Cruelty-free skincare is more plentiful, varied and affordable than ever before. With eco-conscious options that reject animal testing, it’s now even easier for consumers to make compassionate choices.
Sascha Camilli, author of new book Vegan Style: Your plant-based guide to Fashion + Beauty + Home + Travel (£14.99), has selected some of her favourite skincare must-haves for summer that guarantee that no animals were harmed. They’re all vegan too.
‘The term “cruelty-free” refers to products and ingredients that have not been tested on animals, while “vegan” means that a product doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients,’ explains Sascha. ‘All the below are both cruelty-free and vegan.’
1. Madara Balancing Floral Toner for Normal/Combination Skin, £17
Give combination skin a sense of balance with this deeply toning and pore-tightening concoction of Baltic raspberry, cucumber, plantain and rose water.
2. Lavera Refreshing Cleansing Gel, £8.95
You’ll forget what dull skin even looks like with this revitalising cleanser – give your morning routine a boost with ginkgo tree leaf extract, which helps stimulate circulation and promote the regeneration of the cells. The organic grape extract contains antioxidants and soothes the skin.
3. LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask, £9
This delicious treat for your skin is packed with plant power – blueberries, almond oil and chamomile are just a few of the superhero ingredients that will help calm and moisturise your skin. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon pampering session!
4. Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes, £4.99
Cleansing wipes are possibly one of the most convenient and handy inventions ever to hit the beauty industry – but the issue with them is that they are an environmental hazard. As many of them don’t biodegrade, they will sit in landfill for years or pollute the oceans. Not ready to give up your wipes? Go for these deliciously scented ones from Pacifica which are 100% biodegradable! They are also free from sulphates, SLS, phthalates, parabens and petroleum.
5. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil, £4.50
Cult brand The Ordinary has attracted a mass following for its science-first approach combined with ultra-low prices – and the entire range is cruelty-free, with many vegan options. This organic oil nourishes and calms the skin when applied after water-based skin treatments.
6. Nip + Fab Unicorn Essence, £15
Want dewy, glowing skin? Of course you do. This miracle-working serum will illuminate your complexion in an instant and bring a subtle colour-correcting effect, which also means that it can double up as a primer before applying makeup.
7. Ren Clean Screen Mineral SPF30, £30
One true summer (and year-round, really) must-have is sunscreen. This mattifying, silicone-free sunscreen protects your skin without clogging your pores – and it also comes in packaging made from recycled plastic.
8. Nourish Organic Renewing & Cooling Eye Treatment, £14
Give the sensitive skin around your eyes some love with deeply nourishing avocado oil, Moroccan argan oil and aloe vera. This organic treatment cools the skin after a long day of strain, increases collagen production and reduces dark spots.
9. Glossier Solution, £19
A gentle chemical exfoliation that unclogs your skin by liberating it from dead skin cells. This vegan formula aims to reduce redness and blemishes, and to create a softer and smoother skin surface.
10. Hurraw Sun Protection Balm SPF15, £4.99
Sunburnt lips are never a good look – go for this vegan-friendly lip balm that protects the vulnerable skin of the lips against harsh UVA and UVB rays. Chamomile, tangerine and vanilla moisturise and nourish the skin and zinc oxide creates a barrier between your skin and sunburn.
