Vegan skincare brands do not use any animal-derived ingredients such as collagen, beeswax, or lanolin. In addition, certified vegan skincare brands do not test on animals either. Vegan beauty certifications include PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, The Vegan Society Trademark, and others.
The best vegan skincare brands include Youth To The People, Biossance, and The Ordinary. These brands can be considered the best since they are certified vegan, quality ingredients, innovative formulas, and they carry a wide range of products.
Rest assured, all the brands below are 100% vegan and cruelty-free meaning they do not use any animal-derived ingredients nor test on animals.
What Makes A Skincare Brand Vegan
What To Look For In Vegan Skincare Brands
How We Review Vegan Skincare Brands
Best Vegan Skincare Brands 2023
Below are our favorite vegan skincare brands from Youth To The People to Acure. No animal-based ingredients, no animal testing – just vegan skincare.
- Youth To The People
- Biossance
- The Ordinary
- Derma E
- Pacifica Beauty
- KraveBeauty
- Pai Skincare
- Versed
- Herbivore Botanicals
- Skyn Iceland
- Acure
1. Youth To The People
Youth to the People is the best vegan skincare brand. This brand has the best balance between natural extracts and effective active ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and retinol. The products are clean yet they really work. Read our full review here.
- What we like: great-quality vegan skincare
- What we don’t like: it’s owned by L’Oreal (which is not cruelty-free)
Based in: Los Angeles, California | Owned by: L’Oréal | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, made in the USA, recycled packaging, glass packaging, supports a wide range of nonprofits
2. Biossance
Biossance is our favorite vegan skincare brand for dry skin. Most of their products have a sugarcane-derived squalane base which is an excellent natural moisturizer. We especially love their Squalane+ Omega Repair Creme and Squalane+ Vitamin C Rose Oil.
- What we like: very moisturizing and soothing products
- What we don’t like: the products are pretty expensive
Based in: Emeryville, California | Owned by: Amyris | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, female-owned, natural, clean, bans over 2000 ingredients, made in the USA, sustainably produced, several nonprofit partners
3. The Ordinary
The Ordinary is a cruelty-free vegan skincare brand from Toronto. They have the best affordable vegan skincare solutions to address a variety of specific skin concerns. Their products are very affordable and the formulas are always clean and free from major allergens.
- What we like: best selection of vegan serums
- What we don’t like: it’s owned by Estée Lauder (which is not cruelty-free)
Based in: Toronto, Canada | Owned by: Estée Lauder | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, affordable, clean, made in Canada, recyclable packaging, glass packaging
4. Derma E
Derma E is a natural vegan skincare brand that started as a small health food store in Southern California. After the immense success of their Vitamin E cream, they’ve grown to become one of the largest natural facial care brands in the US. They offer vegan skincare for all skin types.
- What we like: affordable natural vegan skincare
- What we don’t like: some products include fragrance
Based in: Simi Valley, California | Owned by: Topix Pharmaceuticals | Certifications: PETA certified animal test free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, affordable, made in the USA, recyclable packaging, several nonprofit partners
5. Pacifica Beauty
Californian brand Pacifica offers affordable vegan skincare made from coconut oil, kale, and other natural superfoods and botanicals. The products are free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, SLS, and mineral oil. We also love their vegan makeup and vegan shampoos.
- What we like: excellent cleansers and ceramide skincare
- What we don’t like: many products include fragrance
Based in: Carpinteria, California | Owned by: Brook Harvey-Taylor | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, female-owned, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS-free, mineral oil-free, clean, affordable, most products made in the USA
6. KraveBeauty
Dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts sing praises to KraveBeauty. This Korean-inspired vegan skincare brand makes gentle yet effective formulas from 100% vegan ingredients. Their goal is to give your skin exactly what it craves – nothing more, nothing less.
- What we like: they have the best soothing serum and oat cream
- What we don’t like: products only sold through their website
Based in: New York City and Seoul | Owned by: Liah Yoo | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, Asian-owned, female-owned, clean, affordable, made in Korea, recyclable materials, launched a large sustainability fund
Shop on: Official site
7. Pai Skincare
Pai is a fantastic organic vegan skincare brand from the UK. Made for people with sensitive skin, they use 98% natural ingredients that are organic, non-GMO, and sustainably grown and harvested. We especially like their Biogenerative Rosehip Oil.
- What we like: everything is safe for sensitive skin
- What we don’t like: not available in major US retailers
Based in: London, UK | Owned by: Sarah Brown | Certifications: The Vegan Society certified vegan, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, female-owned, organic, natural, made in the UK, recyclable packaging, mental health charity supporter
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
8. Versed
Versed is a no-frills vegan skincare brand. They offer simple ingredients and proven formulas that work for your skin type. The American brand avoids over 1350 potentially skin-harming ingredients including silicones, mineral oil, and artificial fragrance.
- What we like: effective skincare at cheap prices
- What we don’t like: some products cause breakouts
Based in: West Hollywood, California | Owned by: Katherine Power (Clique Brands) | Certifications: Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, female-owned, clean, affordable, recycling program, climate neutral
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
9. Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore makes natural vegan skincare that appeals to all senses. The brand was founded by a Seattle couple Julia Wills and Alexander Kummerow with the goal of healing Alex’s eczema. Herbivore helped heal his skin and the brand is now loved across the world.
- What we like: they have the best vegan face oils
- What we don’t like: not all products absorb well
Based in: Seattle, Washington | Owned by: Julia Wills and Alex Kummerow | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, organic, clean, natural, made in the USA, recyclable packaging, glass packaging
10. Skyn Iceland
Skyn Iceland is a vegan skincare company that utilizes natural ingredients from Iceland – the epitome of unspoiled and calm nature. The brand’s goal is to offer solutions to stressed skin. Skyn Iceland aims to revitalize and purify the skin with pure yet potent ingredients.
- What we like: they have an amazing anti-aging algae serum
- What we don’t like: small product selection
Based in: New York City, New York | Owned by: Sarah Kugelman | Certifications: PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny (CCIC) certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, female-owned, natural, clean, affordable, made in the USA and Korea, recyclable packaging, refills available
11. Acure
We are fans of Acure’s vegan shampoos as well as their affordable vegan skincare. This 100% vegan brand has some great vegan moisturizers, oils, cleansers, and scrubs. Their vegan skincare line is made in the USA using no parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, or petrolatum.
- What we like: organic skincare that is budget-friendly
- What we don’t like: many products include essential oils
Based in: Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Owned by: Hagit Blumberg-Feldman (Better Planet Brands) | Certifications: PETA certified animal test free, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, female-owned, clean, organic, affordable, made in the USA, recycled packaging, supports education and breast cancer non-profits
What other types of Vegan Skincare Brands Exist?
See also our other pages about vegan skincare brands:
- Affordable Vegan Skincare Brands
- Luxury Vegan Skincare Brands
- Organic Vegan Skincare Brands
- Fragrance-Free Vegan Skincare Brands
- Korean Vegan Skincare Brands
- Custom Vegan Skincare Brands
- Black-Owned Vegan Skincare Brands
- LGBTQ-Owned Vegan Skincare Brands
- Celebrity Vegan Skincare Brands
- Men’s Vegan Skincare Brands
What Makes A Skincare Brand Vegan?
A skincare brand is considered vegan if it does not use any animal ingredients such as beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen or albumen, carmine, cholesterol, and gelatin. Certified vegan skincare brands are also cruelty-free meaning their products are not tested on animals.
Today, you can find many 100% vegan skincare brands. A wide variety of cruelty-free brands also consider themselves ‘almost vegan’ and only use honey or beeswax in certain products. Those brands currently include Glow Recipe and The Body Shop.
If you want to buy skincare from a fully vegan brand, it is best you choose brands with a certified vegan label. Many drugstore brands like Neutrogena and L’Oreal still use animal testing in countries where it is mandatory. Animal testing makes those brands not vegan or cruelty-free. L’Oreal owns many non-vegan brands such as CeraVe and La Roche-Posay.
Many brands, such as The Body Shop, have pledged to go vegan in the future.
What To Look For In Vegan Skincare Brands?
First and foremost, look for vegan beauty certifications. These labels indicate the brand does not use any animal-based ingredient, and also that they do not test on animals.
The best kinds of vegan skincare brands pair natural botanicals and plant oils with potent active ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, vitamin C, or hyaluronic acid. That way, you will get both natural vitamins and antioxidants with proven skincare benefits.
We also prefer vegan skincare brands that are free of needless chemicals and additives such as sulfates, parabens, or mineral oils. Even affordable vegan skincare brands like Pacifica Beauty or Acure avoid parabens and sulfates in their products.
Which vegan skincare brand you should choose also depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, you should aim for known hydrating ingredients including vitamin e, c, niacinamide and others. Brands that offer a great selection for dry skin include Derma E, Biossance and The Ordinary.
If you have sensitive skin, you should aim to focus on quality ingredients, rather than complicated formulas. Also avoiding fragrances, essential oils and alcohol is important. Best vegan skincare brands for sensitive skin include Pai Skincare, Skinfix and Pacifica Beauty.
In 2023, there are many luxury vegan skincare brands as well. Some of the popular high-end brands include Le Domaine, Aesop and Eight Day.
And opposed to luxury, luckily there are affordable vegan skincare brands on the market as well. These brands include The Ordinary, Pacifica Beauty, and E.l.f.
Why Choose Vegan Skincare Brands?
While vegan skincare is not inferior to non-vegan skincare, it is not necessarily better. Vegan skincare is above all an ethical and environmental choice.
That being said, vegan skincare brands do usually choose cleaner and skin-friendlier ingredients. Being newer, vegan skincare brands are more modern in their skincare approach.
When choosing a vegan skincare brand, you are voting for more caring companies. Sustainability, fairness, and ethical ingredients are at the heart of most vegan brands.
Vegan Skincare Routine
There is evidence that an advanced skincare routine is beneficial compared to a simple one.
My Vegan Skincare Routine is split between morning and evening routine. It is an effective, yet simple routine. In essence, a good routine cleanses, moisturizes, and always uses sunscreen.
Morning: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Serum, Moisturize, and use Sunscreen.
Evening: Cleanse, Retinol, Eye Cream, and Night Cream.
Where to Buy Vegan Skincare?
Buying vegan skincare has become easy, since vegan skincare brands are very popular, so most retailers feature them.
Almost all retailers carry at least some vegan skincare brands. You can find a great selection of vegan skincare at Sephora. Also, Ulta has a wide range of vegan skincare. Amazon naturally also is a great choice, since they carry almost all brands.
How We Review Vegan Skincare Brands
We review and assess vegan skincare brands by asking ourselves the following questions:
- Is the brand certified vegan by an independent organization?
- Does the vegan brand use natural or organic ingredients?
- Which chemicals does the vegan skincare brand avoid?
- Are their vegan skincare products effective?
- Does the brand use sustainable raw materials or production?
- What kind of packaging does the brand use?
- Where are their skincare products made?
- How expensive are their vegan skincare products?
- Is the brand owned by a major non-vegan corporation?
- Does the vegan brand support any environmental or social causes?
The more ethical and environmental boxes the vegan skincare brand ticks, the better. Being vegan is our key value but we still expect more from skincare brands today than just being animal-free. Vegan companies can do a lot for a fairer and cleaner planet.
Why Trust Us
We review vegan skincare brands through extensive research which involves online research, being in contact with their representatives, and familiarizing ourselves with other people’s experiences with the brand.
Our core value at Vegan Avenue is also to try out as many vegan products for ourselves. Personal experience is key in assessing how the brand’s products look and feel in real life and what kind of skin results they bring.
FAQ About Vegan Skincare Brands
A vegan skincare brand does not use any animal ingredients such as honey or collagen in their skincare. A certified vegan skincare brand does not also test its products on animals.
The best vegan skincare brand is Youth To The People. We like their effective and clean formulas and sustainable approach.
The best vegan skincare brands are available on Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta. You can also find vegan skincare brands at Target and Walmart. Just look for brands with vegan labels.
No. Glow Recipe is not vegan since their Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask contains honey. All their other products are vegan.
No. Drunk Elephant is not a vegan brand but they offer many vegan products.
No, CeraVe is not vegan, since they use animal-based ingredients. In addition, they test on animals where required by law.
Summary
Hope you enjoyed our favorite vegan skincare brands as much as we did. As we review new vegan skincare brands every month, we are sure to add the best ones to this list.
From the clean formulas of Biossance to the simple skin treats from Versed – vegan skincare in 2023 is better than ever and keeps on evolving. Stay tuned for new animal-free brands.
See also: Best Vegan Skincare Products 2023
Article update on July 07 (2023): Added a clearer list of the best vegan skincare brands to the top of the page for easier navigation. Reworder the introduction to make it clearer.
Article update on May 02 (2023): Fact Checked and medically reviewed by MD Shimona Garg
Article update on February 17 (2023): Added more references
Article update on April 20 (2023): Included more information about each brand
