21 Best Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands for 2021

By Mind Over Mango February 7, 2021February 24, 2022 8 min read

Disclaimer: Mind Over Mango contains affiliate links.

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Kickstart Your 2021 Right

Here we are again – our annual best skincare products of the year article! Our 20 New Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands to Kickstart 2020 was such a hit that we knew we had to make it a yearly thing now. Therefore, we present to you 21 of the best cruelty-free skincare brands for 2021.

Mind Over Mango has proven that finding 100% cruelty-free skincare brands isn’t as hard as you’d think. The most difficult part is deciphering whether a company’s claim to cruelty-free fame is true. Luckily, we have done all of the research for you. Each of these skincare brands has been carefully vetted to ensure that they are 100% cruelty-free.

What Does it Mean to Be Cruelty-Free?

Our Standards

All products featured in this article are 100% cruelty-free. They do not test their products or ingredients on animals. Furthermore, these companies also do not sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is still required by law. Additionally, many companies in this article are also 100% vegan. Any company that is not 100% vegan will clearly state its vegan status.

Most companies in this article are certified cruelty-free. To learn more about each certification, simply click on the certification icons next to each company. For even more cruelty-free companies, check out our Cruelty-Free Company Directory. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it our cruelty-free skincare brands for 2021!

True Botanicals

At this point, it’s no secret how much we love True Botanicals on Mind Over Mango. In fact, their products are a weekly staple in our skincare routines. That’s why we decided to include them in this year’s best cruelty-free skincare brands to try in 2021. True Botanicals is a Made Safe Certified company whose products are both safe for you and the environment. Not only that, but they are extremely effective as well.

OSEA

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Yet another Beauty Editor and fan favorite here on Mind Over Mango is OSEA. Made with plant-based, bioavailable ingredients, OSEA skincare’s luxury products provide powerful skin-loving ingredients with proven results. Safe for you and the environment, OSEA does not contain any harmful or synthetic ingredients. Furthermore, all ingredients are non-carcinogenic. Check out our OSEA review for the best of the best.

Bloomeffects

If you like flowers and you like skincare, then you’re sure to absolutely fall in love with Bloomeffects. This clean and innovative skincare company uses real tulips in its formulations. Their signature Dutch Tulip Complex and field-to-face skincare philosophy marry to create luscious and beautiful formulas that work. Bloomeffects is also 100% vegan and supports a local – but large – tulip farm in the Netherlands.

Alchimie Forever

Alchimie Forever has been a fan favorite on Mind Over Mango since their debut in last year’s 20 New Skincare Brands article. Alchimie Forever is a clinically proven skincare brand that’s ideal for aging skin. While this brand is great for any skin type, their anti-aging skincare products really take the cake. Their products, such as their Advanced Retinol Serum, help reverse the signs of aging even after it has begun.

Kosi Skín

We closed 2020 off by trying Kosi Skín, a new skincare brand that recently hit the market. Kosi Skín abides by a waterless skincare philosophy. None of their products contain any water, an ingredient found as one of the first ingredients in the vast majority of skincare products. Their water conservation efforts coupled with their effective and targeted skincare have landed them a spot on this year’s cruelty-free skincare list.

Ellis Day Skin Science

Ellis Day Skin Science hit the ground running with its innovative skincare technology. Ellis Day Skin Science is powered by Phage, a safe and natural antibacterial virus that protects the skin’s microbiome. So while Phage is technically a virus, this virus actually fights bacteria that cause acne. The end result? Balanced skin free from acne, inflammation, and dryness. Take that, bad skin days.

Codex Beauty

Codex Beauty was on our radar for most of 2020, so we’re excited to finally delve into this new skincare brand. An uber sustainable and effective skincare line, Codex Beauty prides itself on setting a new beauty industry standard. Their products are highly scrutinized throughout the creation process. Moreover, they have complete supply chain quality control and their packaging is made with carbon negative renewable sugar cane.

Skyn Iceland

Skyn Iceland is yet another nightly staple in our skincare routines. Their multitude of products covers all of the bases to tackle your biggest or most basic skincare needs. Their products contain powerful Icelandic ingredients. This results in targeted results week after week. We also love how so many of their products, including our favorite Anti-Blemish Gel, contain anti-aging properties. Check out our Skyn Iceland review to learn more.

H2o+

Another one of our cruelty-free skincare brands for 2021 is H2o+. A company we’ve been eyeing for quite some time, H2o+ believes that water is the best ingredient to incorporate into your skincare. While we aren’t 100% on board with that philosophy, the results speak for themselves. H2o+ creates high-quality elite skincare that’s safe and effective for your skin. We’re especially excited to finally try their trial-sized Discovery Kit for just $15.

Kinship

Kinship is a relatively new skincare company that has gained traction over the past year or so. With their super cute packaging, it’s pretty hard to resist. With that said, their products are much more than their (recycled ocean waste) packaging though. Kinship has created quality skincare products that perform well at a reasonable price point. Ingredients such as Papaya & their very own Kinbiome™ support clear skin & a strong skin barrier.

Beauty Pie

We’ve previously discussed whether or not Beauty Pie is legit. Considering the verdict, we are ready to enter the new year with even more skincare from this brand. Beauty Pie is a membership beauty club. Meaning, in order to access low-cost beauty products, members must pay an annual or monthly membership fee. Beauty Pie offers far more than just cruelty-free skincare though. They also create makeup and haircare products too.

Averr Aglow

If you’re searching for hyper-effective skincare (especially if you suffer from acne-prone skin), give Averr Aglow a try. This cruelty-free and 100% vegan skincare brand uses as many as 40 different vitamins and minerals in their formulas that help to eliminate breakouts, balance oil production, and renew your skin. If you’ve been struggling with hormonal breakouts or stubborn maskne, Averr Aglow should be next up on your list to try.

Go-To Skincare

Go-To Skincare was created by Australian Beauty Editor and author Zoë Foster Blake. After reviewing possibly thousands of products during her time as being a Beauty Editor, she found many companies missed the mark. Instead of creating products with toxic ingredients, Zoë created Go-To Skincare with only the best-in-class botanical ingredients. Its calming formulas are non-irritating and great for sensitive skin.

Indie Lee

Indie Lee was created after the Founder beat a life-threatening brain tumor. Her Doctors stated they felt the tumor may have been environmentally derived from products she was putting on her skin. Her mission? To create clean beauty products powered by the world’s finest ingredients. Indie Lee products are made with ethical choices that do not compromise your safety. If you have struggled with finding clean beauty products, try Indie Lee.

Sweet Chef

Sweet Chef is a fun, vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified skincare company. You may be very well familiar with their sister company, Glow Recipe. Sweet Chef is powered by skin-loving superfoods, vitamins, and veggies. They are a cruelty-free K-Beauty brand inspired by healthy fresh-pressed foods. Moreover, their products are free from synthetic dyes or fragrances, too. Their adorable packaging alone is enough to get us hooked.

Tata Harper

As the ancient Romans once said, “good skincare conquers all”. Okay, maybe they didn’t say that, but with Tata Harper, it’s true. This cruelty-free luxury skincare brand is well-established in the industry. Tata Harper uses farm-fresh ingredients in their skincare and omits synthetic ingredients from their formulations. While some of their products, such as their highly potent Elixir Vitae runs a hefty price, many claim their products are worth it.

Annmarie Skincare

After deciding to switch over my foundation to Annmarie, it was time to give their skincare a shot. Annmarie is, in my opinion, one of the cleanest skincare lines available on the market. This is because their products do not contain unnecessary ingredients. Annmarie products are made in the USA with organically sourced, non-GMO ingredients. Their products are also EWG Skin Safe and Made Safe Certified.

Versed

Versed is a 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and affordable skincare brand. They promise a “No B.S.” approach to their skincare. Versed prides itself on creating high-quality products without the conventional retail markup. Their transparency regarding ingredients and using unretouched images is one of many reasons we love Versed. This company also uses Post Consumer Recycled materials for their packaging as well.

Blissoma

We love Blissoma skincare for many reasons. One reason is that their products are raw and cold pressed. Cold pressed products are arguably the best approach to skincare formulations. This is because cold pressing allows ingredients to remain as close to their natural state as possible. Blissoma also uses organic ingredients from reputable local farmers. Finally, all of their products are biodegradable and come in non-toxic packaging.

Best Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands for 2021

Discovering the latest and greatest cruelty-free skincare is easy on Mind Over Mango. Not only are all of these companies cruelty-free, but their products are effective and truly work. My Fiancé and I are always on the hunt for the newest skincare brands and products. This is why we have decided to pass along our latest discoveries with you in our cruelty-free skincare brands for 2021. If you’re looking to uncover even more cruelty-free skincare and beauty brands, make sure to stop by our Cruelty-Free Company Directory today!

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