Discover the best vegan skincare buys our team loves. Dive into vegan skincare benefits, certifications, and our cruelty-free, plant-powered obsessions.
At EarthHero, we believe that what you put on your skin should be as kind as what you put in your body: safe, nourishing, and made with care for the planet.
That’s why we’re sharing our team’s favorite vegan skincare products. The ones that have us blushing, glowing, and pouting! We genuinely can’t put these little gems down.
In this guide, you’ll learn what vegan skincare really means, how it differs from cruelty-free, and which certifications to look for. Plus, we’ll introduce you to some of the best vegan skincare brands making ethical, sustainable products that actually work.
By the end, you’ll have a lineup of vegan skincare buys that you (and your skin) will love just as much as we do!
The Vegan Skincare Brands We’re Obsessed With
Refillable + Zero Waste Focus
- Activist Skincare – refillable pouches and conscious sourcing
- Izzy Zero Waste Beauty – stainless steel, endlessly refillable packaging
- Dew Mighty – solid, waterless formulas in refillable tins
- No Tox Life – plastic-free everyday skincare and household staples
Upcycled + Circular Beauty
- UpCircle Beauty – skincare made from food byproducts (coffee, chai, etc.)
- Circular Bodies – biodegradable, plant-based skincare with circular systems
- Live Like You Green It – upcycled ingredients and zero waste ethos
Small-Batch & Artisan Brands
- Meow Meow Tweet – playful, small-batch vegan skincare with compostable packaging
- River Organics – compostable packaging, woman-owned, PETA certified
- Sustain Yourself – Latina-owned, compostable packaging, simple plant-based formulas
- Dewyer Skincare – sustainable, refillable systems, handcrafted products
- Erlia – handmade, low-waste formulas with a give-back mission
- The Home Farm – farm-grown botanicals, small-scale production
Botanical & Nature-Inspired Formulas
- Earth Harbor – marine-based botanicals, woman-owned, glass packaging
- Botanical Republic – organic luxury skincare, small-batch freshness
- AllSkin – inclusive skincare with plant-based ingredients
- All Good – nature-inspired skincare and sun care products
- Kinfield – outdoor-friendly skincare (bug spray, SPF, after-sun care)
What is Vegan Skincare?
Vegan skincare is exactly what it sounds like: skincare products made without any animal-derived ingredients. That means no beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen, or carmine (a red pigment made from crushed beetles).
Instead, vegan skincare products use plant-based, mineral, or synthetic alternatives to deliver the same nourishing results.
Why does this matter? Beyond the ethical reasons, many plant-based ingredients are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and natural oils that your skin loves. Think soothing aloe vera, hydrating shea butter, or rejuvenating seaweed.
Is Vegan Skincare Better?
The “best vegan skincare” isn’t automatically better for every person. What matters is how the formula matches your skin’s needs. But there are big advantages:
- Cleaner formulations: Many vegan skincare brands avoid unnecessary fillers, parabens, and sulfates, focusing instead on natural and sustainable ingredients.
- Gentler on sensitive skin: Plant-based oils and extracts can be less irritating than animal-based alternatives.
- Eco-friendly benefits: Vegan skincare often overlaps with sustainable packaging, zero-waste formulas, and refill systems.
That said, vegan doesn’t always mean organic or toxin-free, so always check labels, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Is Vegan Skincare Cruelty Free?
You would think so, but not always.
Vegan means no animal ingredients.
Cruelty-free means not tested on animals.
A product can be vegan but still tested on animals, or cruelty-free but still use beeswax or lanolin. The best brands proudly do both.
Vegan Skincare Certifications
When shopping for vegan skincare, look out for these trusted certifications:
- Leaping Bunny – Global gold standard for cruelty-free skincare.
- Certified Vegan (Vegan Action) – Confirms products contain no animal ingredients.
- PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies – Indicates no animal testing.
- Ecocert / COSMOS – For organic and natural formulations, often overlapping with vegan standards.
These logos help take the guesswork out of choosing truly ethical products.
Our Team’s Top Vegan Skincare Buys
Here are 30 of the best vegan skincare buys on EarthHero. Tried, tested, and adored by our team!
Meow Meow Tweet
This whimsical brand is as fun as it is effective. Everything is vegan, cruelty-free, and palm-oil free, with packaging that’s biodegradable or reusable.
Our picks:
River Organics
This woman-owned brand from North Carolina makes skincare-like makeup: nourishing, natural, and always PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free. Their packaging is compostable, too.
Our picks:
Earth Harbor
Known for marine-inspired botanicals, Earth Harbor is Leaping Bunny Certified, 100% vegan, and woman-owned. Their glass bottles are as beautiful as their serums.
Our picks:
- Tidal Rose Crystal Hydration Facial Toner
- Calyspo Rejuvenating Moisture Exlir
- Glow Juice Refining Enzyme Mask
Activist Skincare
Sustainable to its core, Activist offers refillable packaging and consciously sourced ingredients. Everything is vegan, cruelty-free, and climate-conscious.
Our picks:
- Refillable Botanical Cleansing Oil
- Refillable Healing Water Toning Mist
- Refillable Sea To Skin Cleansing Gel
Botanical Republic
This luxury-meets-sustainability brand uses organic, vegan ingredients and small-batch production for freshness.
Our picks:
UpCircle Beauty
UpCircle transforms food byproducts—like coffee grounds and chai spices—into effective skincare. They’re vegan, cruelty-free, and certified plastic-negative.
Our picks:
Circular Bodies
Handcrafted in small batches, these plant-based skincare products are biodegradable and refill-friendly.
Our picks:
Sustain Yourself
This women-owned brand makes simple, effective, and fully vegan skincare with compostable packaging.
Our picks:
Dewyer Skincare
Born from a love of nature, Dewyer is vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable, using refill systems and minimal packaging.
Our picks:
Live Like You Green It
This indie brand focuses on upcycled ingredients, zero-waste packaging, and multifunctional formulas. Everything is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and plastic-free, designed to simplify your routine while reducing impact.
Our picks:
- Aloe Vera Hair & Body Oil
- Calm Gentle Cleanse Face Wash & Toner
- Face Oil for Dry, Sensitive, & Aging Skin
Why We Love Vegan Skincare
From whimsical packaging to refillable systems, vegan skincare brands are proving that effective skincare doesn’t need to come at the cost of animals or the planet. Whether you’re trying a nourishing balm, a marine-based serum, or an upcycled scrub, there’s a vegan alternative for every step of your routine.
And if you’re just starting your journey, check out our guides on soaps for eczema, eco-friendly makeup wipes, and our roundup of the best vegan skincare brands.
Final Thoughts
At EarthHero, we believe skincare should care for everyone: you, animals, and the planet. By choosing vegan skincare products, you’re supporting a movement that’s ethical, effective, and sustainable.
Small swaps—like switching to cruelty-free skincare or choosing a refillable moisturizer—add up to meaningful change. With so many incredible vegan skincare brands creating high-performing, planet-friendly options, going vegan with your skincare routine has never been easier (or more exciting!).
Your skin deserves the best, and so does the Earth.
