The vegan makeup, skincare and haircare our beauty editors love
Chances are, you already have a few mates who are fully subscribed to vegan beauty. It's no secret that veganism is on the rise and it's millennials leading the charge. We (15-to-34-year-olds) make up 42% of Britain’s vegans.
It won't exactly come as a surprise then, that searches for vegan beauty are exploding.
Whether it’s for health, happiness or principled ethics, what’s clear is we are part of a growing global movement that’s not just about the food we consume, but making cruelty-free and sustainable choices when it comes to what we wear and the beauty products we apply.
“With social media, we are more aware than ever that our actions have an effect on the planet and us as its inhabitants,” says Imelda Burke, founder of beauty e-tailer Content Beauty & Wellbeing. “Once you learn how your purchases and actions have a detrimental effect, you can’t ignore it.”
Our desire to eat sustainably, consume consciously and think ethically is, in part, an attempt to counteract the environmental damage caused by previous generations. In today’s challenging political and economic climate, there’s a sense that the only currency we can control is our own physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, as well as the footprints we leave on the world around us.
Now this trend is prompting real change in the beauty industry. More and more of us are choosing to use animal-free products; swapping and sharing beauty buys that align with our personal ethics. The ‘vegan’ certification verifies that products (and all their ingredients) have not been tested on animals and are free from any kind of animal extract. To achieve this is no mean feat, considering staple skincare ingredients, such as glycerin, collagen and retinol are all traditionally derived from livestock – or their by-products (honey, beeswax and lanolin for example).
The big switch
The emergence of vegan, millennial-led, British brands like Sister & Co, Spectrum Collections, Soaper Duper, BYBI Beauty and Bleach London has encouraged cult brands to follow suit. Millennial favourites, Milk Makeup and KVD Vegan Beauty are completely vegan-friendly, while headliners like Fenty, Charlotte Tilbury and BareMinerals have all worked on expanding their vegan offering. Hourglass promised to go fully vegan by 2020 and even an industry giant like L’Oréal-owned Urban Decay, which already has 71 vegan products in its line-up, has pledged to convert, “as long as we can deliver the same high-quality products”.
Beyond green
While natural botanicals are the go-to cruelty-free ingredient, some brands are serving their vegan principles with a side of science. “There is so much innovative biotechnology emerging,” says Sue Y Nabi, founder of vegan beauty brand Orveda. “Like biofermentation, which harnesses bacteria to grow and refine botanical ingredients, allowing actives to work in synergy with the skin.” The result? Clinical-level efficacy with all the natural benefits: soothing, nourishing and non-toxic.
Logo logic
“There is no law that controls the use of ‘vegan’, ‘clean’ or ‘organic’ in beauty product [descriptions],” says Sue. It’s known as ‘greenwashing’, where brands use trending terminology to draw in consumers, even if they don’t fully stick to the ‘natural’ ethos – the trick is to look for industry logos, such as Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny or The Vegan Society. ‘Clean’ products will be generally free from parabens, phthalates, sulphates, silicones, petroleum, pesticides, artificial colouring, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, PEGs, DEA and TEA. Use the Think Dirty app to scan cosmetic products – you’ll get a breakdown of ingredients and health hazards, and it even grades products on its ‘Dirty Meter’.
So whether you prefer all-botanical or science-based brands, going cruelty and toxin free is the modern choice when it comes to skincare and make-up, says Sue. “It means products have been made in a vegan, sustainable fashion and contain no ingredients that could harm skin’s health.” After all, a cruelty-free complexion glows that much brighter, don’t you think?
The good news is, veganism doesn't end with food, the beauty industry is getting in on the action too. There are plenty of vegan beauty brands products you didn't know where vegan. Below we've curated the best vegan beauty products on the market – each product is totally cruelty and animal byproduct free (though some of their brands might not be 100% vegan just yet). Consider your skin, hair and makeup routine taken care of.
Keep scrolling for our favourite vegan beauty products available in the UK...
Vegan squalane
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil, £25, Cult Beauty
All of Biossance's products are vegan and don't contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. This Squalane Oil is enhances elasticity of the skin and encourages natural cell renewal.
Vegan serum
Medik8 Crystal Retinal, £39, Look Fantastic
As of Summer 2019, Medik8 has become a 100% vegan-friendly brand. This serum is formulated with a stable form of vitamin A that provides powerful anti-ageing results.
Vegan glycerin
Rhug Estate Wild Beauty Rebalancing Skin Tonic with Meadowsweet, £50, Rhug Wild Beauty
This vegan tonic removes dead skin cells from the skin surface and ultimately delivers a more even skin texture and tone. It also helps to reduce inflammation and irritation.
Vegan liquid collagen
Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen, £90, Look Fantastic
Algenist as a brand, commits to 100% vegan formulations without compromising results. This liquid collagen serum helps to restore skin's natural bounce while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, with visible results just after a few applications.
Vegan lactic acid
Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector, £19, Glossier
This vegan blend of skincare acids (AHA, BHA AND PHA) sweeps away dead skin cells for a smoother, softer and glowier complexion. Daily use will result in improved appearance of blemishes, redness and large pores.
Vegan retinol
Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment, £53, Space NK
This vegan, light, absorbent anti-ageing serum is suitable for all skin types and used to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, by restoring its firmness. It also improves the appearance of skin's complexion by reducing the appearance of dark spots and ultimately evening out tone.
Vegan probiotics
Gallinée Skin & Microbiome Supplement, £30, Gallinée
Gallinée pride themselves in providing high quality products, non of which have ingredients deriving from animal origin. This jar of 30 probiotic capsules provides enough skincare in a cap for two months used to battle the signs and causes of skin sensitivity and inflammation.
Vegan cholesterol cream
Ren Clean Skincare Vita Mineral Emollient Rescue Cream, £28, Look Fantastic
This rich, vegan, emollient cream is formulated to provide instant relief for mild to intense dryness, dehydration, skin roughness and sensitivity. Flakiness no more!
Vegan cleanser
e.l.f. Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, £14, Feel Unique
E.L.F. always has been – and is still – vegan. The latest Holy Hydration Melting Cleansing Balm feels soft as butter on skin and effortlessly lifts away makeup and stubborn mascara without tugging. All for a tenner.
Vegan bronzing lotion
Bali Body Bronzing Lotion,
£17.95£13.45, Beauty BayBrand new to the UK, Bali Body's range is entirely vegan-friendly. Their bronzing lotion will give you that instant glow you've been craving since Christmas.
Vegan face mist
Organic Pharmacy Rose Facial Spritz, £26.95, LookFantastic
Keep this on your desk and spritz morning and afternoon to give your skin a (delicious smelling) hydration boost.
Vegan moisturiser
Skyn ICELAND's Pure Cloud Cream, £41, Marks & Spencers
This moisturiser is ultra light but deeply hydrating and it's suitable for all seasons. If you have very sensitive skin, definitely give this a go.
Vegan body oil
SkinOwl Body Oil, £46, Cult Beauty
Perfect for dry, tired skin - use daily after a shower or if you're headed out, gloss a little over your shin bones to elongate your legs.
Vegan booty mask
b.Bare Peaches & Gleam, from £19, b.Bare
This booty mask is rich in antioxidants which help detoxify and hydrate the skin; simply paint on and peel off. It's 100% cruelty-free and also vegan, natch.
Vegan facial oil
Botanicals' Nourish Facial Oil, £22.50, botanicals.co.uk
Botanicals' rose and camellia facial oil smells heavenly and it's made with 99% organic ingredients. Use at night to give your skin a real boost of hydration.
Vegan skin elixir
Smart Skin Multi V Elixir, £32, My Smart Skin
Loaded with 12 super oils, this facial oil promises to quench skin's thirst for hydration and nourishment thanks to a delicious blend of Omega 3 fatty acids, Evening Primrose, Chia Seed, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Blueberry and Milk Thistle, plus Avocado, Rosehip, Jojoba, Turmeric, Tea Plant and Frankincense ; that's a lot of goodness. I've been using this skincare range for a few weeks now and my skin is glowing like never before; it feels juicy, plump and mega hydrated. Smart indeed.
Vegan shower gel
YOPE Coconut and Sea Salt Shower Gel, £7.99,YOPE
Containing a mixture of gentle washing aids obtained from coconut oil, palm kernel and corn, the Natural Shower Gels from Polish brand, YOPE, gently refresh and hydrate the skin, leaving it soft and smooth.
Vegan purifying cleanser
Ananné Lavanticum Purifying Cleanser, £45, ananne.co.uk
This cleanser is a triple threat: it removes makeup (even waterproof), cleanses the skin and helps to prevent spots. Gentle and super easy to use - leave on for 5-10 minutes if you want to use it as a mask.
Vegan foundation
Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation, £28.50, Urban Decay
This liquid foundation is light and gives a gorgeously dewy finish. If more coverage is what you like, you can build it up to the desired look. It's an excellent foundation for dry skin particularly.
Vegan perfume
Le Labo Bergamote 22, £175, Net-A-Porter
Everyone's heard of Santal 33 but we tend to think Bergamote 22 is rather overlooked. A sumptuous blend of amber, grapefruit and petit grain - it balances the musky, heavier notes with the freshness of citrus exquisitely.
Vegan leave-in-conditioner
Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In-Treatment, £28, Look Fantastic
This year Aveda announced that all of its products are 100% vegan. Alongside its other environmental initiatives (the brand has worked hard on introducing recycled and recyclable packaging to minimise waste), it's a conscious choice to add to your stash. Plus, its products stand-up to scrutiny. The Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave In Treatment is ace at fortifying strands that need some TLC.
Vegan foundation
Magic Foundation, £34, Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Foundation is one of the brands many vegan-friendly formulas – and the coverage, like the name suggests is magic.
Vegan bronzer
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer, £24, Cult Beauty
Milk Makeup's 100% vegan offering easily stands up to its non-vegan alternatives. The matte bronzer stick swipes on to warm up cheeks in seconds.
Vegan mineral foundation
BareMinerals Original Loose Mineral Foundation, £29, Look Fantastic
The vast majority of BareMinerals offering is vegan (save for some makeup brushes) and each product is 100% free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, chemical sunscreens, triclosan, triclocarban, propylene glycol, mineral oil, coal tar and microbeads. The original loose mineral foundation is cult for a reason – breathable but with impressive coverage.
Vegan mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, £19, Cult Beauty
Oh boy, you better believe it, Pinterest's most-pinned mascara is not only voluminous, but vegan. In fact, a lot of Too Faced products are, check out the full list here.
Vegan eye liner
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, £18, Boots
One of the best, most-pigmented and long-lasting eyeliners around. The fact that it's vegan is just a bonus.
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Vegan nail polish
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Nail Polish, £14.50 each, LookFantastic
Yes, and ethically right mani does exit. Vegan, 12-free and Halal approuved, these nail polishes have no nasties in it. We're also pretty obsessed with how perfect for autumn this royal blue and the emerald green shades are.
Vegan brow gel
WunderBrow 1-Step Brow Gel, £19.95, Boots
Yes, even your eyebrows can go vegan. With an easy-to-use mascara wand, it takes seconds to whip them into shape with the browscara.
Vegan highlighter
Iconic London Illuminator Drops, £29.99, Cult Beauty
A firm celebrity favourite, from the cast of Towie to Jourdan Dunn, Iconic London's Illuminator Drops are a dewy delight and 100 per cent vegan.
Vegan conditioner
Green People Moisturising Conditioner, £13, Green People
Green People do a range of conditioners for all different hair types but we love the moisturising one as it leaves the hair silky and frizz-free. The major plus? There are no chemical nasties lurking in the formula.
Vegan hair tonic
Climax Volume Tonic, £20, We Are Paradoxx
A friend to the animals and to the planet, We Are Paradoxx is Leaping Bunny and PETA approved as well as almost entirely plastic-free. The formulas rely on potent botanical ingredients to boost hair health.
Vegan lip balm
Sister & Co. Raw Coconut Lip Tonic, £9, Sister & Co.
We all need a good lip balm in our makeup bags. It just happens this one is vegan. Perfect for chapped lips or just a healthy glow, the coconut oil formula hydrates and protects.
Vegan shampoo
Rahua Classic Shampoo, £32, Rahua
Suitable for all hair types including coloured, Rahua's shampoo is ultra gentle but uses only natural ingredients to give your hair a deep cleanse.
Vegan blusher
Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Blush, £20, Naturisimo
This mineral powder is beautifully build-able and will give you a natural flush as well as a little luminosity. 100% natural, it's both vegan and cruelty-free.
Vegan lipgloss
OCC Lydia Lip Duo, £20, cocktailcosmetics.co.uk
This lip gloss gives a gorgeous rich opaque colour and it comes with a liner too. It's a bit like a vegan Kylie Jenner Lip Kit.
