Maybe you gave Veganuary a go, switched to oat milk in your coffee, or got used to tofu’s texture…but what about your skincare routine?
Researchers have found that reducing the amount of animal products you consume is the best way to help the planet, and a plant-based lifestyle isn’t exclusive to food. From your cleanser to your eye cream, a vegan skincare routine can be a simple and effective way to reduce your environmental impact
Whether you’re a fully-fledged vegan or dipping your toes in the plant-based world, in this guide we tell you everything you need to know about vegan skincare, and our 10 favorite vegan skincare brands and their best-selling products.
Contents
- What Is Vegan Skincare And Why Should You Care?
- Vegan vs. Cruelty-Free
- 10 Best Vegan Skincare Brands
- Vegan & Zero Waste Skincare: Beauty Inside & Out
What Is Vegan Skincare And Why Should You Care?
When we talk about vegan skincare, we’re referring to products free from animal by-products. If you’re wondering, “What animal products could possibly be in my skincare?”, you might be surprised by how they sneak their way into a standard ingredient list!
Here are some common culprits to watch out for:
- Honey
- Beeswax
- Milk
- Elastin - a protein derived from animal tissues, often used for its skin-firming benefits.
- Collagen – known for its anti-aging effects, but typically sourced from animal connective tissues.
- Lanolin – extracted from sheep’s wool, it’s used for its moisturizing properties.
- Glycerin – this can come from animal fats, though plant-based versions are available.
- Guanine – used for its shimmering effect, it’s derived from fish scales.
- Gelatin – a common thickener made from boiled animal bones.
Pretty gross, right? Here’s the good news: With the rise in veganism and the clean beauty movement, more and more brands are recognizing that you don’t need animal by-products to create effective skincare.
Vegan vs. Cruelty-Free
Vegan and cruelty-free are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have a subtly different meanings:
Vegan skincare
These are products that are completely free of any ingredients derived from animals, such as those in the list above.
Cruelty-free skincare
Cruelty-free means that the products that are not tested on animals at any stage of production or in any country where they’re sold.
In theory, a vegan skincare product could contain ingredients that are tested on animals and a cruelty-free product could contain animal-derived ingredients, although the two usually go hand-in-hand.
Research shows that a staggering 88% of the 50 largest cosmetic companies globally fund animal testing, and each year an estimated 500,000 animals suffer due to cosmetics testing, so it’s crucial to consider both aspects.
Certified Vegan: Do Logos Matter?
While checking the ingredients list can give you a clue, the most reliable way to ensure a product is both vegan and cruelty-free is by looking for certifications. Two internationally recognized and trusted certifications are the Vegan Society and the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny Programme.
But keep in mind that not all vegan skincare brands have these certifications—obtaining them can be challenging and costly, especially for smaller companies, so you might wish to check their website or contact the company if you’re unsure.
Now we’ve got the technical details out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff - discovering amazing brands and products!
10 Best Vegan Skincare Brands
Meow Meow Tweet
As quirky and cute as the name suggests, Meow Meow Tweet is a small-batch skincare brand founded by two musicians who love their cats. They offer vegan, non-toxic, and plastic-free products and ensure every item is crafted with care and charitable giving in mind.
Top Picks:
UpCircle Beauty
UpCircle Beauty transforms ingredients that would typically go to waste, like coffee grounds and chai spices, into high-quality skincare products. With their eco-friendly ethos, they offer vegan, cruelty-free, and upcycled beauty essentials.
Top Picks:
Suds & Eco
This vibrant brand is all about bringing some fun to a zero-waste bathroom. They craft eco-friendly soaps, shampoo bars, and skincare products that are vegan, plastic-free, colorful and smell irresistible!
Top Picks:
Dewyer Skincare
Want to bring a little indulgence to your vegan skincare routine? With natural ingredients and elegant packaging, Dewyer Skincare combines luxury with sustainability, offering vegan and cruelty-free products that rejuvenate and nourish.
Top Picks:
Circular Bodies LLC
At Circular Bodies LLC, products are handcrafted in small batches using quality, minimally processed ingredients. Founded to promote natural and circular living, they source from local, regenerative farmers and design their skincare to return naturally to the earth.
Top Picks:
Activist Skincare
The Earth's first 100% refillable skincare brand, Activist Skincare are pioneers in the sustainable skincare industry. They use high-performance natural ingredients and commit to using every aspect of their business to advocate for positive change.
Top Picks:
River Organics
Makeup or skincare? River Organics products sit somewhere in between. Inspired by beauty routines from France, Italy, and the Middle East, River Organics uses plant oils as the base for each product, creating natural, clean makeup that hydrates and nourishes your skin.
Top Picks:
Earth Harbor
Founded by certified toxicologist and herbalist Ali Perry-Hatch, Earth Habor blends high-quality maritime ingredients with a passion for natural living. They offer premium products crafted to nourish your skin and protect the planet.
Top Picks:
The Home Farm
Driven by her battle with Lymme’s disease, CEO and Co-Founder Amanda Sosa Stone started The Home Farm on a mission to create health-conscious products, that help people live a healthier lifestyle and be their own health advocates.
Top Picks:
Live Like You Green It
This BPOC woman-owned skincare brand offers clean, organic, and plant-based solutions for sensitive skin. Specializing in skincare for diverse ethnicities, Live Like You Green It provides handcrafted, vegan products with minimal plastic.
Top Picks:
Vegan & Zero Waste Skincare: Beauty Inside & Out
Vegan skincare products focus on what’s inside the bottle: natural and high quality formulas designed to target your specific skin concerns.
But let’s not forget the outside too! More than 120 billion units of packaging are produced by the global cosmetics industry each year. Our love for lotions and potions, is causing a lot of plastic pollution. When shopping for vegan skincare brands, look for minimal, recyclable, or ‘naked’ packaging, for products that are beautiful and sustainable inside and out.
It’s also good to be conscious of the tools you use along with your products. A lover of makeup wipes after a late night? What if we told you 11 billion wet wipes are thrown away each year and it takes 100 years for one to break down in landfills - eek! Luckily, there are easy reusable alternatives you can use instead, such as…
Now your routine is vegan AND zero waste - double win!
