The Best Vegan Skincare Brands (My 4 Holy Grail Products)

If you’re a skincare lover like me, there are a slew of high-performing, effective vegan skincare brands out there that are also clean and toxin-free that I won’t stop raving about. And if you’re someone like me that’s aiming to prevent premature aging (notice I didn’t say “anti-aging” – I believe that words are powerful and aging is beautiful and a gift), you truly don’t have to sacrifice results when you opt for cruelty-free skincare brands.

For me, I look for brands that are going to support the suppleness of my skin and prevent fine lines, keep my skin balanced and hydrated, while being non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) to reduce the chance of breakouts. For more “performance-grade” skincare I’ll use “cosmeceutical” brands for things like Vitamin C for brightening and sun spot or acne scar fading, and a retinol for fine lines.

Why vegan skincare?

• It’s a super easy way to support cruelty-free brands that abstain completely from any animal testing. It’s completely inhumane and unnecessary to test on animals and there’s simply no excuse for it.
• It’s an easy swap and still delivers the high=performance skincare results you’re looking for.
• Most vegan skincare brands tend to be cleaner and have less endocrine-disrupting ingredients, overall.

What I look for in my vegan skincare products:

• No parabens, phtalates, or sulfates.
• Non-comedogenic (no pore-clogging ingredients).
• No essential oils.
• Clinically-tested and/or dermatologist-approved.

Let’s get into my round-up of the best cruelty-free and vegan skincare brands.

Wildling

I first learned about Wilding through their cult-favorite gua sha tool, and ended up going to a breathwork and gua sha class that they hosted a few months ago. They gifted attendees a sample of their Cosmic Intervention Night Repair Mask, and I was hooked after the first use. Previously, no matter what moisturizer I used at night, I’d often wake up with dry, dull skin – until I started using this product. Now I wake up with glowy, hydrated, and supple skin – and I also use it as my eye treatment in the evening. I swear that my eleven lines and crow’s feet have also improved since using it. It’s truly a miracle product, and it also feels divine on the skin. I can’t recommend it enough!

I also have Wildling’s Moonbounce Plumping Moisturizer on rotation as my daytime moisturizer, as well – it’s also an incredible and leaves my skin looking super glowy and hydrated. So if you’re looking for a non-toxic, vegan skincare brand that packs a major punch, I wholeheartedly vouch for this brand.

OSEA

OSEA is an incredible LA-based brand that I’ve come to know and love over the past few years. I often use their Ocean Cleanser as my nighttime cleanse – it feels great and leaves your skin feeling clean but not stripped, as well as their Hyaluronic Sea Serum for daytime moisture and their coveted Undaria Algea Oil for the best full-body moisture that somehow doesn’t leave your skin greasy at all and smells absolutely heavenly – like a literal dip in the ocean. Use code VEGANANJ10 for 10% off!

iS Clinical

iS Clinical was the first “cosmeceutical” skincare brand I tried, and I’ve consistently come back to it over the years because the purity and efficacy is just unmatched. Their Pro-Heal Serum Advance is the best vitamin C serum I’ve tried, and does wonders for uneven skin tone and fading dark spots and acne scars. Their Reparative Moisture Emulsion is also a fantastic moisturizer, and quite literally feels like butter on the skin and smells super luxurious. iS Clinical is an excellent cruelty-free skincare option for those seeking major results.

Jan Marini

If you’re like me and simultaneously need acne prevention and treatment while endeavoring to prevent premature aging, Jan Marini’s Duality is the answer. It’s a dual-action retinol and benzoyl peroxide treatment but does not dry you out. It’s just super effective, with clean and simple ingredients that deliver major results. I also often use their Bioglycolic Cleaner as my morning or post-workout cleanse – it’s a great chemical exfoliant to remove impurities. Jan Marini’s products are all high-performance and are a great cruelty-free skincare brand that is also cosmeceutical-grade.

That’s a wrap on my list of my favorite vegan skincare brands.

And there you have it – the vegan and cruelty-free skincare products that I use daily. Be sure to check out some of my other recent content, like the best vegan meal delivery services, the supplements I recommend for all vegans (and anyone, really), and what it’s like to work with a plant-based registered dietitian.