It is often a challenge for animal lovers to make conscious choices about the products they purchase. So what do you do? Cruelty-free cosmetics are sometimes not the best option if you’re thinking about animals because there is a chance that many products by a company listed as “cruelty-free” still contain animal-derived ingredients.

Hence, all the brands below are also known as “vegan” products – meaning that they contain no common cosmetic animal ingredients such as lanolin, beeswax, collagen, or keratin. PETA has a list here of animal ingredients to avoid when checking ingredients.

1. Everyday Minerals

Starting off the list of cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics brands is Everyday Minerals. This company was started in 2006 by Carina Menzies, who after spent time researching animal ingredient lists on products and discovered that plenty of them had unfavorable components.

The company states that they have never tested their ingredients or finished products on animals, nor do they do business with any supply chain that has tested on animals. Their policy, according to their No Animal Testing page, also explicitly states that they will not conduct business with any supplier that participates in or champions such activities. The brand is also gluten and GMO-free, recycles their empty makeup containers, and throws makeup parties for charities such that a percentage of the sales generated will be sent to The Rainforest Alliance or a charity of your choice!

2. Swagger Cosmetics

Right there on their products page, Swagger Cosmetics states that they are 100 percent vegan and cruelty -free, free from common fillers and irritants, and they also do not source ingredients that test on animals as well.

Founder Blake Karamazov began making her own cosmetics five years ago, inspired by memories of living in Las Vegas. All her cosmetics are a mixture of Russian literature, hip hop, and apparently elaborate wigs!

3. Beauty Without Cruelty

Beauty Without Cruelty was founded in England way back in 1963 by the trustees of the animal welfare organization BWC Charitable Trust and Lady Muriel Dowding (President of the National Anti-Vivisection Society). Their products contain no animal products, have not been tested on animals, and they are also certified by The Vegan Society. They have hair, skin, and body products made from natural ingredients and aroma-therapeutic essential oils. They also have a range of gluten-free products.

4. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Right under their logo, this brand states that they are 100 percent vegan and cruelty–free, as well as certified internationally by PETA. Makeup artist David Klasfeld founded this brand in 2004, starting out with only two lip balms – “Tarred” and “Feathered.” The company continued to introduce new products through various events. Wanting to make products truly “cruelty-free,” OCC pledges never to use animal-derived ingredients in their products and accessories.

5. Emani

Emani founder Michelle Doan suffered with cystic acne as a kid, which was made worse by major cosmetics brands, so she set off to make a line of cosmetics suitable for sensitive skin. Their Founder’s Note states clearly that they are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, talc-free, and gluten-free. They even have certification from PETA!

6. Pacifica

This brand was founded by Brook Harvey Taylor, who had initially started by mixing her own fragrances from essential oils she purchased from her local food co-op where her mother worked.  Billy Taylor, a student of photography and filmmaking, after much traveling decided along with Brook to sell seven of her scents as candles at a trade show. The candles were a hit, after which Pacifica expanded to other cosmetics and body care products. Their products are 100 percent vegan as well as cruelty-free. The company’s boxes are 100 percent recyclable and they use post-consumer materials as well as recycle.

Green Monsters: Don’t see your favorite brand on this list? Tell us which one you love with a comment below!

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