10 Best Cruelty-Free And Vegan Skin Care Brands According To An Expert, 2024
Take care of your dear skin, but no longer at the cost of your innocent furry friends.
Nichelle Temple is an NYC-based esthetician and the owner of Inderma Studio with over a decade of experience in microcurrent, HydraFacial, and holistic skin care treatments. She is passionate about using professional-grade and organic products as well as cutting-edge technology to help her clients experience instant and illuminating results.
Read full bio of Nichelle Temple
Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 3 yearsEshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.
Read full bio of Eshna Das
Image: Instagram
Almost everyone uses various skin care products from different brands. But, how many of us pay attention to our choices and look for the best cruelty-free vegan skin care brands before making our investments? Not many. But the good news is that more and more people are making well-informed, conscious choices that are safe for the animal kingdom and the environment.
Our beauty and skin care no longer come at the cost of our furry friends. People are choosing to be vegan or at least switch to vegan-friendly products. As a result, multiple brands now offer products that let you pamper yourself guilt-free while using your makeup products. Today’s brands also offer the best effective and long-lasting formulas despite being clean and made of cruelty-free ingredients.
Some of these brands have made a mark in the cosmetics world, while some others are making their way on the scene one product at a time. Here’s a list of the best cruelty-free vegan skin care brands that you could choose if you are considering a switch over to clean beauty. Keep scrolling for our top picks!
In This Article
What Is The Difference Between Cruelty-Free And Vegan Brands?
If it’s a lifestyle change you are trying to make, and you want to start one step at a time, going cruelty-free is an easy first step. Cruelty-free, as the name suggests, means no animal testing has been done on the products for iterations and finally arriving at the end product to understand if there are adverse or mild reactions from the ingredients. It is a cruel and torturous procedure for animals, and that itself should make us all go cruelty-free. Brands that are cruelty-free do not test their products on animals or cause harm during formulation. They conduct experiments through other procedures in artificial lab environments – to an extent where they test it on synthetic skin. Each brand does it differently, but no animals are involved.
On the other hand, vegan is predominantly a lifestyle, where vegans use products that are 100% natural, plant-based, and usually organic too. None of the products they use have any animal products or byproducts like fats, beeswax, bone powder, etc. But you do not have to follow a vegan lifestyle to use vegan products. Remember, vegan products are, obviously, cruelty-free, but the reverse is not true.
We have a combination of these brands here. Check them out!
10 Best Cruelty-Free And Vegan Skin Care Brands
1. Best Dermatologists-Validated: Paula’s Choice – Cruelty-Free
Paula’s Choice is a big name in the cosmetic industry. But most of us do not know that their products are cruelty-free, i.e., not tested on animals. They do not claim that their products are vegan because different ingredients are sourced from varied vendors, which might not be 100% vegan at all levels. But, they only source their ingredients from cruelty-free suppliers and ensure their products are cruelty-free end to end. They hope to turn completely vegan as technology advances and when there’s more control over the entire supply chain. Their products and research are validated by leading dermatologists and experts. Paula’s Choice is extremely honest and transparent, which is what makes it trustworthy and a popular product.
Bestsellers
- Paula’s Choice 10% (Vitamin B3) Niacinamide Booster – Buy it here!
- Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Skin Perfecting Liquid – Buy it here!
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Toner – Buy it here!
2. Best For Daily Use: Drunk Elephant – Cruelty-Free
Drunk Elephant’s merchandise tops the list for most products we use on a daily basis. However, not many of their customers know that their products are 100% cruelty-free. They do not test their products on animals nor use ingredients from suppliers that test them on animals. Plus, they go one step ahead and do not sell products in Mainland China because, by law, products have to be tested on animals before anything can be launched in the markets. Most of their products are vegan too, but not all of them, which is why they are not labeled as vegan products. Whether it is a regular sunblock, shampoo, or something more specific like glycolic acid or other serums, toners, or cleansers, Drunk Elephant is one of the best right now.
Bestsellers
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum – Buy it here!
- Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Gel – Buy it here!
- Drunk Elephant Umbra Physical Sunblock SPF-30 – Buy it here!
Pro Tip3. Best Parabens-Free: Tarte – Cruelty-Free
Whether it is skin care or cosmetics you are looking for, Tarte is a leader in the beauty industry right now. All their products are animal-friendly, sourced ethically, clinically tested, and formulated after thorough research. They use clinically proven ingredients that are cruelty-free, green, and without parabens, synthetics, gluten, or sulfates. The brand strongly believes in giving back to the community, protecting the environment, and making a difference while maintaining impeccable quality standards of their products. They range from medium to premium in terms of their pricing because there’s no compromise at any step of the way. To get a better understanding of the product, you can check out reviews on their website or this video on YouTube showing a tester’s experience with an effective skin care product from the brand.
Bestsellers
- Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost – Buy it here!
- Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Deep Dive Cleansing Gel – Buy it here!
Paula’s Choice – Cruelty-Free | Drunk Elephant – Cruelty-Free | Tarte – Cruelty-Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | Oily, Dry, Normal | Sensitive,Sensitive Skin | - |
| Dimensions | 2.36 x 1.58 x 3.55 inches | 3 x 3 x 5 inches | - |
| Weight | 0.67 Ounces | 1 Ounces | - |
| Number of Items | - | - | 1 |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 128 | 946 | 267 |
| Price | $49 | $47.62 | $27.95 |
4. Best Eco-Friendly: boscia – Cruelty-Free And Vegan
Since 2002, boscia has been using eco-friendly plant-to-bottle ingredients to create skincare products that show results. The natural ingredients and botanical extracts used in the brand’s products offer adequate nourishment and glow. The innovative formulas are hypoallergenic and allergen-free, hence sensitive skin-friendly, and are made to keep the skin toned and free of premature aging signs. The products from boscia soothe the skin and keep it youthful, bringing out your natural beauty.
Bestsellers
- boscia Resurfacing Treatment Toner With Apple Cider Vinegar – Buy it here!
5. Best For Natural Beauty: Supergoop – Cruelty-Free
A brand that is predominantly known for changing the way we understand sunscreen in more ways than one. Their facial sunscreen formulations are anything but generic. They have a range of products that combine unique ingredients with a broad spectrum of options to enhance your natural beauty. Their body butters, moisturizers, hand creams, lip balms, and, of course, sun care products are best in line.
Bestsellers
- Supergoop Sunscreen SPF 30 Anti-Aging Serum – Buy it here!
- Supergoop Forever Young SPF 40 Body Butter – Buy it here!
- Supergoop Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil – Buy it here!
6. Best For Dry Skin: The Body Shop – Cruelty-Free And Mostly Vegan
Everybody knows The Body Shop. When we say everybody, we mean everybody, and especially people with dry skin woes. But what most of us do not know is that they are cruelty-free, and most of their products are vegan. They pledged and took it upon them to ban testing on animals forever. While we hope that it happens, we have many reasons to not look away from our favorite brand for any reason.
Bestsellers
- The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil – Buy it here!
- The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash – Buy it here!
- The Body Shop Shea Body Butter – Buy it here!
Pro Tip7. Best For Irritated Skin: Pacifica Beauty – Vegan
A common notion that the world has been made to internalize is that natural products do not deliver results with the same efficacy as chemically formulated products. But, thanks to a few brands, this notion is changing. This brand has gone a step ahead in making products for irritated skin that are vegan and gluten-free and contain no synthetic fragrances. Check out the review of this product for more information.
Bestsellers
- Pacifica Beauty Coconut Milk Cream To Foam Face Wash – Buy it here!
- Pacifica Beauty Hot Vegan Probiotic & Spice Rehab Mask – Buy it here!
- Pacifica Beauty Kale Charcoal Ultimate Detox Mask – Buy it here!
8. Best For Glowing Skin: Bliss – Cruelty-Free and Vegan
The brand Bliss is a certified clean, cruelty-free brand , meaning it does not test products on animals or purchase ingredients tested on animals. It is on a mission to make self-care a priority and give you clear, glowing skin. The brand, founded in NYC in 1996, creates powerful skincare products by following sustainable practices that protect the environment. The products soothe and detoxify the skin while improving the skin texture.
Bestsellers
- Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser – Buy it here!
9. Best With Fresh Ingredients: Tata Harper – Vegan
Luxury skin care products are usually loaded with chemicals, steroids, and other heavy-duty toxins that are marketed in a highly convincing tone. But here’s a brand that stands out. With 100% natural, high-performing, and fresh ingredients, Tata Harper promises and delivers sustainable, environmental-friendly, cruelty-free, and ethical business practices with their line of luxury skin care.
Bestsellers
- Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser – Buy it here!
- Tata Harper Redefining Body Balm – Buy it here!
- Tata Harper Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil – Buy it here!
10. Best Chemical-Free: Nourish Organic – Cruelty-Free And Mostly Vegan
A brand that proved that being small or big is not important – but being right is. This is why they went on to become pioneers in being USDA-approved for being entirely organic and chemical-free. Most of their organic skin care products are plant-based and all of them are cruelty-free. If you are someone who is very particular about not only what goes into your products but also how they are made and procured, look no further than Nourish Organics.
Bestsellers
- Nourish Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Cream – Buy it here!
- Nourish Organic Restorative Night Cream – Buy it here!
- Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser – Buy it here!
Vegan and cruelty-free skincare is not only good for the environment, but it is gentle and kind on the skin as well. Mostly, the products are scientifically formulated to provide visible results without animal byproducts or testing. Check out this buying guide if you’re looking for the best vegan and cruelty-free skincare brands but cannot decide which one to go for. It comprises the crucial factors to consider when selecting the best ones.
How To Choose The Best Cruelty-Free And Vegan Skin Care Brands
- Ingredients to Avoid
Certain common animal-derived ingredients are used in most skincare products. When looking for vegan skincare, you need to avoid these. Some of them include the following:
- Squalene- It is often harvested from shark livers and used in serums, oils, creams, and moisturizers.
- Honey- It is a popular skincare ingredient used in lotions, creams, lip balms, and scrubs. Honey is extracted from bees, making it an animal-derived element.
- Lanolin- This emollient is commonly found in body creams, lip balms, and eye creams. Because it comes from sheep’s wool, it is considered a non-vegan ingredient.
- Glycerine- It is another common moisturizing ingredient found in many skincare products, primarily derived from animal fats.
- Collagen- Known for its anti-aging benefits, most of the collagen used in skincare comes from the tissues or bones of beef or fish.
- Elastin- Like collagen, elastin is a fibrous protein derived from animal ligaments and muscles.
- Beeswax- Commonly used in lip balms and moisturizers, beeswax is naturally produced by honeybees in their hives.
- Check For Certifications
There are a few certified accreditors to ensure that the product is, in fact, cruelty-free, vegan, or both. You can check the website database to determine whether the brand is certified. Some of the most prestigious certifications are as follows:
- The Vegan Society
- Vegan action
- Vegetarian Society
- Leaping Bunny
- Choose Cruelty-Free (CCF)
- American Vegetarian Association
- Beauty Without Bunnies (PETA)
- PETA-Approved Vegan
- Additional Checks
To ensure the brand is 100% cruelty-free and vegan, you need to check if the brand adheres to these rules without any uncertainty or exceptions.
- The brand or the supplier does not test on animals.
- No third-party animal testing is involved.
- They do not sell their products in physical stores in mainland China because, to do that, they are required to be tested or re-tested (for already certified-safe products) on animals by law.
A brand that proved that being small or big is not important – but being right is. This is why they went on to become pioneers in being USDA approved for being entirely organic and chemical-free. Most of their products are vegan, and all of them are organic and cruelty-free. If you are someone who is very particular about not only what goes into your products but also how they are made and procured, look no further than Nourish Organics.
If you are willing to protect our ecosystem and fight against animal cruelty, there are many cruelty-free and vegan skincare brands that offer great makeup products. These cruelty-free and affordable products don’t use animals for lab testing, use naked packaging, and work with organic ingredients that are great on sensitive skin as well. These cruelty-free products don’t use animals for lab testing and work with organic ingredients that are great on sensitive skin as well. These affordable skin care products are completely trustworthy as they don’t harm the skin or cause unnecessary irritation. They help in rejuvenating your skin while removing dead skin cells for a flawless look. From serums to night creams bath bombs, and face washes, these products are often gluten-free and devoid of any kind of artificial fragrance. The presence of well-labeled ingredients makes it easy for customers to make hassle-free buying decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a product is vegan or cruelty-free?
Check the label of the product. If you see the vegan trademark and the Leaping Bunny or PETA logo, know that the product is vegan and cruelty-free. But, if the product indicates the term ‘vegetarian’, read the ingredients list to determine whether it is vegan or not.
How do you know if a product is tested on animals?
Check a product’s label – if you do not see a Leaping Bunny logo, know that the product has been tested on animals. Also, if you do not get the product listed in any of these three online certified cruelty-free databases – leapingbunny.org, crueltyfreeinternational.org, and crueltyfree.peta.org – know that the product is not cruelty-free.
Are cruelty-free products safe?
Not necessarily. Cruelty-free products are not tested on animals; they are tested for their safety otherwise. But that does not make the products completely safe for every single person. For example, many people have sensitive skin, so cruelty-free products containing irritants may harm their skin and cause severe infections. Along with cruelty-free, they should opt for dermatologically tested products.
Does dermatologically tested mean cruelty-free?
No. Dermatologically tested products are approved by skin care specialists or doctors. And cruelty-free indicates that no animals were harmed during the manufacturing process. Therefore both have different values and are not the same.
Is animal testing necessary for cosmetics?
No. Animal testing is not necessary for ensuring the safety of cosmetics as per the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach who loves experimenting with different skin products and reviewing them. She vouches for cruelty-free, vegan skin care brands for anyone who believes in animal rights. She has done complete research on the products and reviewed them to help her readers pick the best ones. These products help you pamper your skin while you stay 100% guilt-free.
Read full bio of Nichelle Temple
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Eshna Das
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