Best Paraben-Free Moisturizers
When it comes to taking care of skin, using a quality moisturizer is an absolute must.
These amazing products prevent irritation and pesky cracking of the skin by providing adequate hydration. Not just that, they also balance out your complexion and help keep those unpleasant wrinkles away. However, the issue with most moisturizers on the market is that they contain parabens, which are synthetic preservatives that cause damage to the skin in the long run.
Since we don’t want you to use such dodgy products, we have explained all the health risks associated with paraben-based items and why you should avoid them.
Furthermore, we have shortlisted the top paraben-free moisturizers in 2022 to help you understand why they are better than ordinary moisturizers. Thus, prepare yourself for an exciting ride.
With that said, let’s begin.
What Exactly Are Parabens?
Parabens are nothing but a group of preservatives commonly used in pharmaceuticals, food products, personal hygiene products, and cosmetics. Nearly all parabens are artificially produced, except the ones found in blueberries. They are mainly added to extend the shelf life of products as they tend to keep mold and bacteria growth at bay.
You can easily identify if your product has paraben or not by checking its list of ingredients, as they will typically feature the word “paraben” in their names. These include propylparaben, butylparaben, and methylparaben.
Why Should You Avoid Paraben-Based Products?
Even though there are a ton of products out there formulated using parabens, their usage can cause negative effects. For starters, they can obstruct the hormonal functions in your body. Since parabens are basically xenoestrogens, they imitate estrogen, thereby causing hormonal imbalances. Additionally, parabens may reduce sperm count[1] in men and even cause breast cancer[2] in women.
According to studies[3], parabens get stored in the cells, causing long-term damage due to prolonged exposure.
Effects Of Parabens On The Skin
If that wasn’t enough to stop you from using paraben-based products, let us tell you that they can even cause allergic reactions to the skin and irritate it badly.
And if you already have an existing skin disorder such as psoriasis, dermatitis, or eczema, paraben use can further aggravate symptoms and make matters much worse. That is why we strongly recommend using paraben-free products.
3 Reasons To Choose Paraben-Free Moisturizers
Here, we have listed a few reasons why you should start using paraben-free moisturizers:
1. Youthful Skin
Believe it or not, most paraben-based products that you see on the market actually end up making you look older because of an ingredient called methylparaben. This ingredient is infamous for reducing collagen, an important protein found in connective tissues that are responsible for easing joint pains and providing a youthful appearance.
On the other hand, paraben-free moisturizers stimulate collagen production, thereby soothing redness irritation and working as an anti-aging cream.
2. Healthier Body
As we have already mentioned before, parabens are known to cause breast cancer in women and infertility in men. That’s because paraben-based products contain numerous unfamiliar fragrances, preservatives, and chemicals that build up in tissues over time and affect your health.
However, that is not the case with paraben-free products, as they contain mostly natural ingredients with minimal side effects.
3. Reduces Expenses
When you start using paraben-free moisturizers, you might notice a decrease in expenses. This is because you will most likely stop spending money buying the extra items to fix issues related to paraben use. For instance, you may have to invest in creams for irritated skin, aging skin, and so on.
Top 7 Paraben-Free Moisturizers
Take a look at our list of the top paraben-free moisturizers available right now:
1. Horbäach Retinol Cream
When it comes to manufacturing great supplements and personal care products, Horbäach ensures that it leaves no stones unturned. And the Retinol Cream is yet another noteworthy addition to its beauty product collection. It contains vitamin A that works in cohesion with hyaluronic acid to offer sufficient hydration, firmness, and radiance to your skin.
You can apply this retinol cream from Horbäach at night as an anti-aging cream or as a radiance booster in the morning. Rest assured, the restoring formula of the product will invigorate your skin to resist stress and keep dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles at bay.
Pros
- Free of artificial colors
- SLS-free
- Has been dermatologically tested
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Could cause breakouts
2. NĀELI Day Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Next, we have another great paraben-free moisturizer from the house of NĀELI. It is a peptide-rich, hydrating, and lightweight cream that delivers outstanding UVA/UVB rays protection. Not just that, it also offers collagen regeneration and anti-aging benefits, which is why it is one of the best-selling paraben-free moisturizers on the market.
The hydrolyzed oat protein, vitamin A, and antioxidant extracts in the cream work to enhance cellular regeneration and elasticity, prevent anti-aging, and smoothen fine lines. And the best part? It can absorb readily without irritating or leaving any white residue on the skin.
You can get this product at your local cosmetic shop at a reasonably affordable price.
Pros
- Free from silicone
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Dye-free
Cons
- Some people might not like the smell
3. ATOPALM Intensive Moisturizing Cream
This moisturizing cream from ATOPALM is deeply hydrating and gentle for the elbows, knees, the face — basically the entire body. It features a patented Multi-Lamellar Emulsion formula containing plant-derived ingredients that help refill lost skin lipids and avoid over-evaporation of skin moisture.
Apart from this, the product protects your skin against various weather elements, forming a hydrating seal to ensure it remains supple and soft. Furthermore, you can use it for treating issues like cosmetic allergies, redness, irritated skin, and even microdermabrasion.
Pros
- Comes with a pH-balanced formulation
- Has been dermatologically tested
- Gentle on the skin
- Non-greasy
- RIPT-tested
Cons
- Could cause breakouts
4. VICHY Aqualia Thermal Richie-Rich
Featuring natural ingredients such as plant sugar and hyaluronic acid, the VICHY Aqualia Thermal Richie-Rich works to even out fine lines and offer a natural glow. While the plant sugar offers top-notch hydration by making the skin barrier stronger, the hyaluronic acid ensures it stays plump.
Pros
- Free from allergens
- Dermatologically-tested
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- Could cause breakouts
5. L’OREAL PARIS Revitalift Moisturizer
The next paraben-free product that we are going to talk about is the L’OREAL PARIS Revitalift Moisturizer. This non-greasy and rich moisturizing cream repairs and strengthens your skin to withstand aging signs, such as loss of firmness and visible lines.
Additionally, the formula features Centella Asiatica and Pro-Retinol, a wrinkle-killer that ensures the natural moisture barrier of the skin remains intact. Not to mention, it offers softer, smoother, and supple skin with adequate hydration.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Not greasy
- Comes with an allergen-free formula
Cons
- Watery texture
6. LA ROCHE-POSAY Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
As for the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, we are pleased to let you know that it contains ingredients that have been carefully selected to enhance the skin benefits. However, the best part is that it can restore your skin, providing a healthy glow.
Moving on, the oil-free formula contains prebiotic thermal water that nourishes the microbiome of the skin, providing perfect hydration that lasts for up to 48 hours.
Pros
- Features an oil-free formulation
- Lightweight
- Dermatologically-tested
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Could cause irritation
7. Era organics Complete Face Moisturizer
Finally, we bring you the Complete Face Moisturizer from Eraorganics, a non-greasy and plant-based cream that can last up to 12 hours. Its potent formulation contains a range of superfoods, including hemp seed oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, and more.
Moreover, its natural ingredient profile contains safe and effective components that repair damaged cells, boost collagen production, and stimulate cell growth. Plus, the moisturizer works as a night cream or anti-aging cream, so it could reduce wrinkles and fine lines while also curing irritation and redness.
Pros
- Doesn’t contain alcohol
- Fragrance-free
- Features a natural ingredient profile
- Filler-free
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Could cause breakouts
Important Considerations
When purchasing a quality paraben-free moisturizer, make sure you keep a couple of factors in mind, which include:
1. Shelf Life
Before purchasing a paraben-free moisturizer, check the expiry date. Also, remember to store it properly in a cool and dry place to increase its efficacy
2. Ingredient Profile
Even though paraben-free products are relatively safer and feature a different formulation than ordinary moisturizers, it’s best to scan the ingredient profile for preservatives to be on the safe side. That said, it is worth noting that most paraben-free moisturizers contain safe and natural ingredients to replace parabens, so the risks are already minimal.
Tips For Applying A Paraben-Free Moisturizer The Right Way
Follow these tips to make the most out of your paraben-free moisturizer:
- For achieving optimal hydration, apply your moisturizer on damp and cleansed skin
- Don’t forget to apply it to your neck
- Those using multiple products should check if they are compatible with each other
- To boost sun protection, use antioxidant-based moisturizer
- Always use thicker moisturizers at night
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, we have tried answering a few frequently asked questions — we genuinely hope that you find them helpful.
1. Where do skin breakouts take place?
More often than not, breakouts, also known as an acne flare, take place where the skin has too many oil glands. Skin breakouts are most common around the shoulders, chest, face, etc.
2. What are some safe paraben alternatives?
In this day and age, you will find many paraben alternatives on the market. Natural preservatives such as thyme essential oil, grapefruit extract, and rosemary extract are some of the popular ones.
Additionally, there are harmless chemicals like Diazolidinyl urea, potassium sorbate, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate that can be used as alternatives to paraben.
3. Do popular brands use paraben in their products?
Yes, many of them do. These are some of the famous moisturizing cream manufacturers that use parabens:
- CeraVe
- Cetaphil
- Nivea
- Ponds
- Oil Of Olay
4. What are the different types of moisturizers?
Moisturizers can broadly be divided into the following three categories:
A. Emollients
These moisturizers consist of oils and fats that hydrate the skin to make it gentle by covering the gaps present on its surface. Additionally, they help repair the barrier of the skin by getting into the cell walls. Silicones, jojoba oil, squalene, fatty acids, ceramides are all ideal examples of emollients.
B. Occlusives
As far as occlusives are concerned, they form a layer on the skin to prevent it from losing moisture. Some commonly used occlusives are beeswax and vegetable oil.
C. Humectants
Finally, we have humectants, which pull enough water to the skin surface to make it look well hydrated. The moisture comes either from the environment or from the deeper layers of the skin. Some examples of humectants are honey, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of our informative guide. And we hope that it has helped you gain some valuable knowledge on paraben-free moisturizers.
Also, we think that it can be safely said that using paraben-free skincare products is perhaps the safest way to protect yourself from the various risks associated with parabens. So, what are you waiting for?
Go and get your moisturizer replaced with a paraben-free one. And if you have trouble making a purchase, refer to our guide as we have mentioned a few quality options.
That’s it for today. Until next time!
Reference Links:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19007877/