11 Best Vegan Cruelty Free Face Wash

Last Updated on 01/06/2023

A face wash and moisturizer is the simplest skincare routine ever. So here is a list of some of our favorite cruelty free face wash and cleanser. These include non-drying and hydrating ones. Vegan picks are included too. Here is how to get started with a simple cruelty free skincare routine.

Some links may be affiliate.

How can I know if a cleanser is cruelty free?

A cruelty-free product is mostly labeled and easy to recognize. Look for the official Leaping Bunny and PETA logo. Don’t fall for gimmick labels. You can rely on us. We verify the brands if needed reach out to them. The brands mentioned here are all cruelty-free – free of animal testing on the final product and sourced ingredients by the brand, supplier, or any other party.

Is animal friendly, not tested on animals, and cruelty-free the same?

No, animal-friendly or free of animal testing are coverups for the cruelty-free label. ‘Animal friendly’ indicates that animals weren’t harmed but did undergo testing. ‘No animal testing by the brand’ is another popular statement that means the brand didn’t test itself but funded the testing.

Which face wash brands are cruelty free?

• Garnier
• Pacifica
• Acure
• Vanicream
• Elf
• Glossier
• Andalou Naturals
• Boscia
• PUR Beauty
• Mario Badescu
• The Body Shop
• Drunk Elephant

Which cleanser brands test on animals?

These body and face wash brands are involved in testing –

• Dove
• Olay
• Cerave
• Cetaphil
• Neutrogena
• Nivea

Tips

• There are a few anti-aging face wash here. But to actually get the benefit of anti-aging, I recommend using serums and good night cream. Cleansers do get washed off eventually. Don’t skip sunscreen. Go for a good SPF one and your skin will thank you for years to come. 
• Don’t forget the neck while washing your face.
• Some face wash remove makeup as well. But it is better to double cleanse whenever you’re wearing makeup. It ensures that no makeup residue is left and your skin is also cleansed. Here is a list of some cruelty free makeup remover balm that melts makeup without any hassle.

Readers’ Favorites

Some of you shared your favorites with us. Thank you, the most popular are –

COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser 

Inkey List Acne + Pore Cleanser

Best Vegan & Cruelty Free Face Wash

Let’s get started!

1. Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleanser 

This Murad anti-aging cleanser is amazing because it is a cleanser and gentle exfoliator. It cleanses thoroughly and didn’t cause any breakouts. Not foamy though. Although it exfoliates your skin, it is suitable for daily usage. If you don’t like the idea of everyday exfoliation, use a mild face wash alongside.

You will like this if you are into hydrating and moisturizing creamy cleansers. It leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized, no kidding. That is the total opposite of what most of the other products do, they strip off natural skin oil. Totally why we love this one by Murad.

Pros:

• Hydrating
• Suitable for dry skin
• Free of baddies such as parabens, phthalates & gluten 
• Makes skin smooth, soft

Cons:

• Not for oily skin

2. Jack Black Daily Facial Cleanser

Jack Black Pure Clean is one of my go-to face wash because it cleans the skin deeply. It feels fresh after use, not drying. Although it is a 2-in-1 product that also works as a toner, I still like to spray some facial mist. The 2-in-1 ‘toner’ thingy doesn’t make my skin feel dry. Anyhow, it’s a great facial wash that’s suitable for all skin types.

Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Cleanser is another variant that works as a cleanser, exfoliant, and face mask. A nice multi-purpose product that contains glycolic acid. It is fragrance-free and that is why it is not a personal favorite.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like complicated skincare regimes, Jack Black is something you should not miss. I love their hand cream and deodorant.

Pros:

• Light fragrance
• Sulfate-free
• Suitable for all skin types
• Great for daily use
• Won’t dry out your skin

Cons:

• None

3. Dermalogica Acne Clearing Wash

This vegan face wash clears my acne and calms the breakouts. It is perfect for oily, combination skin that deals with visible pores, oiliness, blackheads, and blemishes. However, I do use a salicylic acid serum.

Dermalogica anti-aging skin wash is a gentle, foaming cleanser that helps with acne-prone skin. It has soothing ingredients including menthol, camphor, and tea tree. Not a big fan of the fragrance though. But love how it works.

Also provides fresh, bright, and smooth skin. Removes excess oil and cleanses nicely. You don’t need much, a little goes a long way. It contains salicylic acid which helps to clear clogged pores, and also acts as an exfoliant.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Helps to clear acne
• Deals with breakout & irritable skin
• Gluten-free
• Free of all nasty ingredients – parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, oxybenzone
• Recyclable packaging
• Good for oily skin type

Cons:

• Not for dry skin

4. Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing

The fragrance is light, almost negligible. It won’t only clean your skin but also work on blemishes. Perfect face wash for oily to combinational skin, it detoxifies and hydrates. A little is good to go and will last long. It is non-drying and contains organic ingredients. It works on adult acne and I saw visible blemish reduction.

Pros:

• Hydrating
• Reduces blemishes & breakouts
• Suitable for blemish-prone skin
• Works effectively on bumpy irregular skin
• Cleanses well

Cons:

• None

5. Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel 

It is a gel cleanser that cleans dirt and impurities on the skin’s surface. Removes excess oil and makes your skin feel fresh as ever. You will like it if you are into a gentle daily cleanser that smells pleasant and removes grime well. It doesn’t lather as it is gel-based. Doesn’t strip off natural oil so daily usage-friendly. The consistency is perfect and does its job good.

Pros:

• Removes oil, dirt, and grime
• Doesn’t strip off natural oil 
• Free of phthalate, gluten, sulfate
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Daily use mild wash

Cons:

• None 

6. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Gentle Face Wash

Got the travel size just for trial after loving the moisturizer in the same range. It is a regular usage wash that removes oil and dirt. Also works as a makeup remover. I used it for double cleansing. It made my skin feel hydrating and refreshing.

You gotta apply it to dry skin after rubbing it between your fingers. Moreover, it is non-comedogenic and soap-free.

Pros

• Vegan
• Free of soap, alcohol, and sulfate
• Contains collagen, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid
• Dry and sensitive skin suitable
• Gentle cleanser
• Removes makeup

Cons:

• Scent

7. Paula’s Choice Resist Foaming Cleanser

A wonderful foaming cleanser that feels great on the skin. It is unscented and lightweight. Foams up well and you get healthy and clean skin. It has hyaluronic acid so it feels nice while using. Amazing face wash to add to your anti-aging regime as it will work well alongside other great products.

Another great thing is that it acts as a great makeup remover. Removes your everyday makeup without any irritation! However, I do recommend cruelty-free micellar water or makeup remover.

Pros:

• Fragrance-free
• Leaves skin soft
• Contains hyaluronic acid
• Cleans the skin thoroughly
• Paraben free
• Removes makeup

Cons:

• No cons!

8. Perricone MD Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser

A brightening face wash that is recommended to anyone who is struggling with dull skin! It adds a healthy after-glow. Suitable for sensitive skin, it has a calming effect and didn’t cause any irritation. My skin feels supple and brighter after using it.

This face wash deep cleanses your skin and is packed with good ingredients such as lactic and salicylic acid. It is also a great exfoliator and a foaming face wash. You need only a little bit of the product, so it would surely last long. On the flip side, if you’re dry skin, you may find it to be a tad drying. It didn’t irritate my skin and caused no breakouts.

Pros:

• Non-drying
• Soft and supple skin
• Adds a healthy glow

Cons:

• Not for drying skin

9. Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser

This clean beauty jelly cleanser keeps my acne in check and also cleans the skin well. It removes dirt, pollution, and makeup, but not as effective. Love how my skin feels afterward. It did remind me of Elf Jelly cleanser but it is different.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Fragrance-free
• Clean beauty
• Free of sulfates, SLS and SLES

Cons:

• Didn’t remove makeup well

10. StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Comforting Cleanser

If you’ve sensitive or dry skin, then StriVectin daily cleanser is something you absolutely need. It is a gentle wash that provides bright skin. My skin feels plump and clean after usage. There are no dry patches either. It is perfect for harsh winter cold and removes makeup too. The texture is creamy, on the thicker side. 

Pros:

• Removes makeup
• Dry and sensitive skin friendly
• Gentle everyday wash
• Plumps skin
• Makes skin glow

Cons:

• No cons!

11. Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

A great drugstore, and vegan foaming face wash that smells awesome! It is suitable for all skin types. Great for removing makeup. It is affordable and clears oil and dirt. This Pacifica face wash is gel-based and turns to foam later on. It’s also long-lasting.

It is free from animal-based ingredients such as carmine, beeswax, and lanolin. It is also formulated from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, SLS, and gluten.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Amazing for regular use
• Doesn’t have nasty ingredients
• Makes skin squeaky clean
• Good for oily skin type

Cons

• Might leave your skin feeling dry.

FAQ

Do try these face washes out and see what works best for you!

If you’ve your favorites, share them with us so that we can try them out too. Not at all required but here is something silly – I remember while doing a lotion trial recently, had to sniff my arms time and again to check if the scent is there or dissipated as we were covering both fragranced and unscented. It must have looked funny to others as I was outside running chores.