If your skin doesn’t play well with rich moisturizers, or if you just prefer your hydrator to be super lightweight and quick-absorbing, a gel moisturizer is for you. Are you looking for a water-based moisturizer that is 100% free of animal cruelty? Ahead, you find the best cruelty-free and vegan gel moisturizers.
Why Gel?
Unlike creams, gel moisturizers typically contain a higher content of water and no or a low amount of oily ingredients. This allows the product to be lightweight and absorbed in your skin right away without leaving behind any residue.
Gel vs Cream Moisturizers
| Gel Moisturizer | Cream Moisturizer |
|---|---|
| Water-based | Oil-based |
| Lightweight texture | Thick, rich texture |
| Fast-absorbing | Can take longer to absorb |
| Great for combination, oily and acne-prone skin | Great for dry skin |
Ahead, the 12 best cruelty-free + vegan gel moisturizers.
Skin Type
Gel moisturizers are a particularly great pick for those with combination, oily and acne-prone skin. The reason being? Gels don’t add oil to an already oily skin and are therefor less likely to clog pores and trigger acne.
But, contrary to popular opinion, gel moisturizers aren’t just for oily skin types. It’s for anyone seeking weightless hydration. Its airy and fast-absorbing texture is also a perfect summer formula. What’s more, gel-based moisturizers are great for layering, under your sunscreen and/or foundation.
So if you prefer the lightweight feel of a water-based gel or you’ve tried a dozen of cream formula but they always feel too heavy on your skin, enter the 12 best cruelty-free and vegan gel moisturizers.
The 12 Best Cruelty-Free + Vegan Gel Moisturizers
- Best Gel-Cream: Versed – Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream
- Oily Skin: Paula’s Choice – Invisible Finish Moisture Gel
- Best for Dry and Sensitive Skin: Dermalogica – Calm Water Gel
- Redness and Irritation: Biossance – Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
- Budget-Friendly: The Inkey List – Omega Water Cream
- Best for Combination to Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Tula – Dew Your Thing Moisturizing Gel Cream
- For Oily, Sensitive and Acne-Prone Skin: COSRX – Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream
- Best Hydrating: Murad – Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
- Glowing Skin: Peach & Lily – Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer
- Most Hydrating: Kinship – Supermello Hydrating Gel-Cream Moisturizer
- Best Splurge: Tatcha – The Water Cream
- If You Like Watermelon: Glow Recipe – Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer
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Price Guide
| $ | 15 usd and under |
| $$ | 15 usd to 30 usd |
| $$$ | 30 usd to 60 usd |
| $$$$ | 60 usd and higher |
The 12 Best Cruelty-Free + Vegan Gel Moisturizers
1/12
Best Gel-Cream: Versed – Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream
This cream-gel hybrid is formulated with a mix of humectants to draw in water, while non-comedogenic jojoba seed oil seals it in. It’s very moisturizing while still being lightweight, making the formula compatible with all skin types.
Shop at Amazon | $
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: glycerin, propylene glycol, squalane, aloe leaf juice, green tea, jojoba seed oil | Scent: none | Cruelty-Free: yes, Versed is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, Versed is a vegan brand | Free of: paraben, sulfates, silicones, fragrance, animal (by)products | Packaging: 50% post consumer recycled plastic
2/12
For Oily Skin: Paula’s Choice – Invisible Finish Moisture Gel
Formulated with combination and oily skin in mind, this translucent gel sinks right in, providing essential hydration without leaving any residue. With ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and licorice extract it evens out skin tone and fights against skin aging.
Shop at Amazon | $$
Skin Type: combination to oily | Key Ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Scent: none | Cruelty-Free: yes, Paula’s Choice is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand, however it is owned by Unilever, a parent company that is not cruelty-free. | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Paula’s Choice is not a vegan brand since it also sells some non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, fragrance, animal derived ingredients | Packaging: recyclable plastic
RELATED : The Best Cruelty-Free Serums for Aging Skin
3/12
For Dry, Normal and Sensitive Skin: Dermalogica – Calm Water Gel
This gel feels as luxurious as a cream, yet melts into the skin after a minute or 2. It’s formulation keeps sensitive skin hydrated and soothed all day with the power of ingredients like hyaluronic acid and cactus pear extract. Another plus, it has the most relaxing lavender scent.
Shop at LOOKFANTASTIC | $$$$
Skin Type: dry, normal and sensitive | Key Ingredients: glycerin, aloe leaf juice, apple fruit extract, hyaluronic acid, cactus pear | Scent: lavender (from essential oil) | Cruelty-Free: yes, Dermalogica is PETA-certified cruelty-free however, Dermalogica is owned by Unilever, a company that does test on animals | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Dermalogica is not a vegan brand since it also sells some non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
4/12
For Redness and Irritation: Biossance – Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
The squalane in this gel moisturizer delivers deep hydration while probiotics help improve overall skin’s health. Simultaneously ingredients like ginger extract sooth and reduce redness and irritation.
Shop at Amazon | $$$
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: squalane, glycerin, probiotic | Scent: natural barely-there fresh scent | Cruelty-Free: yes, Biossance is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, Biossance is a vegan brand | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, fragrance | Packaging: glass + post-consumer recyclable plastic. The carton boxes are made of sugarcane paper material
5/12
Budget-Friendly: The Inkey List – Omega Water Cream
The Inkey List’s new moisturizer is an unscented gel-cream, formulated with glycerin and niacinamide, to lock-in moisture while controlling oiliness. It’s smooth texture absorbs easily and plays well with other products and makeup.
Shop at The Inkey List | $
Skin Type: normal to oily | Key Ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, betain, omega ceramide complex | Scent: none | Cruelty-Free: yes, The Inkey List is a cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however The Inkey List is not a vegan brand since it also sells non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls, mineral oil, fragrance, animal derived ingredients | Packaging: plastic, of which 75% recyclable
RELATED: The Bestselling Products of Cruelty-Free Brand The Inkey List
6/12
Best for Combination, Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Tula – Dew Your Thing Moisturizing Gel Cream
This oil-free moisturizing gel cream instantly sinks into the skin without leaving any residue, yet leaves skin hydrated and plump all day. It’s non-comedogenic (aka won’t clog pores) formula is a great pick for acne-prone skin.
Shop at Amazon | $$$
Skin Type: normal to oily, acne-prone | Key Ingredients: | Scent: floral | Cruelty-Free: yes, Tula is a PETA certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Tula is not a vegan brand as it also sells non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil | Packaging: recyclable plastic
7/12
For Oily, Sensitive and Acne-Prone Skin: COSRX – Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream
Not only does this non-comedogenic option deliver ultra-lightweight hydration, it also soothes irritation and redness. The almost watery consistency is fully absorbed in a few minutes and skin is left balanced and glowing.
Shop at Amazon | $$
Skin Type: combination to oily, sensitive and acne-prone | Key Ingredients: propanediol, camellia sinensis leaf extract, glycerin | Scent: none | Cruelty-Free: yes, COSRX is a cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however COSRX is not a vegan brand since they also have non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol, silicones, fragrance, essential oils, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
RELATED: COSRX’s bestselling products
8/12
Best Hydrating: Murad – Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Another super-hydrating formula that keeps your skin quenched throughout the day yet doesn’t feel heavy in the slightest. It’s formulated with an impressive mix of vitamins, minerals and peptides to help with the overall health and appearance of your skin.
Shop at Amazon | $$$$
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: glycerin, vitamins B3, B5, B6, B9, silicon, iron, zinc, copper magnesium, peptides | Scent: subtle clean (fragrance)| Cruelty-Free: yes, Murad is a PETA certified cruelty-free brand however, Murad is owned by Unilever which is not a cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Murad is not a vegan brand since they also have non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, animal derived ingredients | Packaging: plastic
9/12
Glowing Skin: Peach & Lily – Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer
This non-greasy gel-like formula is packed with hyaluronic acid and fruit extracts to instantly quench, sooth and balance skin, while leaving you with the healthiest glass-like glow.
Shop at Peach & Lily | $$$
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, kiwi extract, peach extract, licorice | Scent: none | Cruelty-Free: yes, Peach & Lily is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Peach & Lily is not a vegan brand | Free of: paraben, sulfates, mineral oil, silicones, alcohol, fragrance, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
10/12
Most Hydrating Gel Moisturizer: Kinship – Supermello Hydrating Gel-Cream Moisturizer
If you like the feel of a gel moisturizer, but do want the moisture level of a cream, reach for this pick. Featuring aloe, squalane, mango seed butter and coconut oil it packs a punch for hydration. And although this may sound like it’s going to be heavy on the skin, it’s in fact very light and quick-absorbing.
Shop at Amazon | $$
Skin Type: dry to combination | Key Ingredients: aloe leaf juice, glycerin, mango seed butter, squalane | Scent: marshmallows | Cruelty-Free: yes, Kinship is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: this is a vegan product, however Kinship is not a vegan brand | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, alcohol, synthetic fragrance, essential oil | Packaging: plastic (of which 50% post consumer recycled)
11/12
Splurge: Tatcha – The Water Cream
Tatcha’s cult-favorite water cream melts into a clear liquid upon contact with skin. It spotlights Japanese botanicals, like wild rose, leopard lily and Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3 (a mix of green tea, rice and algea) which all-together make for an ultra-nourished and smooth complexion.
Shop at Amazon | $$$$
Skin Type: normal to oily | Key Ingredients: japanese wild rose, japanese leopard lily, hadasei-3 (green tea, rice, algae) | Scent: light botanical | Cruelty-Free: yes, Tatcha is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand, however Tatcha is owned by Unilever, a parent company that is not cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Tatcha is not a vegan brand since it also sells non-vegan products | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, animal derived ingredients | Packaging: plastic
12/12
If You Like Watermelon: Glow Recipe – Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer
Watermelon extract hydrates and plumps skin while delivering essential vitamins, and this K-beauty cult-favorite is mostly watermelon. There’s also hyaluronic acid as well as antioxidants to ward off free radicals damage to prevent signs of aging. The oil-free formula is weightless, yet provides long-lasting hydration. And yes, it smells like watermelon.
Shop at Amazon | $$$
Skin Type: normal to oily | Key Ingredients: watermelon extract, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Scent: watermelon (fragrance) | Cruelty-Free: yes, Glow Recipe is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Glow Recipe is not a vegan brand | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, animal (by)products | Packaging: glass + plastic
What is Cruelty-Free?
Cruelty-free in skincare means that a product as well as its ingredients is never tested on animals. Since ‘cruelty-free’ is not a regulated term, claims that a product is cruelty-free can be easily made. We at Beauty.beyond.cruelty make it our duty to only recommend brands that are truly cruelty-free.
Why Buy Cruelty-Free?
Animal testing is outdated and beyond cruel. Although the beauty industry in regard to animal cruelty is slowly changing for the better, there are still a lot of brands that test on animals. By buying cruelty-free, you say no to brands that choose to test on animals. The more people that buy cruelty-free, the more brands will follow.
What Is The Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Cruelty-free means a product and its ingredients haven’t been tested on animals. Vegan means a product doesn’t contain animal-derived ingredients. Note that a product can be cruelty-free and not vegan as well as that a product can be vegan and not cruelty-free.
What’s The Deal With Parent Companies?
Some brands that are cruelty-free are owned by (parent) companies that do test on animals. Beauty.beyond.cruelty considers these brands to be cruelty-free, since their products and ingredients are never tested on animals. However, you may think of this differently. This is why we always mention it when a brand has a non-cruelty-free parent company.
Questions or Remarks?
Do you have any questions or remarks about the best cruelty-free + vegan gel moisturizers in this article, or do you know a product that needs to be on this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments down below.
