The 10 Best Vegan Face Wash for a Cruelty-Free Skincare Routine



Looking for the perfect vegan face wash but haven’t had any luck? I’ve been there. It can be difficult to find a cruelty-free face wash that is gentle, natural, and effective. Luckily for you, I have done some research on this very topic. Below I have gathered a list of 10 of the best vegan face wash that will support both your skin and your conscience. Let’s dive in!
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Youth To The People – Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Let’s start off with a well-respected product in the world of vegan face wash: Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. This product is best for oily, combination, and normal skin.
This cruelty-free face wash boasts three power ingredients. First is kale, which is rich in vitamins C, E, and K that brighten the skin. Second is spinach, with essential fatty acids that condition the skin. Third is green tea, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that fights signs of aging.
All in all, this product helps prevent buildup in pores and supports your skin’s pH balance. It’s not only vegan and cruelty-free but eco-friendly as well. The product comes in a recyclable glass pump jar that users have the option of refilling. Youth To The People is a highly sustainable brand in the world of skincare. Beyond reusable packaging, the brand donates to various environmental and societal charities. Further, the brand only sources natural, non-pollutant ingredients throughout its products.
The Ordinary – Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary is far from ordinary with its selection of cruelty-free face wash. The brand specializes in vegan products with minimal and clean ingredients. The Squalane Cleanser is no exception. This vegan face wash is a gentle cleansing formula and targets makeup removal. It is free of parabens, formaldehyde, and other toxic ingredients.
Many makeup-removing products strip the skin dry. This cleanser is an exception. It cleanses the skin, removes makeup, and leaves the skin feeling hydrated. This face wash cleanses the skin with only the smallest drop of product. The texture of the cleanser lends itself to an abundant lather. With this, it leaves the skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
Not only is this product easy on the skin, but it is also easy on the wallet. This effective cleanser is only$7.90 for the small size and $19.90 for the larger size! The Ordinary provides the humble prices and high-quality products we crave.
Shop at Sephora ($7.90) | Shop at Ulta ($7.90)
Dermalogica – Special Cleansing Gel
Looking for a vegan face wash that minimizes pores and brightens the skin? Consider Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel. This cruelty-free face wash is perfect for normal, combination, and oily skin types. This cleanser stands out with its natural, plant-based ingredients. First is quillaja saponaria bark extract, a foaming ingredient that cleanses the skin. Next is the appearance of lavender to calm the skin. Last is balm mint to cool and hydrate the skin.
This vegan face wash also keeps things natural in its function. It removes impurities without disrupting your skin’s natural moisture balance. By doing so, this gel cleanser helps maintain pH levels.
Dermalogica concentrates on dermatologist-approved skin care products. The brand seeks to solve a wide range of skin issues, from redness to acne and dark circles. All in all, Dermalogica is a high-quality, trustworthy brand!
Shop at Sephora ($39.50) | Shop at Ulta ($39.50)
Indie Lee – Brightening Cleanser
Want a multi-functional vegan face wash? Look no further than this Brightening Cleanser from Indie Lee. This product is a cleanser, makeup remover, and mask all in one! It contains plant-based ingredients that cleanse and enhance the skin. A great example of this is the antioxidants-rich ingredient of strawberry seed oil. This ingredient protects, brightens, and hydrates the skin.
The berry blend of this product facilitates a lightly foaming, gentle formula. Another unique quality of this vegan face wash is that it doubles as an exfoliator when used as a mask. Simply leave the mask on for five minutes and rinse! This will help smooth uneven texture and minimize the appearance of pores. Indie Lee focuses on combining natural ingredients with scientist-backed innovations. Here you will find the world’s finest sourced ingredients and the latest in skincare technology.
Shop at Sephora ($36) | Shop at Ulta ($36)
Glossier – Milky Jelly Cleanser
Suffer from dry skin? Give the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser a chance! This cruelty-free, vegan face wash provides skin with the hydration it craves. The bouncy formula keeps this moisture-rich product lightweight at the same time.
This cleanser consists of five skin conditioners that nourish the skin. Instead of traditional soap, this face wash contains polxamer. This is the same mild cleansing agent found in contact lens solution. Thus, this cleanser is safe on the eyes and won’t sting when removing mascara!
This vegan face wash composes of two phases. The “jelly” phase dissolves oil, dirt, and makeup. The “milky” phase conditions the skin to keep it moisturized. Use this product on its own or as the first step in your double cleansing routine. Given its gel-based consistency, this product is simple, light, and conditioning. Try the Milky Jelly Cleaner out for a gentle and light cleansing experience!
Glow Recipe – Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
According to Glow Recipe, blueberries are the key to glowing skin. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, blueberries provide protection from environmental stressors. Beyond blueberries, this vegan face wash contains hyaluronic acid and AHAs. The hyaluronic acid seals in moisture while the AHAs gently exfoliate the skin. In this way, this vegan face wash reveals brighter skin over time.
This cruelty-free product acts bests as a makeup remover due to its lightweight texture. It can be the first step in a double cleansing technique or used independently. Those with acne concerns will find bliss with this product.
Another great quality of this product is its bounciness. The lightweight formula ensures that the skin is not stripped of its natural oils. Glow Recipe is widely known for its focus on plant-based skincare ingredients. This product is just one example of the brand’s commitment to naturally-sourced ingredients.
Drunk Elephant – Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
A lightweight gel formula suitable for all skin types, meet Drunk Elephant’s Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser. This product focuses on reducing redness through its inclusion of cantaloupe fruit extract. Beyond improving discoloration, cantaloupe fruit extract provides instant hydration to the skin. This vegan face wash also includes a coconut-based surfactant blend. This blend is rich in fatty acids that effectively cleanses the skin and leaves you with a radiant glow.
If you are looking for a gentle lather, this is the product for you. This product is designed for sensitive skin, and a little goes a long way! Drunk Elephant is a brand that focuses on balancing pH levels. This product specifically is at an ideal, non-stripping pH level of 5.5.
Not only is this product effective at cleansing the skin, but it boasts pure ingredients. This cleanser is free of SLS, fragrance, essential oils, and silicones. Give this gentle formula a chance if your skin is sensitive to product ingredients.
Shop at Sephora ($32) | Shop at Ulta ($32)
Milk Makeup – Vegan Milk Cleanser
Looking for a vegan face wash designed for dry skin? Check out this Vegan Milk Cleanser from Milk. This cruelty-free face wash includes fig milk, oat milk, and argan milk. The milk trifecta of this product provides supple moisture to the skin. It also includes squalane, which seals in hydration and provides antioxidants.
If you are someone who prefers a thicker lather, this is the product for you. This vegan face wash provides a foamy consistency suitable for sensitive skin. Not only is this product gentle, but it is free of fragrance, parabens, and other toxic ingredients. Given its easy lather, little product is required per use. Thus, this product is designed to last a long time, making its $30 tag worth the investment.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare – AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel
For a refreshing and spa-like experience, try out the Dr. Dennis Gross AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel! This vegan face wash consists of jasmine, clove, and grape extract. Thus, this product offers an indulgent cleansing experience. This product is suitable for all skin types but is especially great for those with dry skin. The gel-to-foam formula cleanses the skin without stripping it dry.
This cruelty-free face wash includes AHAs and BHAs, two exfoliant properties. All in all this product minimizes pores by both cleansing and exfoliating the skin. Beyond this, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone, and texture. Given that this product is free of sulfates and fragrances, skin is left feeling soft and supple. This product also includes willow bark extract. This ingredient is a natural source of salicylic acid that gently exfoliates and clears pores.
Murad – Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser
Last but certainly not least is the Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser. This cruelty-free face wash targets both breakouts and soothes the skin. The product has two types of salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an organic compound that unplugs blocked skin pores. Thus, this vegan face wash purifies the skin and treats acne even after rinsing.
Beyond this, the cleanser also includes green tea extract. This ingredient soothes and calms the skin after cleansing. It can be hard to find a vegan face wash that is suitable for sensitive skin, but this product works for all skin types. Murad specializes in skin care products that protect the skin from harmful toxins. If you are seeking a long-term, gentle solution to your acne, look no further than this product from Murad!
Shop at Sephora ($34) | Shop at Ulta ($34)
Final Thoughts
So apparently it is possible to find an ethical, sustainable and effective face wash! It is important now more than ever to find cruelty-free skincare brands that we can trust. Refer to this list of vegan face wash whenever you need a reminder!