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Vegan Skincare Guide—Best Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands & Tips!

Sep 4, 2026 (Updated Sep 4, 2026) By: Michelle Cehn

Great skin and vegan choices can go hand in hand! Vegan skincare is packed with options, from fresh-faced cleansers to rich creams and nourishing serums. Whether you’re building a whole new routine or just looking for a few swaps, there are plenty of products worth adding to your skincare shelf!

Vegan skincare, makeup, and cruelty-free beauty products on a table with Herbivore facial oil, Pacifica perfume, and more.

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Looking to update your seasonal skincare routine? Before you buy new beauty bottles for the bathroom cupboard, let us share our favorite brands and tips. If vegan bath, body, and beauty is a subject you’re passionate about, you’re going to love this guide!

Dig out all of your cleansers, moisturizers, foundation, sunscreens, lip balms, soaps, scrubs, masks, and serums, and pile them in front of you. Let’s check together to see if they’re vegan and cruelty-free (or expired!)

Table of Contents

Tips

Avoid: Lanolin, beeswax, honey, casein, glycerin, squalene, stearic acid, and tallow
Choose: Plant ingredients and cruelty-free companies
Popular and Affordable Brands: E.L.F., Pacifica Beauty, Ethique, and Acure
Not Sure What You’d Like? Purchase a monthly vegan beauty box subscription to try out a few brands.

What is Vegan Skincare?

To start, we’ll keep it simple. Here’s what it means to be vegan. And here is why so many people choose to be vegan. We consider skincare to be vegan if:

The product is made without any animal ingredients.
The item is also cruelty-free, meaning that it was produced without the use of animal testing.

Vegan Skincare Guide and Best Cruelty Free Skin Care Brands

100% Vegan Skincare Brands

Which skincare brands are vegan and cruelty-free? These are just a few of our tried-and-true favorites:

Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands with Vegan Options

Vegan shampoo and conditioner for cruelty free shower

Best Eco-Friendly Vegan Skincare Brands

Elate Cosmetics blush surrounded by other vegan makeup products and brands.

Best Vegan Skincare for Men

Vegan Men's Gift Idea | Herban Cowboy | WorldofVegan.com

Vegan Beauty Subscription Boxes

If you’re like to explore vegan skincare and beauty brands and products without investing in full-size products, consider subscribing to a vegan beauty box. Here are a few of the most popular vegan beauty box options today:

vegan cuts beauty box monthly subscription

Which Skincare Ingredients are NOT Vegan?

While this is not a complete list of all of the skincare ingredients that are not vegan, these are the most commonly known and used in commercial skincare products.

Lanolin – Used to soften and moisturize, this emollient is made from sheep’s wool, and can easily be swapped with a plant-based oil (olive, jojoba, etc.) or butter (like coconut or shea)
Beeswax – A natural wax produced by honey bees, it helps to keep liquids and solids together in a mixture, and can be substituted with a plant-based wax such as soy, candelilia, or carnauba.
Glycerin – Traditionally made using animal fat, this moisturizing ingredient can be replaced by a vegetable glycerin instead.
Squalene – This additive is often used for anti-aging products and is primarily made from shark liver oil. You can also find plant-derived forms from olives or wheat germ.
Stearic Acid – An emulsifier and emollient that is usually derived from an animal’s stomach (such a pig, cow, or sheep). It can simply be replaced by a plant-based stearic acid, which would also be less irritating to the skin.
Oleic Acid (aka Tallow) – Though this skincare softener can be made using plant-derived fats (like coconut, almond, or olive), it’s most commonly made from animal fat.
Casein (or Sodium Caseinate) – A conditioning treatment that is made with cow’s milk. An alternative can be created by using a plant-based milk instead.

How Do I Start a New Skincare Routine?

When you’re embarking on a new beauty routine, it’s best to stick with the basics.

Step 1: Pick Your Products – Choose a vegan makeup remover (if you wear makeup), a cleanser, and a vegan moisturizer.

Step 2: Everyday Routine – Follow these simple steps every evening before bed and in the morning (if you wish):

Remove Makeup – Make sure to use a cloth or product especially made for removing make up. In a pinch, a simple base oil (such as almond, coconut, or jojoba) will do the trick. Massage a nickel-sized amount of oil onto dry skin for about 30 seconds and wipe off lightly with a cloth (never use paper towels or toilet paper––they’re much too drying on the skin).
Cleanse – Wet skin using lukewarm water, use your fingers to apply cleanser, and gently massage into the skin for a minute or two. Rinse with lukewarm or cool water. Pat with a soft towel.
Moisturize – Before your face is completely dry, you can apply a vegan moisturizer (amount should be shown on the product) all over the skin using gentle upward and outward motions.

What Else Should I Add to My Vegan Skincare Routine?

Feel free to pick and choose the products that suit you best. It’s all about you and what you love:

Toner – This helps to restore your skin’s pH level, smooths rough patches, and aids in improving skin tone.
Exfoliation – This process removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using either a physical tool, cleansing grains, or chemicals. Be careful to choose the best option for your skin-type as some chemical exfoliants can be harsh on the skin.
Serum – This product is designed to deliver high concentrations of vitamin-rich ingredients. A few drops pressed into the skin before applying cruelty-free moisturizer is all that you need.
Eye Cream – To keep this area hydrated, try adding a tiny, pea-sized amount of cream around the eyes. Apply with your ring finger (will give the least amount of pressure) in slow, circular motions.
Lip Balm – Lip balm is probably the least necessary before bed, but also the most luxurious. Adding a super smooth swipe to your lips will make them even softer and more supple in the morning.

Vegan biodegradable eco lip balm from Booda Organics.

DIY Vegan Skincare

While there are many amazing options for vegan and cruelty-free skincare in stores and online, making your own can be even better!

Solid perfume in a tin jar with candelilla wax sprinkled around it.

Here are a few of our favorite books for do-it-yourself vegan skincare:

The Compassionate Chick’s Guide to DIY Beauty: 125 Recipes for Vegan, Gluten-Free, Cruelty-Free Makeup, Skin and Hair Care Products by Sunny Subramanian, founder of Vegan Beauty Review
Plant-Powered Beauty: The Essential Guide to Using Natural Ingredients for Health, Wellness, and Personal Skincare by Amy Galper
Homemade Organic Skin & Body Care: Easy DIY Recipes and Natural Beauty Tips for Glowing Skin (Body Butters, Essential Oils, Natural Makeup, Masks, Lotions, Body Scrubs & More – 100% Cruelty Free) by Carmen Reeves

Holding out a copy of the vegan beauty book The Compassionate Chick's Guide to DIY Beauty by Sunny Subramanian.

Vegan Beauty & Skincare Podcast Episode

In this episode of The Plant Powered-People Podcast, hosts Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto chat with longtime vegan beauty expert Sunny Subramanian about skincare and her top cruelty-free beauty tips.

FAQs

What is the difference between regular and vegan skincare?

Regular skincare may contain animal-derived ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, or collagen, while vegan skincare does not. Vegan products use plant-based, synthetic, or other non-animal ingredients instead.

Are collagen and elastin vegan?

Collagen and elastin were traditionally made from animal tissues, but skincare science has come a long way. Today, vegan versions can be made using yeast, bacteria, and fermentation, giving you more plant-based options for your skincare routine.

Is vegan skincare better?

Vegan skincare isn’t automatically better, but it can be a great choice if you want to avoid animal-derived ingredients. What matters most is finding products with ingredients that work well for your skin and your specific needs.

Are more expensive products always a better choice?

Vegan skincare isn’t always about price, and affordable products can sometimes be just as good as more expensive options. Some high-end brands use animal-derived ingredients like beeswax, collagen, and lanolin, so it’s worth checking each product carefully. A little research can help you find vegan skincare that fits both your needs and your budget.

This vegan skincare guide is not sponsored by any of the brands or companies mentioned, and we only share products and companies we sincerely adore! Love a vegan skincare brand that you don’t see listed? Let us know in the comments!

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