Increased customer awareness and demand for transparency around what goes into the products we put on our skin has resulted in an exponential growth in brands boasting vegan and cruelty-free credentials. Vegan skincare has come a long way since its inception, with accreditation for either no longer coming at the cost of aesthetics or efficacy; dedicated vegan brands are producing high-quality products with real results.
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While vegan skincare often gets intertwined with the clean beauty, natural, or organic skincare movements, it’s inherently different. Many clean, organic, or natural beauty brands utilise animal products like lanolin and beeswax, which are verboten in a vegan lifestyle. Fortunately, there’s a continually growing selection of completely vegan and cruelty-free brands; these dedicated vegan brands don’t use animal products in any of their products and have not been tested on animals at any stage of product development.
With an ever-increasing selection of options, it can be difficult to separate the hits from the misses. So, we’ve put together our favourite vegan skincare brands that deliver efficacious results sans animal products. Whatever your budget or skincare needs, we’ve got you covered with our 7 favourite vegan skincare brands in 2021.
1. Youth To The People
Californian skincare brand Youth To The People has carved out a strong following since its inception in 2015. Known for its hero products like the Kale + Green Tea Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum, Youth To The People pairs nutrient-dense superfoods with clinical-grade vegan active ingredients to create safe, efficacious products.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free, ethically sourced ingredients
Best for: clean skincare, botanical active ingredients
2. Dr Naomi Skin
Created by cosmetic physician Dr Naomi McCullum, Dr Naomi Skin is an Australian cosmeceutical skincare brand that focuses on innovative formulas that work to transform skin now and support skin health in the long term. With all products featuring a proprietary brightening complex at their core, standout formulas include the Let’s C Serum, Swipe Bright Super Oil, and Fizzy Lift Skin Treatment.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free, refillable packaging, ethically sourced ingredients
Best for: cosmeceutical skincare, brightening
3. Medik8
One of our favourite brands, Medik8 creates no-nonsense cosmeceutical skincare that works. Easy to use and understand, Medik8 pioneered the CSA philosophy for good skin; referring to vitamin C and sunscreen during the day, and vitamin A at night. The best Medik8 products cater to this philosophy, with highlights including the Super C Ferulic, Advanced Day Ultimate Protect, and Crystal Retinal range.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free, ethically sourced ingredients
Best for: cosmeceutical skincare
4. esmi Skin Minerals
Australian brand esmi Skin Minerals places an emphasis on plant-based, botanical ingredients. Initially launching with mineral makeup, the brand has since gone on to create an extensive skincare range. Of particular interest is the range of esmi Skin Treats, which use botanicals like aloe vera, arnica, kakadu plum, acai, and pomegranate, as well as clinically proven ingredients like retinol to address targeted skin concerns.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free, ethically sourced ingredients
Best for: clean skincare, botanical ingredients
5. Skinstitut
Australian brand Skinstitut has been creating cosmeceutical formulas at affordable prices since 2008. While its ethical credentials often go unnoticed in favour of an emphasis on its active ingredients, the brand is entirely vegan and cruelty-free. Hero products include the Glycolic Scrub, Retinol Serum, and the newly launched Skinstitut Expert range.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free
Best for: cosmeceutical skincare on a budget
6. essano
New Zealand skincare brand essano offers efficacious vegan skincare that doesn’t break the budget. Placing sustainability at its forefront, essano products utilise sustainably sourced ingredients like its signature rosehip oil, and are housed in 100% rPet (recycled and recyclable) packaging. Highlights include the Organic Rosehip Oil and Collagen Boost Serum. Best of all, it’s easily accessible at supermarkets and chemists, as well as online.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free, sustainably sourced ingredients, recycled packaging
Best for: budget skincare
7. Biossance
Californian clean skincare company Biossance is renowned for its squalane based products. The squalane that runs throughout the entirety of the Biossance range is derived from sugarcane, infusing each product with lightweight hydration and making for a cruelty-free plant-based alternative to squalene, an oil derived from shark liver. Standout products include the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum and the Squalane + BHA Pore Minimising Toner.
Ethical considerations: vegan, cruelty-free, sustainably-sourced ingredients
Best for: clean skincare, botanical active ingredients
Words by AR Staff
Feature image courtesy of Cass Bird for Chaos SixtyNine
