The demand for vegan beauty products has grown as more and more consumers shift to better buying habits and choose more sustainable and ethical products.
However, not all vegan products are made equal, and some contain undesirable synthetic chemicals rather than purely plant-based ingredients. Others contain no animal-derived ingredients but are not cruelty-free and test animals.
Many are also manufactured in ways that are not eco-friendly and use excessive amounts of plastic in their packaging.
Thankfully, there are some great products that are vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly!
Today, we’re looking at some of the best vegan beauty products like skin care, vegan cosmetics, nail polish, vegan soaps and body washes, vegan and cruelty-free hair products etc. on the market, made by ethical and eco-conscious vegan brands.
Let’s jump right in!
The Best Vegan Beauty Products
When it comes to vegan beauty products, there are loads and loads of options to choose from!
To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, here are our favorite eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and vegan beauty products:
- Best Vegan Lip Balm: One Eco Store – Vanilla Lip Balm
- Best Deep Vegan Moisturizer: BKIND – Superfruit Face Moisturizer
- Best Vegan Gel Cleanser: SeSpring – Cleanse It Out Gel Cleanser
- Best Vegan Foundation: MILK Makeup – Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
- Best Vegan Lipstick: Bite Beauty – Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon
- Best Vegan Eyeshadow: e.l. f. Cosmetics – Bite-Size Eyeshadow Quad
- Best Vegan Exfoliating Facial Scrub: Annmarie Gianni – Ayurvedic Facial Scrub
- Best Vegan Sunscreen: Pacifica – Sea & C Mattify & Protect Daily Priming Lotion
- Best Vegan Facial Treatment: Summer Fridays – Soft Reset Aha Exfoliating Solution
- Best Vegan Eye Masks: Nuria – Hydrate Nourishing Under-Eye Masks
- Best Light Vegan Moisturizer: Youth to the People – Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream
- Best Vegan Anti-aging Serum: Herbivore Botanicals – Bakuchiol Smoothing Serum
- Best Vegan Micellar Water: Acure – Brightening Micellar Water
- Best Vegan Toner: Balanced Guru – Organic Clarifying Facial Toner
- Best Vegan Deodorant: Piper Wai – Natural Deodorant Stick
- Best Organic Vegan Toothpaste: Terra & Co – Organic Charcoal Toothpaste
- Best Vegan Acne Treatment: Plant Based Beauty – Cystic Acne Treatment Kit
Why You Should Go Vegan for Beauty Products
Vegan and cruelty-free brands do not use any animal-derived ingredients, and, for the most part, they’re made by brands that consciously use natural, plant-based ingredients.
Natural and non-toxic ingredients are healthier and safer to use on your skin, and safer for the environment.
If they’re vegan and cruelty-free, they do not use any ingredients that have been tested on animals, making them a more ethical choice too.
For this list, we have specifically chosen brands that are both vegan and cruelty-free and that consider the environment too!
Check out this video by Cityline for a beginners guide to buying vegan and cruelty-free products:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFSXdtX-LrQ[/embedyt]
How We Selected Great Vegan Beauty Products
In addition to being 100% vegan, we have looked for products that are eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Specifically, products that are:
- 100% Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- High-quality products that last and work well
- Highly rated by real-life customers
- Use safe, natural, and non-toxic ingredients
- Are thoughtfully packaged, using sustainable and recyclable materials
- Made by eco-friendly, ethical, and socially responsible brands
With the criteria above in mind… Here are our favorite vegan beauty products!
17 Awesome Vegan Beauty Products
Every item on this list has been selected because it meets most, if not all, of the criteria we were looking for. Here are our favorites:
1. One Eco Store – Vanilla Lip Balm
One Eco Store’s Vanilla Lip Balms are handmade, using only natural, plant-based ingredients. Every ingredient adds nourishing, moisturizing properties, and it smells amazing! It comes in an eco-friendly, plastic-free cardboard tube.
One Eco Store is a dedicated zero-waste store. All their products are plastic-free, and they only sell natural products that are vegan, cruelty-free, safe, and non-toxic. They’re also a woman- and minority-owned business. One Eco Store is committed to offering eco-friendly and zero-waste options, and they offer a take-back and refill service too.
Reviews: no reviews (but we loved it!)
Ingredients: Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Candelilla Wax, Vitamin E, Vanilla Flavor Oil, Vegan Honey.
Price: $12.00
Where to Buy: One Eco Store
2. BKIND – Superfruit Face Moisturizer
BKIND’s Superfruit Face Moisturizer contains fruit extracts, vitamin C and Bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol. The rich and deeply moisturizing formula is excellent for improving skin texture, suppleness, and balancing an uneven complexion.
BKIND is 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, and they donate a portion of their profits to animal welfare organizations.
Their packaging is all biodegradable or recyclable, and the plastic they use is recovered ocean-bound plastic. BKIND offers bulk and zero-waste options and carbon-neutral shipping with EcoCart.
Ingredients: Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Water, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water, Glycerin, Ethyl Macadamiate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate, Aqua, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Bakuchiol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Malic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.
Reviews: 5/5 Stars from 136 Reviews
Price: $68.00
Where to Buy: bkind.com (and many other retailers)
3. SeSpring – Cleanse It Out Gel Cleanser
SeSpring’s Cleanse It Out Gel Cleanser is a foaming oil cleanser with camellia, lotus, peony, lavender, tea tree, and waterlily extracts. It smells lovely and cleanses gently, without over-drying your skin. As a complete cleanser, it removes dirt, grime, oil, and makeup all at once.
SeSpring is a 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free brand. They use eco-friendly and recyclable packaging.
Their ingredients are EWG certified, which means they’re safe for people and the environment. None of their products contain parabens, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehydes, triclosan, or any of the 1300+ potentially harmful ingredients commonly found in cosmetics.
Ingredients: Water(Aqua), Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium LauroylMethylaminopropionate, Sodium CocoylAlaninate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Potassium Cocoate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate.
Reviews: 5/5 Stars from 6 Reviews
Price: $14.99
Where to Buy: sespringskin.com (and at Skin Lab in NY and LA)
4. Milk Makeup – Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
Milk Makeup’s Blur Liquid Matte Foundation is one of the best vegan foundations available. It is a full coverage foundation that is light, blendable, and buildable. Every makeup artist loves this foundation.
It comes in 24 shades, so there is an option for all skin tones, and you can blend them to get the perfect match. The formula is silicone-free and contains no alcohol, gluten, or soy.
All Milk Makeup products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. They use recycled plastic in their packaging, which is fully recyclable.
Their product packaging and store displays have been designed to use as little plastic as possible, and they’re phasing virgin plastic out of new designs.
Milk Makeup offers a refill service to reuse packaging, and they also provide a return-to-recycle service for all their products.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Limonene, Linalool, [+/- May Contain/Peut Contenir: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].
Reviews: 4/5 Stars from 381 Reviews
Price: $20.00
Where to Buy: milkmakeup.com (and at Sephora)
5. Bite Beauty – Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon
Bite Beauty’s Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon is a creamy matt lipstick. The vitamin and antioxidant-rich formula contains Pomegranate Oil and Mango extracts. It also contains hydrating Orange Peel Wax. There are 20 different shades, ranging from bright reds and pinks to dark plum and deep brown.
Bite Beauty uses ‘clean’ beauty ingredients, and none of its products contain parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and many other harmful ingredients. Their products are 100% vegan, and they’re PETA Certified Cruelty-free.
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Cire De Carnauba, Coco-Caprylate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax/Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Cera, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Aroma/Flavor, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax/ Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Tocopherol, Punica Granatum Sterols, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax/Rhus Succedanea Fruit Cera, Shorea Robusta Resin, Polyglycerin-3, Octyldodecanol Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral. May Contain [+/-]: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 33 (Ci 17200), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 27 Lake (Ci 45410).
Reviews: 4.6/5 Stars from 1314 Reviews
Price: $26.00
Where to Buy: bitebeauty.com (and at Sephora in the US and Boots in the UK)
6. e. l. f. Cosmetics – Bite-Size Eyeshadow Quad
The e. l. f. Cosmetics Bite-Size Eyeshadow Quads are available in 10 different shade combinations. Each has a matt base shade and three shades of shimmer. They’re richly pigmented and easy to apply and blend, with a creamy texture.
All e. l. f eyeshadows are made with no phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban, and hydroquinone. They’re 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-free.
As a vegan beauty brand, e. l. f. Cosmetics is committed to social justice, equality and inclusivity, animal welfare, and reducing their waste and environmental footprint.
They have designed the bulk of their packaging to use as little materials as possible, reducing waste and removing as much plastic as possible from all their packaging.
Ingredients: Mica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Boron Nitride, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Palmitate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Nylon-12, Magnesium Myristate, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492)
Reviews: 4.7/5 Stars from 889 Reviews
Price: $3.00
Where to Buy: elfcosmetics.com (and at Target, CVS, and other retailers)
7. Annmarie Gianni – Ayurvedic Facial Scrub
Annmarie Gianni’s Ayurvedic Facial Scrub is a powdered exfoliating facial treatment with horsetail, fenugreek seeds, and mineral-rich Rhassoul clay. It is suitable for all skin types, and it gently cleanses, exfoliates, and absorbs excess oils for soft, revitalized skin.
Annmarie Gianni is a vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-free brand, and they only use MadeSafe Certified ingredients, which are carefully evaluated for their safety for people and the environment.
They’re also conscious of their environmental impact and use sustainable, eco-friendly packaging that is largely plastic-free and recyclable.
Ingredients: *Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed powder, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower, Kaolin (red clay), *Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf powder, *Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) leaf, *Equisetum arvense (shavegrass) leaf powder, *Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf powder, *Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf powder, *Symphytum officinale (comfrey) root extract, *Citrus limon (lemon) peel powder. *Organically grown or wildcrafted/picked
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 343 Reviews
Price: $33.30
Where to Buy: shop.annmariegianni.com
8. Pacifica – Sea & C Mattify & Protect Daily Priming Lotion
Pacifica’s Sea & C Mattify & Protect Daily Priming Body Lotions are a SPF 35 sunscreen designed to replace your primer and be worn under makeup. It is suitable for all skin types, but especially oily skin.
The mattifying formula contains Vitamin C, Zinc and Niacinamide, and has a faint citrus scent. It comes in a glass bottle and a paper box made from FSC Certified paper.
Pacifica is vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic, and uses sustainable packaging. They offer a packaging recycling service with pre-paid shipping for their packaging. The returned containers are sorted and recycled, non-recyclable plastics are up-cycled into razor handles.
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Octocrylene 7.6% and Zinc Oxide 6% Inactive ingredients: Aqua, Coconut Alkanes, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum (Natural), Niacinamide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Jojoba Esters, Laminaria Digitata (Algae) Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate/ Caprate, Coco-Glucoside, Ethyl Ferulate, Glycerin, Montmorillonite, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Distearate, Sucrose Stearate, Xanthan Gum.
Reviews: 4.7/5 from 121 Reviews
Price: $16.00
Where to Buy: pacificabeauty.com (and at Ulta, Target and other retailers in the US, and Cult Beauty in the UK)
9. Summer Fridays – Soft Reset Aha Exfoliating Solution
Summer Fridays’ Soft Reset Aha Exfoliating Solution is a powerful overnight serum that contains Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, and Glycolic Acid. It smooths, exfoliates, and minimizes pores while evening skin tone.
Summer Fridays is a cruelty-free and vegan brand. Their products are all paraben and sulfate-free and packaged in recyclable packaging. Summer Fridays offer a free mail-in recycling service for their packaging.
Ingredients: Water / Aqua, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract/Saccharum Officinarum, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside.
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 230 Reviews
Price: $56.00
Where to Buy: summerfridays.com (and at Sephora, Cult Beauty, and other selected retailers)
10. Nuria – Hydrate Nourishing Under-Eye Masks
Nuria’s Hydrate Nourishing Under-Eye Masks are perfect for the delicate skin around your eyes and designed to soothe, hydrate, reduce puffiness, the appearance of fine lines.
They’re made with all-natural ingredients, and Nata de Coco, which is a fermented coconut fruit extract that improves the skin’s natural microbiome with “good bacteria”. They contain no Parabens, Sulfates (including SLS and SLES), Phthalates, Formaldehydes, Hydroquinone, Mineral Oil, Coal Tar, Retinyl Palmitate, Oxybenzone, or Triclosan.
Nuria is vegan and cruelty-free, and they’re mindful of where and how their ingredients are sourced. They use only recyclable packaging, which is manufactured using renewable energy. They’re also fully carbon neutral and offset their carbon in partnership with Cool Effect, which helps schools and orphanages in Malawi install clean cookstoves.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 1 Review
Price: $20.00
Where to Buy: nuriabeauty.com (and on Amazon)
11. Youth to the People – Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream
Youth to the People’s Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream is a light and fast-absorbing moisturizer that contains ‘superfood’ extracts from kale, spinach, green tea, and alfalfa and is fortified with Vitamins C and E. It is suitable for all skin types but works best for combination and oily skin.
Youth to the People is 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-free. They focus on natural ingredients and botanical extracts, and none of their products contain parabens, phthalates, or dimethicone.
All products are packaged in recyclable materials, and they use FSC Certified paper for their boxes.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Hydroxyethylcellulose, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Kale) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Leaf Extract, Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Cellulose, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Natural Fragrance/Parfum, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Chlorophyll (CI 75810)
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 619 Reviews
Price: $48.00
Where to Buy: youthtothepeople.com (and at Sephora, Cult Beauty in the UK, and Amazon)
12. Herbivore – Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum
Herbivore’s Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum is an excellent choice for sensitive or mature skin that needs extra hydration, smoothing, and retexturizing.
Bakuchiol retinol is plant-based and completely vegan, unlike the retinol found in most other skincare products.
Herbivore is a vegan and cruelty-free brand, and all of its products use natural ingredients. None of their products contain synthetic fillers, dyes, fragrances, or preservatives. They avoid using plastic in the packaging, using glass and paper instead. When they can’t avoid plastic, they use only recycled and recyclable plastic.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Glycerin (certified organic), Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/ Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Amethyst Extract, Sodium Phytate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Reviews: 4.7/5 from 226 Reviews
Price: $54.00
Where to Buy: herbivorebotanicals.com (and at Nordstrom, Sephora, Cult Beauty, and others)
13. Acure – Brightening Micellar Water
Acure’s Brightening Micellar Water is made with probiotics, argan oil, coconut, and resveratrol. These cleansing oils make it an effective cleanser, makeup remover, and moisturizing toner.
Acure is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and its products contain no parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, paraffin, mineral oils, petrolatum, or silicone. All their packaging is recyclable, and they offer a mail-in recycling service in partnership with Terracycle.
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate Dexylglucoside Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Resveratrol, Citric Acid.
Reviews: 4.7/5 from 30 Reviews
Price: $9.99
Where to Buy: acure.com (and at Ulta, Target, and other retailers)
14. Balanced Guru – Organic Clarifying Facial Toner
Balanced Guru’s Organic Clarifying Facial Toner is made with USDA Certified Organic ingredients. It is an excellent choice for those with oily or blemish-prone skin and is the ideal astringent treatment to use between cleaning and moisturizing.
Balanced Guru is vegan and cruelty-free and committed to using only natural, organic, and sustainably harvested ingredients. Their packaging is sustainable, too, with containers made from 100% recycled post-consumer resin that is fully recyclable.
Their boxes and shipping materials are made with recycled and recyclable paper, and their labels are biodegradable and non-toxic.
Balanced Guru also partners with local non-profits to launch limited edition product lines and contribute 100% of the profits from those lines to the organization’s social responsibility cause.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract*, Alcohol Denat*, Aloysia Triphylla Leaf (Lemon Verbena) Hydrosol*, Cymbopogan Flexuosus (Lemongrass) Oil*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract*, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil*, Aqua (Water), Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil*, Cymbopogon Martinii (Palmarosa) Grass Oil*, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Peel Oil*, Arnica Montana (Arnica) Flower Extract*, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract*, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil*, Matricaria Recutita (German Chamomile) Flower Oil*. *Certified Organic Ingredients
Reviews: 5/5 from 14 Reviews
Price: $17.00
Where to Buy: balancedguru.com (and on Amazon)
15. Piper Wai – Natural Deodorant Stick
Piper Wai’s Natural Deodorant stick contains activated charcoal, coconut oil, and a host of natural botanical extracts and essential oils. It is aluminum-free, paraben-free, and suitable for sensitive skin.
Piper Wai is a black- and female-owned brand that is vegan, cruelty-free, and makes gender-neutral products. They use natural, non-toxic ingredients, and their products are packaged in earth-friendly materials.
Piper Wai packaging is either fully recyclable aluminum or recycled and recyclable plastic reclaimed from the ocean.
Ingredients: Tapioca Starch, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Magnesium Hydroxide, Activated Charcoal, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint ) Leaf/Stem Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil.
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 1065 Reviews
Price: $15.00
Where to Buy: piperwai.com (and on Amazon and selected stores)
16. Terra & Co – Brilliant Black Organic Charcoal Toothpaste
Terra & Co’s Brilliant Black Organic Charcoal Toothpaste is fluoride-free and made with activated charcoal, organic coconut oil, and other plant-based ingredients.
It is made to effectively clean and whiten teeth, naturally. It contains no harsh, synthetic chemicals, coloring, or flavorings. The formula has been clinically tested and is completely safe for enamel and gum health.
Terra & Co is a woman-owned business that is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They use sustainable packaging, and their recyclable toothpaste tubes are made with bio-based resin, a by-product of the sugarcane industry.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Diatomaceous Earth, Xylitol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Citric Acid, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Xanthan Gum, Charcoal Powder
Reviews: 5/5 from 42 Reviews
Price: $20.00
Where to Buy: terraandco.com (and many other online and offline stores)
17. Plant Based Beauty – 4 Piece Cystic Acne Treatment Kit
Plant Based Beauty’s 4 Piece Cystic Acne Treatment Kit includes an Acne Spot Treatment, a Moisture Control Lotion, an Oil Control Powder, and a Cystic Acne Overnight Serum.
The kit provides everything you need to treat and prevent cystic acne without the harsh chemicals that dry out, irritate and stress your skin. The ingredients are non-comedogenic, all-natural, and encourage healthy skin processes.
Plant Based Beauty only uses all-natural ingredients, which are mainly organic. They’re mindful of the waste associated with their packaging and have transitioned to 95% plastic-free glass packaging. They’re in the process of phasing out plastic lids and spoons too. Shipping materials are recycled and 100% biodegradable.
Ingredients (for all products in the kit): Acne Spot Treatment: Organic jojoba oil, organic therapeutic grade tea tree essential oil Moisture Control Lotion: Pure unrefined shea butter, organic castor oil, organic arrowroot powder, organic therapeutic grade lavender essential oil, organic therapeutic grade geranium essential oil, organic therapeutic grade patchouli essential oil, organic therapeutic grade ylang ylang essential oil, organic therapeutic grade clary sage essential oil, organic therapeutic grade neroli essential oil, organic therapeutic grade blue tansy essential oil Oil Control Powder: Organic arrowroot powder, organic therapeutic grade tea tree essential oil, organic therapeutic grade cypress essential oil, organic therapeutic grade rosemary essential oil, organic therapeutic grade juniper berry essential oil, organic therapeutic grade cedarwood essential oil Cystic Acne Overnight Serum: Organic castor oil, organic therapeutic grade cypress essential oil, organic therapeutic grade cedarwood essential oil, organic therapeutic grade rosemary essential oil, organic therapeutic grade tea tree essential oil, organic therapeutic grade juniper essential oil, organic therapeutic grade sweet marjoram essential oil, organic therapeutic grade myrrh essential oil, organic therapeutic grade frankincense essential oil, organic therapeutic grade sandalwood essential oil
Reviews: 5/5 from 20 Reviews
Price: $59.00
Where to Buy: shopplantbasedbeauty.com (and at many retail stores in the US)
Final Thoughts and Our Two Top Picks
As you can see, there are some great vegan beauty products that are not only 100% vegan but also cruelty-free and more eco-friendly than their conventional counterparts.
While we love all the products on this list, two stood out as particularly good choices. Here are our top picks:
Top Pick #1: BKIND’s Superfruit Face Moisturizer
We love that the product, which contains a combination of fruit extracts, vitamins, and plant-based retinol, is so effective and well-liked by the people who use it (all 136 reviews raved about it!).
We also love that BKIND goes the extra mile to ensure that its products are ethical, safe, and eco-friendly.
They’re Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, donate to animal welfare organizations, offer bulk and zero-waste options to their customers, use sustainable, recyclable packaging, and provide carbon-neutral shipping – that is the whole package, really!
Top Pick #2: Annmarie Gianni’s Ayurvedic Facial Scrub
We love that this powdered exfoliating facial treatment is made with simple, natural ingredients that are MadeSafe Certified. With over 300 5-star reviews, it is safe to say that everyone else loves it too!
We also love that Annmarie Gianni is a 100% vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-free brand. They’re also MadeSafe Certified, which means they only use ingredients that MadeSafe has approved and do not build up and harm human health or the environment.
Annmarie Gianni also uses mostly plastic-free and recyclable packaging, reducing the amount of waste they generate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vegan makeup cruelty-free?
Not always. A vegan product contains no animal-derived ingredients like animal hair or fat, but it may have been tested on animals. Even if a product does not contain any animal-derived ingredients it is not cruelty-free if it has been tested on animals. As such, a product may be vegan, vegan and cruelty-free, or just cruelty-free but not vegan. Check out the full article for more on vegan and cruelty-free beauty products.
Are vegan beauty products sustainable and eco-friendly?
Not necessarily. While animal derived ingredients are often sourced from un-sustainable practices, like factory farming or fishing, eliminating animal products alone does not make a product sustainable or eco-friendly. Look at the ingredients, where and how a product is made, how it is packaged and how it is shipped to get a more holistic idea of it's environmental impact. Check out the full article for more on eco-friendly vegan beauty products.
What cosmetics brands are vegan and cruelty-free?
Some of the best vegan beauty brands that are also cruelty-free and eco-friendly are:
- BKIND
- SeSpring
- MILK Makeup
- Bite Beauty
- e. l. f. Cosmetics
- Annmarie Gianni
- Pacifica
- Summer Fridays
- Nuria
- Youth to the People
- Herbivore Botanicals
- Acure
- Balanced Guru
- Piper Wai
- Terra & Co
- Plant Based Beauty
Check out the full article for more on these great vegan makeup brands.
References and Useful Resources
Allure: It’s Time to Get Serious About Beauty’s Packaging Problem
Ethical Elephant: Cruelty-free vs. Vegan – What’s the Difference?
Environmental Working Group (EWG): Skin Deep Database of Ingredients
MADE SAFE: Certified Products Database
One Green Planet: 10 Common Cosmetic Ingredients that are Derived from Animal Products
Red Orange Peach: Animal Testing Statistics (2021)
Shop Like You Give a Damn: A Vegan Guide: 25 Animal Ingredients in Cosmetics
US Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Animal Testing & Cosmetics
Cruelty-free International: Search for Cruelty-Free Products Tool
