The Best All Natural Fragrance Free Lotions + Creams
Do any other women remember walking through the mall and smelling Bath and Body Works from around the corner? The scent would hit me like a wall and I would inevitably leave a few minutes later with a headache. Then I would use the products only to be left with dry, sensitive skin that was more irritated than anything.
But since those days, I have learned that I'd much rather ditch synthetic fragrances and slather up in quality products that nourish my skin holistically. A lot of people forget that your skin is the largest organ in your body-- and everything you put on it is absorbed into your bloodstream (good and bad). While our body can do an amazing job of filtering a lot of that stuff out, we live in an environment with a lot of junk. This can lead to an over-burdened body and subsequent symptoms.. To help mitigate those exposures, I try to opt for high-quality, all-natural alternatives for common beauty products.
I've shared about some of my fave non-toxic makeup brands, healthier cookware, and anti-aging skincare-- but I consistently hear one question from coaching clients. What are the best unscented lotions to add into my skincare routine?
Here are some of the best fragrance-free lotions I've found!
Why Ditch Synthetic Fragrances??
Other than a sensitive nose and irritated skin, why do I avoid fragrant lotions (and as much artificial fragrance as I can)? Well, it has to do with synthetic chemicals and your overall toxin load and burden.
Artificial fragrances in lotions are more than just about scent- they can have a profound impact on health. These fragrances are complex mixtures of various synthetic chemicals, some of which can be allergenic, hormone-disrupting, or potentially carcinogenic.
If you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, you may find that artificial fragrances exacerbate your skin irritation. And if you have a history of allergies or difficulties with breathing, that can also be exacerbated by these compounds.
Currently, there are hundreds of chemical compounds that can fall under the term "fragrance" or "parfum" on an ingredient label. Some of these natural scents, while some carry the concerns mentioned. I never bring up these subjects to try and induce fear, but rather to raise awareness. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions and feel confident about the skincare products you purchase and use.
My Favorite Fragrance-Free Moisturizers
If you have read the blog for any length of time, you know I am all about having a few high-quality products that do. the. job.
I don't want a bunch of different products that kind of work, but products that are tried and true and I can confidently recommend. Cause they are just that good. So without further ado-- here are my faves! These are all products I have personally purchased multiple times. I've used them all on myself and my children, recommended them to friends in real life, and have purchased them for gifts multiple times.
Primally Pure Baby Balm
One of the best fragrance-free moisturizers in my arsenal is a family-friendly product. Whether you are battling dry skin or a diaper rash, it's truly one of my favorites. I love it when I can purchase one product for my entire family-- it's a true sign that something is safe and healthy if it's gentle enough for newborn skin too. (You'll notice that that's a recurring theme with the other products on this list too- because if it's safe enough for my newborn- i'm a fan)
I love that this balm is rich in nourishing ingredients that support my skin barrier and don't leave a greasy residue. It's also a daily-use product for my daughter's eczema-prone skin 👏
Ingredient list:
Organic Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows - i've talked about tallow before on the blog and how it is such an amazing body moisturizer and natural skincare product. Rich in fatty acids, Vitamins A, D, E, and K, anti-inflammatory conjugated linoleic acid + antimicrobial palmitoleic acid. Since I have a history of acne-prone skin, I was always worried that using any tallow products would make me break out- but that hasn't been the case for me at all!
Organic Olive Oil
Emu Oil (AEA Certified) -highly anti-inflammatory, and penetrates deep beneath the surface of the skin to nourish and heal
Unrefined Beeswax
Organic Calendula Flower
Organic Marshmallow Root - nature’s answer for preventing stretch marks on growing bellies!
This is also one of my favorite brands for all-natural body washes, anti-aging face products, and non-toxic deodorant. While I really love this product, it's a bit on the pricier side. I'll typically stock up while it's on sale, or rotate it out with some of the other products on this list.
You can save 10% on your orders with the code KAELYN10
Butter Me Up Organics
Their Healing Body Cream is a rich cream slash body butter texture. It's the perfect choice for dry, itchy skin. I love putting this on at night before bed to let the nourishing shea and mango butter soak in overnight. Unlike the baby balm that absorbs quickly, this is more occlusive.
Ingredient List:
Shea Butter*
Mango Butter*
Beeswax
Grapeseed Oil
Vitamin E*
*certified organic
Magnesium Lotion- One of their other products that I love is the magnesium lotion. I rub some on my feet and legs as part of my holistic bedtime routine to help ensure deep, restorative sleep.
You can save 10% off any order with code KAELYN ✨
Related Reads:
Smear Whipped Tallow
Another tallow-based product- but rather than having a thick consistency, this has the most lightweight texture. All the whips are soo smooth, airy, easy to apply, and make the best moisturizers. They also have balms which are great-- but the whips are my absolute favorite.
If you're anything like me and get a little bit bored with fragrance-free products (but still want to avoid the junk), you'll love that all their scents are from essential oils. While the fragrance-free formula is great, their scents are so well done (and that is coming from someone with quite a bit of fragrance sensitivities). And don't even get me started on their holiday line...
What's extra cool about this brand is its Smear Quiz, which helps you find the right product for your skin type, skin texture, whether you're pregnant, etc.
Depending on which variety you choose, the essential oil mix will be a touch different but the basics remain the same:
grass-fed and finished tallow
organic cold-pressed olive oil
My personal faves are
Tender Whip - tallow with a touch of lavender and frankincense
Clean Whip- pure tallow and olive oil whipped without any essential oils
Awaken Tallow Coffee Scrub - not a body moisturizer per se, but too good not to mention.
All Natural Fragrance-Free Lotions on Amazon
Sometimes you just need the convenience of two-day shipping. Here are some of my favorite options from Amazon!
Amallow Grassfed Whipped Tallow - another great tallow option!
Everyone Unscented Lotion - I initially found this brand off Thrive Market and I love how all the products have a really low EWG score and are a more affordable option than most!
Plant Therapy Organic Shea Butter- 100% pure, organic shea butter. This is thick and creamy and super hydrating. My little ones struggle with eczema and we have found shea butter to be one of the most helpful ingredients for their skin. Sometimes it is a little firm in the jar so I will take a scoop out and rub it together in my hands to warm up and soften before rubbing on their skin. We typically rotate between this and the Primally Pure Baby Balm to keep their skin happy and it works great :)