10 Vegan and Cruelty-Free Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Skincare Products

When you think of acid, you most likely don’t think of facial beauty products? Most likely, you don’t want acid anywhere near any part of your epidermis. While this is a totally normal reaction, there are a slew of natural, plant-based acids that are incredibly healthy for your skin! One category of popularly used and tolerated acids are hydroxy acids. This grouping of benign acids has been shown to actually smooth, tighten, brighten, and firm facial skin. Dermatologists actually swear by these products and recommend them to patients to help reduce signs of aging, repair damage, and even help manage acne.

How does hydroxy acid work? Basically, these acids “weaken the ‘cellular glue’ that makes dead skin cells stick together, encouraging exfoliation and revealing healthy, younger skin cells.” Plus, hydroxy acids that are prescribed at higher concentrations “can also function beyond the surface of the skin and work in the epiderma and dermal layers to deliver additional results, such as collagen and elastin remodeling, pigment lightening and melanin suppression.”

So, now you may be interested, but now you have to decide which hydroxy acid is right for you. There are alpha hydroxy acids — which include glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and citric acid — and then there are beta hydroxy acids — which include salicylic acids. While salicylic acid is used primarily to fight off acne, alpha hydroxy acids generally fight physical signs of aging, pigmentation issues, and increase plumpness and tightening via promotion of natural collagen and elastin.

Today, we’ll focus on alpha hydroxy acids.

Now, you know what type you need, but did you also know that these acids can sometimes be sourced from animals? This is why it’s so important to be conscious of the type of alpha hydroxy skin care product you chose. Luckily, here’s a compiled list of both cruelty-free and vegan alpha hydroxy products to get you started down the right path!

1. Beauty Without Cruelty Skin Renewal Moisturizing Lotion

Beauty Without Cruelty Skin Renewal Moisturizing Lotion/Amazon.com

Beauty Without Cruelty is a trusted cruelty-free brand that has been serving up conscious products since 1963. This Beauty Without Cruelty Skin Renewal Moisturizing Lotion is 100 percent vegetarian, offering up an eight percent plant-based alpha hydroxy blend with kukui nut, avocado, sea minerals, green tea, and enriched with vitamin anti-oxidants. This formula reduces the physical signs of aging, helps retain moisture, protects the skin from environmental agents, tones, texturizes, and provides an overall younger and healthier complexion. A 4-liquid ounce bottle costs $15.52.

Ann says “After using this ONE night I was in love. Works without stripping oils, unclogs all the sunscreen and if used with its companion products you will be hooked forever. Worth the money.”

2. Nonie Alpha Hydroxy Face & Body Lotion

Nonie Alpha Hydroxy Face & Body Lotion/Amazon.com

Nonie Alpha Hydroxy Face & Body Lotion is a 100 percent vegan alternative, while still maintaining the highest potency and quality ingredients. This product is free of parabens, alcohol, detergent, mineral oils, perfume, petrochemicals and uses an all-natural grapefruit seed extract preservative. Using a blend of alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins A, B, C, and E, this face and body lotion aims to reduce the physical signs of aging — including fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage — increases hydration, stimulates cell renewal, strengthens the skin’s natural collagen and elastin fibers, and provides deep pore cleansing. A 7-fluid ounce glass bottle costs $31.51.

Lblack says “This is the best lotion I have ever had. It’s smooth and it makes my skin look and feel great. The older I get the more dry and saggy. But this stuff seems to magically infuse my skin! I’m buying more today actually. I’m in my 50s, so I know of what I speak.”

3. Derma-E Radiance Toner With Glycolic Acid and Rosehip Extract

Derma E Radiance Toner with Glycolic Acid and Rosehip Extract/Amazon.com

Derma-E is an excellent brand for the conscious consumer. This Derma-E Radiance Toner with Glycolic Acid and Rosehip Extract is not only 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free, but it also uses non-GMO ingredients and is free of gluten and soy. To top it off, this product uses recyclable and sustainably sourced packaging. This unique formula uses glycolic acid — an alpha hydroxy acid — blended with rosehip extract to revive, detoxify, purify, tone, tighten, and brighten your skin. A 6-fluid ounce bottle costs $9.03.

Lauren says “I have been struggling with closed comedones for as long as I can remember and I bought this to combine it with the double cleansing method and take a shot and eliminating them, and it worked. I don’t have a single one on my face now. I will note that my skin purged badly for about a week after I started incorporating it into my nighttime routine, so if you get a bad breakout right after you start using it, don’t give up on it right away—you might also be dealing with a purge! I am just SO happy with this toner.”

4. TreeActiv Crepey Skin Repair Treatment

This vegan, cruelty-free, and non-GMO TreeActiv Crepey Skin Repair Treatment is specifically targeted to counteract the physical sign of aging by infusing nourishing agents that also improve elasticity, stimulate collagen production, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. TreeActiv is not only for your face, but can also be used on the neck, chest, legs, and arms. This formula uses the regenerative and healing powers of alpha hydroxy fruit acids, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. An 8-fluid ounce jar costs $33.20.

Deborah says “Aging is a reality. The first time I noticed my arms seemed to have suddenly lost all tone and my knees were sagging, and my chest was so wrinkled it was like, gross!!!, I went looking for a cream that would make a difference. I apply TreeActiv Crepey Skin Repair Treatment in the shower while there is still moisture left on my skin. I really make sure I get the areas of most concern to me, and, shockingly, it actually makes a difference. My skin looks much more toned, big difference on my chest. No creme is going to be perfect, but this one delivers substantial results. Strongly recommend.”

5. NutraNuva 100 % Vegan Face Food Anti-Aging & Eye Wrinkle Cream

NutraNuva Face Food Anti-Aging & Eye Wrinkle Cream/Amazon.com

This NutraNuva 100 % Vegan Face Food Anti-Aging & Eye Wrinkle Cream uses a 100 percent vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free blend of hyaluronic acid, phytoceramides, amino peptides, retinol, copper peptides, CoQ10, vitamin E, matrixyl 3000, and collagen protein. NutraNuva Face Food promises to nourish, repair, and renew aging skin by stimulating new cell generation, boosting the production of collagen and elastin, and infusing the skin with natural nourishing agents. This product is free of harmful fillers, parabens, dyes, sulfates, PEGs, and petrochemicals. A 2-fluid ounce tube costs $30.35.

WhtDov says “I’m very picky with my skin care products. I have tried so many and because I have combination/oily skin prone to acne that is also now aging (35 years old) it is almost impossible for me to find products that work for both issues – aging and acne/oily skin. Face Food actually cover both problems! The cream is not oily, it absorbs fast but is moisturizing enough, it works around the eye area and my neck. Smoother, brighter skin. The cream polished the pores and helped with fine lines. The price is amazing! I can only compare the quality of this cream with products I purchased at Sephora and Ulta! This price though is so, so, so much cheaper! I’m so impressed that I bought another one once I ran out of it! That is such a huge deal to me! I’m so not used to being happy with face care products. I was actually hesitant to leave a review at first because I wanted to use it long enough before being sure that I like it. Overall, great product and great price! Don’t hesitate to try it.”

6. 5 Elements Coconut Derived Glycolic Acid Cleanser

5 Elements Coconut Derived Glycolic Acid Cleanser/Amazon.com

5 Elements is a unique company that strives to use only 5 plant-based, vegan-friendly ingredients in their products. This 5 Elements Coconut Derived Glycolic Acid Cleanser doesn’t disappoint with only five plant-based ingredients including coconut-derived decyl glucoside, sugarcane-derived glycolic acid, vegetable-sourced glycerin, and mushroom-derived sclerotium gum. This simple cleanser is anything but when it comes to protecting and refreshing this skin! With zero preservatives and fragrances, 5 Elements Coconut Derived Glycolic Acid Cleanser lowers and balances the skins pH levels, removes dead skin cells, and reduces bacterial proliferation. An 8-fluid ounce bottle costs $14.16.

Melissa Mingus says “I miss this cleanser! It hasn’t been in stock for a while. It was one of the best cleansers I have used to date that has actually helped my skin. I have many severe allergies along with eczema. This didn’t irritate my skin at all but rather helped it. It cleared any blemishes and renewed my skin as well. It was a small bottle but it lathers so well you really don’t need much. I highly recommend this cleanser.”

7. NutraNuva Face Food Anti-Aging Natural Serum Complex Vegan Formula

NutraNuva makes this list twice with both a moisturizing cream and this targeting anti-aging serum blend! This NutraNuva Face Food Anti-Aging Natural Serum Complex Vegan Formula is not only vegan and cruelty-free, but it’s also free of harmful fillers, parabens, dyes, sulfates, fragrances, PEGs, gluten and uses non-GMO ingredients. This blend includes healing vitamin C extract from the kakadu plum, hyaluronic acid, amino peptides, caviar lime with natural alpha hydroxy acids, niacinamide, bamboo, lotus, water lily, and aloe vera. This formula provides deep antioxidant penetration to nourish, repair, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and leave the skin feeling and appearing silky smooth and youthful. A 1-fluid ounce jar costs $26.55.

AZCheryl says “I finally found the perfect product at a most reasonable price. I have tried every anti-aging system available from supermodels’ brands to doctor’s prescriptions. It seems that many do enhance the skin somewhat, but only so far. The prescription brands have warnings not to use over two months! That warning in comparison to all the natural ingredients in Face Food products was enough for me. My skin definitely is softer and clearer. It doesn’t even advertise that it fades brown spots, but it does. I love Face Food products because they can make a difference and you don’t go broke reordering. Best buy for skin care in my very experienced opinion.”

8. LuxeJoie AHA Cream Facial Moisturizer

LuxeJoie AHA Cream Facial Moisturizer/Amazon.com

This LuxeJoie AHA Cream Facial Moisturizer is a great vegan and cruelty-free alternative of alpha hydroxy moisturizing creams! This product is made with 80 percent organic ingredients including organic aloe based with coconut, apricot oil, and shea butter. LuxJoie is proud to offer products that are free of parabens, phthalates, and gluten. This formula utilizes natural fruit acids, which promote the natural shedding of dry dead skin and allows new cell regeneration for supple and youthful skin. A 2-ounce jar costs $15.99.

Annette Davis says “I love this cream. I used it for a couple of weeks and my skin feels nice and soft. It’s so lightweight and smooth. Please keep this product in stock because I’m sure I’ll be back for more!”

9. DERMA-E Overnight Peel with Alpha Hydroxy Acids

DERMA-E Overnight Peel with Alpha Hydroxy Acids/Amazon.com

If you love DERMA-E and want another alpha hydroxy-rich skincare product, here’s a second item that will be a great addition to your regimen. This DERMA-E Overnight Peel with Alpha Hydroxy Acids is 100 percent vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and uses non-GMO ingredients. This specific formula uses non-abrasive alpha hydroxy acids and healing vitamin C that exfoliates, retexturizes, tightens, revitalizes, rejuvenates, protects and help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, as well as diminish impurities and blemishes. This product is also free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, and lanolins. A 2-fluid ounce bottle costs $14.24.

Mckeesbird says “I am 60 years old with acne rosacea and have difficulty finding products that don’t cause problems. This not only did not cause any problems but really helps my skin. The fluid is soft and silky and goes on easily, with no rubbing. I left it on overnight first time and didn’t break out at all and my skin looks smoother, feels softer and glows more. I will definitely be ordering again and highly recommend to anyone looking for gentle yet effective improvement in their skin.”

10. Beauty Without Cruelty A.H.A. 3% Facial Cleanser

Beauty Without Cruelty A.H.A. 3% Facial Cleanser/Amazon.com

This Beauty Without Cruelty A.H.A. 3% Facial Cleanser is an excellent cleansing step before applying the Beauty Without Cruelty moisturizer topping this list. As with other Beauty Without Cruelty products, this facial cleanser is 100 percent vegetarian and cruelty-free. This product uses a potent three percent alpha hydroxy complex that is great for normal to dry skin types. An 8.5-fluid ounce bottle costs $10.99.

Anne D. Terry says “I have tried a good deal of facial cleaners, from very expensive to moderate priced. The BWC face wash foams a bit, is non-drying to my older skin, and clearly removes dry and old skin cells, With a soft circular hand scrubber, the results are as good as any and better than most products I have used over the years. The fact that no animals are used in developing and testing is a huge plus for me. I have worked in medical research and animal use is gratuitous and unnecessary. With modern research technologies in vitro testing is sufficient, more reproducible, more exacting.”

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