Check Out These Top Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands To Try!

In the fast-paced world we live in, it can be hard to take the time to consider our personal care products. With so many different brands and products to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones are cruelty free, and which cruelty-free beauty brands to try?

But before you decide to boycott all of your favorite beauty brands, you should know what cruelty free means and why it’s important for you to consider using these brands in 2023.

Rewind to a few years ago, it wasn’t easy to try and track down cruelty free beauty products. Now there’s a lot more cruelty free brands to choose from, catering for all budgets, and I’m going to share with you a selection of cruelty free beauty brands to try.

What Does Cruelty Free Mean In The Beauty World?

The legal definitions of cruelty free in the beauty world, means that products have not been tested on animals in any way or form, from design through to manufacture. Cruelty free beauty products are typically non-toxic and are often made with natural ingredients. This means that the animals used in testing do not experience any pain or discomfort during the process.

In some cases, cruelty free products may not contain any animal by-products, such as beeswax or honey. Some companies also go one step further and ensure that their products are not tested on animals in any part of their production process.

Knowing that you are using a cruelty free product, from cruelty-free makeup brands, can be incredibly reassuring and can help you feel good about the cosmetics you choose to use. It is also important to remember that cruelty free does not always mean vegan, as some cruelty free products may not be vegan friendly.

Why Are Beauty Products Tested On Animals By Some Countries And Beauty Brands?

In some countries and by some beauty brands, animal testing of beauty products is still conducted in the name of safety and efficacy. This is done to ensure that the products are safe to use and will not cause harm to consumers when used as intended.

Unfortunately, this practice is seen as controversial because it involves the use of animals, often rabbits, mice, guinea pigs and rats, which have been exposed to the various makeup products and testing products, and thus are subjected to a great deal of pain and distress.

There is also the concern that some of the animals used for the products on animals testing are not able to adequately provide accurate results due to the differences in biology between them and humans.

Some countries have laws where testing on animals is required, in order for the product to retail within the country, which leads to unnecessary suffering for millions of animals. It’s unfair to test ingredients on animals, so there are a lot of beauty brands coming out as being cruelty free, prioritizing animal rights.

Many cosmetic companies have introduced animal-friendly alternatives for testing, such as cell culture testing, which has been shown to be more accurate and does not involve the use of any animals.

What Is The Difference Between Cruelty Free Makeup And Vegan Makeup?

Cruelty free makeup and vegan makeup refer to two different types of cosmetics. Cruelty-free makeup indicates that the finished product has not been tested on animals, which is great news for those who are concerned with animal welfare.

Vegan makeup, on the other hand, refers to products that use no animal-based ingredients such as beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen, gelatin, and carmine.

Vegan products tend to be higher in quality than traditional makeup because the ingredients do not contain animal by-products. Therefore, vegan makeup typically lasts longer, has better coverage and does not contain any harsh chemicals or irritants.

Vegan makeup is not only better for animals, but it is also better for your skin. The key difference between vegan and cruelty-free makeup is that vegan makeup is made without any animal-derived ingredients.

This means that there have been no tests with the products on animals, and nor does the product contain animal products within the ingredients list.

Therefore, vegan makeup is considered to be a healthier choice than traditional makeup because it uses ingredients that are not tested on animals and may even be more natural and nourishing for your skin.

So, just to clarify cruelty-free makeup and vegan makeup are two distinct types of cosmetics. Cruelty-free products avoid animal testing, whereas vegan makeup avoids the use of animal-derived ingredients.

Vegan makeup has been gaining popularity due to its higher quality ingredients and it being a healthier choice than traditional makeup.

What Are The Typical Animal Byproducts Often Used In Cosmetic Products?

Animal byproducts are often used in cosmetics for a variety of reasons. They can provide an ideal consistency, act as an emulsifying agent, or be used as a preservative.

Common animal byproducts include beeswax, honey, lanolin, carmine, gelatin, and squalene. As more people move towards vegan-friendly beauty and skincare products, it is important to be aware of which ingredients come from animals.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives available, including plant oils and butters such as coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter.

There are various synthetically made materials like petrolatum (which is also known as mineral oil) that can provide the same functions as animal ingredients.

Some common plant-based ingredients to look out for include aloe vera, jojoba oil, essential oils, and Vitamin E.

If you are aiming to use vegan-friendly beauty products, it’s important to research the ingredients list and ensure that it does not contain any animal byproducts to avoid potential harm to animals or the environment.

Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands To Try

Some of the best cruelty free beauty brands to try include Lush, an affordable, natural beauty brand offering a wide range of skincare and makeup products.

For skincare products, Love Beauty & Planet is a great choice. Their products are made from ethically sourced ingredients and none of their products are tested on animals.

For makeup, Milk Makeup offers a full range of cosmetics and skincare products with a commitment to be vegan and cruelty free. For hair care, Maria Nila has a wide range of vegan and cruelty free shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

If you’re looking for more affordable options, e.l.f. cosmetics is a great choice. They are 100% vegan and cruelty free and use sustainably sourced ingredients. Physician’s Formula is also an excellent choice for affordable, cruelty free beauty products that are free of parabens, phthalates and gluten.

The following brands do not test raw materials or the beauty products themselves as tests on animals within the beauty industry;

Revolution

Revolution as a brand have gone from strength to strength, so much so, it’s difficult to believe that they only started back in 2014. From the very first day they launched, they’ve been cruelty free.

They do a great job on their website, of clearly labelling which products are vegan too. They offer skincare, body care, haircare and makeup too, all of which are affordable and accessible too.

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury are a luxury makeup and skincare brand, with a cruelty free status. Their products are expensive with high quality formulas and truly stunning packaging.

My personal favorite products would have to be their KISSING Lipsticks or their Collagen Lip Bath, but they’re a great all round beauty brand.

Essence

Back to a more affordable brand, and that’s Essence. Essence products can be purchased via Wilko, Feelunique or JustMyLook here in the UK. They’re much more accessible in mainland Europe, and in the US, but their products are amazingly affordable and cruelty free too.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Possibly the best brand when it comes to brow products, ABH are another slightly more luxe cruelty free beauty brand. They’re known for iconic products like the Dipbrow Pomade and Modern Renaissance Palette, but none of their products or ingredients are tested on animals, at any phase of product development.

A big part of living a cruelty-free lifestyle is making sure your beauty products aren’t tested on animals. But it’s not just about what you’re putting on your skin, it’s also about what you’re putting in it. Always be sure to look for a cruelty-free label, and an accreditation from Cruelty-Free International to be 100% sure the product, and cosmetic ingredients you’re trying is cruelty free.

Many conventional skincare and haircare products contain harsh chemicals and sulfates that can be harmful to your health. Fortunately, there are many great cruelty-free beauty brands, and I hope this round-up of five great cruelty free brands was helpful.

These are just four of the many, many different cruelty free beauty brands available right now.