Keeping your skin hydrated is SO important. Hydration = life! My friend Sarah and I have discovered what we think are the two BEST ultra-hydrating natural face moisturizers available. Whether you’re looking for a luxury option or a more budget-friendly choice, we have you covered!

If you know anything about me and my girl Sarah from Whoorl, we both love our face oils. When it comes to moisturizing our skin, we take things very seriously.

Sarah will talk until the day she dies about her love for Maya Chia’s Pure Supercritical Omega-3 Chia Seed Oil and I will talk until I’m blue in the face about Laurel’s Sun Serum but no matter what the oil, there is something all oils have lacking in common. HYDRATION.

Face Oils v. Moisturizers

Here’s the thing; oil and water do not mix. I learned this lesson the first time I tried to make salad dressing. So, it’s the same with skincare.

To make an oil + water (or aloe or some sort of liquid) formula, it has to be emulsified (forcing the oil and water to mix) which in turn creates a lotion or a cream. And because of this, creams and lotions can be extremely hydrating for our skin in ways that oils can’t.

The Mayo Clinic recommends using moisturizers because “dry skin shrivels plump skin cells, which can lead to premature fine lines and wrinkles. And although moisturizers can’t prevent wrinkles, they may temporarily mask tiny lines and creases.”

But not all face moisturizers are created equal. I grabbed this list of what a moisturizer should do from this NIH paper and I also added a few of my own requirements too.

An ideal all-natural moisturizer should…

• Reduce and prevent water loss often referred to as TEWL or transepidermal water loss.
• Restore lipid barrier and enhance the skin’s moisturizing retention mechanisms.
• Be nontoxic.
• Absorb immediately providing immediate hydration.
• Accommodate your budget.

Most of all, I just want my face cream to deliver and retain MOISTURE. So, after years of testing, I’m detailing out my current faves that do just that.

There are both luxury picks for those of us who enjoy investing in our skincare and a more budget friendly picks for all of us who want the shoes, the bag, the makeup and the skincare too!

Best Natural Face Moisturizers

1. The Fix Face Potion by KHUS + KHUS | $84

This is a great pick for people with normal to inflamed/red/acneic skin.

I’m currently obsessed with KHUS + KHUS’s The Fix. This is a creamy, moisture-retaining face cream that’s good for most skin types and issues including dry, oily, sensitive, eczema and acne, sun-damaged and dark circles.

This formula (even though it looks like a cream) does not actually have any water in it BUT it’s a beast at retaining moisture so I’m adding it in here. I apply this over my mist (make sure to use a mist to add hydration) and my serum and my skin remains plump, moisturized and full of life without that greasy look. It just makes my skin feel SO GOOD. Here’s why…

It’s formulated with prickly pear. This is one of my favorite ingredients of all time. It’s one of the highest forms of Vitamin E known in nature and it’s also an antioxidant powerhouse with a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. This helps add moisture to the collagen in skin which is probably one of the big reasons my skin feels so plump after using.

It also has Unsea which has an antimicrobial effect against the bacteria that causes acne. Vitamin- rich Elderflower, Vitamin C-rich Amalaki and broadspectrum (zero THC) hemp-extracted CBD oil which is super anti-inflammatory.

The major benefits I see with this cream are brightening, calming and soothing. It’s everything skin needs and more!

Code THISORGANICGIRL25 will save you 25% here!

2. OO Cream by Jane Scrivner | $38

This moisturizer is a fantastic option for people with normal to dry skin.

The first time I tried this moisturizer, I was immediately blown away just after one use. And I’m not exaggerating.

The OO Cream is the last step in the Jane Scrivner Skincare 5 A Day system.

I mean, I fell in love with this cream so much, I already have the full Jane Scrivner 5 A Day system on it’s way to me as I type this. MUST TRY.

The OO Cream is light in consistency and rich in color but more than anything, it delivers hydration. Like my skin went from feeling itchy and parched (like someone was pulling on my skin all day) to quenched, hydrated, plump, and refreshed. And that feeling lasts all day! Long-lasting hydration friends. LONG LASTING.

OO actually stands for “over oil” meaning it’s to be applied over your face oil to lock in hydration and nourishment as well as protect the skin. I love this because we really get the best of both worlds here. I can still use my face oil but I actually get that added boost of hydration as well from the OO Cream.

Some of the star ingredients here are argan oil for a smooth appearance, colloidal oatmeal for a calming effect, aloe for a cooling sensation, and white birch bark for a clean and even skin tone.

Jane created her 5 A Day as a one-size-fits-all skincare system meaning the OO Cream is formulated to work for all skin types. Men too.

Best part!? You can score the OO Cream for just $38!

3. Ayuna Cream I and Cream II | $210

This luxe option delivers all the moisture while balancing skin. Good for all skin types.

Ayuna is a luxury skincare line based out of Spain. They are committed to simplifying beauty and nourishing the skin with only the fundamental and basic ingredients needed to achieve maximum performance.

Ayuna values simple beauty and “well aging” and bases their line off the idea of topical fasting.

The general concept here is when we “eliminate overstimulation and limit intake,” the body’s self-repair and self-regeneration mechanisms are activated.

They have two natural face moisturizers; Cream I and Cream II. Cream I is a little lighter and Cream II is a little richer consistency.

Both have high-performing natural ingredients like phyto-peptides and plasmas from green carrot, Arabian cotton, pomegranate, turmeric root, and Centella.

I love both of these formulas. Cream I is great for me during the day and also perfect for the summer months while Cream II is better for me overnight and also during some of the dryer winter days.

If we are talking consistency, texture, weight, and the power to moisturize, Ayuna is pretty much the epitome. They do it all and smell amazing too. For my friends who are used to investing in a line like La Mer, this is a clean, results-driven swap you will be happy with. It delivers long-lasting moisture and leaves skin feeling fresh, happy, and glowing.

RELATED: Discover more plastic-free beauty products here.

More face moisturizing favorites!

• Anti-Aging Natural Skincare Routine
• Best Organic Sheet Masks
• Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil

P.S. Don’t miss The Best Foundation and 5 Organic Masks That Deliver Instant Results for us forty-somethings!