It’s no secret that there is growing support for the ethical treatment of animals in the US. With vegetarianism and veganism on the rise, consumers are starting to adapt a more conscious approach when shopping for the products they are going to slather on their skin and hair, too.
“As customers demand more from the brands they trust to put on their skin, ethical beauty is no longer an industry niche but an industry norm,” Ben Zifkin, Hubba CEO and Founder, said about the company’s partnership with PETA.
But while the number of cruelty-free beauty brands has grown considerably in the last few years, with committed brands like Kat Von D and Shea Moisture championing for ethical beauty, you would be surprised by how many brands still test their products on animals.
Ready to overhaul your cosmetic bag with products that are truly cruelty-free? We rounded up some of our favorite makeup, skin care and hair brands that deliver excellent results without compromising the welfare of our furry friends.
Alba Botanica
Alba Botanica’s mission is to create high-quality products while reducing their environmental footprint. The products, which include body, skin care, hair care, and sun protection, are formulated with natural resources and never tested on animals.
What’s more, Alba Botanica gives back through their Do Good, Do Beautiful Grant Program, which was designed to empower female-led non-profit organizations. This year they awarded Emilee Spear of Rusty’s Angels Sanctuary and Kat Welton of The Barn for Equine Learning with $15,000 in grant funds to help create, expand, or sustain projects at their organizations.
Amika
Founded in Brooklyn in 2007, this cheerful hair care brand has a large portfolio of cleansers, styling products, and hot tools that deliver top-notch results with little effort on your part. Much of the line is vegan, and the products are never tested on animals. Formulated with naturally-derived ingredients, they are also free from sulfates, MIT, MCI, phthalates, and artificial colors. What should you try first? Definitely the best-selling Perk Up Dry Shampoo, which sops up oil without weighing down your hair.
Fenty
As if you needed another reason to love all things Fenty, the brand is committed to being cruelty-free. Praised for its inclusivity, with a boundary-breaking range of shades for all skin tones, Rihanna’s reps confirm that her cosmetic line is not tested on animals nor is it available in China, where beauty brands are required to test on animals.
Milk Makeup
With its urban street vibes and minimalist design, this NYC-based beauty brand is all about self-expression. Milk Makeup believes in two things: good ingredients and epic payoff. Think highlighters made with literal meteorites and mascara made with cannabis oil. All products are cruelty-free, paraben-free, 100 percent vegan, and developed in-house.
Beautycounter
Committed to creating safer products without compromising quality, Beautycounter has become a hit with the health-conscious consumer. The direct-to-consumer brand prohibits the use of over 1,500 potentially harmful ingredients and over 80 percent of the ingredients used are natural or plant-derived. Check out the fan favorite face creams, lipsticks, and body butters – none of which are ever tested on animals.
Glossier
Founded by beauty blogger Emily Weiss, Glossier is committed to creating a carefully-curated collection of beauty essentials. Everything is elegantly formulated and effective, so it’s no surprise the brand has developed quite the cult following. From the glow-boosting serum to the cheek color that melts into skin, we’re obsessed. The fact that they are cruelty-free only makes us love them more.
Kaia Naturals
Founded by a longtime beauty industry executive and product developer, ingredients matter to Kaia Naturals. The line of personal care essentials is certified natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. Must try product: Charcoal Deodorant. If you’re new to natural deodorant, this non-slippery formula uses clean ingredients to absorb odor and moisture – and it gets rave reviews.
Ouai
Founded by stylist to the stars Jen Atkin, who works the Kardashians, Chrissy Teigen, and Jessica Alba, Ouai products are simple yet effective. Designed to enhance hair’s texture and health, the collection includes the basics (shampoo, conditioner), as well as styling products you never thought you needed (air dry foam, memory mist, anti-frizz hair sheets). The formulas are free of parabens and never tested on animals.
Hourglass Cosmetics
If you’re looking for cruelty-free makeup that is as pretty on your skin as it is in its packaging, Hourglass is for you. While many of the brand’s best-selling products are already vegan, including the Ambient Light Correcting Primer and Veil Retouching Fluid, they recently announced that by 2020, the entire collection will be vegan.
That means eliminating beeswax and carmine, a dye made from beetles’ wings, from a few formulas. Until then, you can rest assured that none of the products are tested on animals.
