Cruelty-Free Brands: Best Cruelty-Free Makeup And Skincare

If you’re looking to change your entire beauty routine to include only cruelty-free brands, then this is the article for you.

Cruelty-free means that the brand does not test their finished products or ingredients on animals before selling, so they do not hurt any animals in the process, as the product-testing procedure is one which comes with many harmful and painful effects. Instead of animal-testing, cruelty-free brands use in-vitro testing, which is done on cells, or they test on synthetic skin.

Animal-testing is not even required by law in most countries and even banned in the EU, so a lot of companies that test their products on animals do so by choice, and why should you support that?

So, here is a list of cruelty-free brands which offer makeup and skincare products. It is not an extensive list, but it does cover some of the most popular and common brands you’re likely to find and lists which of them are also 100% vegan, which means they do not use any animal ingredients.

 

Makeup

Anastasia Beverly Hills is a makeup brand which specializes in eyebrow products and their DipBrow Pomade is a staple in the beauty community. It is certified by PETA.

Axiology is 100% vegan, does not sell anywhere where animals testing is required by law, is PETA Certified and has some really good lip products. It is, however, on the higher price range.

bareMinerals is certified by PETA for being cruelty-free, but it is owned by a parent company which does test on animals. Other than makeup, it also sells skincare.

Becca is also PETA certified for being cruelty-free, but it’s owned by Estée Lauder which are not.

BH Cosmetics is certified by Leaping Bunny, is not owned by any companies that test on animals.

Charlotte Tilbury is on the higher-end of makeup products when it comes to price, but despite not being certified, it is cruelty-free and not owned by any company that tests on animals.

ColourPop has some amazing colorful eyeshadow palettes and other makeup products, is PETA certified cruelty-free, and it does not break the bank. That’s literally their motto.

Cover FX is a 100% cruelty-free, vegan certified, and PETA approved brand. They are also free of the “inflammatory five”: parabens, mineral oil, fragrance, talc, and gluten.

Covergirl is Leaping Bunny certified, good quality, and affordable.

e.l.f. Cosmetics products are cruelty-free, affordable, good quality, and 100% vegan.

Essence Cosmetics is another very affordable drugstore makeup brand which is cruelty-free, but it is not, however, certified by any organizations.

FLOWER Beauty is PETA certified and affordable. It is owned by actress Drew Barrymore.

INIKA is certified cruelty-free by both PETA and Leaping Bunny and it’s arguably one of the most popular organic, and vegan makeup brands out there. It is also certified-organic and certified-halal.

IT Cosmetics are PETA certified-cruelty free but owned by L’Oréal Paris which does test on animals. They also sell skincare.

Jeffree Star Cosmetics sells some of the best colorful palettes and lipsticks, and other than being cruelty-free certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny, it is also 100% vegan.

Kat Von D Beauty has recently rebranded to sell all vegan-friendly makeup products and is PETA-certified cruelty-free.

KKW Beauty, owned by Kim Kardashian, is also cruelty-free, but not certified by any organizations.

Kylie Cosmetics – yes, Kylie Jenner’s company, is also cruelty-free, so you can use her famous lip kits without a worry. It’s also not certified by any official cruelty-free organizations.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is on the higher-priced end of makeup products, but it’s PETA certified and not owned by a parent company that tests on animals.

Milani is a cruelty-free drugstore brand which has been certified by both PETA and the Leaping Bunny.

NYX is an affordable, very high-quality, cruelty-free drugstore makeup brand that’s certified by PETA.

Pacifica Makeup is not only certified by PETA for being cruelty-free, but it is also 100% vegan and also sell skincare, fragrance, and nail polishes.

Physicians Formula is a drugstore makeup brand, which is not exactly inexpensive by drugstore standards, but still budget-friendly and certified by PETA for being cruelty-free.

Smashbox are cruelty-free and PETA certified, and they have some great products. But they are owned by Estée Lauder, which does test on animals.

Tarte Cosmetics is a cruelty-free brand and certified by PETA, and their Amazonian Clay foundation is a favorite in the beauty community. But they are owned by a company that tests on animals, Kose.

The Body Shop is certified by both PETA and The Leaping Bunny and sells makeup, skincare, and hair care products.

Urban Decay, mostly known for their famous Naked Palettes which are a staple in the beauty community, are also cruelty-free and certified by PETA.

Wet n Wild is PETA certified, offers some amazing cruelty-free and budget-friendly makeup products, and has quite the extensive of vegan makeup as well.

 

Skincare

Alba Botanica is a budget-friendly brand which you can find at most drugstores, and their acne-prone skin products are pretty good.

Aubrey Organics is an affordable, cruelty-free skincare brand which has many options for all types of skin. It is Leaping Bunny certified, and their products are all natural and organic with no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, or silicones.

Dermalogica offers cleansers, exfoliants, toners, masques, eye treatments, and moisturizers, and acne treatment for pretty reasonable prices, and they are cruelty-free but they’re owned by Unilever, who test on animals.

Desert Essence products are all natural, and they offer products made with certified organic ingredients and gluten-free or fragrance-free products.

Drunk Elephant formulate their products without essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes, and SLS, or what they call the “Suspicious 6” which they believe are “the root of almost every skin issue we see.” They are, however, a bit on the higher-end when it comes to price.

First Aid Beauty is a great cruelty-free skincare brand for people who suffer from skin issues such as eczema, dry skin, and acne. They’re also great for people with sensitive skin and for anti-aging.

Glossier offers skincare products which are great if you’re trying to get that dewy and glowy-looking skin. They call themselves a “people-powered beauty ecosystem,” with products inspired by the people who use them.

Lush is a high-quality, cruelty-free brand which offers handmade products. You may have heard of their bath bombs, but they also sell skincare, lotions, shampoos, and even makeup. Almost all their products are also vegan.

Murad is a moderately-affordable cruelty-free brand which offers skincare products, as well as ones for anti-aging and acne. However, they are owned by Unilever, who test on animals.

Nip + Fab are an affordable, cruelty-free skincare brand which can be found in most drugstores. They also offer makeup options.

Nourish Organic is a drugstore, cruelty-free brand whose products are gluten-free, mostly vegan & 100% chemical-free.

Pai is Leaping Bunny certified, vegan-friendly, and a great choice if you’re struggling with sensitive skin, or skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Paula’s Choice is one of the most popular skincare brands, and they’re also cruelty-free with a lot of vegan options. They have a wide range of skincare products for any skin type or problem.

Supergoop is a cruelty-free skincare brand which is completely dedicated to sun–care. Other than sunscreens, they also offer face and body products, like lotions, balms, moisturizers, primers, or powders, all infused with SPF.

Resonance 396 is a Leaping Bunny approved and PETA certified cruelty free skin therapy cream with age-defying and anti-wrinkle properties. It is toxin-free, gluten-free, contains no synthetics or artificial preservatives, and uses only healthy, ethically sourced ingredients.