22 Amazing Vegan Skincare Brands You Have To Try

So what’s in vegan skincare?

First, let’s talk about what isn’t. Just like in food, vegan beauty products must be entirely free of both animal products and animal by-products to be labeled as vegan. That means some common skincare ingredients are off the table. "In dermatology, growth factors, which are very effective for anti-aging purposes, are originally from a non-vegan source," says dermatologist Jason Emer. "Also, bee by-products such as propolis, beeswax, and honey are emollient, antimicrobial, and natural waxes that have been widely used, but are not considered vegan.” Dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann adds that collagen, lanolin, glycerin, keratin, and tallow are also typically animal-derived.

What do I need to know before I try it?

While vegan formulas are certainly better for both the environment and animal welfare, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all automatically good for your skin, too. When shopping for vegan skincare, Herrmann says it’s still super important to make sure that the product is designed for your skin type. “If you’re acne-prone, for instance, using a coconut oil moisturizer may exacerbate breakouts while a synthetic hyaluronic acid might be a better choice,” Herrmann adds. It’s also worth doing a little research on the company. “I do, however, find that in general, companies that have made the effort to make sure their product lines are made to exacting specifications such as all-natural, organic, or vegan, tend to have more thoughtful and elegant formulations that have more antioxidants, and nutrient-rich ingredients in them,” dermatologist Arash Akhavan says.

Is vegan skincare safe for all skin types?

As with any new skincare, you should avoid ingredients you’re allergic to and always do a patch test before applying it to your face. Akhavan adds that if you have sensitive skin or known allergies, you may want to use natural vegan formulas with caution (not all vegan formulas are all-natural). “Patients are often surprised when they have allergic reactions to products labeled as organic, natural, or vegan,” he says. “But we must remember that sensitivities to things in nature are common. For example, you may be allergic to grass or a particular type of flower and likewise, allergies to more natural vegan products are common as well.”

Now that you know the basics of vegan skincare, here are 22 vegan skincare brands (plus products we’re loving) below.

1. REFRESHMENTS

High quality products, affordable AF prices, ridiculously cute packaging, and vegan all around? Sign us up! This brand of super cute skincare treats is 100 percent vegan, cruelty-free, free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and gluten. Even better, at least 30% of each product’s packaging is made out of post-consumer recycled plastic.

We love: REFRESHMENTS Cleansing Face Wipes. They’re 100 percent biodegradable and tout good-for-skin ingredients like argan oil, aloe vera juice, and sunflower seed oil to gently remove makeup and debris without causing dryness or irritation.

2. BIOSSANCE

It’s no secret they’ve taken the vegan skincare category by storm. This brand prides itself in ethically sourced, plant-based formulations infused with squalane, a powerful hydrator, which the company sustainably derives from sugar cane.

We love: BIOSSANCE Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. It’s made with squalance, vitamin C, and Damascus rose extract to help brighten skin, calm redness, and fight off free radicals. The kicker: It works. Our skin has never been glowier, smoother, or more hydrated.

3. THE ORDINARY

Two words: Affordable and effective. This 100 percent Vegan line pairs down its products to concentrated versions of just the necessary ingredients minus any fluff. All products are under $20 and deliver real targeted results proving that you don’t need to throw down crazy money to achieve your skin goals.

We love: THE ORDINARY Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. If you’re dealing with breakouts well beyond your teenage years, consider this water-based serum your new go to. It’s hero ingredients help target excess sebum, improve the appearance of pores, and improve overall skin texture to make blemishes a thing of the past.

4. HERBIVORE BOTANICALS

The beauty of this brand is that it was born out of a soap business and an Etsy shop and has grown into one of the most beloved vegan skincare brands on the market. All ingredients in this line are completely natural materials packed with botanicals, vitamins, minerals, and more. And their bottle packaging? So luxe.

We love: HERBIVORE BOTANICALS Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil. It’s infused with Hemp Seed Oil to moisturize, Ashwagandha and Shitake Mushroom to fend off environmental stressors, Squalane from olives, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, and Borage Seed Oil to nourish skin and up its glow.

5. AFRICAN BOTANICS

What we love about this brand is that the way they make the most of all their raw ingredients (all sourced from eco-zones in the desert, land, and seas of South Africa) and utilize them to their fullest skin-saving potential while minimizing waste. Their potent ingredients include an array of concentrated plant and botanical actives that provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging benefits.

We love: AFRICAN BOTANICS Resurrection Eye Cream. This velvety smooth cream is made with Laminaria Algae and Resurrection Plant, both known to promote cell regeneration, hydrate skin, and improve texture.

6. SKYN ICELAND

Born in Iceland, this brand uses pure ingredients sourced from its homeland and home waters that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and good-for-skin benefits with a focus on reversing the effects of stress on skin. Because Iceland is rich in volcanic soil, it’s got powerful plants with skin nourishing, protecting, and anti-aging benefits.

We love: SKYN ICELAND Glacial Face Wash. This foamy cleanser is packed with Icelandic glacial waters, kelp, white willow bark, Cylindrica seed oil, and more all which help soothe irritation, prevent breakouts, fight free radicals, and gently cleanse away impurities.

7. AKAR SKIN

AKAR SKIN combines powerful superfoods, plant extracts, and oils that are 100 percent natural, plant-based and EWG verified. They’re committed to sustainably sourcing their ingredients and using cutting edge science to deliver products that make a positive impact on skin and the planet.

We love: AKAR SKIN Clarify Face Oil. This super lightweight formula helps reduce oil production, balance skin, fight blemishes, and fade discoloration from acne scars without clogging your pores. The fast-absorbing oil uses safflower, goji berry, and blue tansy, a trio of naturally derived ingredients to transform acne-prone skin into a clear, blemish-free canvas.

8. MlLK MAKEUP

MILK MAKEUP has become the #GOAT of vegan makeup and vegan skincare brands. Its products are clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free and are inspired by community and culture. Most importantly—they deliver real results.

We love: MILK MAKEUP Vegan Milk Cleanser. This ultra-creamy cleanser is loaded with good-for-you ingredients like shea butter, antioxidants, and plant-based milks to cleanse, protect, and hydrate. The milky formula feels amazing on skin and is strong enough to wipe away dirt and makeup, but will never strip away necessary oils.

9. FARMACY BEAUTY

Part of this company’s philosophy is rooted in not only being clean and vegan, but consciously contributing to a better future for our planet and its inhabitants. They’re farm-to-face products are carefully formulated with sustainable ingredients grown within a network of small farmers.

We love: FARMACY BEAUTY GREEN Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. This best-selling, award-winning balm acts as a makeup remover and a cleansing balm all-in-one. It removes makeup with sunflower and ginger root oils and even exfoliates with papaya extract to boost glow. Use it on its own, or as the first step in a double cleansing routine.

10. GLOW RECIPE

GLOW RECIPE creates skincare formulated with high-quality natural ingredients that are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of all the bad stuff. Their products are gentle, effective, and packed with antioxidant-rich fruit extracts and actives that are sustainably sourced.

We love: GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner. Today's toners are a far cry from the alcohol-packed, astringent toners of the '90s and early '00s. This vegan and cruelty-free toner hydrates with watermelon extract while also refining your complexion with exfoliating polyhydroxy acids and two types of purifying BHAs. It's a must-have if you're after a radiant, healthy glow (and who isn't, tbh?).

"I love that this has clean ingredients," says Ipster elysedc30. "My skin is SO SOFT after using this. AND it never ever stings! Idk how it’s so powerful but gentle at the same time, but it’s a new staple for sure."

11. BELIF

BELIF is passionate about combining time-tested apothecary herbal traditions with modern Korean skincare science to target every one of your skincare concerns. Each of their products is infused with a cocktail of natural culinary and medicinal herbal ingredients that are vegan, ethically sourced and seriously skin transforming.

We love: BELIF Moisturizing Bomb. This dermatologist-tested moisturizer features a uniquely fluffy texture and delivers major hydration while still feeling super lightweight. So lightweight, in fact, that it layers seamlessly under makeup. It's even sensitive skin-approved and made without mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic preservatives, dyes, or fragrances.

“My skin has dry spots and none of them appeared. I also didn't have any oiliness or redness, and the moisture lasted all throughout the day,” says one Ipster.

12. YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE

We’re obsessed with everything this brand stands for. Its founders set out to create it with their family of women as the “heart and soul” of their brand. Also in their hearts, a mission to provide skincare that keeps protecting our planet in mind. Their PRO-GRADE VEGAN™ products are loaded up with superfood ingredients that are supported by science and heavily results-driven.

We love: YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream. This whipped moisturizer from vegan skincare brand YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE is made especially for oily and combination skin types. It’s a daily moisturizer that uses vitamins, antioxidant-rich superfoods, and hyaluronic acid to fully hydrate skin without clogging pores or leaving you super shiny.

"Absolutely in love," says Ipster nash7007. "Smells amazing and it's so light and fresh. No greasy after-effect."

13. PACIFICA BEAUTY

Who doesn’t love Pacifica? Besides they’re always on-point packaging and massive collection of on-trend products (they’ve got something for everyone), this brand is one of our favorites when it comes to affordable vegan beauty. Their products are formulated with high-quality natural ingredients that are vegan, cruelty-free, and compassionate about our planet.

We love: PACIFICA BEAUTY Vegan Collagen Overnight Recovery Cream. This rich, vegan night cream will send your nighttime routine into overdrive. The emollient formula is packed with moisture barrier-boosting lipids, free radical-fighting antioxidants, and hydrating botanical extracts. The hero ingredient is vegan collagen which is made through a plant-based fermentation process. While it uses no animal products, it still provides that plumped, dewy complexion.

14. GOLDFADEN MD

GOLDFADEN MD’s products use a mix of active plant cells and antioxidant rich botanicals to provide targeted results that are gentle enough to use on all skin types (even sensitive skin). No parabens, petrochemicals, and certainly no furry friends harmed in the process.

We love: GOLDFADEN MD Brightening Elixir Protect + Repair Brightening Serum. If you only ever incorporate one serum into your skincare routine, make it a vitamin C serum. This vegan serum pairs vitamin C with firming ferulic acid and moisture-boosting vitamins E and B for a well-rounded facial treatment. Use it all over the face daily for a lit-from-within glow or as a spot treatment to brighten up any dark spots.

15. JUICE BEAUTY

JUICE BEAUTY leaves out potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, silicones, phthalates, and sulfates and loads up their products with good-for-skin ingredients that are natural and certified organic. All of their formulas are created with a botanical juice base and packed with antioxidants for healthy-looking, radiant skin.

We love: JUICE BEAUTY Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum. Made with certified organic ingredients, this weightless gel serum powerfully targets wrinkles, fine lines, and signs of aging. JUICE BEAUTY's proprietary blend of fruit stem cells comes together with brightening vitamin C and nourishing hydrators like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and shea to create plumped, hydrated, youthful-looking skin.

"I love this serum," says Ipster readerbelle. "I really felt like it gave my skin a glow, reduced fine lines and uneven skin tone. I saw a difference after using it for a month."

16. JOSIE MARAN

JOSIE MARAN’s formulas are all argan-oil based, vegan, ethically sourced and packed with serious skin-saving power. This line of glow makers uses ingredients like pro-retinol derived from pink algae, sustainably grown hemp and good-for-skin oils to diminish dullness, hydrate dry skin, fight signs of aging, and help you look radiant all over.

We love: JOSIE MARAN 100% Pure Argan Oil. There’s just one ingredient in this vegan, plant-based face oil: high-quality argan oil. The multitasking, natural ingredient is super moisturizing, safe for acne-prone skin (it scores an impressive zero rating on the comedogenicity scale), and even has anti-aging benefits. Use it at night to seal in all your other facial treatments or mix a few drops with your foundation in the morning to give your skin a dewy glow.

17. NUDESTIX

NUDESTIX, developed with the help of Dr. Emer, features a line of vegan skincare and makeup products that are also cruelty-free, paraben free, and gluten-free containing only the necessary ingredients to make you look and feel your best

We love: NUDESTIX Lemon-Aid Detox & Glow Micro-Peel. Here's a spa-like chemical peel that's safe to do at home. This treatment, which was developed with the help of Dr. Emer, uses vegan-powered acids, enzymes, and actives to deeply clarify pores, remove dead skin cells, and polish skin's texture. As you massage this around your skin, you'll start to see your dead skin cells lifting up and clumping together (it's strangely satisfying). Once there's no more peeling, rinse with warm water to reveal soft, glowing, healthy skin.

18. OUAI

Founded by everyone’s celebrity hair stylist girl crush, Jen Atkin, Ouai’s luxe line of products touts vegan options, is cruelty-free, and contains ingredients that are good for skin and hair. Needless to say, we’re obsessed.

We love: OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub. If you're already addicted to OUAI's deliciously scented hair care products, you're gonna love the smell of this sugar scrub. As you lather it all over your body (or even on your scalp—so long, dandruff) you'll get whiffs of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk. But it doesn't just smell great, it gently removes dead skin cells and infuses skin with healthy probiotics and hydrating coconut oil. Don't be surprised if this becomes a new shower essential.

"This scrub was amazing," one Ipster writes. "I loved how multipurpose it was and that I could use it on my scalp without it getting gunky."

19. COOLA

COOLA has its own Farm to Face® Philosophy that believes in using only organic and natural ingredients to protect and nourish skin. 

We love: COOLA Mineral SPF 30 Sun Silk Crème. COOLA is all about pairing SPF with plant-based ingredients. This oil-free facial sunscreen matches up SPF 30 (the dermatologist-recommended daily amount) with skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants, plant stem cells, and niacinamide. Never greasy or sticky, it feels light and airy on the skin while keeping it shielded from sun damage for hours.

"This is nice for when I don’t want to put on a full face but I want sun protection! It’s not too heavy and doesn’t smell like sunscreen at all," says one Ipster.

20. CALLYSSEE

Coffee lovers, this one might perk you up. This vegan based skincare brand uses Arabica (Green Coffee Seed Extract) to serve your skin with a hefty dose of antioxidants. The benefits? Diminished age spots, more even skin tone, and a glorious glow.

We love: CALLYSEE Magical Beans Magnetic Mud Mask. This plant-based mask is not only super fun to use (it comes with magnetic tools that attract its formula for easy removal), it’s loaded up with organic coffee arabica extract, shea butter, sweet almond oil and jojoba to gently diminish dark spots while nourishing skin.

21. SERAPHINE BOTANICALS

This vegan beauty brand features a line of skincare and makeup products that are plant-based, botanical-infused, fairtrade, and sustainably sourced.

We love: SERAPHINE BOTANICALS Fruit Butter Lip Mask. Lips are an important part of our skincare routine that often get overlooked. But hey, they deserve some TLC too. Smooth on this overnight vegan lip treat while you snooze and wake up with soft, pillowy, flake-free lips. It’s all thanks to ingredients like shea butter, apricot kernel oil, and olive oil, which hydrate deeply.

22. THRIVE CAUSEMETICS

While this brand is already well known for its amazing results-driven makeup line, its skincare category is quickly becoming one to watch. All products are 100 % vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. And besides being amazing for your skin, the brand also makes a donation to women-oriented causes every time a product is purchased. Talk about feel good beauty.

We love: THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Timeless Ambition™ Power 7-Peptide Firming Moisturizer. It’s formulated with a combination of 7 naturally-derived peptides, 5 ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to help plump skin, boost elasticity, and improve skin’s texture.

Want more of the latest trending skincare ingredients to try? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

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