On days when the temperature drops, there’s nothing as important as giving your body’s largest organ – your skin – proper hydration.
When choosing face creams and body lotions, it would be great to know that the products that rescue you from your skincare woes are also free from harmful chemicals like phthalates and parabens; do not contain animal-derived products like carmine, lanolin or beeswax; and are never tested on animals.
Here are our picks for the best vegan, cruelty-free face and body moisturisers for various skin types:
Facial moisturisers
For Dull, Dry Skin
Wonderfully luxurious with a proprietary blend of detoxifying compounds and plant-based squalene, designed to protect the skin from harmful elements, Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion helps you say goodbye to dullness and dryness, offering time-released, deeply penetrating hydration to your face and neck. Antioxidants, peptides and essential oils work to fight visible signs of ageing, leaving your skin soft and supple.
Available at Sephora HK
For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
A combination of aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sage extract, sandalwood and apple oils make up Tata Harper’s lightweight Clarifying Moisturiser. Specially formulated for blemish-prone skin, the product increases hydration levels while working to remove congestion from the surface.
Available at Net-a-Porter
For Combination Skin
A buttery-soft sleeping cream, Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen works overnight to give skin a dewy feel and intense nourishment. Working when the skin is at its optimat recovery time, the cream uses concentrated plant collagen, collagen amino acids and ceramides that help provide a visibly smoother, glowing and renewed complexion when you wake up.
Available at Sephora HK
For Sensitive Skin
An oil-free, fragrance-free lightweight gel, Perricone MD High Potency Classics: Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturiser infuses skin with much-needed hydration while reducing the appearance of fine lines. The formulation includes three types of hyaluronic acid: one to plump skin, one for continuous hydration and one to help prevent moisture loss. DMAE and rosemary leaf extract helps lift and tighten skin over time.
Available at LookFantastic
All-in-One Set
Working together to leave your skin and lips thoroughly moisturised and ready to withstand the elements, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s 6-step Winter Kit includes the Cleanser, Face Mask, Night Serum, Calming Serum, Face Cream Rich, and Lip Balm in deluxe and miniature sizes, all in a travel-friendly, reusable fabric bag which is part of the brand’s migration to sustainable packaging.
Available at Joyce Beauty
Body Lotions, Oils and Butters
Augustinus Bader’s The Body Oil
Powered by the brand’s TFC8 Complex and plant-based actives, Augustinus Bader’s The Body Oil is a wonder elixir–with a silky, rich texture that’s non-greasy and fast-absorbing, the oil deeply hydrates and conditions the skin, while helping minimise stretch marks and scarring, and lightening dark spots and cellulite. The fragrance-free formula won’t clog your pores and it’s great for all skin types.
Available at Joyce Beauty
Drunk Elephant TLC Glycolic Body Lotion
Drunk Elephant’s TLC Glycolic Body Lotion contains a blend of 10% AHAs which gently exfoliates the skin to resurface dull and uneven areas. A mix of plant oils and butters such as passionfruit, apricot, marula and shea work together to soothe irritable skin, while Vitamin F, squalane and niacinamide work to create a stronger, healthier acid mantle. The formulation is fragrance free and at an ideal pH of 3.5.
Available at Sephora HK
LIHA Gold Shea Butter
Liha Beauty’s Gold formula is made from organic shea butter, which, for many cultures, is a cure-all for dry skin, to scars and stretch marks. The creamy formulation is rich in vitamins E and A, great antioxidants that promote cell regeneration. To apply with ease, allow it to melt in your hands first.
Available at Net-a-Porter
See also: Shop Local: 8 Homegrown Clean Beauty Brands in Hong Kong
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