8 Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands We Love: 2022 Guide
It’s 2022, and it’s unbelievable that several beauty giants still test their products on animals. With the evolution of cutting-edge cruelty-free testing techniques, animal testing should be a thing of the past. Thankfully, the last few years have seen the rise of some incredible cruelty-free beauty brands that deserve your attention and support.
But we know it can be quite tough sifting the good from the bad - so we’ve done it for you! We’re spotlighting 8 cruelty-free beauty brands that truly impressed us with their eco-conscious values, transparency and quality of products. If you’re looking to shift your beauty regime to brands that offer 100% cruelty-free products, show these beauty brands some love!
1. UpCircle
Since its launch in 2016, UpCircle has been on a mission to make the world a better place with its impressive array of ethical, sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare products. The name “UpCircle” comes from their love for repurposed and upcycled ingredients like leftover date seeds, repurposed blueberry extract, and chamomile stems.
Their best-selling face scrub is made with spent coffee grounds that would’ve otherwise ended up in a landfill. A compassionate brand through and through, UpCircle gives back to the environment by supporting causes like Rainforest Alliance, One Tree Planted, and Save Elephant Foundation, among many others.
2. Scientia Beauty
Fed up with seeing cryptic ingredients and descriptions on your skincare products? It’s time to check out Scientia - a cruelty-free line of supercharged, no-fuss line skincare products that’ll leave you with dewy, plump skin and a happy conscience.
Founded by Tiffany Salmon, Scientia takes its commitment to the environment very seriously. All its products are vegan, sustainably made, and certified by Leaping Bunny- one of the most trusted cruelty-free certifications globally.
3. Versed Skin
With everything priced below $25, Versed Skin has made vegan and clean skincare accessible for all. What’s more, none of this brand’s products has ever been tested on animals!
Versed Skin’s highly-effective beauty range is a result of non-toxic ingredients and proven formulas. The brand steers clear of a list of 1350 plus ingredients that have shown to do more harm than good.
Their extensive range of skincare can tackle every skin concern, from acne to dullness to ageing. For those looking to spruce up in a jiffy, check out Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask. This 2021 Popsugar Award winner is a magical concoction that fights hyperpigmentation and dullness.
4. Spectrum Collections
The next brand on our list was started out of a garage in South Wales by two sisters, Sophie and Hannah, in 2014. Together they created Spectrum Collections- a range of professional-grade, cruelty-free everyday beauty tools, and accessories at wallet-friendly prices.
One of their stand-out products is the BYRDIE award-winning 25-piece Brush set designed in collaboration with Katie Jane Huges, a celebrity makeup artist, and influencer.
These expertly crafted brushes are an absolute treat to these eyes, and it doesn’t hurt that they come packaged in a luxe vegan leather tube case with debossed detailing.
5. Pai Skincare
An episode of bad skin rash and a frustrating lack of effective, hypoallergenic, and organic products nudged Sarah Brown into launching Pai Skincare.
Brown strongly believes a product should only be labelled “natural” if most of what goes into it come from nature. That is why all of Pai’s face serums, creams, moisturizers, and oils bear a seal of approval by COSMOS Natural.
For a product to be certified COSMOS Natural, it needs to be cruelty-free and toxin-free, with 98% of ingredients of a natural origin. Besides COSMOS, Pai’s stand on non-animal testing is backed by a Leaping Bunny Program, a gold standard for cruelty-free. These products are not only kind to animals but also avoid using any endangered plant species or Genetically Modified material.
6. Elf Cosmetics
Elf Cosmetics is a perfect blend of safety, compassion, and affordability. A tricky combination, which they’ve managed to crack with their fabulous array of cruelty-free, paraben-free, and 100% vegan makeup, skincare, and tools. The name itself hints at what they stand for, which is “every eye, lip, face” and “paw” as well!
For their kindness to animals, Elf has not one but two coveted and cruelty-free certifications by Leaping Bunny and PETA. And trust us when we say this, earning these certifications is not a cakewalk. A brand needs to ensure every stage of its product development, ingredients, and finished products are free of animal testing through rigorous audits.
While most of you might already be familiar with this drugstore staple, if you’re still looking for recommendations, try something from their ever-popular Camo and Holy Hydration collections.
7. Maniko Nails
For a fabulous selection of fuss-free, stick-on nail polishes, look no further than Maniko Nails. This up-and-coming Berlin-based brand has been winning hearts for its ultra low-maintenance, cost-effective, and non-toxic nail polish strips.
Even more impressive is that everything they make is 100% vegan and animal-testing-free. Their unique nail polish strips are self-adhesive and made from real nail paint. Typically a pack of 26 of these will last you up to four applications.
You don’t need to peel them off. Simply wipe off your Maniko nails with a good ol’ nail remover, which the brand also sells, along with a fantastic Glass Nail File.
8. Umberto Giannini
Renowned hairstylist Umberto Giannini tragically passed away at 33 from a serious illness, but his legacy lives on through his eponymous brand, which he started with Claire Shread.
A proud vegan and talented artist, Claire works hard to make sure the brand always sticks to its guiding principle: Doing good business beautifully. And they are thrilled to be a part of low-impact, earth-friendly B Corp certified brands.
Umberto Giannini’s vault is teeming with excellent quality hair care products and colours that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and loaded with nature-derived ingredients. We also loved their vibrant, planet-friendly, fully-recyclable packaging. Fun and insta-worthy!
Final thoughts
We share this awe-inspiring planet with countless other species, and our lifestyle choices should never come at the cost of their well-being. By choosing to go for vegan beauty brands, you add your voice to a growing movement that supports sustainability, compassion for animals and a holistic lifestyle. Plus, your skin and conscience will thank you!