Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet

20th January 2025 | By Tamara Corin

Beauty lovers, it’s time to level up your routine—and your conscience. Google searches for vegan products are up 5,000% in the last 30 days, and it’s worth noting that switching to vegan beauty products isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement toward compassion, sustainability, and guilt-free glam. Ready to decode vegan beauty and discover the top ten vegan beauty swaps that do the same job as your go-tos, but kinder? Let’s dive in!

So, What Makes Vegan Different?

Vegan beauty products skip animal-derived ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, and carmine (made from crushed beetles). They’re also cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing at any stage of production. These swaps go hand-in-hand with a more sustainable approach, as many vegan brands prioritise eco-friendly packaging and clean ingredients.

Why Make the Switch?

Choosing vegan beauty swaps doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. These products work just as well—if not better—than their conventional counterparts. Plus, they’re kinder to animals, reduce your environmental impact, and support brands committed to making the world a better place.

5 Ways to Decode Vegan Beauty

Read Ingredient Lists: Familiarise yourself with common animal-derived ingredients to avoid:

Beeswax: Found in lip balms and mascaras. Look for candelilla wax or carnauba wax as vegan alternatives.

Lanolin: Used in moisturisers; derived from sheep’s wool. Plant-based oils like shea butter or jojoba oil are great substitutes.

Carmine: A red pigment from crushed beetles. Choose synthetic or plant-based pigments instead.

Collagen & Keratin: Found in anti-ageing products; often sourced from animals. Opt for products with plant-based peptides or hyaluronic acid.

Guanine: Gives shimmer in makeup; sourced from fish scales. Look for synthetic mica or plant-based shimmer.

“Switching to vegan skincare and haircare offers numerous benefits for both personal well-being and the planet. Vegan products are free from animal-derived ingredients, often making them gentler on the skin and hair, reducing the risk of irritation and allergies. They tend to feature natural, plant-based ingredients that nourish and hydrate more effectively, promoting healthier skin and hair over time. Additionally, by choosing vegan options, consumers support cruelty-free practices and contribute to a more sustainable, eco-friendly industry, helping to reduce environmental harm caused by animal farming and chemical production.” – Anna Brightman, co-founder of UpCircle.

1. Look for Certifications

Look for recognised vegan and cruelty-free certifications.

• The Vegan Society

• Leaping Bunny

• PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies

2. Explore Vegan Ingredients

Vegan products often incorporate nourishing plant-based ingredients:

Aloe Vera: For hydration and soothing

Plant Oils: Like argan, coconut, and rosehip oil for moisturising and anti-aging

Botanical Extracts: Such as green tea and camomile for their antioxidant properties

3. Research the Brand

Some brands label individual products as vegan but may not be entirely vegan-friendly. Research the brand’s stance on veganism and animal testing.

4. Be Wary of Greenwashing

“Natural” Isn’t Always Vegan. Terms like “natural” or “organic” don’t necessarily mean vegan. Always check the ingredient list and certifications.

Simple Vegan Beauty Swaps

1.
Swap out traditional foundations for this lightweight, vegan, and cruelty-free alternative. Packed with skin-loving botanicals, it offers buildable coverage without compromising your values.
2.
Trade in your regular mascara for this plant-based wonder. Infused with conditioning hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, it delivers dramatic lashes with zero animal testing.
3.
Instead of beeswax-laden lipsticks, reach for these vegan lip oils. Super glossy, hydrating, and comes in an array of colours.
4.
Skip blushes that use carmine (derived from beetles) and opt for this trending creamy, multi-purpose vegan balm. It delivers a natural flush and is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
5.
Ditch cleansers with animal-derived ingredients for this nutrient-packed, kale and spinach-powered face wash. It’s gentle, effective, and 100% vegan.
6.
Instead of face creams that sneak in animal by products, try this hardworking formula. This vegan blend simultaneously firms, regenerates cells and moisturises, and looks gorgeous on your shelf.
7.
Packed with plant-based ingredients like hibiscus peptides and bakuchiol to promote youthful, radiant skin. A bestseller for good reason.
8.
Celebrated for its lightweight, non-greasy formula that hydrates and locks in moisture for all skin types. Derived sustainably from sugarcane, this multipurpose oil is both eco-friendly and incredibly effective.
9.
This is a supercharged organic eye and lip cream that helps to reduce puffiness and dark undereye circles, whilst tackling the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
10.
Vegan beauty can be at the forefront of innovation, like this night cream which uses exosomes to deliver the best results whilst you sleep plus cashew extract to increase the length of skin cell for the ultimate in skin health.

The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.


Want to receive more great articles like this every day? Join our daily email now


  • Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet
    Win A Cocktail Masterclass + A Omakase Experience For 4 At Lucky Cat By Gordon Ramsay, Worth £900

    Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.

    Click for full T&Cs

  • Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet
    Win a Luxury Fragrance Bundle With Britain’s Most Elegant New Beauty Brand

    Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.

  • Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet
    Score 2 VIP ‘Love Fifteen’ Tickets Worth Over £660

    Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.

    Click for full T&Cs

  • Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet
    Win A Fondue Experience For Four Worth Over £200

    Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.

    Click for full T&Cs

  • Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet
    Win A Stay At Boutique London Hotel Worth Over £500

    Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.

  • Vegan Beauty Swaps: Glow Up While Being Kinder to Animals and the Planet
    Win Acclaimed 9-Course Tasting Menu With Wine Pairing For Two At London’s Top Restaurant

    Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.

    Click for full T&Cs