The skin starts to age when you turn 25 and it begins to lose collagen at the age of 30. The aging process is not recognizable at first but becomes more visible in your fifties.
Skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by combination of intrinsic (genetics, cellular metabolism, hormone and metabolic processes) and extrinsic (chronic light exposure, pollution, ionizing radiation, chemicals, toxins) factors.
While we cannot fully stop wrinkles from forming, we can keep our skin healthy and supple with vegan anti-aging skincare for decades to come.
See also: Vegan Skincare For Wrinkles
So which vegan skincare should you go for when dealing with wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of firmness? We have gathered the best anti-aging vegan skincare for mature skin.
Juice Beauty
Herbivore Botanicals
Alpyn Beauty
Derma E
Augustinus Bader
Best Products
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredients
Vegans do not use skincare with animal collagen but it’s not a real loss for your skin. The animal collagen molecule is anyway too large to penetrate the skin and make a difference.
The good news is that there are much more effective vegan skincare ingredients that boost hydration and firmness, support collagen production, and strengthen your skin.
Here’s our list of the best vegan anti-aging skincare ingredients:
- Retinol: Retinol aka vitamin A is the most effective anti-aging skincare ingredient. Among many things, it stimulates collagen production, supports the skin’s optimal moisture balance, and even refines pores. In skincare, retinol is always vegan.
- Bakuchiol: Bakuchiol is a gentle and natural vegan alternative to retinol. Made from a Psoralea Corylifolia (Babchi) plant, this antioxidant soothes the skin and takes care of redness, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a highly effective ingredient that slows down the aging process by supporting collagen. Vitamin C reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well as reverts sun damage and dark spots. Vitamin C is also vegan-friendly.
- Plant stem cells: Stem cells are antioxidants that nourish the skin and help increase natural collagen production. Stem cells are great for smoothing wrinkles and fine lines.
- Vegan collagen: While collagen is mostly animal-based, you can find vegan collagen made from yeast and bacteria. Collagen boosts skin’s elasticity which declines with age.
- Vegan hyaluronic acid: This popular non-comedogenic emollient keeps skin hydrated and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid can be vegan and animal-based.
- Niacinamide: Niacinamide aka vitamin B3 strengthens the protective barrier function of the skin and reduces water loss. It also reduces inflammation and redness.
- Rosehip oil: Rosehip oil is full of antioxidants and minerals that help maintain skin elasticity and decrease the signs of aging. It also protects the skin from free radicals.
- Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that support collagen and elastin production. Peptides help to firm and strengthen the skin as well as reduce the look of wrinkles.
- Algae: Packed with antioxidants, algae tones the skin, reduces signs of aging, and binds water. The most powerful anti-aging algae is a red microalgae called Astaxanthin.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from free radicals and therefore helps to produce collagen. Caffeine firms and strengthens the skin.
What To Look For In Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare
There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for vegan anti-aging skincare.
Do not only rely on formulas but look for vegan ingredients that have proven anti-aging benefits. Ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, algae, and peptides are among the reliable choices.
Also, prefer vegan skincare products that are dermatologically tested or recommended by estheticians. Terms like “anti-aging” and “for mature skin” can just be marketing tricks.
If possible, look for vegan skincare for aging skin without fillers. Many companies “beef up” anti-aging formulas with parabens and dyes that serve no skincare benefit whatsoever.
When shopping for vegan sunscreen, go for one with a higher sun protection factor. Usually, the lowest factor dermatologists recommend for mature skin is SPF 30.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare Routine
The core of your vegan anti-aging routine should be your vegan sunscreen. Exposure to sunlight damages elastin which keeps the skin smooth and elastic.
It is important to apply sunscreen to every part of the body that is exposed to sunlight, not just the face. So do not forget your neck and décolleté.
Also, use a vegan moisturizer in the morning and before sleep. For aging skin, we recommend applying a vegan serum with anti-aging and fine line reducing properties beforehand.
To prevent dark spots and maintain even skin tone, add a brightening vegan face mask to your skincare routine. Vegan face oils and eye creams are also great for mature skin.
When applying any vegan skincare product, make sure to be gentle and use upward movements to withstand gravity.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare Brands
The vegan and cruelty-free brands below carry a great selection of vegan anti-aging skincare. Whether you are looking for vegan skincare for over 50, 60, or 30 – these brands got you covered with wrinkle-defying vegan products and ingredients.
Juice Beauty
High in antioxidants and plant stem cells, Juice Beauty is our favorite vegan skincare brand for aging skin. All Juice Beauty skincare products are vegan, except for their lip balms.
For vegan anti-aging skincare and vegan wrinkle creams, we recommend their Stem Cellular line. Made with vitamin C, fruit stem cells, and grapeseed oil, the products visibly tone the skin and smooth out wrinkles.
Stem Cellular has strong clinical results to back up the anti-aging claims. The vegan line has also the perfect balance between potent yet still organic and natural ingredients.
- Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer: Amazon, Official Site
- Anti-Wrinkle Overnight Cream: Amazon, Official Site
- Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum: Amazon, Official Site
- Anti-Wrinkle Eye Treatment: Amazon, Official Site
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore makes natural vegan skincare that combats different signs of aging. We mainly recommend their anti-aging vegan bakuchiol serum, sleep mask, and facial oils.
Their bestselling Bakuchiol serum is great for minimizing wrinkles and fines lines. In addition to bio-retinol, the serum also has Tremella mushroom extract and blueberry stem cells.
When looking for a gentle yet effective vegan face mask, the bakuchiol-infused Moon Fruit Sleep mask is our winner. You can use it after night cream or instead of it.
If your skin is more on the drier side, we also love their Phoenix Facial Oil. It protects and revives aging skin with a rosehip and sea buckthorn oil blend.
- Bakuchiol Smoothing Serum: Amazon
- Moon Fruit Sleep Mask: Amazon, Sephora
- Phoenix Facial Oil: Amazon, Sephora
Alpyn Beauty
Alpyn Beauty is a vegan skincare brand that uses wildcrafted ingredients from the mountains in Wyoming. Tough vitamin-rich plants make for the perfect vegan anti-aging skincare.
For mature and aging skin, we recommend Alpyn’s bakuchiol and squalane moisturizer, caffeine eye cream, firming niacinamide serum, and their huckleberry polishing mask.
Wild Nettle serum uses niacinamide to target fine lines and wrinkles. The peel mask uses 8 natural acids to brighten and revive the skin while minimizing the look of pores.
- PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer: Amazon, Sephora
- PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm: Amazon, Sephora
- Wild Nettle & Niacinamide Firming Serum: Amazon, Sephora
- Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel Mask: Amazon, Sephora
Derma E
Californian skincare brand Derma E makes clean products with no harmful chemicals or fillers. Their products are also 100% vegan and affordably priced.
In their anti-aging skincare line, Derma E combines potent actives like peptides, vegan collagen, and vitamin A. For best results, we suggest using their anti-aging products together.
Build a routine with their vegan anti-aging cleanser, then go for the serum and face moisturizer. If you have dry skin, try also their vegan anti-wrinkle treatment oil.
- Advanced Peptides & Collagen Moisturizer: Amazon, Ulta, Official Site
- Advanced Peptides & Collagen Serum: Amazon, Ulta, Official Site
- Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser: Amazon, Ulta, Official Site
- Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Oil: Amazon, Official Site
Augustinus Bader
Augustinus Bader is an ultra-luxury skincare brand some have even labeled as “the anti-aging miracle”. While we wouldn’t go that far, their products are nevertheless really good.
Not everything from Augustinus Bader is vegan, yet their most important three anti-aging products are vegan: The Rich Cream, The Serum, and The Eye Cream.
With mature skin, this skincare is definitely worth investing in. The Rich Cream can drastically improve your skin texture and tone, especially when combined with The Serum.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare Products
If you would like to shake things up a little bit, here are some of our beloved vegan anti-aging skin care products you can mix and match.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer is the best vegan moisturizer for aging skin. This face moisturizer is best at smoothing out fine lines and firming the skin. Clinical results for this anti-aging cream are strong. Sensitive skin will also like it.
The organic vegan cream uses fruit stem cells, vitamin C, grape seed oil (rich in resveratrol), jojoba, and shea that beautifully nourish, hydrate, and protect aging skin.
Love the texture and fresh citrusy scent. We also recommend pairing this day cream with vegan anti-aging night cream from the same line.
Shop on: Amazon, Official Site
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Vegan Serum
Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment features not one but four clinically proven ingredients to boost collagen and firm the skin. It’s the best vegan anti-aging serum.
The key ingredients of this anti-aging vegan serum are retinol, bakuchiol (a natural vegan retinol alternative), vitamin C, and peptides. While effective in reducing wrinkles and fine lines, this serum does not irritate the skin.
We love how this vegan retinol serum makes the skin super smooth and even overnight. It also reduces dark spots and other types of discoloration. Read our full review here.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Cleanser
IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser
Made by dermatologists and plastic surgeons, Confidence In A Cleanser is the best anti-aging cleanser out there. Unlike the line’s face cream, this cleanser is 100% vegan.
The soap-free cleanser gives a good cleanse without stripping your skin of moisture. Instead, it uses hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate the skin and repair the skin barrier.
Shop on: Amazon, Official Site
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm
This vegan anti-aging eye cream is our favorite. It pairs bakuchiol – a gentle natural retinol alternative – with caffeine to really wake up and rejuvenate the eye area.
We love the rich balm texture that instantly fills fine lines around the eyes. The cream also has vitamin C, licorice, bearberry leaf that together brighten the look of dark circles.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Face Mask
Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
The best anti-aging face masks are brightening face masks. And we love this award-winning overnight vegan face mask from Youth To The People.
Made with vitamin C, maqui fruit, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, the overnight vegan mask gives aging skin a radiant, plump, and youthful appearance. Plus, it smells heavenly.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Exfoliator
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
When looking for a vegan anti-aging exfoliator, put your trust in acids. Especially in glycolic and lactic acids that support cell renewal and visibly reduce different signs of aging.
Our favorite daily exfoliator from Dr. Dennis Gross has mixed together 5 different acids that make your skin much smoother, brighter and reduce the appearance of pores.
Mature skin will love how the peel clarifies and evens the skin. If you struggle with pores, we also recommend following the peel with the Alpha Beta vegan serum.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Toner
Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist Toner
We were glad to find out this bestselling anti-aging toner is vegan. While feeling super light and refreshing, this toner both firms the skin and fights off environmental damage.
The vegan toner is made with pea, clove, and rose extracts. It has a really nice natural scent. You can use the toner before your moisturizer as well as spritz it throughout the day.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Face Oil
Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Oil
Our favorite vegan anti-aging face oil comes from Derma E. The oil and vitamin blend really nourishes aging skin and reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines.
The oil uses a basis of potent rosehip and grape seed oils. It is also enriched with vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E to also hydrate and renew the skin.
The skin glows after using a few drops of this oil on your moisturizer. While potent, the blend is also non-comedogenic and allows your skin to breathe.
Shop on: Amazon, Official Site
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Sunscreen
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++
The lightweight vegan sunscreen with SPF40 is great for aging skin. It gives effective broad-spectrum protection while feeling silky smooth and seamless on the skin.
The sunscreen also includes red algae with great anti-aging benefits. You’ll get both sun protection and antioxidant protection against environmental stressors.
The sunscreen glides on well, fills fine lines, and works also as a makeup primer.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Lip Treatment
BareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Lip Mask
BareMinerals has made a unique vegan anti-aging lip mask. It hydrates the lips, reduces fine lines on lips, and helps lips stay soft, smooth, and overall more youthful.
This vegan lip treatment uses Bidens Pilosa extract which is a great natural retinol alternative. The extract is paired with plumping hyaluronic acid and papaya enzymes.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Body Lotion
Juice Beauty Green Apple Firming Body Moisturizer
Green Apple Firming Body Moisturizer is the best vegan anti-aging body lotion. It firms and nourishes the skin with jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin C, malic acid, and peptides.
The lotion hydrates aging skin well, even during colder months. The skin does feel firmer and smoother after use. We also love the fresh scent and non-greasy silky texture.
Shop on: Amazon, Official Site
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare Kit
Derma E Anti Wrinkle Skincare Set
This Derma E vegan skincare set targets all signs of aging: wrinkles, dullness, dark spots, and loss of firmness. The set uses trusted ingredients such as glycolic acid and vitamin A.
The set consists of the Anti-Wrinkle moisturizer, night serum, cleanser, and scrub. The products complement each other well and give you a full anti-aging routine in one go.
Shop on: Amazon, Official Site
FAQ About Vegan Anti-Aging Skincare
Vegan anti-aging ingredients include retinol, bakuchiol, plant stem cells, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vegan collagen, vitamin C, caffeine, peptides, rosehip oil, and algae.
Usually no. Collagen is an animal-based protein mainly derived from cattle or sea animals (marine collagen). Today, you can also find vegan collagen made from yeast or bacteria, in those cases, it is usually labeled ‘Vegan Collagen’.
Hyaluronic acid can be both vegan and animal-based.
Yes. Retinol in skincare is vegan. The ingredient is synthetically derived for stability.
You can find the best selection of vegan anti-aging skincare from Juice Beauty, Herbivore, Alpyn Beauty, Derma E, and Augustinus Bader.
The best vegan anti-aging moisturizer is Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer.
You will find the best selection of vegan anti-aging skincare online – especially on Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta.
No. The Cream is not vegan but its newer update The Rich Cream is vegan. Other vegan products from Augustinus Bader include The Serum and The Eye Cream.
Yes, Confidence In A Cream is vegan. The cream used to include animal collagen but the brand has reformulated the cream to be 100% vegan.
Summary
With age, our skin becomes more demanding. We see more wrinkles, decreasing elasticity, and increased dryness and dullness. Vegan anti-aging skincare can relieve those symptoms.
Our favorite vegan skincare for aging skin comes from Juice Beauty, Alpyn Beauty, Herbivore, and Paula’s Choice. Vegan skincare from these brands is both natural and effective.
To let our youth shine through, use high-quality vegan skincare with peptides, retinol, vitamin C, and stem cells to smooth out wrinkles or to restore lost elasticity, firmness, and shine.
As we find new vegan anti-aging products, we’ll add the best ones to this list.
See also: Vegan Skincare For Wrinkles, Why Switch To Vegan Skincare?
Article update on May 02 (2023): Fact checked and medically reviewed by MD Shimona Garg
Article update on February 17 (2023): Added more references
