The times when choosing to use natural skin care products meant having to settle for mediocre results have now passed. Today, natural based products are fully up to compete with synthetic ones and the growing demand for natural skin care products pushes towards continuous improvements and innovations in this growing market.
Precisely because they are able to combine excellent quality, respect for the skin and also for the environment, ecological, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics are increasingly in demand.
Some brands try to take advantage of this by trying to pass off products that are not really natural and eco-sustainable as they were.
This is the case of cosmetics that refer to the term “natural” in plain sight in the packaging.
This is a term often referring to the presence of a single ingredient of natural origin, present in smaller quantities and mixed with who knows how many other synthetic products.
Learning to defend yourself against deceptive use of terms is easy, just get informed on how to easily distinguish the label of a natural product from one that claims to be but it is not.
Related: If you also prefer to keep your skincare routine simple, then we recommend also checking out this list of the best minimalist skincare brands (via Ianiko.com). Their list features cruelty-free brands that provide products to help you keep an effective yet simple skincare routine.
Cruelty-free brands
The term Cruelty Free indicates beauty products created without any kind of cruelty towards animals: without animal tests, often invasive or even lethal.
Who said that choosing a Cruelty Free beauty routine is difficult, uncomfortable or particularly expensive, maybe does not know that most of the products many of us are already buying are created by brands that have adopted a zero-cruelty policy for some time.
Since the 11th of March 2013, in Europe it is not allowed to sell beauty products that contain ingredients tested on animals anywhere in the world. But that’s not the case for many other Countries in the world. So, how can we be certain that what we buy is really Cruelty Free?
The best way is to find a symbol that certifies it. The most widespread certifications are that of PETA and that of Leaping Bunny, both represented by an icon of a stylized bunny.
There is also another group of brands, which are the self-certified ones: these are companies that claim not to test on animals and do not belong to a multinational company that carries out similar tests, but have not been certified by experts of the field.
Vegan vs. Cruelty-free
Vegan and cruelty-free are expressions that are often used interchangeably, especially in the cosmetic world, but in reality, the two terms indicate different types of products.
Vegan cosmetics are those that do not contain any ingredient of animal origin (for example honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, gelatin), while cruelty-free cosmetics, as mentioned before, are those that are not tested on animals.
In the first case it is a description that concerns the components of the product, in the second case we instead deal with manufacturing processes. One thing does not exclude the other: it is possible that some companies produce vegan cosmetics but then test them on animals, or use animal ingredients but do not subject chemical compounds to tests on animals.
However, even the words “vegan” and “not tested on animals” do not automatically mean that the ingredients from which the product is made are natural and safe. The label must always be read carefully avoid applying hazardous and polluting substances to our skin.
Another important aspect to consider is the packaging in which the cosmetic is contained: remember that the plastic, if not properly disposed of, can seriously damage the animals, especially those of the marine environment.
Sustainable and Plastic-Free Cosmetics
According to the latest data from the Mintel research institute, more women everyday choose beauty products that are not only good for the skin but also for the environment.
Purchasing a green and sustainable product is a source of satisfaction for three reasons: respecting values oriented towards sustainability and care, experiencing a gratifying experience from a sensorial and emotional point of view, contributing to the salvation of the planet but also offering a better future to the next generations. A fact that companies cannot ignore.
The long wave of the “Life without plastic” trend, launched by the actor Jeff Bridges, comes from New York, and involves thousands of Americans and now Europeans too. So much so that many brands have decided to eliminate all the plastic containers in favor of glass.
In terms of limiting the environmental impact of packaging, Collistar has already eliminated microplastics from all products for a while now and Yves Rocher has decided not to use materials that interfere with recycling.
There are many factors to consider when trying to be green with your consumer choice: if your goal is to diminish your carbon footprint, you might want to buy vegan products, that are not tested on animals and are also put in a recyclable packaging.
The Best Cruelty-Free Products
Here’s our top pics of cruelty-free skin care products: facial spray, eye cream, face wash and much more!
You’ll also find information about whether they are only cruelty-free or also vegetarian/vegan, which certification they showcase and a link to Amazon.com, to start shopping right away!
1. Facial Spray by Mario Badescu – Best Cruelty-Free Facial Spray
Those who try this product will hardly abandon it, because its benefits are immeasurable.
You’ll realize its “therapeutic power” as you’ll use it. The thermal water in spray has a thousand uses and is, in fact, a real panacea for the skin of the face (and not only). It refreshes, moisturizes, gives relief to the skin, and, in some versions, illuminates and brightens your skin.
A refreshing, hydrating mist to use anywhere anytime. Simply formulated with fragrant herbal extracts and rosewater for a pleasant feeling for dehydrated, tight and uncomfortable skin.
Created to soothe the feelings of discomfort of sensitive skin, the spa water in spray has become a must have for any self-respecting beauty addict.
If in the past the thermal water was used mainly to calm irritations, reduce redness or to provide hydration to tired skin, today it is a key product for the well-being of every type of skin, present in all beauty cases. Perfect for moments of stress for your skin, or on all those occasions when you feel the need to cool off.
The main purpose of thermal water is to refresh your skin and restore hydration, when for example the environment is too dry, or you are tired or stressed. But especially when it’s very hot.
On hot days, a jet of facial spray on the face can even give the sensation of immediately regaining vigor.
Thermal water is in fact easy to keep in your bag, ideal for a vacation and perfect in the restroom.
After putting make-up on, a jet of thermal water vaporizer will help fixing it and making it last longer, especially if the bottle comes directly from the refrigerator. The new “matte” products are designed to give a matte finish to make-up, for those of you with oily skin.
It can also be used as a complement to facial cleansing: some of the essential oils within the spray act as a skin tonic. The thermal waters are very useful, also, after removing a face mask, to further eliminate residues or to restore the well-being and balance of your skin.
To soothe the skin after aesthetic medicine treatments, such as lasers, peelings and various fillers, this spray will work perfectly instead of a toner.
It is safe for all skin types, and will not cause irritations.
Cruelty-Free Certifications
Mario Badescu is a cruelty-free brand. Mario Badescu skin care products and ingredients are not tested on animals. However, not all of their skincare products are vegan, since they do use lanolin, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, collagen, lactic acid in some of their products. But Mario Badescu does have some skincare products that are vegan and don’t contain any animal ingredients. Therefore, we recommend checking the ingredients of the product you are interested in buying.
- Great feeling on the skin
- Make-up fixer
- Perfect for any skin type
- Perfect on the go
- Doesn’t work as it should
- Weird smell
- Container leaks
- Quite expensive
2. Midnight Recovery Eye by Kiehl’s – Best Cruelty-free Eye Cream
Midnight Recovery Eye is a highly moisturizing cream to put around the eyes every night, during which it will strengthen and replenish your skin.
In fact, Kiehl’s claims that this eye-cream will considerably attenuate the dark circles and signs of tiredness and age.
Midnight Recover Eye will reduce puffiness and dark under-eye circles. It is infused with the same natural ingredients as Midnight Recovery Concentrate plus Butcher’s Broom, which improves microcirculation and reduces inflammation.
The product can be bought in full size version on Amazon.com. The scent is really good and the cream is really moisturizing.
It will leave the eye area velvety throughout the next day. The result looks really good, in fact it gradually attenuates the presence of fine lines (its high hydration further extends the skin leaving it softer and more elastic).
Furthermore, it does not contain any parabens fragrance, mineral oil or silicones, which makes it perfectly healthy for any type of skin. It won’t cause any annoying break-outs!
The product can be used by dispensing two drops of product on the fingertips. Gently apply it under the eyes and along the orbital line and let it work its magic!
Cruelty-Free Certifications
Kiehl’s is a cruelty-free brand and is committed to ending animal testing. They don’t test their products on animals, nor they allow others to test for any ingredients in their products. Additionally, their suppliers certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture their products are not tested on animals.
Kiehl’s is certified by both PETA and The Leaping Bunny Program (CCIC) as cruelty-free.
Furthermore, some of their products are vegan, but not all of them are, therefore we recommend you check out the single ingredients before buying a product from Kiehl’s.
- Great feeling on the skin
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Under the eye area hydrated
- Tested for safety
- Doesn’t work as it should
- Expensive
- Doesn’t make a difference for some clients
3. Infinite Aloe RX Renew – Best Microdermabrasion Cream
The entire line, as its name suggests, includes the fresh Aloe Barbadensis Miller gel from the Hawaiian Islands, obtained with organic farming, as its main ingredient.
By now we all know the soothing and regenerating properties of this plant which, combined with other substances (about 42 other ingredients of natural origin), makes InfiniteAloe products suitable for all skin types, ages and ethnicities.
They are in fact effective for an endless list of skin problems such as scars, acne, abrasions, bursitis, different types of burns, candida, sebaceous cysts, dermatitis, peeling, rashes, eczema, bites, rosacea, mycosis, etc.
Many of the best comments and reviews online refers to a specific product of the line: the Rx Renew Microdermabrasion Cream.
Unlike many facial scrubs in which the exfoliating particles are clearly visible to the eye, in this case, it looks like a classic cream. The mix of bamboo, sugar cane and pumice inside the product, although invisible, once massaged on the skin, feels much more than present.
The exfoliating component of Microdermabrasion is thick and dense and does not contain micro-pearls, and very little is enough to remove all the dead cells of the face.
It is applied like many similar products, gently exfoliating the newly moistened skin, until the microparticles are completely dissolved.
Immediately afterwards, the skin regenerates, is not irritated, becomes luminous and naturally very soft. Insist on the most problematic spots on your face, and it will manage to purify thoroughly even where all the other scrubs act only on the surface.
Those who have problems with hypersensitivity should use it once a week to help restore the skin’s balance.
The price range of the product is quite high, but if you are looking for a really effective product, this is absolutely is worth it, and no scrub, after trying the Microdermabrasion, will seem to work better on your skin!
The product come in a packaging of 50 ml and the product works on all types of skin, even the most sensitive ones.
Cruelty-Free Certifications
InfiniteAloe products are “Cruelty Free” and the logo of the Leaping Bunny is shown on each jar of its cream. This is the only type of certification that applies all over the world.
It is recognized to guarantee consumers that no product testing has been done on animals, in every phase of the production process. This commitment by InfiniteAloe is made in the interest of the consumers.
InfiniteAloe products are “vegan” since they do not contain any kind of ingredient or derived element of animal origin. InfiniteAloe products are not comedogens (do not clog pores) and do not contain triclosan, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, dyes or chemical and petrochemical products, peanuts and gluten.
- Perfect for skin issues
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Completely vegan
- Tested for safety
- Expensive
4. Pure Skin Face Wash by Balanceme – Best Cruelty-Free Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
This product by Balanceme is a luxurious facial cleanser that helps remove make-up and impurities by keeping skin redness at bay.
It contains Grapefruit Oil, which gently cleanses while Incense Oil and Spruce counteract the formation of skin spots.
The product is ideal for all types of skin, especially for sensitive types. The formula is delicate, it contains no sulphates and is respectful of the natural hydro-lipid mantle of the skin. The presence of Aloe Vera also soothes the skin by calming redness and irritations.
In case of a very dry skin, the product could leave the skin a little drier than desired. We therefore recommend if that’s your case, that you use a richer detergent or sustain the skin using a good nourishing cream, which should always be used after cleansing.
The fragrance of the product is citrus, delicate and fresh.
The cleanser leaves the skin pleasantly fresh and perfumed. The feeling is that of a smoother skin, which is also more compact and brighter.
Cruelty-Free Certifications
All of Balanceme products and ingredients are cruelty free. Their brand has never and will never test on animals.
Some of their products are also vegan, and on those, it is clearly specified and indicated. On the others, the company could be using Beeswax and Lanolin in a small selection of the products.
These safe and effective ingredients are responsibly sourced, and no animals are harmed in the process.
5. Radiance Face Mask by Balanceme – Best Cruelty-free Face Mask
This is an illuminating mask that will regenerate your skin in just 5 minutes, and one of the most loved products from Balanceme.
The product presents a creamy texture, enriched with a particular mix of Fruit Acids with exfoliating enzymatic action and smoothing Walnut grains.
The mask is ideal for applying to opaque, mixed or oily skin. It contains a good percentage of Kaolin with a purifying and rebalancing action.
The mask is applied to well cleansed skin. It is gently massaged to activate the exfoliating grains. After a light massage it is removed with warm water. The skin will appear immediately more compact and brighter, toned and fresh.
It is not an aggressive product, but it will help calm the redness of your skin by uniforming its complexion.
This is recommended as a treatment to be used “last minute”: a beauty ally, for a touch of super beauty fix!
This great illuminating mask will regenerate the skin in just a few minutes, and the reviews and comments found online only confirm the great quality of the product and its ingredients.
Cruelty-Free Certifications
All of Balanceme products and ingredients are cruelty free. Their brand has never and will never test on animals.
Some of their products are also vegan, and on those, it is clearly specified and indicated. On the others, the company could be using Beeswax and Lanolin in a small selection of the products. These safe and effective ingredients are responsibly sourced, and no animals are harmed in the process.
- Perfect for skin issues
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Completely vegan
- Tested for safety
- Perfect for skin issues
- Dries the skin up
- Average results
6. Face cleanser by John Master Organics – Best Cruelty-free Face Cleanser
The philosophy of John Master Organics is to bring products for professionals in our houses, and the best part is that they do not contain harmful ingredients such as silicones or parabens.
This will allow you to pamper yourself at home and take care of your body in total comfort.
John Master Organics uses strict rules for the use of raw materials, which in fact must be natural, artisanal and organic. This brand, born with a hairdressing salon in New York, has over the years developed entire lines dedicated also to body care, and is still considered a fundamental brand for the care and beauty of the person.
In particular, the facial cleanse is dedicated to those with oily skin, whose skin is filled with impurities and has a tendency to get oily quite quickly during the day.
It requires little product in order to be effective (equivalent to the size of a walnut), and it just needs to be massaged for a few seconds on the face and kept in position for a minute, so that the skin is able to absorb all the substances and nutrients within the product. After rinsing the face, the skin is immediately fresher and more toned.
Main features of the product:
- Purifying action
- Effective cleanser
Main benefits of the product:
- Not aggressive on the skin
- Perfect for oily skin
- Perfect for skin issues
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Completely vegan
- Eliminates impurities
- Leaves a toned and fresh skin
- Expensive
- Uncomfortable Packaging
- Needs to be followed up with a creamier cleanser
Cruelty-Free Certifications
John Masters Organics is cruelty-free. This brand has confirmed that they don’t test on animals during the production of their products. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law. John Masters Organics is certified by PETA and isn’t owned by a parent company that tests on animals.
7. Face and body bar with lavender & Ylang by John Master Organics – Best Cruelty-free Face and Body bar
A natural cleanser that tones and refreshes both face and body.
The price is the product is medium-high, and many of the people who’ve actually tried it confirm that it is worth every penny.
It is an excellent every-day soap, and even if the price may seem a little excessive, it lasts several months, and will get amazing results for your skin.
It is gentle and moisturizing, thanks to the cupuacu seed butter, coconut, olive and palm oils. It will get rid of all impurities, and the aroma of the soap is absolutely great.
The product cleanses skin while providing rich moisture, it also calms and soothes skin irritations.
We suggest you lather & apply generously all over body, then rinse well to remove.
Main features of the product:
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Organic
Main benefits of the product:
- Not aggressive on the skin
- Moisturizing
- Perfect for skin issues
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Lasts long
- Smells great
- Expensive
- Not as effective as hoped
Cruelty-Free Certifications
John Masters Organics is cruelty-free. This brand has confirmed that they don’t test on animals during the production of their products. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law. John Masters Organics is certified by PETA and isn’t owned by a parent company that tests on animals.
8. Wild Rose Sleeping Facial by Korres– Best Cruelty-free Moisturizer
Korres’ heritage is based on a vast repertoire of over 4,000 homeopathic remedies, most of them of herbal nature. This extended experience in the use of herbs, with the support of research and technology, is the guide for the Korres brand.
Korres has studied and selected Wild Rose Oil to create a line of natural moisturizing and illuminating products.
Wild rose is probably the best-known flower in the world. There are more than one hundred species of wild roses, all coming from the northern hemisphere, especially from regions with a temperate climate. Rosehip, the most valuable of all roses, has often been used as a symbol of life, soul, heart and love.
Wild rose oil, rich in linoleic acid, has regenerative, emollient and moisturizing properties. At the same time, it creates a protective film on the skin that promotes cell regeneration and improves skin texture.
Furthermore, the fruit of the wild rose is known for its high content of Vitamin C which, thanks to its reparative qualities, effectively acts against wrinkles and dull complexions.
Wild Rose Oil is a natural source of vitamin C which, thanks to its reparative qualities, effectively acts against wrinkles and dull complexions. The combination of grape seed and phytic acid helps keep the skin young.
The recommended use is after daily cleansing, applying to face and neck avoiding the eye area.
It is a great moisturizer which will brighten and hydrate your skin for up to 24 hours, and for the best use possible, we recommend applying a portion also to the neck and décolleté area.
Main features of the product:
- Hydrating
- Moisturizing
Main benefits of the product:
- Brightens the skin
- Perfect for all skin types
- Vitamin C infused
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Up to 24 hours of hydration
- Smells great
- Expensive
- The formula changed
- Some people have experienced some break-outs
Cruelty-Free Certifications
John Masters Organics is cruelty-free. This brand has confirmed that they don’t test on animals during the production of their products. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law. John Masters Organics is certified by PETA and isn’t owned by a parent company that tests on animals.
Finding the right skin product to add to your beauty routine is not always easy, especially if you are looking for a cruelty-free product, that won’t go adding up to all the animal testing already taking place around the world.
With this great list of skin-care products, you’ll have somewhere to start and many amazing products to test. We love them, what about you?