (my favorite!), and Incidecoder 🙂