8 vegan moisturizers that actually work (your skin will thank you)

I used to think finding a good vegan moisturizer was like hunting down a K-pop idol at Coachella—technically possible, but improbable and exhausting. Either the formula felt like watered-down oat milk, or it left my face greasier than a tofu stir-fry gone rogue.

And don’t get me started on the ones that smelled like your local juice bar's dumpster during a heat wave.

But after years of decoding ingredient lists like they were BTS lyrics and testing creams that promised dewy miracles (but delivered pimples), I’ve cracked the code.

You can be cruelty-free and get skin that glows brighter than Taemin in a spotlight.

Whether you're fighting flakes, oil slicks, or just trying to not look like you were dragged through the Sahara backwards, here are eight vegan moisturizers that actually work—no fluff, no fuzz, no animal byproducts.

Why vegan moisturizers matter

Before we dive in, let’s zoom out. Why go vegan with skincare in the first place? It’s not just a vibe—it’s a choice that packs real impact.

• Animal welfare: Traditional moisturizers often contain ingredients like lanolin (from sheep’s wool), beeswax, or collagen (from fish or cows). Vegan formulas skip the exploitation without sacrificing performance. 
• Planet perks: Research from Oxford University shows that animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change. Every time we swap out an animal-derived product, we shrink our carbon (and cruelty) footprint. 
• Skin savior: Many people with sensitive or acne-prone skin find that simpler, plant-based formulas with fewer fillers are gentler and less likely to clog pores.

So yeah—it’s skincare with a conscience. But also, your face deserves the good stuff.

1. Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream

Best for: Oily to combination skin
Texture: Cloud-light and fast-absorbing
Star ingredients: Kale, spinach, green tea, hyaluronic acid

This is the Beyoncé of vegan moisturizers: consistent, high-performance, and low drama. It glides on like whipped matcha mousse and sinks in instantly—perfect if you hate that sticky “I just greased a baking sheet” feeling.

The green tea and kale combo brings antioxidant power, while hyaluronic acid pulls moisture into your skin like a backstage pass pulls you to the VIP lounge. Bonus: the glass jar is fully recyclable.

Jordan’s hot take: I use this under sunscreen during summer. It doesn’t pill or slide off mid-day, even when I’m dancing through a weekend farmer’s market.

2. Versed Skin Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream

Best for: Sensitive, breakout-prone skin
Texture: Lightweight gel
Star ingredients: Green tea extract, aloe, sodium hyaluronate

Budget-friendly, Target-shelf accessible, and surprisingly luxe for the price tag. Dew Point feels like a cooling drink for your face, minus the sugar crash.

It’s free from parabens, silicones, and sulfates—basically all the drama you don’t want in a relationship or your skincare.

Jordan’s hot take: This is my go-to travel moisturizer. It layers well over spot treatments and keeps my skin calm even after a long-haul flight or late-night K-drama binge.

3. Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream

Best for: Uneven texture or enlarged pores
Texture: Rich without being heavy
Star ingredients: Celery superseed complex, squalane, turmeric

Let’s just say it: “poreless” is a scam. But refined and less ragey pores? Achievable. Cocokind’s plant-based formula visibly smooths things out with regular use, thanks to that celery seed magic.

The turmeric adds a subtle glow-up over time—without the yellow-staining horror story some turmeric-based products trigger.

Jordan’s hot take: After two weeks, my T-zone looked noticeably less like a lunar surface and more like, well, skin.

4. Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream

Best for: Dry, dull, or mature skin
Texture: Silky cream
Star ingredients: Tremella mushroom, rosewater, vegan squalane

Don’t be fooled by the delicate name—this moisturizer means business. Tremella mushroom holds up to 500x its weight in water (that’s more than hyaluronic acid), so your skin gets max hydration without clogging your vibe.

Plus, it smells like a spa day with a soft playlist of lo-fi beats.

Jordan’s hot take: On days when my skin feels post-breakup-level dry, this is my comfort blanket in a jar.

5. The Outset Nourishing Daily Moisturizer

Best for: Minimalists or ingredient purists
Texture: Light cream
Star ingredients: Hyaluroset complex, niacinamide, squalane

Scarlett Johansson’s brand surprised me—in a good way. This moisturizer is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and vegan to the core. It’s perfect if you want something that “just works” without feeling like a 12-step ritual.

The niacinamide helps even out tone while reducing redness, and the hyaluroset complex mimics hyaluronic acid using plants. Love a smart swap.

Jordan’s hot take: This is the moisturizer equivalent of a plain white tee—reliable, versatile, and looks good with everything.

6. BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream

Best for: Strengthening skin barrier
Texture: Weightless gel-cream
Star ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, green tea

TikTok’s been buzzing about BYOMA for good reason—it’s cute, affordable, and packed with barrier-boosting ceramides.

If your skin is over-exfoliated, wind-burned, or generally annoyed, this will calm it down like lo-fi hip hop and warm miso soup.

Jordan’s hot take: I slather this on after retinol nights to avoid looking like I lost a battle with sandpaper.

7. Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream

Best for: Irritated or sensitized skin
Texture: Feather-light cream
Star ingredients: Oats (and minimal essentials)

This one has 15 ingredients total. That’s less than most granola bars.

Designed by skincare influencer Liah Yoo, it’s ideal for skin that’s throwing a tantrum—like post-peel, post-sunburn, or post–bad breakup with a fragranced serum.

Jordan’s hot take: I keep a jar of this in my fridge and use it as a cooling mask after beach days. It’s the skincare equivalent of an oat milk latte for your cheeks.

8. Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Sleep Hydration Cream

Best for: Nighttime hydration
Texture: Thick night cream
Star ingredients: Granactive retinoid, quinoa, mushrooms

Pacifica nails the bedtime vibe here: it smells softly floral, absorbs while you dream, and features a plant-based retinoid alternative that won’t fry your face. It's like the weighted blanket of moisturizers.

Jordan’s hot take: I wake up with skin that feels less “mid-2000s MySpace profile pic” and more “dewy queen in golden-hour light.”

How to pick your vegan moisturizer match

Not sure where to start? Here's a breakdown by skin type to help you find your perfect plant-based partner:

• If you have oily skin:
  Go for Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Cream or BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream. Both are feather-light, fast-absorbing, and won’t leave you shiny by lunch. 
• If you have dry skin:
  Your best bets are Herbivore Pink Cloud and Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Sleep Cream. They’re rich, nourishing, and built for all-night (or all-day) hydration. 
• If you have sensitive skin:
  Check out Krave Beauty Oat So Simple and Versed Dew Point. Minimalist formulas with soothing ingredients that calm your skin without causing drama. 
• If you’re looking for anti-aging support:
  Try The Outset Nourishing Daily Moisturizer or Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful, which features a gentle retinoid alternative for overnight renewal. 
• If your skin is acne-prone:
  Reach for Versed, BYOMA, or Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream. They hydrate without clogging pores and contain skin-balancing heroes like niacinamide and green tea.

Patch test before going all-in (your skin deserves a trial run too), and don’t forget—hydration works best when it starts from the inside. So yes, drink that water.

The bottom line

Going vegan with your skincare isn’t just a trend—it’s part of a broader shift toward conscious consumption.

Every jar, pump, or scoop is a small protest against unnecessary cruelty, a vote for the planet, and a step toward treating your skin like the sacred organ it is.

You don’t need to sacrifice glow for ethics. These moisturizers prove you can have both.

And honestly? Your skin (and a few sheep) will thank you.