When it comes to skincare brands, it can sometimes be a little difficult to navigate the world for what’s cruelty-free and what isn’t. There are all sorts of different ingredients that are derived from animals, but very often in the cosmetic world products are also tested on animals before sold.
Affiliate disclaimer: Where possible I have added links to products to help you find them – they may be affiliate links and if you buy through them I might get a commision – just so you know! Thanks!
Animal testing with any kind of product can be a really dangerous process, because animals go through serious amounts of distress and pain from different methods when being used for all sorts of testing.
What are some cruelty-free cosmetic brands to look out for?
There are loads of different brands to choose from these days that are cruelty-free, and one of the easiest ways to spot them is to look for the Leaping Bunny symbol, which indicates that it is Cruelty-Free.
The Ordinary
One of the biggest brands for buying skincare products like Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Rose Hip seed oil, and shark-free Squalane cleanser.
All of their products are certified vegan by PETA, and they are certified cruelty-free along with their sister brands (owned by umbrella brand DECIEM, which is also certified cruelty-free)
UpCircle
One of my favourite skincare brands, and just recently have been approved by the Vegan Society, UpCircle has always been vegan and cruelty free.
They do a huge range of different products from toner and cleansing bars, to SPF, moisturiser and night cream, as well as a few tools like the gua sha, eye rollers and scoops. Their products are refillable and their packaging is 99% plastic free (aside from a few pumps attachments).
e.l.f
Although mainly a makeup brand, e.l.f. sells a huge range of different skincare items as well as sun protection and face masks.
They are 100% vegan and cruelty free, so you don’t have to worry about if any of the items will contain beeswax or other animal derived ingredients.
Scence
I really love Scence as they make fantastic lip balms, as well as deodorants, sunscreen and after sun, all of which are packaged in paper tubes – which is great for cutting down on unnecessary plastic waste.
Scence is certified by the Vegan Society, which means that none of their products or ingredients have been tested on animals (as this is one of the requirements for the certification).
Ethique
I usually rave about Ethique for their shampoo and conditioner bars, but they also make a wide range of skincare. You can get anything from cleanser, scrubs, face creams and lip balms all completely plastic free – all of their packaging is in paper!
All of their products are vegan, as well as the brand be Leaping Bunny certified – which means that they don’t test their products or ingredients on animals, nor do they get other organisations to test on animals for them.
florence by mills
This make-up and skincare brand was founded by Millie Bobby Brown (you may know her as Eleven in Stranger Things) is completely vegan and cruelty free. Their product range includes eye gel pads, acne patches, as well as a blue light protection toner.
If you’re in the UK you can order from the official website – which ships from the US, or you can also get these from Boots stores.
Bulldog
Although branded as skincare for men, Bulldog do tons of skincare products that can be used for everyone, including face wash, lip balms, and face masks. They also do a range of shaving products too.
They are certified by Cruelty Free International and all of their products are suitable for vegans. You can also send your old packaging of theirs back to them for recycling too.
Fenty Skin
The twin store to Fenty Beauty are completely cruelty free as well as their suppliers. Unlike their Fenty Beauty line – which sometimes contain ingredients such as beeswax or carmine, Fenty Skin is completely vegan.
They sell all sorts of different products such as toners and make-up removing cleaners, as well as many products coming with tools like eye massagers and scoops.
Starface
You may know Starface from their popular acne patches, but they also sell other skincare products such as pore strips, SPF cream and nighttime exfoliator.
They are completely vegan and cruelty free, so you don’t have to miss out on having cute star stickers for your face!
Sun bum
Sun bum do a huge range of skincare products, as well as loads of different kinds of sunscreen products too, including SPF 30 lip balm and SPF 30 scalp and hair mist (protect your head!).
They are certified cruelty free by both PETA and Leaping Bunny, but not all of their products are vegan (they contain beeswax) – although their website is super easy to navigate what is vegan.
Green People
Not only is Green People an organic brand, but they are also 100% cruelty free too – they are certified by the Organic Food Federation which prohibits animal testing.
They make loads of different skincare products including serums, facial oils and SPF moisturisers, as well as having a few different ranges such as scent free and Organic Young for teens.
A majority of their products are vegan and have been certified by the Vegan Society, but there are a few that aren’t vegan as they have beeswax or propolis – which is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees.
Botanics
Botanics have a great range of different skincare options, from cleansers and toners, to eye creams and moisturisers.
Although a few of their products aren’t vegan (they contain beeswax), they’re completely cruelty free and clearly mark which products are vegan. They’ve been certified by Cruelty Free International since 2020.
Superdrug
All of Superdrug’s own brand products are certified cruelty free with Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny, and many of their products are vegan too.
You can find lots of their vegan products online, including their Naturally Radiant range, and they make loads of different products from moisturisers to eye creams.
Simple
Simple do a huge range of different skincare products, including make up removers, face wash and toner. They are certified cruelty free by PETA, and a majority of their products are vegan – some contain beeswax, but any future products made will be vegan.
These are just a few different brands, but there are many more out there! What are some of your favourite brands that are cruelty free?
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