GHS 10 BEST
10 Best Cruelty-Free Products for Treating Dry Skin
We’ve put together a GHS curated regimen of cruelty-free skincare products for treating dryness. We only link to products that we absolutely believe in. We’ve chosen the below products based on the necessary ingredients needed to provide successful results, and all products are paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free.
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE CLEANSER
This cruelty-free cleanser removes makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils (sebum).
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Japanese camellia oil (Tsubaki)
✔ Glycerin
USE AS YOUR AM & PM CLEANSER
Cleanse 2x daily and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free
PRICE: $$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE CLEANSER
This cruelty-free cleanser cleans without stripping your skin of its natural oils (sebum). Plus, it's rich in yummy antioxidants like African red tea extract and vitamin C to jump start a bright and even skin tone.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Glycerin
✔ Essential Oils
USE AS YOUR AM & PM CLEANSER
Cleanse 2x daily and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, vegan
PRICE: $$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE EXFOLIATOR
This cruelty-free Japanese rice bran powder gently exfoliates your skin accelerating skin cell renewal and lipid production. Gentle exfoliation increases your skin's natural ability to retain moisture.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Glycerin
✔ Rice and Papaya Enzymes
USE AFTER CLEANSER IN YOUR PM ROUTINE
In the evening only a few times a week, exfoliate after removing makeup and cleansing. This gentle scrub will also allow deeper penetration of the products you put on after.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free
PRICE: $$$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE TONER
This cruelty-free natural toner with lactic acid, azelaic acid, willow bark, and 4 citrus oils (mandarin, tangerine, orange, and grapefruit) lightly exfoliates your skin, evens and brightens skin tone, clears impurities, and shrinks pore sizes.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Lactic Acid (AHA)
USE AFTER CLEANSER & EXFOLIATOR IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing and/or exfoliating, soak a cotton pad with this toner and gently sweep onto the skin 2x daily. Do not rinse off - instead, follow up with an essence and then any additional serums or creams.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan
PRICE: $$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE ESSENCE
A 6 ingredient anti-aging essence that improves your skin's firmness, texture, and complexion. This vegan and cruelty-free essence preps your skin for all the hydration delivering products to follow. Amazing for all skin types - not just dry skin.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Green Tea Leaf Extract
✔ Glycerin
USE AFTER TONER IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount of essence to face and neck 2x daily. Continue with serums.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, vegan
PRICE: $$$$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE SERUM
This cruelty-free hydration-boosting serum is filled with nutrient-rich ingredients, such as glycerin and snow mushroom, that help lock in moisture and reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles. Snow mushrooms have the ability to hold nearly 500xs their weight in water, delivering exceptional long-term moisturizing capabilities.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Glycerin
✔ Snow Mushroom
USE AFTER ESSENCE IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing, toning, and essence, apply this serum to your face, neck, and the back of your hands 2x daily. If using a retinol or AHA serum, apply after. If using a vitamin C or vitamin E serum, apply after. Follow up with a moisturizer.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan
PRICE: $$$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE MOISTURIZER
This cruelty-free moisturizer works to hydrates your dry skin, seal in existing moisture, and helps replenish ceramides for a healthy bounce. This moisturizer also contains nutrients that help your skin recover from and protect against stress, pollution, and UV damage.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid)
✔ Japanese Purple Rice
✔ Plant Extracts
USE AFTER SERUMS AND EMULSIONS IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing, toning, essence, serums, and emulsions (lighter lotions), apply this moisturizer to your face and neck 2x daily.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free
PRICE: $$$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE MOISTURIZER
This cruelty-free moisturizer treats dry skin by both replenishing hydration and strengthening your skins's lipid layer by providing an abundance of antioxidants to your skin. Besides hydrating thirsty skin, this moisturizer also contains herbs that treat signs of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion in your skin.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Ashwagandha
✔ Pentapeptide
✔ Rhodiola
USE AFTER SERUMS AND EMULSIONS IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing, toning, essence, serums, and emulsions (lighter lotions), apply this moisturizer to your face and neck 2x daily.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, vegan
PRICE: $$$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE FACIAL OIL
This cruelty-free CBD oil contains works to seal in moisture delivered by all prior steps in your skin care routine and calms any redness or irritation.
Note: this CBD oil does smell like marijuana, so if you do not like the smell of marijuana, then this oil may not be the best choice for you.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ CBD (Cannabidiol)
✔ Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil
USE AS FINAL STEP IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing, toning, essence, serum, emulsions, lotions, and creams, apply this CBD oil as the last step in your skin care routine 2x daily. You can wear makeup on top of CBD oil, but if you prefer a matte makeup look, only apply at night.
If you have sensitive skin, patch test this product before applying to your entire face.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan
PRICE: $$$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE FACIAL OIL
This cruelty-free, organic 100% argan oil contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants like vitamin E. Argan oil seals in moisture delivered by all prior steps in your skin care routine and is recommended for dry skin specifically because of it's high concentration of oleic acid fatty acids.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR DRYNESS
✔ Argan Oil
USE AS FINAL STEP IN YOUR AM & PM ROUTINE
After cleansing, toning, essence, serum, emulsions, lotions, and creams, apply this argan oil as the last step in your skin care routine 2x daily. You can wear makeup on top of argan oil, but if you prefer a matte makeup look, only apply at night.
CERTIFIED: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, organic, vegan
PRICE: $$
WHY WE LOVE THIS CRUELTY-FREE SUNSCREEN
This cruelty-free sunscreen is great for dry skin because it contains hyaluronic acid, giving it the ability to not only protect your skin from the sun but also moisturize your skin, leaving your skin feeling smooth and silky.
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR UV PROTECTION
✔ Zinc Oxide
✔ Octinoxate
USE AS THE FINAL STEP IN YOUR AM ROUTINE
After moisturizing and/or applying oils, apply sunscreen to your face and neck. Reapply every 2 hours if you're in the sun all day.
CERTIFIED: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free
PRICE: $$
BONUS: Dr. Dennis Pro Facial Steamer
PROFESSIONAL TOOL
HOW IT WORKS
This cruelty-free facial steamer uses micro-steam technology to hydrate your skin and detoxify your pores. The end result is soft, clean, hydrated skin and clarified pores in 9 minutes.
WHY WE LOVE IT
Having this steamer is like having a mini spa within the comfort of your own home. Treat yourself 1-2 times a week to a steam facial for purified, hydrated skin. Besides treating dry, dehydrated skin, this tool is also great for shrinking enlarged pores and fighting fine lines and wrinkles.
AT HOME USE
STEP 1: Cleanse your face & pat dry.
STEP 2: Fill tank with water
STEP 3: Steam face for 9 minutes
STEP 4: Follow up with your normal skin care regimen
PRICE: $$$$
SEE MORE PROFESSIONAL TOOLS
Want more recs?
Check out these pages for other hydrating tips and products:
- How to Treat Dryness - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
- 10 Best Hydrating Products for Treating Dryness
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