Contents
- 1 Editor-Curated Ultra Repair Cream Alternatives
- 2 CeraVe Moisturizing Daily Cream
- 3 Tower28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream
- 4 Embryolisse Lait Crème Sensitive Moisturizer
- 5 Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
- 6 Dieux Skin Instant Angel Moisturizer
- 7 The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer
- 8 Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer with TriHex Technology
Many are National Eczema Association-approved.
Not to be the harbinger of bad news but, if you use First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream—the second most popular moisturizer in the country—you should probably get rid of it. The brand voluntarily recalled nearly 3,000 bottles of it. Don’t panic—the FDA hasn’t officially recalled it but uh, yeah—let’s find you an alternative.
I can’t definitively tell you why this moisturizer is so popular but I can make some educated guesses. First, it’s very sensitive skin-safe—it has the stamp of approval from both the National Eczema Association (NEA) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPA). Second, it’s incredibly soothing. Third, it does its job; it’s deeply moisturizing and skin barrier-strengthening. After investigating dozens of formulas and pouring through my own mental Rolodex (I too have sensitive skin), I’ve found seven alternative moisturizers.
Editor-Curated Ultra Repair Cream Alternatives
- 109,000-Plus Five-Star Ratings: CeraVe Moisturizing Daily Cream, $11 (Originally $15); amazon.com A Personal Favorite: Tower28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream, $24; credobeauty.com A French-Drugstore Favorite: Embryolisse Lait Crème Sensitive Moisturizer, $32; amazon.com National Eczema Association-Approved: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, $13; amazon.com I’m Currently Using: Dieux Skin Instant Angel Moisturizer, $45; dieuxskin.com Like the Perfect White T-Shirt: The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer, $44; nordstrom.com From a Martha Stewart Go-To Brand: Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer with TriHex Technology, $88; alastin.com
CeraVe Moisturizing Daily Cream
$15 $11 at Amazon
If you want to quickly make a purchase and be done with it, CeraVe’s Moisturizing Daily Cream is it. It can be used on both the face and body, it’s NEA-approved, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (a.k.a. it won’t clog pores), hydrating, and moisture-retaining thanks to a handful of ceramides. It’s $11 and gets the job done per the staggering 109,000-plus five-star shoppers.
Tower28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream
$24 at Credo Beauty
This is my “break in case of emergency” moisturizer. I use it whenever my skin is freaking out, inflamed, or red. It’s immediately soothing and deeply moisturizing without clogging my pores. It’s NEA-approved and formulated with allantoin—a smoothing and healing ingredient also found in the recalled FAB moisturizer.
Embryolisse Lait Crème Sensitive Moisturizer
$32 at Amazon
Embriyolisse’s original moisturizer put French drugstore beauty on the map. But, it could be a little heavy or congesting on certain skip types. The classic formula was taken and slightly altered to make it sensitive skin-safe. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and aloe vera-rich. It also doubles a primer which is convenient.
After you toss your Ultra repair cream, shop these skin-soothing picks and more, below.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
$13 at Amazon
Dieux Skin Instant Angel Moisturizer
$45 at Dieuxskin.com
The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer
$44 at Nordstrom
Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer with TriHex Technology
$88 at Alastin.com