These 3 Green Creams Will Keep Your Face & Wallet Happy

“Clean” doesn’t have to mean expensive, not when these 3 green creams do it all.

While I’m definitely in the camp that believes “natural,” “clean,” “green” skincare is largely a fearmongering marketing ploy to make people think that “chemicals” are bad, I do have to say that I love me a good, fragrance-free, do-it-all-without-harsh-ingredients cream.

If you have sensitive skin and are looking for creams with minimal ingredients, or if you have a fragrance allergy, or if you simply want to support companies that love the planet, keep reading to discover my favorite green creams.

Purito Centella Green Level Recovery Cream, $19

This is my go-to cream when my skin is acting a bit wonky — pretty much the week before my period or if I’ve gone a little too hard on the exfoliation. Formulated with 50% centella, this cream does it all — it hydrates, moisturizes, soothes inflamed skin, and lightens dark spots. Despite being a cream, it’s super lightweight, so if you have oily skin, you don’t have to worry about turning into a grease bomb.

It’s actually made without any preservatives whatsoever and has a shelf-life of about six months once it’s been opened, so this is not a product to “try” and then buy other products and then you forget about it and you use it later. For best results and to extend the shelf life, place in a cool, dark place like a fridge (or if you’re cool, a skincare fridge).

Innisfree Derma Formula Green Tea Probiotics Cream, $25

I love probiotics. I love to drink them (hey, kombucha), eat them (hi, kimchi), and put them on my face. This cream is one of my new favorites thanks to, you guessed it, probiotics. Probiotics in skincare has been a thing for a while, but if you’re wondering just what they do, I wrote an entire article about it! Long story short, probiotics are the living organisms that help boost the healthy (good!) bacteria on your skin — the bacteria that fights acne, in case you’re wondering. If you use a skincare product with some good ol’ probiotics, you’re actually increasing the health of your skin.

This cream also strengthens your moisture barrier while providing a lush layer of moisture and hydration, so it’s the perfect cream for battling the dry, winter weather. It’s also paraben-, sulfate-, silicone-, allergen-, alcohol-, and cruelty-free, so you know we have to stan.

SanDaWha Centella Natural Multi-Balm, $19

This isn’t a cream, but I’m featuring it anyway because you need it, okay?! Imagine a stick of deodorant. Now, imagine that instead of deodorant, you have a stick of centella, macadamia seed oil, shea butter, olive oil, camellia flower extract, and licorice root extract (as well as a bunch of other natural ingredients). Well, you’d have this balm that is the perfect salve for super dry skin and hands.

If you know you’re going to be out in the harsh cold, or just in an office that’s blasting a ton of dry heat, apply this balm to the areas that get the most dry. For me, I always get flaky patches around my nose and forehead, as well as the skin between my index finger and thumb.

What are your favorite green creams? Let me know in the comments!