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Best Vegan and Cruelty-free Beauty Brands
Switching up your routine to be vegan and cruelty-free is easy when you know how. Whatever you need - makeup or skincare - we’ve rounded up the best cruelty-free beauty brands for a routine that reflects your ethical stance. We’re talking high-performance beauty that's doing its bit for Mother Nature.
What's the difference between vegan and cruelty-free?
Brands well-established and new to the beauty sphere have been seriously addressing their eco-conscious stance in recent years, but what does it mean to be a cruelty-free and vegan beauty brand?
Cruelty-free accreditation assures you that there has been no form of animal testing at any point in the creation of a brand's products - not during production, not the final product or by any third party. For peace of mind, our list contains only brands that have been certified cruelty-free. And does 100% vegan mean cruelty-free? A common misconception is that cruelty-free means vegan and vice-versa, when this is not always the case. The best vegan beauty brands mean there are no animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients in a product, like Honey, Beeswax, and Collagen.
Which makeup brands are vegan and cruelty-free?
If you're looking to create your next look using makeup brands that are planet-caring and cruelty-free, look to Fenty Beauty, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, ILIA, and Rare Beauty to name a few. So many beauty brands are now responsibly-sourcing vegan ingredients for their products, so head to Clean at Sephora to add even more to your go-tos.
What skincare is vegan and cruelty-free?
Skincare brands that are serious about their ingredients range from the long-established to the new kids on the block. Some of our faves include Aveda, Pai, Aesop, and indē wild, and you'll find even more to try at Clean at Sephora. You're welcome.
By Sephora UK Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 21 January 2025
Shop all Vegan Beauty at Sephora UK.
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Fenty Skin Plush Puddin' Intensive Recovery Lip Mask
Conscious commitment:
Fenty describes itself as an earth conscious brand, and is committed to globally sourced clean ingredients and reducing its impact on the environment. All of its ingredients are vegan and gluten-free and follow high European Union standards. You'll find natural ingredients like Barbados Cherry, Australian Lemon Myrtle, Green Tea, and Japanese Raisin Tree in its products. Fenty also embraces the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, by eliminating boxes where possible, encouraging refill systems and championing recycled materials.
Hero product:
Promising luscious lips and a plumper pout, Fenty Skin's Plush Puddin' Intensive Recovery Lip Mask is formulated with Castor and Coconut Oil for deep hydration. It's packed with Vitamin E to plump, Jojoba and Pomegranate oils to firm, and Vitamin C from Barbados Cherries to revitalise your smile. *Chef's kiss*.
Tried and tested:
“Phenomenal moisturising balm. It's silky, but not sticky and it moisturises for quite a while. I love it.” - Mina, Customer Review
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Aveda Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Leave-In Treatment
Conscious commitment:
Aveda was born cruelty-free and has always tested its products on people rather than animals. It has Leaping Bunny approval, which is an internationally recognised gold standard for cruelty-free products, and it's 100% vegan. Aveda partners with over 100 nonprofit and NGO organisations united to provide and protect clean water. In addition to this, its partnerships focus on community, human rights, biodiversity, and climate change.
Hero product:
An Aveda bestseller, and with very good reason, the Botanical Repair Leave-in Treatment strengthens, repairs, and protects your hair from the inside out. Formulated to build new bonds, it'll detangle, smooth, and condition as well as protect your locks from blow-drying and heat styling up to 230°. Just wash, leave in, and go.
Tried and tested:
“I've bought this hair conditioning mask a few times now as it's brilliant on my hair. I have natural afro hair that's dry, so use this repair treatment to give my hair a boost of hydration.” - Customer Review
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amika Ready Set Style Prep Volumize and Refresh Set
Conscious commitment:
Cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified (meaning it never tests on animals), amika is always striving to go cleaner and greener. Its products are free from Sulphates, Parabens, Phthalates, and over 1300+ ingredients banned in the EU, and its hero ingredient, Sea Buckthorn, is sourced from an organic, sustainable and fair trade farm in Tibet.
Hero product:
One must-have set, three hair hero styling products. The amika Ready, Set, Style features a full-sized Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray, Undone Texture Spray, and a travel-sized Perk Up Dry Shampoo for all your styling needs. Suitable for every hair type and texture, it offers heat protection, volume, and between-wash freshness. Ready, set, slay.
Tried and tested:
“I love this set to keep hair looking straight-out-of-the-salon when I'm on holiday, a travel essential.” - Tassia, Content Executive at Sephora UK
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Pai Skincare Light Work Cleansing Oil
Conscious commitment:
Formulating and manufacturing natural, ethical and sustainable beauty from its very own London HQ, Pai is B Corp certified as well as independently certified by COSMOS (Soil Association), Cruelty-free International and The Vegan Society. Pai sources all of its organic ingredients and is committed to the highest organic and ethical standards, and it controls the whole manufacturing process, from its ingredients to production to packaging - yes, please.
Hero product:
100% natural, 90% organic, the Pai Light Work Cleansing Oil is packing some seriously hardworking vegan ingredients. Hello, Rosehip Fruit Extract as well as Orange, Geranium, and Basil Oils (to name but a few). Gentle on even the most sensitive skin, this Vitamin E-rich cleanser is super-efficient, shifting makeup and SPF at speed. Light work indeed.
Tried and tested:
“I adore this cleansing oil and am on my 4th bottle. I have very sensitive skin and was worried that the oil would make my skin greasy. It doesn't at all and now I use five of Pai's products, all of which I love, as does my skin.” - Iona, Customer Review
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Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
Conscious commitment:
Aesop is a Certified B Corporation®, meaning it meets the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. It's also Leaping Bunny approved and appears on PETA's vegan and cruelty-free lists. Its products are made from responsibly-sourced vegan ingredients and all its suppliers use environmentally responsible processes and provide safe working conditions. Packaging is always considered, with most of it being recycled PET, which consists of at least 97% recycled material.
Hero product:
The Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash is something of a vegan beauty icon. An invigorating formula that cleanses thoroughly without drying the skin, the Mandarin Rind, Rosemary Leaf and Cedar Atlas makes every use a spa-like experience. Pair with the matching Hand Cream for ultimate hydration.
Tried and tested:
“I love everything about this hand wash - the scent, ingredients, the style of the bottle and the size! Super luxurious, leaves a subtle scent and doesn't dry out your skin!” - Dannica, Customer Review
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Inde Wild Limited 15% Vitamin C Sunrise Glow Serum
Conscious commitment:
indē wild describes itself as an award-winning beauty ecosystem, where holistic Ayurveda meets conscious chemistry. Its products are vegan and harness the gentle but effective natural ingredients you'd find in a traditional Indian garden - and we can't get enough.
Hero product:
Sunrise glow in January? You've got it! Wake up your skin each morning with indē wild's 15% Vitamin C Serum. Like sunshine in a bottle, it brightens, repairs, and hydrates your skin while fading pigmentation and dark spots. Potent actives like Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid work with Ayurvedic superfoods Turmeric and Ashwagandha to bring the radiance, even when the weather doesn't.
Tried and tested:
“I absolutely love how bright and even-toned my skin looks after using this Vitamin C serum. It absorbs quickly and leaves no sticky residue, making it perfect for layering under sunscreen.” - Aliza, Customer Review
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K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask - Treatment for Damaged Hair
Conscious commitment:
K18 believes less is more - for your hair and the planet - so wasting less energy and resources is its MO. It envisions a more sustainable future by harnessing Biotech. By developing and understanding biology, its products are effective, using highly-concentrated formulas to reduce waste and overconsumption. K18 is also plastic net zero in collaboration with the Plastic Bank.
Hero product:
If your locks are feeling lacklustre, they might need K18 to pep them up for 2025. Its Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask is powered by patented K18 Peptide to reconnect broken Keratin chains, reversing damage from colour, heat, and more in mere minutes. Watch it restore your hair's strength, smoothness, and bounce in just four washes.
Tried and tested:
“This is my absolute must-have!! Paired with a bonding shampoo and conditioner, it saved my damaged hair.” - Meg, Customer Review
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Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Conscious commitment:
Summer Fridays has a conscious commitment to ingredients and all of its products are vegan, cruelty-free and free from Parabens, Sulphates, and Phthalates. The brand also uses sustainable product materials where possible, including Aluminum, Sugarcane or post-consumer recycled plastics, and is partnered with the Pact Collective to reduce packaging waste and improve its carbon footprint.
Hero product:
A parched pout will be a thing of the past with this vegan formula. Blending Murumuru Seed Butters and vegan Waxes to soften, condition, and boost shine. Use it daily (not just on Fridays) for an instant moisture hit, or overnight as a nourishing lip mask. Dreamy lips await.
Tried and tested:
“Best lip balm ever, so pigmented and smells incredible. Really hydrates your lips and makes them look juicy!!!” - Sophie, Customer Review
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HAUS LABS Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation with Fermented Arnica
Conscious commitment:
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga creates beauty with kindness. Every product is clean, cruelty-free and vegan, made with sustainably sourced, quality and safe synthetic and natural ingredients. It strives to use sustainable packaging materials like glass, Aluminum, PCR Resin and FSC-certified paper, that are planet safe and reduce climate impact.
Hero product:
An award-winning formula, the Triclone Skin Tech Foundation is made with over 20 skincare ingredients including fermented Arnica which reduces redness and protects the complexion. Weightless and gentle with a serum-like texture, it offers medium coverage and seamlessly blurs and smooths for a second-skin finish. It brings the HAUS down.
Tried and tested:
“Best foundation I've ever used. Doesn't feel like you've got foundation on, it's very weightless. Medium coverage so you can build it up. It gives my skin, but better. Always get complimented by people saying my skin looks flawless.” - Robyn, Customer Review
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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Conscious commitment:
The Ordinary is certified vegan by PETA and doesn't test on animals, earning it the Leaping Bunny stamp of approval. The Ordinary aims to give back to the Earth in five ways: through more responsible packaging, fighting climate change, better waste management, responsible sourcing and product lifecycle, and water conservation. It doesn't claim to have all the answers but is committed to reducing its impact on the planet.
Hero product:
Suitable for all skin types and budgets, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a high-strength Vitamin and Mineral vegan serum. The Niacinamide (aka Vitamin B3) supports skin renewal while Zinc balances excess sebum. Smoother, brighter skin for £5? Sign us up.
Tried and tested:
“I would 100% recommend this product. It's made my skin so smooth and cleared my acne. I love this product so much!” - Izzy, Customer Review
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Fekkai Brilliant Gloss Shampoo
Conscious commitment:
The only thing better than looking good is doing good and in January 2020, Fekkai re-launched with vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable hair products only. Animal-friendly formulas, each one is also free from silicones, sulphates and parabens, and are housed in 95% recycled packaging - so you can wash, rinse, recycle and repeat.
Hero product:
A gloss-boosting shampoo powered by French Cold-Pressed Olive Oil and packed with moisture-replenishing, smoothing properties. In just a few lathers, take even the most dry, damaged strands from lacklustre to beyond shiny. Coating each hair with a silky veil, it locks in moisture, prevents colour fade and provides antioxidant protection.
Tried and tested:
“My hair is more manageable and frizz-free, definitely better results than any other leading brand! My co-workers noticed the shine after a couple of days of use. I will 100% be purchasing again!” - Sabrina, Customer Review
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ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF30
Conscious commitment:
Dedicated to a clean, skin-centric beauty mantra, ILIA is a mindful vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand that really cares about what we put onto our skin. Discover carefully crafted skincare and makeup made from conscious and sustainable ingredients, all housed in recyclable aluminium and glass packaging - and topped off with responsibly sourced paper.
Hero product:
A game-changing foundation that makes skin look instantly bright, radiant, and even. This silky, water-based serum is packed with skin-loving ingredients including Niacinamide to balance oil, hydrating Squalane, and factor 30 mineral sunscreen for protection. It’s no wonder that this must-have foundation is one of Sephora’s bestselling products.
Tried and tested:
“The formula has a tint that makes it an excellent substitute for a light-coverage foundation. The luminous finish is my jam - it almost looks like highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones. I'd use this product for the glow alone, so the fact that it's loaded with the actives I usually use in serum form (like Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide) is a bonus.” - Allure
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Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Conscious commitment:
A TikTok favourite, Milk Makeup is a clean beauty sensation. Born out of Milk Studios, a creative hub in downtown New York, they have a simple philosophy: to deliver products that are made from natural ingredients that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free – always. We love their refillable packaging, too.
Hero product:
Trust us when we say this is THE best primer for keeping your makeup in place. It’s a sticky gel texture (but in a really good way) as it grips and locks in your makeup. If you have dry skin, then this primer will work wonders as it’s specially formulated with a cocktail of hydrating ingredients and antioxidants. If you’re on the hunt for a new primer, this is a must-try.
Tried and tested:
“I got recommended this by a makeup artist as I have oily skin and needed a good primer for my makeup to grab on for it to last all day! The first time I used this, I could not believe the difference by the end of the day and it even made my makeup apply more smoothly. Could not recommend it enough!” - Katie, Customer Review
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Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Conscious commitment:
Bringing you luxurious skincare alongside natural, sustainable formulas and science-backed ingredients, Biossance has transformed the clean beauty space. Using hero ingredients like plant-derived Vegan Squalane, this superior go-to skincare brand is ethical and effective.
Hero product:
For glowing skin in a bottle, you can’t beat Biossance’s Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. Thanks to moisturising plant-derived Squalane, Vitamin C and Rose extract, this radiance-boosting formula brightens skin while targeting dark spots and pigmentation for a more even skin tone. Thirsty skin will lap up these ingredients, which impart a dewier and glowier complexion.
Tried and tested:
“Biossance’s face oil has a formula that helps you maintain your skin’s elasticity and boost its radiance with each use.” - Elle
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REFY Brow Sclupt
Conscious commitment:
Redefining beauty, REFY is all about embracing your natural beauty through its range of vegan and cruelty-free products. Starting off with a bang, REFY has quickly become cult - and not just because it makes our brows look *perfect*. Every formula is as cruelty-free as it is effective - and by that, we mean very.
Hero product:
Get your best brows yet with this viral brow sculpt. A vegan beauty product we keep coming back to, this super soft wax-gel hybrid is easy to apply and sets the brows in place ALL day. With a double ended brush to help you style and sculpt the way you like, go for a subtle everyday look or brush up for a fuller brow - without the need for multiple products. It’s also water-resistant and flake-free so you can enjoy ultimate brow confidence all day.
Tried and tested:
“Strong without being stiff, it creates that incredibly smooth, shiny lift that mimics the effects of a brow lamination treatment, and then stays there all day long: no flaking, falling or melting onto your eyelids.” - Elle
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