Vegan skincare reviewed
I'll be adding to this article when I review new products.
Last updated: June 2024
Why I want to use cruelty-free AND vegan cosmetics
Our skin is the largest organ we have and what we put on it should matter! This thinking didn't sink in with me straight away!
After I began feeling uncomfortable about, putting something that caused others to suffer, on my skin; I started looking into alternatives.
I started buying a range of vegan products from different companies to figure out which ones I preferred.
I also explored what to do with the non-vegan makeup that I owned already. You can read about that here.
Why isn't cruelty-free enough?
Cruelty-free products have not been manufactured or developed by methods involving cruelty to animals.
Vegan products, however, do not contain animal products.
So cosmetics can be:-
cruelty-free and not vegan
vegan and not-cruelty-free
vegan and cruelty-free
I prefer to buy vegan skincare which is cruelty-free. Which of the above feels right for you?
This product was gifted to me and I’m mega grateful for it.
I’m not in the habit of using one particular product consistently yet I’ve used this serum nearly every day since I got it.
When I put it on my face, I usually think the following:
it feels so light
it’s nourishing
my skin doesn’t feel greasy
it protects my skin throughout the day
All their products are vegan
I think this might be my favourite product!
I put a little amount on my hands, rub them together, take a deep breath, smell the oil and then apply it to my skin.
It has an instant effect. It feels soothing and calming and makes me want to pause and stay in that moment for longer.
All their products are vegan
I’ve tried a few of Plantopia’s products and I’ve liked them, so I decided to try this.
I’m still experiencing fatigue from having Long COVID so I thought this might be useful and it’s awesome!
My skin is, as promised, uplifted and there’s no greasy effect.
A little bit goes a long way.
All their products are vegan
I got this because I have dry skin. I thought it would be worth using every now and again.
At first, it was a bit weird to be cleansing my skin with an oily product but it’s actually pretty cool!
Pour, rub, apply, move it around, rinse off and then pat dry.
All their products are vegan
I bought this because I have dry skin. I didn’t really pay any attention to the name, soother. However, when I used it, I was positively surprised about how soothing it was1!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a cream that was soothing. Cooling? Yes. Nourishing? Yes.But soothing? Not until now.
It’s also light and absorbs quickly.
All their products are vegan
Again, I got this because I have dry skin. It’s a small bottle but don’t be fooled. You only need a small amount!
It can be used as a primer, a moisturiser, a lip balm & a hair tamer.
I’ve only used it on my skin so far. I really like using it on my feet at night time. Also, soon after showering, I apply it to any skin that’s going to be exposed.
All their products are vegan
I absolutely loved the bamboo face cloth and Skin Feast.
It really did feel like it nourished my skin.
All their products are vegan
This lip balm is really interesting. It’s not the typical style of lip balm i.e. a tube which you twist from the bottom in order to expose the lip balm.
This is a tube. For the lap balm to come out, the tube needs to be squeezed quite hard.
It is thick yet easy to apply and light to wear.
At first, I thought it was a lip gloss and I was disappointed because I don’t like them, but it isn’t! It doesn’t feel sticky or catch my hair and it feels nourishing.
All their products are vegan
I have dry skin and until recently, I didn’t have a skincare set. This would make it effortless and encourage me to look after my skin.
I didn’t want to buy multiple regular sized items in case I didn’t like them, so I got this travel kit, to try them out first!
I absolutely love it! My favourite item is the Prep and Hydrate Balm.
All their products are vegan
Along with the kit described above, I got these Hydrating Booster Drops and they’re awesome!
You only need a couple of drops. These can be applied onto the skin directly or mixed into a moisturiser or foundation.
The drops are hydrating for sure, but they don’t leave the skin looking oily or feeling heavy.
All their products are vegan
I remember buying this because I felt like it would help me when I felt tired or needed a bit of encouragement to 'wake up' and I'm glad I got it.
The Eye Refresh Light/Glow Clear is unisex.
It provides a refreshing, cooling sensation without leaving the eyes feeling wet.
It's small enough for it to be mobile, which is great when you're having a busy day.
All their products are vegan
Superdrug don’t sell this item any more but you can order it from e.l.f.
The Essential Soothing Lip Balm really was just how e.l.f. describe it!
It's SO soothing! I've tried a few lip balms, and it feels weird to say, but I'm actually excited about this one! It's nourishing, smells good, feels great and has a slick look too. Definitely one to keep in the handbag!
All their products are vegan
The range of creams by MuLondon is versatile in that they can be used anywhere!
This one in particular is soft, creamy and has a delicious scent.
What's even better, is that, a little bit goes a long way. Thus it may seem like it comes in a small jar, but it lasts, and the fact that it's small makes it mobile and discrete.
All their products are vegan
The entire range of creams by MuLondon is versatile in that they can be used on any part of the body!
Like others, a little bit of this cream goes a long way! This White Chocolate Truffle Moisturiser smells delicious and confuses the senses a little, if you're used to eating chocolate, rather than wearing it! Applying it is a lovely experience, and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy.
Like me, don't be fooled into thinking that the jar is small and it will disappear quickly. It lasts, and the small jar makes it easy to store and carry around too.
All their products are vegan
I love the scent of Rose, so this Eye and Face cream is a treat.
The Organic Rose Geranium Eye and Face cream is luxurious, rejuvenating and concentrated. Thus a little bit goes a long way.
The jar is sturdy but light so if you can reuse it, that’s great, but if not, you can return your jars/bottles and receive £2 (per jar) off your next order. You can also buy refills or you can opt for a dented lid and get 50p off!
All their products are vegan
This Organic Lemongrass Body Oil is gorgeous!
It nourishes and feels really luxurious. It absorbs into the skin so it doesn’t feel greasy.
Also, you don’t need very much. A little goes a long way.
All their products are vegan
I’ve used the occasional body scrub in the past but never come across one like this. The ones I’ve used have been in a puddle of oil, which meant that there was less scrub.
The Orange, Rose, Geranium & Patchouli Body Scrub is light, soothing, refreshing and easy to use because it’s not slipping and sliding all over the place.
All their products are vegan
I absolutely love using this Orange, Rose Geranium and Patchouli hand and body lotion. It smells warm and sweet and you only need a little amount to soothe and nourish the skin.
Depending on the temperature, you might need to spend a couple of seconds warming it up in your hands, apply and smile.
All their products are vegan
This Lemongrass Body Butter is fabulous for dry skin.
It smells refreshing and again, a little bit goes a long way.
All their products are vegan
This solid hand lotion is amazing!
It's light, doesn't take up much room, and the bar keeps its shape. When I need it, I swipe the bar across my hands, rub my hands together, and before I know it, my hands are moisturised.
For me, the best part is seeing how others react when they see me use it. They look positively intrigued.
All their products are vegan
This triple rose facial oil is lovely to use. A few drops is all you need to feel nourished, and smell good. It's light, and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy. I've read that others use it on their face before applying foundation. I love using after I've cleansed my face, before I go to bed.
The majority of their products are vegan
Do you want to use any of these on your skin or hair?
Carmine - from powdered insect bodies
Collagen - protein from the collagen of dead animals
Guanine - fish scales that are scraped off dead fish
Keratin - protein from the hair, nails and horns of mammals
Lanolin - fat that's derived from the grease in a sheep’s hair
Squalane - sourced by squeezing oil from the liver of a shark
If not, you know what to do.
“Veganism is not about giving anything up or losing anything; it is about gaining the peace within yourself that comes from embracing nonviolence and refusing to participate in the exploitation of the vulnerable.”