By Jenna Catherine
After learning that some of their favourite beauty brands are not only being tested on animals around the world but even sometimes even contain hidden animal ingredients, women are now turning to vegan brands.
If you’re not familiar with the term, ‘vegan beauty’ simply refers to brands that are free from honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, shark squaline, carmine, cholesterol, gelatin and other animal derived ingredients – and of course, vegan products are never animal tested. It doesn’t seem like much to ask, but you’d be surprised at how ‘non’ vegan most mainstream beauty products are! As an added bonus, many vegan brands are also organic and halal. What could be better than that?
Today, it’s pretty easy to find vegan brands, thanks to the Vegan Society stamp of approval or the Leaping Bunny symbol. In my video below, I talk about 5 vegan products I love: Root Pretty Eye Love You Nourishing Eye Cream, FitGlow Beauty Redness Rescue Cream, Blissoma Mild Rice Facial Cleanser, The Body Deli Rose Absolute Facial Mist and Skin Dressing Skin Serum. But as a bona fide beauty fanatic, of course I have many more faves to add to that list, but it would make for an awfully long video!
So after you watch, I’ve provided a list of some of my top vegan skincare must haves, from cleanser and body gel to mascara and lipstick, below. These are all products I’ve tried and loved, and am sure you will, too!
My Top Vegan Beauty Must Haves
1. Ecco Bella Flower Color Mascara
It’s hard to find a waterproof mascara in the world of natural beauty (because the main ingredient in most of them is basically some form of plastic!) but this beauty by Ecco Bella is as close as you’ll get. It’s water resistant (not quite proof though) and of course is free of all nasty chemicals – especially important for those with sensitive eyes.
2. Kensington Apothecary Organic Rosewater Tonic
Sugar Cane, Bilberry and Citrus Extracts combine to gently dissolve the outer layer of dead skin, revealing the fresh younger skin beneath without stressing your skin out. Calming and healing Rose combines with pH balancing Aloe Vera to soothe. Smells wonderful, and is perfect for all skin types.
3. OSEA Malibu Skin Cream
Throw out your chemical laden Creme de la Mer and use this equally effective and far less toxic Advanced Protection Skin Cream instead! Using the power of natural, vegan friendly sea ingredients, regular use will reduce fine lines and hyperpigmentation. A perfect skin cream for anyone who is fighting early signs of ageing. Apparently one of Gwyneth Paltrow‘s top picks.
4. Oskia Cleansing Gel
This is probably one of the best vegan brands out there. No wonder it’s a huge cult (and Eluxe) favourite! It’s hard to choose just one product I love, but if I must, it will be the Renaissance Cleansing Gel. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, it also contains pumpkin enzymes to deep clean skin and blast dirt from pores – the enzymes quickly dissolve grime that binds dead cells to the skin’s surface. The star ingredient may well be Oskia’s signature MSM (the most bio-available form of sulphur) which detoxifies, soothes and reduces redness.
5. Dr Hauschka Eye Shadows
What do you look for in an eye shadow? For me, they should be long-lasting, richly pigmented, and come in an array of shades that allow you to highlight and contour as needed. These certified organic hues tick all those boxes, plus I love the slick compact they come in!
6. Pacifica Body Butters
It’s hard to choose just one favourite product from this brand because they do scents so well! I adore the lilac body cream in summer – it really does smell like fresh bushels of lilacs! But blood orange is possibly even a bit better, thanks to its bright raspberry and strawberry notes. Botanical ingredients including shea and mango butters, blend with chamomile extract, safflower, almond and essential oils to seriously soften, gently scent and holistically protect the skin.
7. Green People Sunscreen
Everyone needs a good sunscreen. But how can you be sure yours is cruelty-free? Green People guarantee none of their products are tested on animals – nor do they contain animal ingredients. I love their SPF25, all natural sun block, which is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin or even for those prone to eczema. But don’t take my word for it – visit their website (in the link) and they’ll be happy to send some samples out for you to try!
8. W3LL People Bio Brightener
Kiss your dull complexion goodbye with this ultra fine powder, which gives you a totally undetectable skin boost. This is a great product that works to hide fine lines and soften your skin’s flaws. And the best thing? You don’t need to worry about finding the right shade: this baby is in one universal shade that adapts to complement all skin tones.
9. Dr Alkaitis Day Cream
Dr. Alkaitis Organic Day Cream is a holistic, light moisturiser designed to repair, heal and protect skin against daily environmental damage whilst stimulating the oxygen supply to the skin’s surface, increasing luminosity. The perfect product for those living in big cities and is effective on those with skin problems such as eczema, adult acne or people who simply want to cut chemicals from their grooming regimes. As an added bonus, the cream offers natural sun protection, too.
10. PHB Ethical Beauty Skin Cosmetics
Whether you’re after a concealer, foundation, powder or highlighter, PHB Ethical Beauty does it all, and does it well! You won’t find any fish scales or crushed insects in these totally gentle, mineral based, vegan-friendly colour cosmetics.
11. Rahua Shampoo
This 100% natural, organic shampoo uses rahua oil to fortify weak, damaged strands while nourishing and regenerating the scalp and hair follicles. Palo Santo offers a delicate fragrance– providing a soothing aromatherapy experience while shampooing.
12. Pai Hand Cream
Pai is a wonderful brand, loved by all who try it. It’s gentle, rich in antioxidants and nutrients, and packaged beautifully. This hand cream boasts Fragonia oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties; Sea Buckthorn, which has a rare Omega-7 which helps cell regeneration, as well as plenty of vitamin C rich Rosehip extract.
13. Dr Bronner’s Soaps
There are as many reasons to love Dr Bronner’s Soaps as there are uses for their products. You can use this product as a laundry soap, hand soap, shaving cream, shampoo or even a household cleaner when diluted. It’s so natural, it can even be used when bathing in pure streams and lakes – why would you want to pollute our waterways with the residue of other soaps that aren’t this clean?
14. ILIA Bang Bang Lipstick
This Leaping-Bunny certified brand creates a range of the most lusciously coloured lipsticks, none of which contain any animal ingredients or nasty chemicals. I love Bang Bang for its rich redness, which lasts and lasts…!
15. Kahina Giving Beauty Mask
Sometimes, I like to treat myself to a salon-quality mask. One that feels luxurious, but works hard. And Kahina’s does the trick! Eucalyptus and mint release an invigorating scent, whilst Rhassoul clay draws out all impurities and stimulates anti-aging collagen production in this nearly 100% pure face mask. As an added bonus, a percentage of all profits are donated to support Berber women’s cooperatives
Of course this list is merely scratching the surface of luxury vegan skincare. Do you have a favourite vegan skincare product? Please join the discussion in the comments section below.
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I began using Dr. Bronner’s soap because it was ‘clean’ . It’s become my ‘go-to’ soap. I use it for just about everything-face soap (incredible!), shampoo (amazing!), toothpaste, hand washables, even pet soap-never travel without it!! I’ve used used it for over 30 years and my only regret is that I didn’t discover it sooner!!!
Tropic Skin Care is gorgeous – smells divine, beautiful packaging, vegan & cruelty free and has some real miracle products!