Are you struggling with acne and do you want to get rid of it in an animal-friendly way? We’ve got you! We went on the hunt for the very best vegan + cruelty-free acne products out there.
First, let’s talk acne.
Or jump directly to the best vegan + cruelty-free acne products
What Is Acne
According to healthline.com acne usually results from clogged pores. Pores can get clogged by a mix of dead skin cells, bacteria, oil and sebum. What is sebum, you ask? Sebum is the body-produced layer of oil that protects and hydrates our skin. If your body is over-producing sebum, combined by a buildup of dead skin cells, your pores can get blocked easily, which can lead to acne.
How To Clear Acne
Now we know the main cause of acne are clogged pores, we know we need some pore-clearing products. These products can be divided in cleansers, exfoliating and treatments.
Cleansing
One of the most important steps in an acne-prone’s skincare routine is cleansing. With acne-prone skin it is recommended to wash your face twice a day, in the morning as well as before bed. With this step it is very important to use the right facial cleanser for your skin type. As cleanser strips our moisture barrier and an overly stripped skin can produce more oil, we need a face wash that cleanses deeply without overly stripping. In general, for oily and combination skin types it is best to go for a gel or foam cleanser.
Exfoliating
To really get into the pores and shed all dead skin cells so the pores don’t get clogged, exfoliating is another important step in an acne-prone’s skincare routine.
Treatments
There are lots of skin-clearing treatments like serums, masks and spot treatments that are formulated with acne-fighting active ingredients, such as salicylic acid, tea tree oil and niacinamide. Incorporating a treatment as such to your routine can add to a clearer, pimple-free complexion over time.
From gel cleansers to spot treatments and clay masks, enter the 12 best vegan + cruelty-free acne products of 2021.
Index
- Foaming Cleanser: Youth To The People – Kale + Green Tea Cleanser
- Best Serum: The Ordinary – Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Spot Treatment: Mario Badescu – Drying Lotion
- Best Mask: Pixi – Glow Mud Mask
- Gel Cleanser: COSRX – Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Exfoliator: Paula’s Choice – Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Face Mask: Aztec Secret – Indian Healing Clay
- Best Gel Face Wash: Dermalogica – Clearing Skin Wash
- Pimple Patch: Cosrx – Pimple patch
- For Body Acne: Paula’s Choice – 2% BHA Body Smoothing Spot Exfoliant
- Spot Treatment: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare – Acne Eliminating Gel
- For Post-Acne Scars: Murad – InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment
The 12 Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Acne Products
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1/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Foaming Cleanser:
Youth To The People
Superfood Cleanser
Shop at Amazon | $$$
The foamy texture of this face wash deeply cleanses the pores, without overly stripping the skin. It dissolve makeup and excess oil, making this a perfect fit for oily and combination skin types. Made with a high dose of antioxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients like kale, spinach and anti-inflammatory green tea your skin is left feeling and looking super healthy. It has a light herbal-fresh scent. Plus, as it comes in a glas bottle, which you can buy refills for, it is environmental-proof.
Skin Type: normal, combination and oily | Key Ingredients: kale, spinach, green tea | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, YTTP is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, YTTP is a 100% vegan brand, which means none of their products contain animal-derived ingredients | Packaging: refillable glass bottle
Related: The Best Cruelty-Free Facial Cleansers
2/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Acne Serum:
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Shop at LOOKFANTASTIC | $
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, not only regulate the oil and sebum production, it also minimizes pore appearance and calms redness and irritation. But the benefits don’t stop there. Niacinamide also diminishes acne scars and improves uneven skin tone. The Ordinary’s niacinamide also comes with 1% zinc, for its anti-inflammatory properties.
The serum doesn’t leave behind a tacky feeling, unlike some other niacinamide serums. Being less than $6, this a very affordable option too.
Skin Type: combination and oily | Key Ingredients: niacinamide, zinc | Free of: paraben, sulfates, silicones, alcohol, oil, fragrance, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, The Ordinary is cruelty-free certified by Leaping Bunny & Peta. The Ordinary however is owned by Estée Lauder, which is not a cruelty-free brand. | Vegan: yes, The Ordinary is a 100% vegan brand, which means none of their products contain animal-derived ingredients | Packaging: glass bottle
3/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Spot Treatment:
Mario Badescu
Drying Lotion
Shop at Amazon | $$
To get rid of blemishes fast, dab on this award-winning drying lotion before bed. The fast-acting spot treatment contains active ingredients like salicylic acid and sulfur. It works like a tiny pink overnight mask to dry active pimples while you sleep. The next morning, your pimple will be on its way to full recovery.
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: salicylic acid, sulfur, calamine, zinc oxide | Free of: phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Mario Badescu is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: glass bottle
4/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Face Mask:
Pixi
Glow Mud Mask
Shop at Amazon | $$
This 15-minute facial, starring kaolin and sea salt, draws out oil and dirt from blemishes and pores, making pimples shrink instantly. It also keeps the skin from breaking out any further. Formulated with aloe vera and ginseng to balance the skin and leaving it healthy and glowing.
Skin Type: oily, combination, acne-prone | Key Ingredients: kaolin, sea salt, aloe vera, ginseng | Free of: paraben, sulfates, alcohol, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product however Pixi is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
5/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Gel Cleanser:
COSRX
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Shop at Amazon | $
This mild foaming gel cleanser is formulated with tea tree oil, known for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Being alcohol-free the K-beauty face wash cleanses gently without leaving your skin feeling dry or stripped. Note to scent sensitives, this face wash has a pretty strong tea tree smell.
Skin Type: all acne-prone skin, including sensitive | Key Ingredients: tea tree oil, evening primrose oil | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol, fragrance, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product however COSRX is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
RELATED: COSRX’s Bestselling Products
6/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Exfoliator For Combination to Oily Skin:
Paula’s Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Shop at Amazon | $$$
This cult-favorite skin-clearing product is formulated with a high concentration of exfoliant ingredient salicylic acid (BHA), which goes deep into the pores and pushes out all excess oil, dirt and sebum. It reduces acne, whiteheads, blackheads and oiliness, making this a hero product for especially oily skin types. The leave-on liquid can be applied with a cotton pad or your fingers and absorbs quickly.
Skin Type: oily, combination and acne-prone skin, whiteheads, blackheads | Key Ingredients: salicylic acid | Free of: paraben, phthalates sulfates SLS and SLES, alcohol, fragrance, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Paula’s Choice is Leaping Bunny and PETA certified cruelty-free. However Paula’s Choice is owned by Unilever, which is not a cruelty-free brand. | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Paula’s Choice is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: recyclable plastic
Related: The Best Cruelty-Free Face Exfoliators
7/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Face Mask for Acne:
Aztec Secret
Indian Healing Clay
Shop at Amazon | $
Having a major breakout? It is time for some clay. This affordable clay mask absorbs excess oil and draws out impurities out the pores making them visibly look smaller. The one-ingredient clay can be mixed with water or apple cider vinegar for an even deeper cleanse. The clay becomes quite hard on the skin and it can feel a little tight when clay-free again, but nothing a moisturizer can’t fix.
Skin type: all acne-prone skin types | Key Ingredients: 100% natural calcium bentonite clay | Free of: additives, fragrance, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes | Packaging: plastic
Related: The Best Cruelty-Free Face Masks
8/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Acne Face Wash:
Dermalogica
Clearing Skin Wash
Shop at Amazon | $$$
This gel cleanser is formulated with natural exfoliant salicylic acid, antibacterial tea tree and skin-calming (and cooling) menthol. It doesn’t foam much, but leaves your pores ultra-clean without over-drying the skin. It has an invigorating minty smell.
Skin Type: normal, combination, oily, acne-prone skin | Key Ingredients: salicylic acid, tea tree, green tea, zinc, menthol | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, mineral oil, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Dermalogica is PETA-certified cruelty-free. Dermalogicar is owned by Unilever, which is not a cruelty-free company. | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Dermalogica is not a 100% vegan brand| Packaging: recyclable plastic
9/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Pimple Patch:
COSRX
Pimple Master Patch
Shop at Amazon | $
Do you have a pimple that needs to be gone ASAP? Put on a pimple patch. Cosrx’s pimple patch puts a seal over the pimple to draw out oil making the blemish shrink overnight. The next morning you will see the oil that came out on the patch (gross but satisfying) and a significantly smaller pimple on your face. The K-Beauty pimple patch also helps to prevent infection and calm down redness.
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: hydrocolloid bandage | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however COSRX is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
10/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Treatment For Body Acne:
Paula’s Choice
Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Shop at Amazon | $$
Bye bye back-ne. If breakouts or bumps on chest, shoulders or anywhere else below-the-neck are a skin concern of yours, this is a product to try. The exfoliating lotion formulated with 2% salicylic acid effectively removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores for a smooth bump-free body. The lightweight leave-on is quickly absorbed into the skin and doesn’t feel greasy at all. As with all PC products, it has nearly to no scent.
Skin Type: acne-prone | Key Ingredients: salicylic acid | Free of: paraben, sulfates, alcohol | Cruelty-Free: yes, Paula’s Choice is Leaping Bunny and PETA certified cruelty-free. However Paula’s Choice is owned by Unilever, which is not a cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Paula’s Choice is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: recyclable plastic
11/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Spot Treatment:
Dr. Dennis Gross
Acne Eliminating Gel
Shop at Amazon | $$$
The lightweight gel is formulated with the best acne-fighting and pore-purging ingredients out there: salicylic acid and niacinamide. Not only does this gel clear pores, control oiliness and calm blemishes overnight, it also works in the long run as it prevents future breakouts. Some reviews say it works better than prescription acne products and it isn’t even harsh on the skin. A little goes a long way, so you know it is going to last a long time.
Skin Type: normal, combination, oily, acne-prone | Key Ingredients: salicylic acid, niacinamide, monk’s pepper | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Dr. Dennis Gross is PETA-certified cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however the brand also offers products containing animal-derived ingredients | Packaging: plastic
12/12
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Acne Scar Treatment:
Murad
InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment
Shop at Amazon | $$$
When you’ve found your skincare to keep acne under control, it is time to get rid of those post-acne scars. Besides containing salicylic acid for exfoliation to reduce scar texture, Murad’s resurfacing treatment is derived with vitamin C and centella asiatica (also known as tiger grass, an asian herbal plant which is known for its skin-healing properties) to reduce acne scars and discoloration and improve the overall look of the skin.
Skin Type: all | Key Ingredients: salicylic acid (BHA), vitamin C, hydroxytyrosol, centella asiatica | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Murad is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. However Murad is owned by Unilever, which is not a cruelty-free company | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Murad is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
RELATED: The Best Cruelty-Free + Vegan Gel Moisturizers
Other Things To Keep Acne Under Control
- Wash your face twice a day, in the morning and evening.
- Use noncomedogenic, oil-free skin care products to reduce the risk of clogged pores.
- Pick the right moisturizer for your skin. If you have oily skin, you need a lightweight consistency, like a gel or cream-gel moisturizer.
- Wear sunscreen. The reason for this is that active acne-fighting ingredients can make our skin more sensitive to the sun. A perfect sunscreen for acne-prone skin is Coola Full Spectrum Sun Silk Drops SPF30 and Glossier Invisible Shield SPF35.
- Change your pillow case regularly. While we sleep our skin is pushing out oil and dirt build-up from the day before. When we rest our head on the same pillowcase the next night, this can cause another breakout.
- Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes (never ever) and actually don’t touch your face. This can spread bacteria, dirt and oil from your hands to your face and can clog the pores which can lead to breakouts.
