If you’re looking to make an ethical, conscious, and healthier choice when it comes to your skin care routine, consider switching to vegan beauty products.
Choosing to use vegan skincare can mean avoiding ingredients like gelatin, glycerine, stearic acid, beeswax, and honey. These animal-derived ingredients can irritate your skin and aren’t suitable for everyone.
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Botanicals is a vegan skincare brand that uses organic, natural, and wholesome ingredients. Their products are free of parabens, phthalates, sodium laurel sulfate, mineral oils, and petroleum.
Their product line is a mix of face masks, exfoliating serums, toners, moisturizers, and soaps that have a minimalist aesthetic. They are made with plant-based food-grade cold-pressed oils, steam distilled therapeutic-grade essential oils, and many certified organic ingredients.
Founded by Julia Wills and Alexander Kummerow, Herbivore Botanicals began in their Seattle kitchen in 2011. Their products are thoughtfully formulated with an emphasis on using ingredients that have a purpose and don’t contain synthetics, fillers, or other harsh chemicals.
Herbivore Botanicals also takes environmental sustainability seriously, sourcing their palm oil from RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified plantations that prevent the destruction of habitats that are critical to the survival of animal species. This is a big deal, as creating acres and acres of palm oil plantations can destroy critical ecosystems.
Youth to the People
Youth to the People is a vegan skincare brand that has a nature meet technology approach to skincare. They have a line of skincare products that use ingredients like kale, green tea and vitamin C to nourish and rejuvenate skin.
This Los Angeles-based company combines superfoods with clinical actives to create a nutrient-dense skincare routine that is effective for all skin types and genders. Their cleanser, face masks and glow oils are formulated to combat a range of issues like dullness, pore problems and blemishes.
They are also free of dimethicone, mineral oil and parabens. This helps to avoid irritations that can result from non-vegan skincare products. Their kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner is a great addition to any vegan skincare regimen as it contains glycolic and lactic acid to smooth and minimize pores. It also contains antioxidants from kale, spinach and green tea to promote a glowing complexion. This product is also cruelty-free and has Leaping Bunny certification.
Embrace Beauty
Vegan skincare is a great option for anyone who values cruelty-free products and a healthy lifestyle. These formulas use alternative active ingredients and essential oils to provide skin with a new kind of care without overusing synthetics or harsh chemicals.
The best way to get started on a vegan skincare routine is by swapping one or two items at a time. Start with a vegan makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer.
You can also incorporate a vegan exfoliant into your skin care routine to remove dead skin cells and leave you with glowing skin. Try a coconut shell powder exfoliant to gently get rid of pore-clogging debris and improve the appearance of your skin.
You can find a wide range of vegan beauty brands at your local grocery store or online. Just be sure to look for a brand that is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
The Body Shop
The Body Shop has a huge range of vegan skincare products, from makeup to body care. The majority of products are under $15 and many are available in a range of fragrances.
They’re also a great place to start if you’re new to vegan beauty and want to find products that are gentle, effective and affordable. They have a variety of cleansers, moisturizers and masks that are free from parabens, mineral oil and synthetic fragrances.
You’ll also find a good selection of toners, hydrating serums and moisturizers that are suitable for all skin types. Some of their best sellers include the Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, a vegan-friendly cleansing mask that is infused with bamboo charcoal and green tea leaves.
Founded in Berkeley, California, Biossance uses science and sustainable ingredients to create advanced functional beauty products. The company works with suppliers around the world to produce high-quality natural ingredients, accessories and packaging in a socially responsible manner. It’s also committed to missions for social good and donates a portion of profits to Zagaya, an anti-malaria charity.