Mineral makeup is made of natural minerals extracted from the earth. Minerals such as mica, iron oxides, and zinc oxides are ground into tiny particles to create natural powder-based makeup. Minerals are also used as colorings in a wide variety of makeup products.
Mineral makeup is excellent for sensitive and acne-prone skin types as minerals are inorganic and do not breed bacteria. Often, mineral makeup is also more lightweight and breathable making it a healthier choice for all skin types.
You may be inclined to think that mineral cosmetics is vegan but that is not always the case. While minerals themselves are vegan, mineral makeup brands often use animal-derived ingredients such as pearl powder and red carmine pigment from crushed insects.
We dove into the world of mineral makeup and found the best vegan-friendly mineral makeup. Enjoy vegan mineral makeup that is animal-free and cruelty-free. All products below are vegan-friendly and have not been tested on animals.
Best Vegan Mineral Makeup Products
From BareMinerals to Inika Organic, here are the best vegan mineral makeup products for 2024.
- Best Loose Foundation: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation
- Best Pressed Foundation: Pür 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation
- Best Liquid Foundation: Jane Iredale Beyond Matte Liquid Foundation
- Best Primer: Everyday Minerals Color Correcting Mineral Primer
- Best Concealer: Mineral Fusion Compact Concealer Duo
- Best Setting Powder: Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder
- Best Blush: Alima Pure Loose Mineral Blush
- Best Bronzer: Inika Organic Baked Mineral Bronzer
- Best Highlighter: Glo Skin Glow Powder Highlighter
- Best Eyeshadow: Bellapierre Shimmer Powder
- Best Mascara: Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Mineral Mascara
- Best Lipstick: Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick
Best Vegan Mineral Loose Foundation
1. BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
In 2024, BareMinerals Original Loose Foundation is still the best vegan mineral foundation. It’s made with only 5 ingredients – all minerals, no chemicals, no fillers. The vegan foundation gives a beautiful light coverage to the skin and you don’t even feel it there.
- What we like: weightless, clean formula
- What we don’t like: it’s not highly covering
Key minerals: mica, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxides, bismuth oxychloride | Other ingredients: none | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, talc-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, petrolatum-free, fragrance-free
About the brand: BareMinerals offers clean mineral makeup made in the USA. BareMinerals is certified cruelty-free but not 100% vegan as some of its products include beeswax or carmine. Their vegan-friendly products are always marked vegan on their website.
Other loose vegan mineral foundations we like include Bellapierre Mineral Foundation SPF 15, Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Powder, and Emani Crushed Mineral Foundation.
Best Vegan Mineral Pressed Foundation
2. Pür 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation SPF 15
Pür 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation is the best vegan pressed mineral foundation. It’s lightweight and buildable in coverage – it conceals as much as you want it to. In addition to minerals, it also includes moisturizing ingredients that dry skin types will love.
- What we like:
- What we don’t like:
Key minerals: titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxides, ultramarines | Other ingredients: shea butter, vitamin E, waltheria extract | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, talc-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, petrolatum-free, fragrance-free
About the brand: Pür Cosmetics is a 100% vegan mineral makeup brand from California. They never use any animal-derived ingredients and are PETA-certified animal test-free. From Pür, you will find a clean mineral-based vegan complexion makeup with added skincare benefits.
Best Vegan Mineral Liquid Foundation
3. Jane Iredale Beyond Matte Liquid Foundation
For the best vegan mineral liquid foundation, go for Jane Iredale. They offer the silkiest mineral foundation. It blends like a dream and looks so natural. This foundation nourishes the skin with jojoba oil and botanical extracts and keeps the skin shine-free for the whole day.
- What we like: natural and healthy complexion
- What we don’t like: shades hard to match
Key minerals: titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxides, chromium oxide greens | Other ingredients: vegan glycerin, jojoba seed oil linseed extract, honeysuckle extract | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, synthetic fragrance-free, talc-free, nanoparticle-free, non-GMO, dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic
About the brand: Jane Iredale is one of the world’s leading mineral cosmetic brands. They are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and PETA and the majority of their products are vegan and gluten-free. Their vegan-friendly mineral makeup is always marked so.
Best Vegan Mineral Primer
4. Everyday Minerals Color Correcting Mineral Primer
Everyday Minerals has made something very special – a 100% natural mineral powder primer. This vegan primer creates a smooth base for makeup and comes in different colors for correcting skin tone. Our favorite is yellow for canceling redness and dark circles.
- What we like: skin looks even and smooth
- What we don’t like: powder primers are not for everybody
Key minerals: mica, silica, iron oxides, ultramarines, manganese violet | Other ingredients: bamboo extract, elderberry extract, dead sea salt | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, paraben-free, phthalate-free, petrochemical-free, lake dye-free, bismuth oxychloride-free, talc-free, SLS-free, synthetic-fragrance-free
About the brand: Everyday Minerals is a clean vegan mineral makeup brand from Austin, Texas. Their products are PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free and handcrafted from natural minerals and botanicals. Everyday Minerals also offers vegan skincare and supplements.
Shop on: Amazon, Ecco Verde
Best Vegan Mineral Concealer
5. Mineral Fusion Compact Concealer Duo
Mineral Fusion Compact Concealer Duo is the best vegan mineral concealer. It’s very creamy and covering. The dual-toned formula allows you to match it perfectly with your skin tone and hide dark circles and spots. You can also use this vegan concealer for contouring.
- What we like: creamy and blendable
- What we don’t like: no shade for very fair skin
Key minerals: silica, zinc oxide, iron oxides, titanium dioxide | Other ingredients: candelilla wax, shea butter, maritime bark extract, safflower seed oil, white tea leaf extract | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, fragrance-free, talc-free, hypoallergenic
About the brand: From Mineral Fusion, you will find vegan mineral cosmetics that are gentle, natural, and chemical-free. The Colorado brand is not fully vegan but they have a good selection of mineral vegan foundations, eyeshadow palettes, and vegan mineral lipsticks.
Best Vegan Mineral Setting Powder
6. Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder
Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder has been our favorite vegan mineral powder for years. It just creates the perfect finishing touch for all makeup looks. The complexion looks smooth and even. The vegan setting powder helps the makeup stay on for longer and keeps shine at bay.
- What we like: skin stays smooth and matte
- What we don’t like: shades are often out of stock
Key minerals: mica, silica, iron oxides | Other ingredients: green tea leaves, phytosphingosine, vitamin C, E, F | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, talc-free
About the brand: Cover FX is a 100% vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand that has some excellent vegan mineral makeup products. This New York-based brand offers clean makeup formulas that are always free of mineral oil, parabens, gluten, fragrance, or talc.
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Vegan Mineral Blush
7. Alima Pure Loose Mineral Blush
Mineral makeup brand Alima Pure has the best vegan mineral blush. This clean mineral blush only uses 3 ingredients: mica, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide. We love the wash of color and glow it gives to the cheekbones. The vegan blush is available in 6 beautiful colors.
- What we like: beautiful shades, clean formula
- What we don’t like: has some fallout
Key minerals: mica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide | Other ingredients: none | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, talc-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, petrolatum-free, fragrance-free
About the brand: Alima Pure is a natural mineral makeup brand from Portland, Oregon. They are Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free and most of their makeup is also vegan except the Cream Concealer, Natural Lip Tint, and Natural Definition Mascara.
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Vegan Mineral Bronzer
8. Inika Organic Baked Mineral Bronzer
Inika’s Baked Bronzer is our favorite vegan mineral bronzer. This organic mineral bronzer gives a gorgeous summery glow with mica and iron oxides. It’s non-sparkly and blends naturally with the skin. The vegan bronzer is packed with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients.
- What we like: great glow, smooth and blendable
- What we don’t like: limited shade options
Key minerals: mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides | Other ingredients: magnolia bark extract, olive-derived squalane, sugarcane | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, organic, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, talc-free, fragrance-free
About the brand: Inika Organic is one of our favorite vegan makeup brands, especially for high-quality mineral vegan makeup. They have the best vegan mineral powders, bronzers, blushes, and highlighters. This Australian company is 100% natural, organic, and certified vegan.
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Vegan Mineral Highlighter
9. Glo Skin Glow Powder Highlighter
Glow Powder from Glow Skin is the best vegan mineral highlighter. This powder truly makes you shine thanks to natural minerals. The colorways are beautiful, especially Champagne. The vegan highlighter also takes care of the skin with vitamin C and niacinamide.
- What we like: high-impact finish, soft texture
- What we don’t like: it’s quite sparkly (a little goes a long way)
Key minerals: mica, tin oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, bismuth oxychloride| Other ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, talc-free, gluten-free
About the brand: Denver-based Glo Skin specializes in clean mineral makeup for the face, cheek, lips, eyes, and brows. Glo Skin is PETA-verified animal test free but not fully vegan. Their vegan-friendly mineral makeup is always tagged so.
Best Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow
10. Bellapierre Shimmer Powder
Bellapierre Shimmer Powder is the best vegan mineral eyeshadow. It’s exclusively made from minerals with nothing extra added to it. The vegan eyeshadow is richly pigmented with a gorgeous elegant shine. It’s easy to blend and very long-wearing.
- What we like: great pigment, wears long
- What we don’t like: the bold colors (red, yellow) can look too harsh
Key minerals: mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides | Other ingredients: none | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, talc-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, petrolatum-free, fragrance-free
About the brand: Bellapierre is a mineral makeup brand from the UK. Their products are Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free, ethically made, and always free of talc and parabens. Bellapierre is not entirely vegan, their vegan products can be found on their vegan page.
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Vegan Mineral Mascara
11. Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Mineral Mascara
Pacifica Aquarian Gaze is the best vegan mineral mascara. The natural mascara is only dyed with iron oxides to reach the black pigment with no artificial colorings. This vegan mascara gives beautiful volume and it’s water-resistant. It holds up well in humidity and during workouts.
- What we like: dyed with minerals, water-resistant
- What we don’t like: it’s not fully waterproof
Key minerals: iron oxides | Other ingredients: carnauba wax, coconut oil, vitamin B, kelp extract | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free, water-resistant, fragrance-free, talc-free
About the brand: Pacifica Beauty is a vegan makeup brand that is clean and affordable. While Pacifica is not a mineral makeup brand per se, they do offer some great vegan mineral makeup, including this mascara and their bestselling mineral vegan eyeshadow palette.
Best Vegan Mineral Lipstick
12. Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick
HoneyBee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick is the best vegan mineral lipstick. It’s colored with 100% mineral pigments and made from plant oils to nourish and moisturize the lips. The vegan lipstick is available in frosted and matte finishes, we love the pink shades.
- What we like: natural ingredients, doesn’t feather
- What we don’t like: not long-wearing, need to reapply
Key minerals: mica, titanium dioxide | Other ingredients: castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, sesame seed oil, thyme oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, organic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, talc-free
About the brand: Honeybee Gardens is a natural cosmetics brand from Pennsylvania with a great selection of affordable vegan mineral makeup products. Most of their mineral makeup is vegan-friendly, simply look for products with a vegan marking.
What Makes Mineral Makeup Vegan?
Mineral makeup is vegan if it does not include any animal-derived ingredients such as carmine, pearl powder, guanine, beeswax, or lanolin. Also, vegan mineral makeup cannot be tested on animals or include ingredients that have been tested on animals.
The most common ingredient that makes mineral makeup not vegan is carmine. Carmine is a deep red pigment derived from crushed female beetles. Vegan mineral makeup brands usually replace carmine with plant colorings or iron oxides for reddish shades.
Beeswax is sometimes found in creamy and liquid mineral makeup. Instead, vegan brands use a variety of plant oils, waxes, and emollients such as jojoba oil and candelilla wax. For shine, vegan brands replace guanine and pearl powder with natural mica crystals.
Which Mineral Makeup Brands Are Vegan?
Looking for vegan mineral makeup brands that are always free of animal-derived ingredients and byproducts? These mineral makeup brands are 100% vegan:
- Emani Cosmetics (USA)
- Everyday Minerals (USA)
- Concrete Minerals (USA)
- Pür Cosmetics (USA)
- Cover FX (USA)
- Root Makeup (USA)
- Honeypie Minerals (UK)
- All Earth Minerals (UK)
- Barefaced Beauty (UK)
- Love The Planet (UK)
- Inika Organic (Australia)
- Eco Minerals (Australia)
What To Look For In Vegan Mineral Makeup?
When shopping for vegan mineral makeup, make sure the product does not include a bunch of unnecessary fillers and chemicals. Sometimes, makeup products are labeled mineral but include a combination of natural minerals and synthetic chemicals and dyes.
One thing to be careful about in vegan mineral makeup is talc. Talc or talcum is a natural clay mineral used in a variety of makeup products. While generally safe and great for mattifying oily skin types, talc can irritate sensitive skin.
Some say mica crystals can clog also pores for oily skin. To be honest, mica-based makeup is highly recommended by oily and acne-prone skin types but it’s something to keep in mind. Don’t overdo it with mica like you shouldn’t overdo it with inhaling titanium dioxide.
If you have dry skin or mature skin, we recommend moisturizing your skin properly before applying vegan mineral makeup in powder forms. When possible, prefer mineral makeup that comes in cream and liquid formulas to ensure a hydrated complexion.
Also, while many vegan mineral makeup products include natural sun protection from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, make sure the SPF factor is strong enough. We still suggest wearing vegan sunscreen under mineral makeup.
How We Review Vegan Mineral Makeup
We review vegan mineral makeup by testing the leading products on our skin. We expect mineral products to perform as well as non-mineral makeup products with added health benefits for all skin types.
At Vegan Avenue, the transparency and integrity of our product reviewing process is paramount. None of our reviews has been incentivized by any brand or retailer.
FAQ About Vegan Mineral Makeup
Mineral makeup is not always vegan. Minerals are vegan-friendly yet mineral makeup can contain animal-derived ingredients, most commonly carmine.
The most typical ingredient that makes mineral makeup not vegan is carmine – a red pigment derived from crushed beetles.
You can find the best vegan mineral makeup selection from leading mineral brands such as BareMinerals, Jane Iredale, Emani Cosmetics, or Pür Cosmetics.
The best selection of vegan mineral makeup is available on Amazon, Ulta, Sephora, and Dermstore. You can also check Etsy for some local vegan mineral makeup brands.
Mineral Fusion is not 100% vegan but has vegan options. Look for vegan tags when shopping for their products.
BareMinerals is not 100% vegan but has a lot of vegan-friendly options. All of their vegan products are marked vegan on their website. BareMinerals is also certified cruelty-free and never tests on animals.
Summary
Vegan mineral makeup is a great natural makeup trend that every ski type can enjoy, especially sensitive and blemish-prone skin. Mineral makeup represents the best of natural earth-derived beauty, and the best kind of mineral cosmetics is vegan and cruelty-free.
Our current favorite vegan mineral makeup products come from industry-leading mineral brands such as BareMinerals and Jane Iredale. While these brands are not fully vegan, the majority of their products are. We hope they will go fully vegan in the future.
As we keep testing new vegan mineral cosmetic products every month, we will let you know if something great comes along by adding it to this very list. Thanks for choosing vegan makeup.
See also: Organic Vegan Makeup Brands
Main image: courtesy of Covex FX and Everyday Minerals
