Sensitive and acne-prone skin calls for the gentle touch and soothing embrace of the right skincare products. Hence, lacking nasty ingredients, the best fragrance-free moisturizers promise utmost hydration and care without the risk of irritation. Our contributor Ollie Wertheim, Founder and Chief Formulator at Sensitive Skin LLC, says, “It's possible to develop rashes from fragrance-free moisturizers if you have sensitivities to other ingredients in the formula. Always check the ingredient list for potential allergens and perform a patch test before applying a new product to your skin. If irritation occurs, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.”

Traversing this path of skincare, the search for the ideal moisturizer might seem like a daunting task, but the rewards are skin-deep and lasting. It’s noteworthy that most of these moisturizers are meticulously formulated, keeping common irritants like dyes and alcohol at bay, showcasing their commitment to sensitive skin.

According to our contributor Ollie Wertheim, “Moisturizers usually don't trigger acne, but some ingredients, such as comedogenic oils or synthetic fragrances, might clog pores and lead to breakouts for some people. Choosing non-comedogenic, lightweight moisturizers designed for your skin type can reduce this possibility.”

Both natural and synthetic fragrances harbor allergens, potential disruptors of skin’s harmony, leading to inflamed, itchy, and distressed skin (1). Therein lies the wisdom of opting for gentleness, of bestowing upon one’s skin the kindness it rightfully deserves.

The ensuing journey through this article will unravel the secrets of the most commendable fragrance-free moisturizers in the market. Each product contains a thoughtful formulation, free from sulfates, parabens, GMO, and PABA, and clinically tested to ensure the highest standards. So, based on our trial and observations, we have curated this list of product recommendations that your skin has been yearning for!

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  Best for Collagen-boosting

  CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

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Unscented and developed with dermatologists, the CeraVe moisturizing cream is a delight for dry, flaky skin. Infused with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides, it offers 24-hour hydration and a rich, velvety texture that absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling smooth without a greasy residue. This fragrance-free cream is suitable for both face and body. Furthermore, what sweetens the deal is that it is allergy-tested and non-comedogenic, making it a gentle yet effective daily moisturizer for almost all skin types.

2

Most Hydrating Formula

La Roche Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

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Experience the gentle touch of La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+—a fragrance-free moisturizer crafted for dry, rough, and sensitive skin. Enriched with shea butter, niacinamide, prebiotics, and vitamin B3, this intense repair body lotion brings relief with every application. The inclusion of glycerin ensures optimal hydration. Dive into a formula designed to soothe and nourish, creating a protective barrier for your skin. Elevate your skincare routine with a fragrance-free moisturizer that prioritizes your skin's health, providing comfort without the added scent. Embrace the science of skincare for a smoother, healthier complexion.

3

Fastest Absorbing Formula

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Moisturizer Gel-Cream

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Enriched with hyaluronic acid, this 1.7-ounce jar of gel cream quenches even the most parched skin and locks the water in your skin for a really long time. The oil-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free formula makes it a suitable addition to any skincare regimen, providing long-lasting moisturizing power. Developed by a dermatologist-recommended brand, this gel cream relieves intense dryness, making it an indispensable part of your at-home hydrating self-care routine. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic, ensuring it won’t clog pores, keeping your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

4

Mario Badescu Kera Moist Collagen Face Cream

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Indulge in Mario Badescu's Kera Moist Collagen Face Cream—a fragrance-free haven for your skin. This ultra-rich moisturizer, infused with mild BHA and oatmeal, softens dry fine lines and evens out skin tone. Enriched with collagen and vitamin C, it provides nourishment and antioxidant protection. Immerse yourself in a fragrance-free formula that prioritizes your skin's health, ensuring a velvety feel and a revitalized complexion. Elevate your skincare routine with this potent blend, where science meets indulgence, unveiling the beauty of fragrance-free moisturization.

5

Best for Oily Skin

Aveeno Daily Moisturizer

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You can easily unlock intense moisture with this fragrance-free face moisturizer from Aveeno. It can be your go-to solution for extra-dry skin. Enriched with prebiotic oat extracts, this unscented body lotion is clinically proven to soothe distressed, blemish-prone skin, offering 24-hour long moisture without feeling sticky or heavy. The formula is allergy-tested and free from dyes and parabens, making it suitable for all skin types and a gentle option for sensitive skin. And having tried this product out, we can say that this product is ideal to replenish your skin barrier and support it with nourishment.

6

Best Daytime Formula

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

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Specially designed to hydrate and restore, the Vanicream moisturizing skin cream is your ally for relief from irritated, cracking, or itchy skin. Boasting a formulation free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers, this fragrance-free face cream is a safe choice for sensitive skin. It won’t clog pores, ensuring your skin is able to breathe freely. Furthermore, this dermatologist-tested cream can be applied to the face, hands, feet, and body, making it a versatile addition to your skincare routine. Ideal for the entire family, it maintains a normal moisture level.

7

Best for Dry Skin

Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion

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Promising 48-hour moisture, the Eucerin advanced repair body lotion is your skin's shield against dryness, fighting it at its source. Crafted for very dry skin, the formula is enriched with ceramides and natural skin moisturization, aiming to prevent further dryness. Housed in a convenient pump bottle, application is a breeze anytime you need it. This lightweight fragrance-free moisturizer for dry skin absorbs swiftly, leaving no greasy residue.

8

Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Unscented Body Lotion

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It’s high time to revitalize your dry skin with Lubriderm daily moisture hydrating body lotion, a clinically proven solution suitable for the whole family. The formula is enriched with pro-vitamin B5, ceramides, shea butter, and some good old glycerin — a superhero blend that replenishes the skin barrier. Especially beneficial for tattoo aftercare, this non-fragrance moisturizer reintroduces lost moisture once tattoos are fully healed. The formula leaves your skin feeling pleasantly soft, clean, and smooth, making it a reliable choice for everyday hydration.

9

Best Nighttime Formula

e.l.f., Holy Hydration! Face Cream

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The e.l.f., Holy Hydration! face cream is a silky-smooth, fragrance-free formula that maintains your skin’s moisture balance. Richly packed with key ingredients such as squalane, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a peptide complex, this cream is your go-to for both morning and night routines, catering to all skin types. Whether you use it to prep your skin for makeup or to cleanse at night, the cruelty-free and vegan formula is 100% free from harmful ingredients, offering pure hydration.

10

Top Hypoallergenic Option

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50

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The Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 is a lightweight 3-in-1 solution that hydrates, nourishes, and diligently protects your skin against sun damage. Specially designed for sensitive skin, this non-greasy formula absorbs swiftly, leaving no white residue, and delivers 8 hours of controlled, quenching skin hydration. Plus this unscented face lotion consists of a simple, non-comedogenic formula that ensures your pores remain unclogged, thereby preventing future breakouts. The travel-friendly size guarantees soft, smooth, and shielded skin, wherever you are

11

Budget-friendly Choice

Amazon Basics Ultra Moisturizing Skin Cream

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Offering soothing relief for dry and sensitive skin, the Amazon Basics ultra-moisturizing skin cream comes in a generous 16-ounce jar. This product particularly caters to the needs of sensitive skin types, ensuring a gentle yet effective hydration experience. Made in the U.S.A., incorporating both local and foreign components, this fragrance-free moisturizer is a conscientious choice for your skincare regime. For optimal results, you have to consistently apply the product on a regular basis.

12

eltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer Lotion

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Now you can start your morning skincare routine with EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer Lotion, a harmonious blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and other skin conditioners. Expertly formulated to restore your skin’s natural moisture levels, this unscented facial moisturizer promises a hydrated and revitalized complexion. This lotion aims to reduce flaky skin and red inflammation, making it a savior for those struggling with parched, damaged, and sensitized skin. Plus, it caters to other skin types as well and prevents skin pores from getting clogged.

13

Curél Fragrance Free Comforting Body Lotion

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Delve into a world where your skin feels sublimely hydrated and quenched with this comforting body lotion by Curél. Boasting an advanced ceramide complex, this lotion plays a pivotal role in supporting the skin barrier, thereby strengthening it at preventing lesions. It's meticulously designed to alleviate dry, irritated, and itchy skin, promising 24 hours of continuous hydration through its time-released formula. This unscented moisturizer is a daily companion in your journey to restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

14

Most Nourishing

The Honest Company Hydrating Face + Body Lotion

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The Honest Company's Hydrating Face + Body Lotion is a fragrance-free elixir designed for those with sensitive skin. This scent-free moisturizer leverages the goodness of shea butter, jojoba esters, and safflower oil in a gentle formula, which helps replenish your skin and quench its thirst. Whether applied to a baby’s delicate skin or that of your own, the payoff is always super-nourishing. Dermatologist-tested and composed of natural ingredients, this lotion makes for a promising investment for your skin.

15

Best Anti-aging Moisturizer

Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 MAX Face Moisturizer

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Unlock the secret to revitalized skin with this unscented face moisturizer by Olay Regenerist This expertly formulated cream takes hydration to the next level, offering a MAX concentration featuring twice the regular concentration of collagen peptides. Owing to its well-emulsified texture, the product absorbs swiftly, leaving no greasy residue, making it an ideal base under makeup. Unlike other moisturizers, the potent ingredients, including vitamin B3, which replenish the skin’s surface, promising a surge of moisture and rejuvenation.

Now we have reached the end of the list of the best fragrance-free moisturizers after putting them on trial to help you find the most effective one as per your skin type. Let’s move forward with the buying guide and how-to-choose sections.

Choosing the best fragrance-free facial moisturizer is about getting what's best for your skin. Let's discover the keys to making the perfect choice.

• Skin Type: Whether your skin is dry, combination, oily, or sensitive, understand your skin type before selecting any moisturizer.

• Ingredients: Before purchasing an unscented moisturizer, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and natural oils. 

• Hydration: The balance of hydration is essential. A good fragrance-free moisturizer should hydrate your skin with no greasy residue.

• Brand Reputation: Consider reputable brands known for quality and skin-friendly products. Trusting in brand integrity can guide you to a moisturizer that's both effective and safe.

• Consult Your Dermatologist: Consult a dermatologist when you are in doubt. They can help you out with specific skin concerns or conditions.

The journey of choosing the right fragrance-free moisturizer is about understanding your unique skin. It is easy to have happy and healthy skin and leave your skin hydrated!

No matter what type of skin you have, every skin requires hydration. And the products we have listed here, based on our first-hand experience, will allow your skin to breathe while avoiding unnecessary fragrance. Subtle yet powerful, these are the best fragrance-free moisturizers that hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin. Fragrance-free products are not just a choice; it’s a lifestyle necessity, a gentle nod to embracing authenticity in a world often masked in artificial fragrance. We hope you liked our product recommendations. Happy shopping!

Contributor: Ollie Wertheim, Founder and Chief Formulator, Sensitive Skin LLC