While fragrance might make your products (and your face!) smell fancy, swapping in the best fragrance-free moisturizers is crucial if scented lotions make your reactive, sensitive skin flare up. Plus, plenty of skin types—beyond simply sensitive—can find fragrances (synthetic or not) irritating, according to Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Canton, Michigan. “Even if something is labeled as ‘natural,’ that doesn’t mean your body won’t react to it.” In fact, Dr. Fahs points out that more than 80 essential oils have been linked to contact dermatitis (yikes!), which happens when your skin interacts with an irritant or allergen. Basically, if you notice redness, stinging, flaking, or itching after using fragranced products, Dr. Fahs recommends refreshing your skin-care cabinet.
Our Top Fragrance-Free Moisturizers
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, it’s time to put that advice to work. Ahead, we rounded up the best fragrance-free hydrators, a.k.a gentle, soothing formulas that deliver serious moisture without any of the drama.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: For less than $25, La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer deserves a front-and-center spot in your medicine cabinet. The fragrance-free cream offers a big hit of hydration thanks to ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and the brand’s signature thermal spring water, which soothes the skin. Seattle-based dermatologist Sarah Sung, MD, previously told Allure that this cream is one of her go-to picks for pairing with tretinoin. “The lightweight texture absorbs quickly but provides lasting moisture, so it works well for both morning and night,” she says.
“This is my emotional support moisturizer. It’s up there with Aquaphor as a product that I can trust to perform no matter how dry or damaged my skin barrier is. It doesn’t go big on fancy fine-line-reducing ingredients or anything, and instead focuses on hydration. It leaves my skin wrapped in a cocoon of moisture—but not the overbearing and itchy kind! It plays nicely with my angry eczema flare-ups, and has no fragrance, so I can use it on my kids too.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, thermal spring water
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, especially sensitive and dry
Best for Oily Skin: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Clinique
Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Sarah Felbin
Why it’s worth it: Tons of factors lead to dehydrated skin—lack of sleep, travel, sweat, you name it. Packed with brightening vitamin C, moisturizing vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator delivers deep hydration while still feeling super lightweight and refreshing. Translation: Oily and combination skin will drink this stuff up. The gel-like cream sinks in immediately, leaving behind a glass-like finish that is just tacky enough to grip onto makeup. Use it at night for a moisture boost while you sleep, or during the day for skin that’s bouncy, plump, and effortlessly hydrated.
Tester feedback from Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
“This was my go-to moisturizer in college, and it still holds up. I love the gel texture—it’s lightweight, sinks into my skin quickly, and feels cooling (very refreshing!). It’s also a great base for makeup and never pills on me. When I use it at night, I notice that my skin still feels super hydrated and looks glowy in the morning.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid
- Texture: lightweight gel
- Best for: all skin types, especially those with oily skin
Best for Dry Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
SkinCeuticals
Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: SkinCeuticals’ Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 takes its name straight from its formula: 2% pure ceramides (types 1 and 3), 4% cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. Why is this ratio so important? “It infuses skin-identical fatty acids into the barrier in the exact proportion that naturally exists in our barrier,” Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, previously told Allure. Together, these ingredients help lock in moisture and reinforce the skin barrier. “It coddles my skin, comforting the extra-dry patches and leaving my complexion bouncy and bright,” Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor affirms.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Let me tell you: This cream is so nice and buttery but not in a super-rich-my-skin-feels-like-there’s-a-film-on-it way. I have combo skin so this is a great nighttime moisturizer—it really feels as if all of my other skin-care products are properly sealed in. Over time, along with the other hydrating formulas I pack onto my face, I can say it’s helped improve the firmness of my skin—which can turn dull and lifeless with just a few days of poor sleep, diet, etc.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids
- Texture: cream
- Best for: people with fine lines, dry skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Illiyoon
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream has a loyal following because it’s a savior for sensitive skin. The fragrance-free formula packs barrier-strengthening ceramides and moisture-locking glycerin, and it’s gentle enough for adults and kids (yup, the whole fam can use it!). “This product has saved my skin,” Charlotte Cho, founder of Soko Glam, previously told Allure. “It’s one of the most soothing body products I’ve used, and it’s rich enough to keep my skin from flaking,” she says.
“Illiyoon’s K-beauty staple has completely transformed my acne-prone, combination skin, and I have its high concentration of plant-based ceramides to thank. It has strengthened my skin barrier, giving me that healthy, hydrated glow and a bouncy, soothed feel, all without irritation or breakouts (which is rare for me!). As a beauty writer who tests endless products, the fact that this moisturizer has remained a constant in my routine for two full years says it all.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, but especially those with sensitive, reactive skin
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
Skinfix
Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai after applying Skinfix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream
Deanna Pai
Why it’s worth it: If your barrier is crying out for help (hi, blemishes and redness) but you’re too oily and acne-prone for heavy creams, Skinfix’s Best of Beauty-winning Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is a lifesaver. Powered by a mix of moisture-binding saccharide isomerate, oil-absorbing niacinamide, and a peptide blend that supports the skin barrier’s moisturizing abilities, it delivers serious moisture to help your barrier bounce back, all without that dreaded thick film. New York City-based dermatologist David Kim, MD, is a big fan, too, touting its lightweight formula for its ability to sit pretty on oily skin. “One to two pumps is all you need, and it gets absorbed instantly,” he previously told Allure. Bonus points for the push-top packaging, which keeps things bacteria- and mess-free (no finger-dipping required).
Tester feedback from contributing editor Deanna Pai
“I’ve only just started using this lightweight gel-cream, but it’s totally changed the game for me—already. My combination skin is prone to acne, and I love knowing that the non-comedogenic formula won’t make matters worse. It’s been a godsend this summer, too. I can apply it right after my post-run shower (when I’m usually still sweating) without it ever feeling greasy or occlusive.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
Key ingredients: zinc PCA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Texture: lightweight gel
Best for: people prone to breakouts or congested skin
Best Lightweight: Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer
Tatcha
Dewy Milk Moisturizer
Allure features director Kara McGrath applying Tatcha’s Dewy Milk Moisturizer
Kara McGrath
Why it’s worth it: Plenty of “lightweight” creams claim to feel airy, but this one actually delivers. With its milky, serum-like texture, it sinks right in, erases that tight, dry feeling on contact, and leaves skin dewy without a hint of greasiness. The formula also brings some not-so-typical ingredients to the table: zinc hyaluronate for hydration that won’t feel heavy on oily skin, prebiotic green tea to balance skin’s pH and provide anti-aging benefits, and Japanese purple rice to fend off free radical damage, which results in fine lines and wrinkles (and who wants that?).
“The lavender packaging is what inspired me to pull this out of my towering ‘To Test’ pile, but I was pleased to discover that what’s inside is even better. This is my platonic ideal of a summer moisturizer: It’s lightweight, quick to absorb, not greasy, and very hydrating.”—Kara McGrath, content director
- Key ingredients: zinc hyaluronate, prebiotic green tea, Japanese purple rice
- Texture: lightweight, milky fluid
- Best for: all skin types, especially oily skin or those struggling with dullness
Best With SPF: Supergoop Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40
Supergoop
Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor the applying Supergoop! Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it’s worth it: If you’re hunting for a fragrance-free moisturizer that doubles as SPF, Supergoop’s Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40 checks every box. The silky chemical formula glides on, sinks in fast, and leaves zero white cast, which is crucial for deeper skin tones. On top of sun protection, it’s loaded with skin-plumping MVPs like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, and ectoin to keep pores happy and hydration levels up. True to Supergoop fashion, it layers beautifully under makeup and provides a smooth base. (You can also apply it under a tinted SPF for extra protection.)
“On my super dry skin, Supergoop’s Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40 absorbs quickly and leaves me feeling as if I have slathered on a regular moisturizer. When it dries down, it has a silky finish that isn’t sticky or greasy. It leaves my skin looking radiant.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
- Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (7%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (6%), hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ectoin, niacinamide
- Texture: silky cream
- Best for: everyone who can tolerate chemical sunscreen filters
Best for Redness: Peach Slices Redness Relief Calming Cream
Peach Slices
Redness Relief Calming Cream
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Peach Slices Redness Relief Calming Cream
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: If your skin turns fire hydrant-red during a flare-up, tone it down with the cooling and anti-inflammatory powers of Peach Slices’ Redness Relief Calming Cream. It’s supercharged with turmeric root to minimize discoloration and irritation, as well as rhodomyrtus extract to fight active blemishes, green algae to combat redness, and panthenol to deeply hydrate. It’s basically a breath of fresh air for panicking skin.
Tester feedback from Wohlner
“I’ll immediately feel pins and needles when my skin doesn’t like a product, but this cream makes my barrier feel plump, refreshed, and relaxed. Any redness I have is always less noticeable after application.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: turmeric root, rhodomytrus extract, green algae, panthenol
- Texture: lightweight cream
- Best for: people with sensitive or acne-prone skin
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fragrance-free moisturizers better than scented ones?
If your skin leans sensitive, acne-prone, or just plain reactive, then yes—fragrance-free is the way to go since it lowers your chances of irritation and flare-ups. If you’re one of the lucky ones whose skin does tolerate fragrance well, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the sensory experience. Bottom line: It’s less about one being better than the other and more about finding what your skin prefers.
Before slathering a new moisturizer all over your face, do a quick patch test on your neck or the back of your hand. If you notice redness, stinging, or irritation popping up, that’s your skin’s way of saying “no thanks,“ and it’s probably not the formula for you.
Meet the experts
- Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Canton, Michigan
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best fragrance-free moisturizers, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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