In 2024, sensitive skin does not have to be afraid of wearing makeup. Especially when it comes to clean and natural vegan makeup that is designed to be gentle on the skin.
Vegan makeup and sensitive skin tend to go well together. Luckily, most vegan makeup companies consider skin sensitivities when formulating their products.
To help you choose, see our selection of vegan makeup for sensitive skin. We have listed the best products and brands to help you look good without freaking out your skin.
All vegan makeup below is both vegan and cruelty-free, meaning all products are free from animal-derived ingredients and have not been tested on animals.
Best Vegan Makeup Products For Sensitive Skin
Here are the best vegan makeup products for sensitive skin.
- Best Foundation: Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
- Best Tinted Moisturizer: Jane Iredale Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer
- Best Primer: Lune+Aster RealGlow Primer
- Best Concealer: BareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Concealer
- Best Mascara: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara
- Best Eyeshadow: Athr Beauty Rose Quartz Palette
- Best Lipstick: Inika Organic Certified Organic Lipstick
- Best Blush: Seraphine Botanicals Illuminating Blush
- Best Bronzer: Well People Superpowder Bronzing Powder
- Best Highlighter: Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm
- Best Setting Powder: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Powder
- Best Setting Spray: Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-In-1 Mist
Best Vegan Foundation For Sensitive Skin
Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation is the best vegan foundation for sensitive skin. It’s free of harsh chemicals as well as fragrance and gluten. It’s also dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic. This foundation covers imperfections while letting the skin breathe.
- What we like: the perfect amount of coverage
- What we don’t like: a bit cakey for oily skin
Key ingredients: niacinamide, allantoin, aloe | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, talc-free, mineral oil-free
Best Vegan Tinted Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin
Jane Iredale Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer
Jane Iredale’s Dream Tint is our favorite vegan tinted moisturizer for sensitive skin. It provides beautiful sheer coverage without irritating even the most sensitive skin types. Among other things, it’s silicone-free, fragrance-free, talc-free, wheat-free, and oil-free.
- What we like: blurs imperfections, natural finish
- What we don’t like: a bit weird scent
Key ingredients: white tea leaf extract, elderflower extract, algae, shea butter, SPF | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, gluten-free, chemical screen-free, non-GMO, synthetic fragrance-free, talc-free, mineral oil-free, paraben-free, water-resistant
In addition to tinted moisturizers, the best vegan BB cream for sensitive skin is Inika Certified Organic BB Cream and the best vegan CC cream is Ahava CC Cream With Dead Sea Minerals.
Best Vegan Primer For Sensitive Skin
Lune+Aster RealGlow Primer is the best vegan primer for sensitive skin. This hypoallergenic vegan primer creates a smooth and radiant base. It’s allergy-tested and free of fragrance and gluten. It also soothes sensitive skin and reduces redness with licorice extract.
- What we like: healthy glowing makeup base
- What we don’t like: not long-wearing for oily skin
Key ingredients: licorice extract, apple seed extract, vitamin E | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested
Shop on: Amazon, Bluemercury
Best Vegan Concealer For Sensitive Skin
BareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Concealer
BareMinerals offers the best vegan concealer for sensitive skin. The natural vegan formula is free of over 2500 potential irritants, including talc, fragrance, gluten, and silicones. While gentle on the skin, this concealer covers all imperfections, including spots and dark circles.
- What we like: irritation-free, great for hiding dark circles
- What we don’t like: many shades are out of stock
Key ingredients: white water lily extract, mineral-coated pearls | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS-free, mineral oil-free, PEG-free, gluten-free, talc-free, synthetic fragrance-free, tree nut-free
Best Vegan Mascara For Sensitive Skin
Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara
Tower 28 MakeWaces is the best vegan mascara for sensitive skin and eyes. This hypoallergenic vegan mascara is ophthalmologist-tested and free of fragrance, gluten, and additional 1300 harmful ingredients. It gives beautifully long and voluminous lashes.
- What we like: beautiful curl and length, gentle formula
- What we don’t like: dries down a bit hard
Key ingredients: carnauba wax, olive oil esters, sunflower seed wax, castor seed oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, synthetic fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested, water-resistant
Best Vegan Eyeshadow For Sensitive Skin
Athr Beauty Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Palette
Athr Beauty Rose Quartz is the best vegan eyeshadow for sensitive skin. It’s free of all synthetic fillers, preservatives, and fragrances. Instead, it’s made with organic shea butter and moringa seed oil. The palette has 10 beautiful shades with shimmery, metallic, and matte finishes.
- What we like: gorgeous luminous finish, organic ingredients
- What we don’t like: powdery texture has some fallout
Key ingredients: organic shea butter, coconut oil, moringa seed oil, rose quartz | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, organic, fair trade, filler-free, preservative-free, talc-free, silicone-free, synthetic fragrance-free, non-GMO
Shop on: Amazon, Credo Beauty
Best Vegan Lipstick For Sensitive Skin
Inika Organic Certified Organic Lipstick
Inika offers the best vegan lipstick for sensitive lips. This vegan lipstick is natural and made from 78% certified organic ingredients. It conditions sensitive lips with jojoba and argan oils and vitamin E. The lipstick is gentle but richly pigmented with natural oxides.
- What we like: beautiful colors and comfortable wear
- What we don’t like: small range of shades
Key ingredients: organic jojoba oil, argan oil, vitamin E | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, certified organic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, talc-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, filler-free
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
If you are looking for a great vegan lip gloss for sensitive lips, our favorite is Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil. It’s clean, fragrance-free, and made with natural plant oils such as jojoba oil.
Best Vegan Blush For Sensitive Skin
Seraphine Botanicals Illuminating Blush
The best vegan blush for sensitive skin comes from Seraphine Botanicals. This blush is natural, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. It leaves a subtle shimmery wash of color on the cheeks that looks natural and luminous. This vegan blush is sure not to irritate the skin.
- What we like: gentle shimmery finish, irritation-free formula
- What we don’t like: small shade range, includes fragrance
Key ingredients: ginger, lychee, and chamomile extracts | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, chemical-free, gluten-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Vegan Bronzer For Sensitive Skin
Well People Superpowder Baked Bronzing Powder
Well People has ou favorite vegan bronzer for sensitive skin. The bronzer gives a lovely summery glow without irritating the skin or causing breakouts. The powder is dermatologist-developed, fragrance-free, and made from natural organic ingredients.
- What we like: beautiful sheer tan glow, organic
- What we don’t like: only one shade on Amazon (3 on their website)
Key ingredients: organic vegan squalane, organic corn starch, mica| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, organic, paraben-free, gluten-free, mineral oil-free, talc-free, synthetic fragrance-free, dermatologist-developed, sustainable
Best Vegan Highlighter For Sensitive Skin
Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm
Merit Day Glow Balm is the best vegan highlighter for sensitive skin. It’s non-comedogenic and free of over 1300 potential irritants including fragrance and mineral oil. It leaves a natural highlighted glow and hydrates the skin with olive oil and vegan squalane.
- What we like: natural skin-like glow, irritation-free
- What we don’t like: too faint for some tastes
Key ingredients: vegan squalane, olive fruit oil, phytosterol, amino acids | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS-free, mineral oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic
Shop on: Sephora, Official site
Best Vegan Setting Powder For Sensitive Skin
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Powder SPF 16
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Powder is the best vegan setting powder for sensitive skin. It’s lightweight, hypoallergenic, and free of talc, gluten, and fragrance. We also like that this powder includes SPF to protect sensitive skin from harmful UV rays.
- What we like: non-irritating and lightweight
- What we don’t like: it’s a bit grainy
Key ingredients: mica, vegan squalane, titanium oxide, zinc oxide | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin and sensitive eyes, paraben-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, talc-free, oil-free, with sun protection
Best Vegan Setting Spray For Sensitive Skin
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-In-1 Mist
Rare Beauty has the best vegan setting spray for sensitive skin. It locks makeup in place while having a calming and hydrating effect on sensitive skin. The gentle formula is made with niacinamide and flower extracts. It’s free of alcohol and artificial fragrance.
- What we like: hydrating and breathable
- What we don’t like: it includes citrus essential oils (if your skin is sensitive to essential oils, a safer choice is Bella Jade Makeup Setting Spray)
Key ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, lotus, gardenia, white waterlily | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, SLS-free, alcohol-free, synthetic-fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic
Best Vegan Makeup Brands For Sensitive Skin
These are the best vegan makeup brands for sensitive skin. These brands are 100% vegan and cruelty-free and offer a great selection of clean vegan makeup for sensitive skin.
Tower 28
Tower 28 is the best vegan makeup brand for sensitive skin. They are a good example of how to make hypoallergenic vegan makeup not boring. Their makeup is fun, vibrant, always vegan, and free of over 1300 potentially harmful ingredients.
Inika Organic
Australian brand Inika Organic has the highest certified organic content we’ve seen in makeup. Their makeup is 100% natural, halal, and dermatologist-tested. Sensitive skin will surely like their mineral-based face makeup products as well as their gentle vegan mascaras and lipsticks.
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Merit Beauty
Merit Beauty is a Los Angeles-based vegan makeup brand that is safe for sensitive skin. Their makeup is clean and chemical-free and leaves the most natural-looking result. The products are also non-comedogenic and perfect for sensitive oily skin.
Shop on: Sephora, Official site
Well People
Well People is another great vegan makeup brand for sensitive skin. Their makeup is organic and plant-based and developed by a dermatologist. The Texan brand has not been always vegan but as of 2023, they are fully free of animal-derived ingredients.
Lune+Aster
Sensitive skin types also like vegan makeup from Lune+Aster. This brand is fully vegan and gluten-free. They have lots of high-quality vegan makeup products with added skincare benefits. Their hypoallergenic makeup is always labeled so on their website (under Additional Details).
- What we like: best organic gluten-free makeup
- What we don’t like: not a wide shade range
Based in: Washington DC| Owned by: Bluemercury (parent Macy’s)| Certifications: none | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, organic, gluten-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, safe for sensitive skin
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Rare Beauty
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez is another good vegan makeup brand for sensitive skin. While it’s not branded as a clean beauty brand, its formulas are lightweight, breathable, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. Their products are also dermatologist-tested and paraben-free.
Shop on: Sephora, Official site
Athr Beauty
Athr Beauty is a Californian vegan makeup brand that makes excellent vegan eye and lip products for sensitive skin. The PETA-certified vegan brand is organic, natural, sustainable, and always free from harmful additives. We especially like their vegan eyeshadow palettes.
Shop on: Amazon, Credo Beauty
PS There are also many cruelty-free makeup brands that are not fully vegan but have a great vegan makeup selection for sensitive skin. These brands include Ilia, Kosas, BareMinerals, Jane Iredale, 100% Pure, and Physician’s Formula.
Is Vegan Makeup Good For Sensitive Skin?
Vegan makeup is usually good for sensitive skin. For one, vegan makeup is free of common animal-derived ingredients such as lanolin or milk enzymes that may easily irritate and break out sensitive skin.
Vegan makeup brands are often also organic and natural. While there is no scientific evidence to confirm that, organic formulas tend to sit better with sensitive skin. Especially if your skin is allergic to synthetic fillers and additives such as parabens or phthalates.
However, not all vegan makeup is automatically better for sensitive skin than non-vegan makeup. It all depends on the ingredients used in the makeup product.
When buying vegan makeup, it’s important you still look through the ingredient list and avoid some of the most common irritants if your skin is easily reactive. You can also check the safety of different vegan makeup products and ingredients in the CosDNA database.
What To Look For In Vegan Makeup For Sensitive Skin
When buying vegan makeup for sensitive skin, there are a few ingredients you want to avoid.
For one, vegan makeup for sensitive skin should be paraben-free as parabens are known irritate to sensitive and eczema-prone skin. You may also want to avoid phthalates, sulfates, silicones, and other synthetic fillers.
Dry sensitive skin should steer clear of synthetic fragrances, alcohol, and essential oils in vegan makeup. These ingredients can be drying and may irritate the dysfunctional skin barrier. Rather go with makeup products that contain some vegan emollients and plant oils.
Allergy-prone sensitive skin can also look out for some of the major allergens in vegan makeup products. Gluten, soy, and tree oils may just be the things your skin is not good with. Sensitive oily skin should prefer vegan makeup that is non-comedogenic (not clogging pores).
And while ‘hypoallergenic’ is not a regulated term, it’s still safer to prefer vegan makeup products that carry that label. Certified organic ingredients are also something sensitive skin types usually agree with.
How We Review Vegan Makeup For Sensitive Skin
We review vegan makeup for sensitive skin by hearing the experience of people with sensitive and reactive skin. We also take into account the reviews of people with eczema, rosacea, milia, redness, or other common skin conditions.
While listing the best products, we are aware that sensitive skin is not an official skin type and that not all sensitive skin types react the same way to one vegan makeup product. Nevertheless, it is still possible to select the safest vegan makeup products by comparing tens of reviews from people with skin sensitivities.
FAQ About Vegan Makeup For Sensitive Skin
Vegan makeup usually works for sensitive skin. It’s free of common animal-derived irritants such as lanolin and milk. Vegan makeup is usually also natural and organic. Nevertheless, if you have sensitive skin, make sure to carefully review the ingredients of a vegan makeup product before committing to it.
Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation is the best vegan foundation for sensitive skin.
The best selection of vegan makeup for sensitive skin is available on Amazon, Ulta, Sephora, Dermstore, and Credo Beauty. You can look for products that are labeled hypoallergenic, clean, organic, or safe for sensitive skin.
Summary
Hope you enjoyed our collection of vegan makeup for sensitive skin. While no studies confirm that vegan makeup is necessarily better for sensitive skin than non-vegan makeup, there are so many vegan makeup brands and products that sensitive skin types love.
For sensitive skin, we love vegan makeup products from Ilia, Merit Beauty, BareMinerals, Well People, and other vegan and cruelty-free brands. We especially like products that are organic and formulated without any synthetic fragrances or other chemicals.
As we find more exciting vegan makeup for people with allergies, eczema, rosacea, or other skin sensitivities, we will add them to this list.
See also: Vegan Skincare For Sensitive Skin
