Beauty Wise Up

The Ultimate Vegan Beauty And Skincare Guide

Samantha

At a glance

If you’ve ever paid attention to what’s written on some of your skincare labels, you might be appalled by the number of nasty chemicals and sometimes just plainly harmful ingredients that they are made up with. It’s disturbing really!

The good news is that there has never been a better time to switch to vegan beauty. The number of high-quality vegan brands available continues to grow as more consumers are demanding quality beauty products. Vegan skincare is very effective at treating specific concerns while supporting the long-term health of your skin. And vegan beauty is becoming more accessible to. You can buy excellent brands online for a price that is comparable to their nasty chemical counterparts.

Because it’s a growing segment, the number of vegan brands and certifications might be difficult to navigate. To help you find the brands and products that will work best for you, we’ve done a thorough study of the market as it is today. We’ve uncovered the best vegan brands and tested their star products. We’ve also rigorously checked their certifications to make sure that they are authentic, not just marketing buzz.

We’ll start by looking at what vegan beauty is exactly and why you should care. But you can head straight to our vegan products section by category if you already know what you want:

  1. Natural Vegan Skincare Brands
  2. Natural Vegan Makeup Brands
  3. Natural Vegan Hair Care Brands

Table of contents

A Vegan guide to beauty

  • Ethical beauty, Vegan beauty, in particular, continues to hit the headlines and gain momentum and for good reasons.
  • A Vegan product simply has no animal ingredients or derivatives. You will need to learn to read a cosmetic label to avoid non-Vegan ingredients.
  • Some logos will tell you quite clearly that your product is free from animal testing and is Vegan.
  • Consider looking beyond certified Vegan brands though: there are now many traditional beauty brands that are offering a good selection of Vegan products.
  • It’s not a given that Vegan beauty products are cruelty-free, though most of them are.
  • Vegan beauty products are often gentler than their mainstream alternatives, yet they are effective. So you don’t need to compromise on quality to feed your conscience.

>What is Vegan beauty: understanding Vegan skincare and why you should care

Finding high-quality natural beauty products and brands that sit perfectly with your beliefs can be overwhelming.

Veganism is on the rise and there’s been a lot of buzz around Vegan beauty lately, as evidenced by a whopping increase in Google searches for Vegan-related terms worldwide.

Vegan skincare was also labeled a “U.S. Spotlight Trend” for 2017 according to a Beauty Trends Report published by Google.

Conscious beauty lovers today have a wide variety of natural and ethical alternatives to choose from. That said, it’s utterly important to know what to look for if you’re looking for the best and most effective Vegan beauty products.

To help you in this daunting task — whether you are Vegan or attempting to become one, or simply want to make your beauty routine cruelty-free — we have compiled in this comprehensive guide all the key information about Vegan beauty you need to know as well as our pick of the Vegan brands and Vegan products we absolutely love.

Before we give you the run-down of our favorite Vegan beauty brands though, we think it’s crucial to clarify what the term ‘Vegan’ actually means.

What makes a beauty brand (and product) Vegan?

A good question, since there are actually common misconceptions surrounding what exactly makes a product suitable for Vegans.

Contrary to popular belief, Vegan products are not necessarily all-natural and free from synthetic chemicals. Although lots of Vegan beauty brands do tend to use gentle, plant-based formulations that are better for the skin, some may still include synthetic and chemical alternatives that aren’t derived from animals. But for the purpose of this article, we will only focus on those natural Vegan beauty brands that are free from harmful chemicals.

Some people also confuse Vegan with Cruelty-free (more on this below), which it does need to be—animal testing is a big no-no —but more than that, Vegan beauty brands need to contain absolutely no any animal ingredients, animal by-products or animal derivatives. Common animal ingredients used in skincare include honey, beeswax, lanolin, carmine, collagen, shark squalene, gelatin, and many others. So, to figure out if a beauty product is Vegan, It’s vital to scan the ingredient label and packaging (we’ve got a list of the key non-Vegan ingredients to avoid below).

What’s the difference between Cruelty-free and Vegan?

Even though the terms are often used interchangeably, don’t confuse cruelty-free with Vegan as they actually mean different things. Not all cruelty-free skincare and makeup products are Vegan.

The term cruelty-free typically means that the products and ingredients/components used have not been tested on animals (including by suppliers or third parties) at any point in the creation, manufacture or distribution of a brand’s products. Cruelty-free refers to the testing process; it is thus possible for a product to be cruelty-free and not be Vegan.

How can you make sure that a product is Vegan?

Some beauty brands such as Pacifica Beauty, Pai Skincare and Cover FX ensure that every product they produce is 100% Vegan, while others such as Tata Harper and Juice Beauty are stepping up their green game to offer a selection of Vegan products.

Some products will prominently state their Vegan status on the label, while others may be a bit more subtle. So how can you be sure a product is Vegan?

There are two elements that you should look at, namely the ingredients lists and certification logos.

1. The Vegan ingredients list: The cosmetic ingredients you should absolutely avoid

You’re going to need to develop a new (maybe unfamiliar) habit: reading the labels —from top to bottom. You may be surprised (and not always in a good way).

Ingredients lists are crucial here because ingredients that are directly or indirectly sourced from animals are not suitable for Vegans.
Animal-derived ingredients are routinely used in conventional cosmetics, including natural makeup and skincare products. These animal ingredients used for beauty products can be obtained from both living or dead animals.
When reading ingredient labels, certain items will jump out as obviously non-Vegan ingredients. But then there are those tricky ingredients that are hiding behind confusing names that you might not be familiar with or not easily recognize.
To give you a head start, we’ve pulled together a list of the most common animal products found in cosmetics that Vegans should avoid.

Common beauty ingredients that are non-Vegan include:

Beeswax

Also labeled as Cera Alba or Cera Flava, Beeswax is the wax from a bee’s hive. This animal ‘by-product’ is commonly used as an emulsifier or thickener and can be found in many forms of makeup (from eye shadows to foundations to lip balms and mascaras).

Amino acids

Some amino acids are taken from animal products and by-products. So make sure to only use products with plant-based amino acids.

Carmine
One of the most common non-Vegan ingredients found in makeup (It is a very common colorant in lipsticks and blushes), Carmine — also known as carminic acid, cochineal, cochineal extract, crimson lake, natural red 4, CI 75470 or E120 — is a deep red dye obtained from the bodies of sun-dried, crushed cochineal insects and mixed with Carmine Acid.

Collagen
Naturally produced in the bodies of animals, animal-derived collagen—also known as hydrolyzed collagen or hydrolyzed animal protein — is a conditioning agent typically used in skincare and makeup because of its temporary plumping and firming properties. Cartilaginous animal materials, such as bones, connective tissues and skin are cooked in order to extract this protein.

Guanine
Guanine—also labeled as CI 75170, C.I. natural white 1, dew pearl, guanine enol, mearlmaid or natural pearl essence) is a pearlescent constituent of fish scales scraped off dead fish. Soaked in alcohol, it creates a pearly essence used to add shimmer and glimmer to cosmetics such as blushes, eyeshadows, and nail polishes.

Glycerin
Glycerin—also labeled as glycerides, glyceryls, glycreth-26, or polyglycerol—is an animal by-product (animal fats).

Honey
If you are a strict Vegan, avoid honey—also labeled as Apis mellifera— which is often used in natural beauty products for its highly moisturizing and antioxidant benefits.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid often comes from animal products and by-products. As an alternative, you can look for beauty products that use synthetic hyaluronic acid.

Keratin
Often used in hair and skin conditioners, Keratin is a protein found in mammals (obtained from hair, scales, feathers, nails, hooves, and horns of animals). As an alternative, you can use Keratin derived from plants.

Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid is an exfoliant and skin brightener. Make sure to look for plant-derived lactic acid rather than Lactic Acid derived from animal tissue.

Lanolin
Lanolin—also labeled as aliphatic alcohols, cholesterin, isopropyl lanolate, laneth, lanogene, lanolin alcohols, lanosterols, sterols, or triterpene alcohols — is an oily residue/fatty substance extracted from sheep’s wool. It is commonly used in hair care and skin care for its incredibly moisturizing and emulsifying properties.

Retinol
Retinol is animal-derived and can be found in products such as anti-wrinkle and eye creams. For a Vegan-friendly alternative, look for Retinol labeled as carotene, aka vitamin A derived from plants.

Squalane/Squalene
Squalene is basically shark liver oil. It is commonly found it in all sorts of moisturizers and cosmetics.

Animal hair
As an alternative to animal hairs and fur in your cosmetic makeup tools, look for brushes with synthetic bristles.

2. The Vegan certifications that really matter

Other than the ingredients lists, you’ll also want to pay attention to certifications, logos, and seals from recognized organizations which indicate whether a beauty brand or product is cruelty-free and Vegan-friendly. Note that, since cruelty-free certification is done on a voluntary basis, not all cruelty-free brands are certified.

PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies logo makes it easy for consumers to learn which brands and products are cruelty-free and Vegan.

The Vegan Society

Vegan Society is the world’s largest and most recognised Vegan organizations. They ensure that all products that have been certified contains no animal derivatives and are 100% Vegan.

Leaping Bunny

Administered by The Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals, the cruelty-free Leaping Bunny Program is a single comprehensive standard with an internationally recognized Leaping Bunny logo. The Leaping Bunny certification requires that no animal testing be used in any phase of development and production, including labs and suppliers.

Certified Vegan by Vegan Action

The Certified Vegan Trademark is the Holy Grail for Vegan products. Easily recognized by consumers interested in Vegan products, the Certified Vegan labelling provides a guarantee that each product is Vegan, 100% free of any animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals.

The benefits of Vegan cosmetics

Beyond being void of animal ingredients and animal testing, Vegan beauty has other benefits.

Here are some reasons to switch to Vegan beauty:

Shop Vegan: the best Vegan beauty brands that actually work

Determined to go the Vegan beauty route after reading this?

There are so many cool brands to discover. If you’d like to make the switch to Vegan and cruelty-free products, these are some of our favorite natural Vegan beauty brands.

We have listed below our tried and tested favorite Vegan brands you need in your life.

Those brands marks with * are not 100% Vegan but offer a selection of Vegan products.

Natural Vegan Skincare Brands

ACURE Organics

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, USDA Organic, local sourcing, gives back.

ACURE Organics is a US family-owned brand founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality fair trade natural personal care products (from natural shampoos to skincare and wellness supplements) derived from plant and food based ingredients. Chemical-free and certified organic.

Star product: ACURE Brilliantly Brightening Facial Scrub

This Vegan facial scrub natural exfoliator effectively removes dead skin cells and built-up dirt and grime while nourishing, hydrating and brightening the skin. Formulated with detoxifying Sea Kelp super-nutrients and French Green Clay.

COOLA*

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly, 70%+ Certified Organic, local sourcing (Farm To Face philosophy), recycle friendly.

Made in the USA, COOLA is an eco-conscious natural suncare brand founded by Chris Birchby in 2007. COOLA suncare offers a full line of high performance, better-for-you sunscreens, self-tanners, and other sun care products using the finest natural ingredients and formulated for the face, body, lips, sport, and baby. Enriched with antioxidants. Many of COOLA products are Vegan-friendly! Browse their Vegan products here.

Star product: COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Tint Moisturizer

Antioxidant-rich daytime lotion and SPF with a hint of coverage, Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Tint Moisturizer delivers lightweight hydration and helps reduce shine while offering broad spectrum UV protection.

Derma E

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly, gives back.

Derma E offers a line of natural skin care products that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and botanicals.

Star product: DERMA E Vitamin E 12,000 IU Cream

This multi-purpose, nutrient-rich daily face and body moisturizer replenishes lost moisture and helps protect skin while fighting free radical damage. 100% Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, GMO-free.

Elemis*

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly.

Founded in 1990, Elemis is a leading luxury British skincare and spa brand owned by L Catterton. Combining powerful, natural ingredients, with cutting-edge technology, Elemis creates advanced aromatherapy, skin care, and professional spa-therapy treatments for face and body. The full list of Elemis’ Vegan products can be viewed here.

Star product: Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Night Cream

This award-winning regenerating night cream stimulates the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle, while smoothing and restoring clarity to your skin.

Eminence*

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly, organic farm, recycle friendly, gives back.

Since its inception in 1958 in Hungary, Eminence Organic Skin Care creates natural, organic and Biodynamic skin care products. Using sustainable farming and green practices, Eminence Organics skin care products are free of parabens, animal by-products, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, harmful colorants and fragrances, mineral oils, petroleum, and other harsh chemicals. Eminence Organic Skin Care is now available worldwide and has a cult following among celebrities and beauty editors alike. Many of their products are Vegan-friendly.

Star product: Eminence Bamboo Firming Fluid

This concentrated and collagen boosting face serum tightens the skin and delays the visible signs of aging. Infused with coconut oil, antioxidants, proteins, vitamins and minerals to strengthen the skin and help balance its pH.

French Girl Organics

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, 80-100% Certified Organic.

Founded by American Francophile Kristeen Griffin-Grimes, French Girl Organics is a no-fuss line of natural skin care and beauty products handcrafted in Seattle, USA. Packaged in apothecary-style glass bottles and jars, the luxury range is made from organic, wild-crafted and sustainable ingredients, Vegan and cruelty-free.

Star product: French Girl Organics Rose Lip Polish

This invigorating pout-polishing sugar scrub removes dry skin and leaves lips soft, supple and hydrated. Infused with conditioning oils and nourishing butters.

Hempz

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan.

Hempz Beauty offers a natural line of body care, hair care and sunscreen derived from 100% organic Hemp Seed Oil.

Star product: Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer

Enriched with 100% pure organic hemp seed oil, this moisturizer effectively hydrates and nourishes the skin.

Herbivore Botanicals

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly.

Herbivore Botanicals is a natural bath and skincare company based in Seattle, USA. Their products are Vegan, sustainably crafted, and use high quality, often organic, natural ingredients.

Star product: Herbivore Botanicals Organic Blue Tansy Resurfacing Mask

This natural clarifying face mask gently exfoliates, smoothes, and resurfaces the skin. Enriched with resurfacing white willow bark, exfoliating fruit enzymes and soothing blue tansy oil. Vegan, non-comedogenic, and cruelty-free.

Hugo Naturals

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan.

Handcrafted in the USA, Hugo Naturals is an all-natural personal care brand. Using only the finest food-grade ingredients from sustainable sources, their skincare and hair products are Vegan and cruelty-free.

Star product: Hugo Naturals All Over Lotion, Nourishing Unscented

Infused with super-moisturizing shea butter and pure botanical extracts, this cruelty free, Vegan nourishing moisturizer provides long-lasting hydration to face and body.

HURRAW! Lip Balm

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly.

Launched in 2010, Hurraw! Lip Balm produces the finest all natural Vegan lip balms made from premium organic and fair trade ingredients.

Star product: HURRAW! Moon Lip Balm

This skin-soothing, creamy and rich lip balm provides long-lasting care for long-lasting moisturized lips. Formulated with certified organic and 100% Vegan (yes, no beeswax!) ingredients. Delicate vanilla scent.

Juice Beauty*

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly, USDA Organic, local sourcing, recycle friendly, gives back.

Juice Beauty harnesses the best of certified organic and natural ingredients to create groundbreaking plant-based skincare. Juice Beauty’s well-loved products are Leaping Bunny Certified, Cruelty-Free. Most of Juice Beauty products are PETA-compliant Vegan, however, some do contain sustainably sourced honey or beeswax.

Star product: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream

This multitasking, 12-in-1 CC cream (color correcting) moisturizes the skin while delivering anti-aging benefits, perfecting complexion and providing sun protection and natural coverage.This tinted cream is available in multiple shades to match and enhance any skin type and color.

Mad Hippie

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly, recycle friendly, gives back.

Founded in Portland, Mad Hippie creates all-natural skincare products that are both safe and efficient. Most of Mad Hippie products are Vegan (except for some beeswax present in their SPF).

Star product: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

This award-winning serum features a gentle yet effective blend of antioxidants to improve the overall appearance of the skin.

Odacité

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan.

Launched in 2009, Odacité marries the best of luxurious French skincare and green California living to create effective natural skincare products that are free of toxins. Odacité uses only the freshest and purest organic ingredients in its formulas. The entire Odacité range (French for audacity) is Vegan and cruelty-free.

Star product: Odacité Bl+C Pimples Facial Serum Concentrate

This vitamin-rich, skin-purifier serum is the ultimate fighter against pimples and blemishes. Formulated with purifying black cumin oil and therapeutic cajeput, this deep absorbing serum from Odacité smoothes and clarifies the skin for a beautiful, healthy glow.

OZNaturals

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, environmental sustainability, recycle friendly.

Founded in Florida by Certified Esthetician Angela Irish, Oz Naturals offers skincare products formulated with only natural ingredients backed by science.

Star product: OZNaturals Vitamin C + AHA Face Serum

Combining antioxidant Vitamin C and plant-based Alpha Hydroxy acid, this 2-in-1 superstar serum addresses multiple signs of aging skin, brightens skin tone, improves texture and prevents and combats damage from free radicals to reveal younger-looking skin.

Pacifica Beauty

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly.

Pacifica is a must-try in the world of Vegan natural brands. Founded in Portland in 1997 (before Vegan was a thing), Pacifica offers a broad range of natural makeup, skincare, body care, and perfumes. All Pacifica products are 100% Vegan, and animal cruelty-free.

Star product: Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

This gentle deep cleansing face wash removes dirt, oil, toxins and make-up to refresh and revitalize dull complexion. Infused with Papaya Extract, Coconut Water and Sea Algae Extract.

Pai Skincare

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, Certified Organic, recycle friendly, eco-friendly.

Founded by Sarah Brown in 2007 as a solution to her own skin allergies, Pai Skincare offers a pure, potent line of natural and organic skin care designed without irritating chemicals and alcohol to nourish even the most sensitive skin and distressed complexions. Brimming with luxurious, effective and soothing organic ingredients. The Soil Association, Vegan Society, and the Leaping Bunny have all given Pai their seal of approval. Made in the UK.

Star product: Pai Skincare Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is a potent, glow-inducing blend of organic Rosehip Fruit and Seed oil that’s rich in skin-regenerating omega fatty acids and antioxidants.

skyn ICELAND

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, local sourcing, recycle friendly.

skyn ICELAND was founded in 2004 by Sarah Kugelman and offers skincare solutions designed to replenish and revive chronically stressed skin. skyn ICELAND uses advanced science and pure unspoiled natural resources of Iceland – with its mineral-rich glacial waters, antioxidant-powered botanicals, and soothing marine elements.

Star product: skyn ICELAND The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion

Infused with soothing willow bark and Icelandic kelp extracts, this lightweight daily lotion hydrates and calms stressed skin. Perfect for red and irritated, oily or acne-prone skin.

Tata Harper*

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly, certified organic.

Founded by Tata Harper in 2005, this natural luxury skincare brand crafts high-performance premium vegetarian skincare products. Tata Harper Skincare is handmade in Vermont, USA with ingredients that are 100% natural and toxic-free. While Tata Harper’s products do occasionally contain honey or beeswax, the majority are Vegan. Tata Harper brand is PETA-, Leaping Bunny-, and American Vegetarian Association-certified.

Star product: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

Multi-award winning. A cult favorite amongst the A-List. This 100% natural beta-hydroxy exfoliating and softening mask gently resurfaces skin for an instant glow and refined complexion. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask is Vegan and toxic-free. Contains pink clay, hydrating Beet Extract, exfoliating White Willow Extract gently exfoliates and soothing Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel.

SW Basics

Ethics | Cruelty-free, certified organic, fair trade, 100% Vegan.

S.W. Basics is a Brooklyn based natural and organic skincare brand that uses the simplest possible blends (made with 5 ingredients or less) to create gentle yet effective products.

Star product: S.W. Basics Cleanser, Natural Rosewater and Tea Tree Oil Face Wash, Sensitive Skin and Cruelty Free, 4.0 fl oz

Formulated with only 3 ingredients (soothing organic rosewater, vegetable glycerin, and antiseptic tea tree oil), SW Basics Cleanser is as gentle as a daily facial wash can get. It’s soap-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, preservative-free. This gentle non-foaming cleanser washes day’s dirt, excess oil and pore-clogging impurities and removes make-up. Ideal for over-burdened, problematic and sensitive skin types.

Natural Vegan Makeup Brands

100% Pure

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan, organic, recycled packaging.

100% Pure creates pure, organic and all-natural beauty products —including skincare, hair care and organic, fruit dyed makeup. Their Vegan cosmetics are formulated with high-performing antioxidants, naturally occurring vitamins and essential oils to give your skin maximum benefits. Made in the USA.

Star product: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Pretty Naked Palette

Versatile enough for day or night, this Vegan natural makeup palette combines a luminizer, blush and three eyeshadows in flattering neutral tones. Formulated with antioxidants, vitamins and beautiful colors from pigments of fruits, flowers, vegetables, and seeds.

Au Naturale

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly, local sourcing, eco-conscious.

Au Naturale Cosmetics and its Clean Beauty Revolution Revolution were launched in 2011 by Ashley Prange. Au Naturale offers a Makeup artist worthy line of 100% natural, non-toxic, Vegan, cruelty-free, ethical and sophisticated and high-performing makeup. Handmade in the USA.

Star product: Au Naturale Zero Gravity C2P Foundation

This cream to powder foundation provides a long lasting, buildable coverage with a weightless, fresh finish. Formulated with pure pigments and organic oils for a nourished and flawless appearance. For all ages and skin types.

Cover FX

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly, local sourcing.

Cover FX is a natural beauty brand you can shop freely and guilt-free because all of their cosmetics are made from good-for-you ingredients, Vegan and cruelty-free! Innovative, customizable makeup without compromise.

Star product: Cover FX Blurring Primer

A lightweight, soft focus primer that instantly minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and imperfections for a flawlessly smooth complexion. Infused with antioxidant Vitamin E.

Eco Tools

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, recycle friendly.

EcoTools produces a broad selection of affordable cruelty-free and Vegan synthetic makeup brushes, sponges, applicators and bath accessories. Made with recycled aluminum and plastic and renewable bamboo. Stylish and eco-friendly.

Star product: EcoTools Retractable Face Brush

Designed with soft, cruelty-free synthetic bristles, this versatile retractable brush can be used with powder, blush or bronzer for a fresh complexion. Twist up the makeup brush for easy on-the-go touch-ups or applications. Includes cap for mess-free storage.

Kat Von D Beauty

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan.

Founded by world famous Katherine von Drachenberg, known as Kat Von D, this bright, high-impact makeup brand specializes in long-wear, bold pigment matched by equally bold performance and full-coverage collections. Everything Kat Von D is cruelty-free and Vegan.

Star product: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

This high-pigment liquid lipstick from Kat Von D glides on like a gloss but dries to a matte finish with long-lasting weightless coverage. Infused with vitamin E and natural comfort-enhancing ingredients.

RMS Beauty

Ethics | Cruelty-free, Vegan-friendly, recycle friendly.

RMS Beauty is a natural beauty company created by US celebrity and internationally acclaimed makeup artist, Rose-Marie Swift. RMS Beauty offers a line of safe, minimalist color cosmetics that are not only non-toxic, but that actually heal and nourish skin with organic, natural ingredients and clean formulas. While not entirely Vegan because of the beeswax, their multi-use green makeup products are particularly well-loved.

Star product: RMS Beauty “Un”Cover-Up

This, multi-tasking, skin-perfecting mineral concealer and light foundation hybrid for the under-eye area and face covers imperfections and redness with a subtle, flawless even coverage. Lightweight, hydrating and non-comedogenic, RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up reveals more youthful and radiant skin while minimising the appearance of pores.

*Note that this product contains Beeswax (which is acceptable for some Vegans). Read our full review of RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up.

ZuZu Luxe

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan.

Part of Gabriel Cosmetics, ZuZu Luxe offers a complete line of makeup that is Vegan, cruelty-free and natural.

Star product: Zuzu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner

This gentle, non-irritating, quick-drying mineral-based liquid eyeliner is infused with Jojoba Oil for a smooth and easy application while keeping the skin around the eyes hydrated. Featuring a fine calligraphy tip for ultimate precision, Zuzu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner delivers ultimate precision to shape and define your eyes. Water resistant and naturally pigmented with mica and iron oxides.

Natural Vegan Hair Care Brands

Arctic Fox Hair Color

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, gives back.

Founded in 2014 by Kristen Leanne, Arctic Fox creates long-lasting semi-permanent hair color lines. Made In the USA.

Star product: Arctic Fox 100% Vegan Poseidon Semi Permanent Hair Color Dye

Made only from Vegan ingredients with no animal by-products, this semi-permanent hair dye offers long lasting colors, conditions your hair and restores vibrancy. Contains no harmful chemicals.

Gloss Moderne

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan.

Gloss Moderne is a Southern Californian clean luxury Vegan hair care line that is both natural and luxurious.
Using nourishing, all-natural ingredients and infused with a signature Coco de Soleil fragrance, Gloss Moderne’s technically-advanced formulations are designed to treat the hair and scalp of every man, woman, and child.

Star product: Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Shampoo Conditioner Duo

A luxurious pair of bestselling shampoo and conditioner that treats damaged hair and leaves hair clean, soft and shiny. Infused with a signature fresh and floral fragrance reminiscent of the French Riviera. Designed for all ages and hair types and safe for daily use.

Manic Panic

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, gives back.

Sisters Tish and Snooky Bellomo launched Manic Panic in 1977 in New York City.
Manic Panic offers a range of hair dyes, temporary hair colors, and makeup geared towards punk and fashion-forward consumers. Tested on celebrities, not animals. Made in the USA.

Star product: Manic Panic Purple Haze

Fortified with a herbal and protein complex, this conditioning semi-permanent hair dye colors, restores and conditions hair. Named after a Jimi Hendrix song, Purple Haze is a bright and warm hue of violet. Not tested on animals and 100% Vegan.

Maria Nila

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, eco friendly, gives back.

Maria Nila is a Vegan hair care brand developed and produced in Sweden. Using the finest vegetable ingredients, Maria Nila offers a wide range of color-protecting hair care and hair styling products that are nice to hair, animals, and nature.

Star product: Maria Nila Head Hair Heal Shampoo

Using 100% Vegan ingredients, this anti-inflammatory and hair growth stimulating shampoo gently washes hair without irritating the scalp. Vitamin E, Apigenin and amino acids stimulate the hair follicles, while Oleanolic Acid prevents hair loss. Piroctone Olamine and Aloe Vera extract treat and prevent dandruff and scalp problems.

Naturtint

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, certified organic, eco-friendly packaging.

Naturtint was founded in 1984 and is a natural hair care brand offering an impressive range of plant-based permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes. Gentle and effective hair coloring. Contains no ammonia, parabens, sulfates, or resorcinol.

Star product: Naturtint Permanent Hair Colorant

This plant-based permanent hair coloring nourishes, protects and regenerates hair fibers while providing maximum color with highly concentrated micro-pigment dyes. Eco-friendly, ammonia-free, and animal-cruelty-free.

Yarok

Ethics | Cruelty-free, 100% Vegan, environmentally sustainable, gives back.

Meaning “green” in Hebrew, Yarok was founded in New York City by renowned Israeli hair stylist, Mordechai Alvow. This natural line of restorative hair care is made with organic ingredients to nourish the scalp while encouraging healthy hair growth. The entire range is Vegan, toxic-free, and animal-friendly.

Star product: Yarok Feed Your Ends Leave-In Conditioner

This nutritious, 100% Vegan hair care all-star is the ultimate detangler, heat protector and leave-in conditioner spray. Made with organic ingredients and infused with vitamins, minerals and essentials oils (including Grape Seed, Jojoba and Primrose), Yarok Feed Your Ends Leave-In Conditioner nourishes and protects hair prior to blow drying or heat styling.

Conclusion: Ethical is beautiful

It’s about time we looked more closely at the pretty bottles on our bathroom shelves.

With this guide, you’re now armed with the basics of Vegan beauty, learning to read labels and avoiding unnecessary chemicals. So next time you’re in need of a beauty restock, why not go the Vegan route?

To switch to a more ethical beauty routine, start by emptying the contents of your makeup bag, drawers and shelves and checking every single label. If you have many products that need swapping for more ethical alternatives, start with the everyday essentials such as cleansers, moisturizers and body lotions.

In addition to the ethical argument for using cruelty-free and animal-friendly products, natural Vegan beauty products are proven to be effective and with fewer potential side effects.

Plus, Vegan beauty has got glamorous; it no longer means having to use these weird odd-smelling beauty products.

Note that we update this guide regularly, so keep checking back as the list of Vegan natural brands grow.

Let’s start ‘Veganizing’ your natural beauty and skincare toolbox.

Further reading recommendations

We’ve used several authoritative sources to write this article. We recommend that you review them if you want to learn more about Vegan beauty.

For a complete list of beauty ingredients that aren’t suitable for Vegans, see PETA.

For more details on Certified Vegan, visit Vegan.org

For more information about Leaping Bunny, visit leapingbunny.org

For more information about The Vegan Society, visit Vegansociety.com