If you’re looking for some of the top vegan and natural beauty brands to enhance your skincare routine this Veganuary and beyond, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, I’ve curated a selection of must-try vegan and natural beauty brands that are totally worth checking out, not just for Veganuary, but for the long haul too.
There’s no doubt the beauty industry has been shifting towards eco-friendly and cruelty-free products in recent years, as consumers become more conscious of the ingredients in their skincare and makeup. Veganuary is all about inspiring you to make a change and go vegan for the month of January.
Please note: This page is updated periodically. Some (but not all!) links on this page are affiliate links, which means I might receive a small commission on any purchases made, at absolutely no additional cost to you. For more info, you can read my disclosure policy.
In this post:
What is Vegan Beauty?
Before diving into the brands, let’s define what it means for a beauty product to be labeled as “vegan.” Vegan beauty products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. This includes substances like beeswax, lanolin, carmine, and more. Vegan beauty products are often also cruelty-free, so meaning they are not tested on animals at any stage of production
Related reading: What does natural, nontoxic, organic & clean beauty mean?
Key Ingredients to Look for in Vegan & Natural Beauty Products: The Benefits
Wondering what ingredients are great additions to have in your vegan & natural beauty products? Here’s a select few ingredients that are commonly used in natural, vegan skincare and beauty products and provide various benefits for the skin and hair:
- Plant-based oils: such as jojoba, argan, coconut, or avocado oil. These oils are rich in vitamins and fatty acids, providing hydration, nourishment, and protection to the skin and hair.
- Shea butter: Derived from the nut of the shea tree, shea butter is a popular ingredient in vegan beauty products. It is deeply moisturising, helping to soothe and soften the skin and hair.
- Aloe vera: This plant extract has soothing and hydrating properties, so it’s ideal for sensitive or irritated skin. It’s often used in vegan skincare products like moisturisers and masks.
- Natural extracts: Vegan beauty products often feature natural extracts like chamomile, green tea, calendula, or lavender. These extracts offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while soothing and revitalising the skin.
- Essential oils: Vegan beauty products may incorporate essential oils like lavender, tea tree, rosehip, or peppermint. These oils provide aromatherapy benefits and can have various effects on the skin, such as calming, balancing, or brightening.
- Plant-based proteins: Ingredients like soy, rice, or quinoa proteins are commonly used in vegan hair care products. They help strengthen and repair damaged hair, adding shine and improving its overall health.
These are just a few ingredients often found in vegan and natural beauty products. Remember to always check the product’s label or ingredient list to ensure it’s truly vegan and free from any animal-derived ingredients.
Tips for Choosing Genuine Vegan & Natural Beauty Products
If you’re new to choosing vegan and natural beauty products, it’s important to be an informed conscious consumer and know what to look for. Here are some tips to help you on your journey to identify genuine natural beauty brands and vegan beauty products:
1. Read ingredient labels
The easiest way to determine if a product is both vegan and natural is to check the ingredient list. Look for products that explicitly state they are “vegan” or “100% plant-based.” Avoid products that contain animal-derived ingredients such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, or carmine. By reading ingredient labels, you can identify these non-vegan ingredients and avoid products that contain them. Check out these toxic cosmetic ingredients to avoid in your beauty products too.
2. Look for cruelty-free certifications
Many beauty brands claim to be cruelty-free or not test on animals, but without an official certification, it’s difficult to know for sure. Look for recognized logos like Leaping Bunny, PETA’s cruelty-free bunny logo, or the Choose Cruelty-Free (CCF) logo. These certifications ensure that the entire product and its ingredients has met strict animal testing and cruelty-free standards.
3. Look for natural and organic certifications
Certification by an independent body is one of the easiest ways to know if a product is truly made with natural and organic ingredients, otherwise the terms like clean beauty can actually be meaningless. COSMOS (Cosmetic Organic Standard) is a great one to look out for. I recommend reading my blog post about organic skincare certifications.
4. Research the brand’s values
Check the brand’s website and social media platforms to learn more about their ethical and environmental values. Look for brands that prioritize sustainability, transparency, natural ingredients and animal welfare. Brands dedicated to veganism and nature often have clear mission statements and a commitment to using only plant-based ingredients.
5. Seek ingredient transparency
Genuine vegan and natural beauty brands aren’t afraid to be open and transparent about their ingredients and manufacturing processes. Look for brands that provide comprehensive information about their sourcing, the supply chain, and any certifications they hold. You shouldn’t have to dig to find this information!
6. Check out cruelty-free and vegan beauty resources
There are so many helpful websites and blogs out there that provide lists of vegan beauty brands and product recommendations. Some of my favourite cruelty-free blogs are Logical Harmony, Cruelty-Free Kitty and Ethical Elephant.
7. Always be cautious of vague or misleading claims
Beware of greenwashing branding tactics and buzzwords like “plant-powered” which doesn’t guarantee its free from animal-derived and synthetic ingredients. Many natural and organic products aren’t automatically vegan either. Honey and beeswax in particular are really popular ingredients in clean beauty products. Take the time to investigate and verify if the product aligns with your vegan values.
8. Shop from reputable retailers
Shopping from established retailers known for their commitment to natural, vegan and cruelty-free products can provide peace of mind. Petit Vour is the first place that springs to my mind. Look for stores that have dedicated vegan sections or filters to help narrow down your choices. Just remember some brands might have some vegan-friendly products but other products from the same brand might not be vegan or have the cleanest ingredients. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide if that’s ok with you! Use the same caution when filtering by clean/natural beauty too, especially at places like Sephora. I recommend using the vegan filters at some of my favourite natural and organic retailers like Content Beauty, Ethical Superstore and Naturisimo.
Related reading: Where to shop natural and organic beauty products.
By following these tips and being a conscious consumer, you can confidently choose genuine natural and vegan beauty products that align with your values and contribute to a cruelty-free and sustainable lifestyle. Now you know how to find the best products for yourself, let’s dive in to some of my favourite natural and vegan beauty brands!
6 Best Vegan & Natural Beauty Brands
Whether you’re already a committed vegan or taking up the Veganuary challenge for 2024, all of these brands are 100% vegan across their full product range. They all prioritise ethical, plant-based and sustainable ingredients without compromising on quality. I’ve got you covered with my curated top picks for vegan-friendly natural skincare, makeup, haircare, dental and deodorant too.
Pai Skincare
Pai Skincare is a British brand that prides itself on their organic and natural skincare products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin. Their products are packed with plant-based, vegan ingredients, making them an ideal choice if you’re looking to nourish your skin in a gentle, yet effective way.
Pai Skincare products are independently certified by COSMOS (Soil Association), Cruelty Free International and The Vegan Society, as well as B corp certified. Pai Skincare is also committed to sustainability and ethical production practices, with all of their products formulated and manufactured at their London HQ.
Since I first tried Pai Skincare’s products many years ago, the brand continues to impress me with every new product I try. They’re definitely one of my favourite natural and organic skincare brands! Pai Skincare does a fantastic job of utilising the power of natural ingredients to deliver really great results, without causing irritation to sensitive and allergy-prone skin.
Related reading:
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Pai Skincare
My top product recommendations:
INIKA Organic
Inika Organic is an Australian beauty brand that focuses on creating high-quality, organic and 100% natural cosmetics. This brand is dedicated to providing you with cruelty-free, vegan, and Halal-certified formulas throughout their whole product range.
The brand also has an emphasis on using certified organic ingredients as often as possible, with every product free from potentially harmful chemicals and synthetic additives. Inika has an impressive number of certifications from Certified Organic Australia, COSMOS Organic & Natural to PETA Animal Test-Free and the Vegan Society and more. Inika are the highest certified beauty brand in the world!
Not only that, Inika Organic is actively reducing its environmental impact too. They’re certified Plastic Neutral, using eco-friendly packaging and sustainable production practices to minimise waste and promote a more sustainable beauty industry. A conscious consumers dream!
Inika Organic began with a wide range of makeup products (including foundations, powders, lipsticks, eyeliners, and more), but has now also expanded to creating the most luxe vegan, organic skincare products too. I’ve been a loyal customer for over a decade now and have totally lost count of the number of times I’ve repurchased my favourite Inika foundations, lip products and their skincare too! Whether you’re looking for a flawless complexion or a pop of colour for your lips, Inika Organic really does have a product to suit you.
Related reading:
- INIKA Organic & Natural Makeup – Lip Products
- Brand Spotlight – Inika Organic Cosmetics
- Inika Liquid Foundation Review
- Inika Mineral Foundation Review
- Skincare Minis from INIKA Organic & more
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INIKA Organic
My top product recommendations:
Rahua
Originating from the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Rahua prides itself on infusing ancient techniques with modern innovation to create their unique haircare products. The brand is named after the oil that Amazonian women have been using on their hair for centuries.
Their products are made with organic, natural, and 100% plant-derived, vegan ingredients, carefully harvested by the indigenous people of the Amazon. This not only supports the local communities but also ensures that the products are of the highest quality. It’s easy to see Rahua is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing of their ingredients.
At the core of Rahua’s products lies the Rahua oil, derived from the ungurahua nut. This oil is rich in omega-9, which penetrates deep into the hair shaft, strengthening and revitalizing each strand. The result? Nourished and luxuriously smooth hair! These products are seriously luxe and scented with the exotic fragrance of organic Palo Santo oil which makes for an enchanting ensory experience like no other. A definite must-try!
Related Reading: The Best Natural Sea Salt Sprays for Beachy Waves (including Rahua)
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Rahua
My top product recommendations:
Evolve Organic Beauty
British brand Evolve Beauty are committed to creating products that are kind to both the skin and the environment. Their products are handmade in small batches using plant-based ingredients that are sustainably sourced, organic, and vegan-friendly too (of course). Some of their certifications include COSMOS Organic, Cruelty Free International, the Vegan Society and B Corp too.
Evolve Beauty also have an emphasis on sustainability, using fully recyclable packaging made from sustainable sources, and they strive to minimise their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources in their production process.
Their range features a variety of skincare products from cleansers, moisturisers, serums and masks, to body care and haircare products too. I’ve tried a fair few of their products over the past few years and have really enjoyed them all!
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Evolve Organic Beauty
My top product recommendations:
Georganics
Georganics specialise in natural and sustainable oral care products. Their mission is to create effective oral care solutions made with natural and vegan ingredients, while being environmentally friendly too.
In their product range you’ll find toothpaste, mouthwash, toothpowder, and dental floss. These products are made with ingredients such as organic essential oils, natural minerals, and plant extracts, avoiding the use of synthetic fluoride, SLS and glycerine.
One of the things that makes Georganics stand out from other dental brands is their approach to sustainability. To minimise their impact on the environment, they use plastic-free zero waste packaging. All of their product packaging is entirely biodegradable and compostable kraft paper cardboard, plus their glass and aluminium jars are reusable or can be recycled endlessly.
Related reading: Beginner’s Guide to Plastic Free Beauty & Toiletries
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Georganics
My top product recommendations:
The Natural Deodorant Co.
The Natural Deodorant Company is a brand that says it all in the name… they offer natural deodorants, of course! When it comes to certifications, The Natural Deodorant Co. products are certified vegan and also hold the Leaping Bunny certification, ensuring that their products are cruelty-free and not tested on animals.
This brand minimises their environmental impact by using recyclable plastic-free packaging materials and avoiding potentially harmful chemicals in their formulations.
I’ve tried more than my fair share of natural deodorants over the past decade or so, and The Natural Deodorant Co. is up there as one of the best performing in my opinion! With unscented options, formulas for sensitive skin, a range for teens and an “active” range for sports use, The Natural Deodorant Co. have you covered!
Related reading: The Natural Deodorant Co. Clean Deodorant Balm Review
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The Natural Deodorant Co.
My top product recommendations:
Even more vegan and natural beauty brands
I’m wary this article may be getting a little long, but I didn’t want to leave without mentioning just a few more vegan, clean beauty brands worth checking out too!
- Axiology
- UpCircle beauty
- Terre Verdi – 10% off code NATURIABEAUTY
- Honeypie Minerals
Embracing Vegan Beauty Beyond Veganuary
With 2024 in full swing, the trend towards vegan and natural beauty brands is growing more than ever. No matter if you’re a seasoned vegan beauty enthusiast or you’re consciously looking to make some switches for the first time, these are some of the best ethical and vegan natural beauty brands I’ve come across over the past decade! Please feel free to share your favourite clean and vegan beauty brands in the comments.
Looking for more natural beauty brands? Check out my natural & organic beauty brand directory.
