The 1 Thing Dermatologists Want You To Avoid In Skin Care — And 11 Creams That Work

It’s possible that lurking inside some of your favorite moisturizer is a potential allergen in the form of fragrance — a potential issue for those with sensitive complexions or those who are prone to skin conditions like eczema, acne or psoriasis.
According to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, fragrance in skin care products may not only be a common allergen, it is also not essential to the formula in any way, meaning it doesn’t necessarily make the product better.
“[Fragrance] is more about the sensorial experience,” Henry said, adding that just because a fragrance isn’t causing irritation right now, you can still get sensitized to it if you’re using it all the time.
Henry reminded us that there’s also a distinction between labels that read fragrance-free and unscented.
“Fragrance-free means that there has been zero additional fragrance added to the product. What you are smelling is just the smell of the natural ingredients in the product,” she said. Whereas, according to her, unscented products may not have a noticeable scent, but they may have some masking agents that reduce the scent, or some other elements that make the scent neutral.
“Basically, unscented really means ‘neutralized scent’ but it can still have ingredients that could sensitize the skin,” Henry said.
Fragrance-free products, on the other hand, are less likely to contain ingredients that have the potential to cause sensitivities, and, according to Henry, this is a better option. But, if you are someone who must have fragrance (or just loves fragrance), she suggests having your doctor or allergist patch test you to see if there are specific ingredients that you are sensitive to so you know to avoid products that have them.
If you don’t want to take the time to dissect the ingredient list of your go-to facial moisturizer or are just curious to know what Henry and other dermatologists recommend, stick around for the list of lotions and creams below. The top four were chosen by Henry who likes them because they are all noncomedogenic, suitable for all skin types of all ages, and play well with other topicals like retinoids.
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Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry suggested Kiehl’s ultra facial cream as a good all-purpose, fragrance-free moisturizer for the face. As someone who has often used this cream myself, I can confirm that it’s a straightforward yet effective hydrator delivered in a thick but fully absorbing cream that comforts and replenishes. Notable ingredients include a 4.5% concentration of squalane (a botanical lipid that can prevent water loss) and ceramides, which are essential for a strong skin barrier and healthy complexion. This helps to soothe my chronic eczema and I really appreciate how it actually sinks deep into my skin, rather than sitting on top of it like other oil-containing creams I’ve tried.
Henry also suggested this often-recommended and heavier-weight moisturizer by the French Pharmacy staple brand La Roche-Posay. It doesn’t include fragrance; it does contain niacinamide, a workhorse ingredient that can brighten complexion, manage redness and control oil production. It also features the brand’s signature prebiotic thermal spring water, which is rich in antioxidants, and ceramides that mimic the lipids in the skin’s natural barrier.
Another fragrance-free moisturizer from Henry’s recommended list is Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream for the face and body, which is formulated specifically for dry to very dry skin. The thick texture and non-irritating ingredient list claims to offer hydration for parched skin for up to 48 hours and help restore a compromised skin barrier. It contains glycerin, a beloved humectant that draws moisture into the skin, calming panthenol and antioxidant-rich niacinamide.
Elta MD’s selection of clinical skin care products often comes recommended to us by dermatologists and, according to Henry, this daytime moisturizer that’s compatible with sensitive and acne-prone skin is not to be missed. It contains multiple ingredients, like niacinamide and willow bark extract, to brighten and even skin tone and reduce redness. The oil-free formula, which is lightweight in texture, also contains hyaluronic acid, a well-known humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
Previously recommended by Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist, this soothing cream by First Aid Beauty is a great fragrance-free option for irritated, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. “It’s a rich cream formulated with colloidal oatmeal which relieves irritation, and shea butter, which protects and maintains our skin barrier,” Shirazi said of the intensely moisturizing cream for the face and body. It also contains allantoin, an ingredient that’s known to calm and soothe skin.
This rapid wrinkle-repair cream by Neutrogena was a previous recommendation from Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology. It uses an accelerated retinol complex to promote cellular turnover — a process that can lead to greater collagen production, better skin texture and a reduced appearance of fine lines. It also contains a hydrating dose of hyaluronic acid and can be suitable in treating crepey skin.Note that if you’re new to retinols, they do have the potential to cause mild flaking and irritation in the first couple weeks of use. They can also cause skin to be more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to wear sunscreen.
Dr. Azza Halim, a Florida-based physician with a focus in aesthetic medicine, previously suggested Olay’s micro-sculpting cream for one of the best moisturizer options for mature skin. The fragrance-free formula contains hyaluronic acid, amino-peptide fragments, and niacinamide, which all work together to hydrate and firm the skin. It can be a good affordable option for anyone looking to infuse their skin with trusted ingredients for a more supple complexion.
CeraVe’s ultra-light moisturizing gel was previously suggested by Shirazi for anyone who prefers lightweight moisturizers or has acne-prone skin. She explained that this weightless and “water-based moisturizer is formulated with three essential ceramides to support the skin barrier, niacinamide to help calm the skin and regulate oil production, and hyaluronic acid for immediate and long-lasting hydration.” According to her, it feels refreshing on the skin, absorbs quickly and is the perfect consistency for layering with other skin care or beauty products.
According to Halim, Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide fragrance-free cream is rich in nine different peptides, growth factors, and amino acids to support skin’s resilience and texture. This well-known rich and fast-absorbing cream also contains pygmy water lily stem cell extract and folic acid ferment, both of which claim to promote more elasticity and bounce and serve as an excellent source of antioxidants to prevent premature skin aging.
CeraVe’s moisturizing night lotion was previously recommended by New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield. She said that it was “basic and affordable and provides the necessary hydration one would need for daily use.”Like all products from the CeraVe line, this evening treatment is formulated with the iconic blend of three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
This lipid peptide cream by Skinfix has been dermatologist-recommended not once but twice as an optimal and fragrance-free solution for anyone with troubled, dry and sensitive skin. It contains a patented triple-lipid complex that restores ceramides in the skin along with the fatty acid levels to support a healthy skin barrier. You can also find a plumping blend of peptides and ultra-hydrating glycerin. I’ve also used this myself, and I really enjoy it during the winter when treating my eczema-inflamed skin.
Shopping deputy managing editor Marquaysa Battle has super sensitive skin and has tried nearly everything. After years of trial and error, see which products really work for her: