Cruelty Free Beauty
If you are looking for beauty products that are not tested on animals, you might think it’s a little tricky finding a Cruelty Free beauty brand from the myriad of brands available on the market, however it isn’t so. If you’re an ethical shopper who prefers their beauty not tested on animals, ie Cruelty Free, the good news is there are many (many) beauty brands who do not test on animals (and some are even Vegan – so no animal ingredients). The list below is not exhaustive, however it does give you a good guide as to the Cruelty Free beauty brands (to suit all budgets), available in the Australian market. The first 5 brands featured below – Inika Organics, Simplicite, A’kin, Sukin and Antipodes are also Vegan (and the 6th and 7th brands – The Body Shop and Wotnot are predominantly Vegan). Being animal lovers, we’re really excited to see how many furry-friend loving brands there are in Australia. Read on, and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Inika Organics
Beloved by celebrities around the world (including Emma Watson), Inika Organic started in 2006 as a chemical free makeup brand, for customers who were health conscious and wanted toxin free makeup. The brand uses 100% botanical and mineral derived ingredients, is certified cruelty free (no animal testing), and the products contain no animal derivatives (certified vegan). This multi-award winning brand should be on your list if you’re serious about cruelty-free beauty. Our favourite product from the range is the Inika Organic Long Lash Mascara, a 100% natural mascara, with intense colour, that builds noticeably longer lashes. The gentle formula is great for sensitive eyes. Available in black and brown. 8g RRP $45.00.
Simplicité
Simplicité products have been made in Australia for over 25 years. The luxe products have a fresh, luxurious feeling and deliver outstanding results. Simplicité insists on the strength and vitality of organic certified herbs — giving each product the power of antioxidants, essential fatty acids and soluble vitamins to nourish, enrich, soothe and protect skin. Simplicité is cruelty free and vegan, meaning none of their products are tested on animals, nor do they contain animal products. A potent Australian cruelty free beauty solution – yes please. Living in Australia, we love the Simplicité Great Outdoors Moisturiser with Sunscreen SPF 15 (for Face and Body), a non-greasy daily anti-ageing moisturiser with 17 plant extracts, to keep your skin hydrated and protected year round. 125ml RRP $39.90 (also available in 250ml size).
A’kin
For over 15 years, A’kin has been providing high quality, effective, natural beauty products. Made in Australia, the products are crafted without parabens, sulfates, artificial colours or fragrances. Since launch, A’kin have been cruelty free and are 100% vegan, and do not use palm oil in any of their products. A’kin are committed to recycling, and the brand uses recyclable containers and avoids excess packaging wherever possible. We love the Nourishing Cream Cleanser and Toner, a divine time saving dual purpose product. The cleanser is enriched with Rose, Geranium, Shea Butter & Sesame Oil and is perfect for dry, sensitive skin, gently lifting away make-up and impurities leaving skin nourished, radiant and hydrated. Infused with Witch Hazel the formula cleanses and tones in one step. 140ml RRP $24.95.
Sukin
In 2007, Sukin was launched in Melbourne, Australia, after identifying a gap in the market for high efficacy, environmentally sustainable and affordable natural skincare. Sukin, utilises an abundance of botanicals, antioxidants and essential oils to restore the natural vitality and radiance of your skin and hair. The extensive product range offers skincare innovation and natural beauty, with an extensive “No” List – a list synthetic ingredients the products do not contain. All of the products produced by Sukin are Australian made with ingredients that are naturally derived, cruelty free and vegan. All formulations are 100% Carbon Neutral, biodegradable and grey water safe. Our favourite Sukin product is the Sukin Super Greens Facial Recovery Serum, a potent, antioxidant rich serum, blended with super green extracts of Kale, Spirulina and Parsley, to hydrate your skin and give it a gorgeous glow. It’s especially good for skin that has dulled with age. 30ml RRP $18.95.
Antipodes
Antipodes is a highly innovative organic beauty brand, founded in New Zealand by Elizabeth Barbalich, after looking and not finding any natural skincare that felt as good on her dry skin as conventional brands did. Drawing on her background in science, Elizabeth built Antipodes on a cutting-edge combination of the highest quality ingredients from New Zealand nature and raw super-fruit extracts, with science and innovation to produce high-tech certified organic and premium formulations. Proudly cruelty free Antipodes refuses to test on animals, or use ingredients from suppliers who do. The brand has recently been awarded Vegan status by the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom (products are mostly vegan, aside from a few products which use sustainable ingredients from lovingly treated bees – we’ve named the brand as Vegan due to the UK certification). Antipodes also puts its money where its mouth is and partners with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). For our stressed skin we love the gorgeous Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator, a gentle, yet effective exfoliator especially formulated with calendula oil and carrot seed extract to reinvigorate stressed skin. Avocado oil and jojoba beads combine to lift away lifeless skin, leaving a fresh complexion that is radiant and smooth. 75ml RRP $42.00.
The Body Shop
From humble beginnings with the opening of a single store in Brighton in 1976, The Body Shop now has over 3,000 stores in 66 countries. Founded by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop had at its heart, a philosophy of ethically sourced, natural beauty products. With a belief that business could enrich, not exploit, and being vegan (where possible) and firmly against animal testing, The Body Shop is a positive force for change for communities around the world with their Fair Trade initiative, which benefits over 25,000 people in 21 countries. We love the Almond Milk Body Yoghurt, a new, lightweight formula which absorbs instantly (no need to wait to get dressed), and provides up to 48 hours of moisture. The gel-cream is 100% vegan, enriched with Community Trade organic almond milk from Spain. 200ml RRP $16.00 (Available in 4 other scents).
Wotnot
When founders and mothers, Sinead Roberts and Sioned Guard, launched the first environmentally-friendly nappy in Australia, Moltex Oko, it fast gathered a cult following of health-conscious hipsters, environmentalists and yummy mummies alike. The customers loved the quality and eco credentials of the Moltex nappy and were quick to ask for complementary all-natural products of an equally high standard, and so Wotnot was born. Wotnot endeavours to be the most authentic provider of organic baby products and skincare, with Sinead explaining that their ultimate vision is to “be the best, most trusted natural skincare brand for all the family.” Wotnot is cruelty free, and most products are vegan. Wotnot donates a percentage of sales from “For Baby” products to Bear Cottage, supporting families of ill children, and also donates a percentage of sales of “For Her” products to Womens Community Shelters Australia to help support victims of domestic violence. From such an ethical brand, we love the Wotnot natural self-tanning lotion – a velvety soft blend of organic ingredients that moisturise and nourish your skin, while developing a natural looking golden tan. 150g RRP $29.99.
endota spa
The endota spa story began in 2000 when Melanie Gleeson pursued her dream to give back and inspire others to connect with themselves. After all, women often put others before themselves! The first day spa on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula paved the way for personal wellbeing to be considered a priority rather than a treat. endota spa collaborates with a group of indigenous women located in Fitzroy Crossing, NT, whose artwork appears on the Colour packaging and who receive a percentage of sales in return. Believing in ethical and organic beauty, endota spa is cruelty free, and does not test on animals. For our ageing skin, we love the Cellular Repair Face Cream, a powerful anti-ageing moisturiser formulated to restore the cellular structure. Rich in technologically advanced hexapeptides & octapeptides, the Cream helps rejuvenate the appearance of skin cells and reduce wrinkle depth. 50ml RRP $125.00.
L’Unico Laboratory
Boutique Australian brand L’unico Laboratory blends the most concentrated ingredients from natural sources, into the most powerful biological formulas known to science, which instantly absorb to protect and rebuild your skin. Products are developed to have high concentrations of peptides and active ingredients that make a real difference to your skin, and the 100% light resistant packaging ensures they don’t oxidise or degrade on the shelf. L’Unico Laboratory products are not tested on animals (they are tested on some customers!), and are cruelty free. To bring a glow to mature skin, we love the Phyto Fruit AHA Micro Peel, which gently yet thoroughly removes dead skin cells so your skin instantly looks brighter and more radiant, and your skin can more fully absorb the nutrition from your skincare products, so your skin enjoys the full benefit of their power. Being a boutique brand has an advantage – the product is blended in small batches, and is available in 3 strengths, to suit different skin tones – level 1 for fair skin, level 2 for olive skin, and level 3 for dark skin. 118ml RRP $90.00.
Kat Von D
The Kat Von D brand was created after Sephora approached Kat about creating a makeup line back in 2008. Kat’s aim was to create 4 perfect red lipsticks, and an iconic makeup brand was born. Kat Von D creates makeup for those who see beauty as a creative outlet. Kat Von D believes makeup should be made with love, not animals, and the products are cruelty free (never tested on animals, and some are vegan). We love the Kat Von D Beauty Shade + Light Glimmer Eye Contour Palette – it has to be one of the most versatile palettes on the planet. Seamlessly build a look within the palette by layering different levels of dimension to achieve eye-opening effects, or pair glimmer shades with the original matte eye contour palette for endless possibilities. Each velvety powder is blendable and buildable. The palette contains 3 base shades, 3 contour shades, 3 define shades, and 3 topcoat shades. RRP $65.00.
Dr. Hauschka
One of the pioneering natural skincare brands, Dr. Hauschka has been developing natural skincare products since 1935. The potent, alcohol-free plant based skincare remedies work with your skins natural rhythms to support skin stability and regeneration. Being naturally based, the brand does not test on animals, and is cruelty free. Dr. Hauschka gives back to communities around the world via it’s Rose partnerships, supporting farmers in Bulgaria, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and the Ethiopian Highlands. Supporting this project (and also because it is such a wonderful product) we love the Rose Day Cream – Richer in Roses, a rich luxurious formula, with 30 organic or biodynamic roses in every tube. The benefits of the rose (and other oils and botanicals) help soothe and renew, making this a perfect day cream for mature, and sensitive skins. 30ml RRP $62.00.
IT Cosmetics
Developed with leading plastic surgeons, IT Cosmetics creates clinically proven, innovative, problem-solving color cosmetics and skin care products that harness cutting-edge, anti-ageing technologies and high performance, skin-loving ingredients to provide you with serious beauty solutions. Not only is the IT Cosmetics range really good for your skin with the skin loving ingredients in every product, it’s also good for our furry friends, not being tested on animals, and being cruelty free. We absolutely love Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+. This divine product is infused with hyaluronic acid, natural botanicals, and antioxidants. The highly pigmented, multi-tasking, full coverage cream covers everything, without creasing or cracking and leaves our skin with a healthy-looking glow. Your Skin But Better is clinically shown to improve skin texture, brightness and hydration. Available in 5 shades. 30ml RRP $61.00.
theBalm
theBalm Cosmetics was created in 2004, when founder Marissa Shipman realised there were a few simple products she needed to help her look and feel glamorous all the time, and if she needed them, other women likely did too. Marissa bought 11 books on how to make makeup and started mixing in her kitchen in San Francisco, California. Fast forward eleven years, you can now find theBalm’s gorgeously named, multi-tasking Paraben and Cruelty-Free beauty products worldwide. We love the Put a Lid on It Eye Primer, which keeps your eyeshadow in place all day with just a tiny dab of product. It’s perfect for more mature eyes, where eyeshadow can get caught in creases, and start to look worn before the end of the day. 11.8ml RRP $19.95.
NYX Cosmetics
NYX Cosmetics started in 1999 when founder Toni Ko saw a gap in the market for a good quality beauty products, in chic packaging, at an affordable price. After making 2 million dollars in the first year of operation, it looks like she was right! After starting the brand with Eye Liner/Eyeshadow Pencils, NYX has morphed into a beauty giant with products covering the full colour cosmetic offering. All this, and the brand has stayed true to its cruelty free roots, with products not being tested on animals. We love the versatility of the Sweet Cheeks Blush Palette, a collection of 8 universally flattering colours, that sweep smoothly onto your cheeks, and stay put all day. The palette has everything you need to co-ordinate with any lip or eye colour. 8 shades RRP $29.95.
Natio
Natio evolved from an Australian family business that has been manufacturing skin care and cosmetics for over 75 years. The Natio brand itself started with the skincare line in 1993, and colour cosmetics followed 3 years later. The Natio range has a clear objective in mind – to deliver plant based, simple and gentle beauty products, that fit comfortably within today’s diverse lifestyles. The range is accessible, affordable, and contemporary. Natio products are all cruelty free (no animal testing), and many products within the range are vegan. We love the Renew Roll-On Eye Serum, a fabulous eye product for mature eyes, as it helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles around the eye area. The roller design allows easy application of the serum without tugging or dragging the delicate skin around your eye area. 16ml RRP $19.95.
Sun Bum
Sun Bum was created in 2010 – a brand specifically formulated for people who live in, and love, the sun. The high quality formulations are ocean and reef friendly (they don’t contain Oxybenzone), and animal friendly too (they’re cruelty free). The high protection formulas offer protection from the suns harmful rays in and out of the water, with their sun and lip protection products, whilst the hair products create easy to care for hair and styles. Being a stickler for looking after our skin in the Australian sun, we love the Original SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion, a lightweight sunscreen that protects our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, whilst offering a four hour water and sweat resistance. The addition of vitamin E, leaves skin nourished, and an antioxidant helps neutralise free radicals, which can help prevent premature skin ageing. 237ml RRP $20.99.
Dermalogica
Dermalogica was created in 1986 when Jane Wurwand, a UK beauty therapist, conducting postgraduate training at the International Dermal Institute (IDI) in the USA, realised no product line embraced her belief of skin health as opposed to “beauty,” so she developed her own. The Dermalogica brand vision is clear – product lines free from common irritants and ingredients that can cause breakouts, that improve skin health, and are available from qualified skin care professionals trained at The International Dermal Institute. The award winning brand now employs over 100,000 therapists in over 80 countries. The brand is strongly against animal testing, and even withdrew from the Chinese market to keep their PETA accreditation. For our stressed, ageing skin, we love the Age Smart Multivitamin Power Recovery masque. The revitalising masque contains powerful, concentrated vitamins A, C, E and F to help skin recover from damage that leads to skin aging, while Vitamin A helps increase elasticity and moisture content, helping skin that is dull, dry, dehydrated, lackluster, or photodamaged. 75ml RRP $77.50.
Weleda
Weleda was founded in 1921 in Switzerland, by Dr Rudolph Steiner, a philosopher and humanitarian, who developed the principles of biodynamic farming and anthroposohpical medicine- principals that are still used to create many Weleda products today. Weleda strives to source only the finest biodynamic, organic, and wild crafted suppliers, working in partnership with growers, focusing on socially, ethically and environmentally responsible sourcing. Weleda is NATRUE certified, and has just obtained UEBT (Union for Ethical Biotrade) certification for sourcing with respect (one of the first companies to gain this accreditation). Weleda products are non-toxic, cruelty-free, paraben-free, GMO-free, phthalates-free and synthetic fragrance-free. Our favourite Weleda product is the gorgeous Pomegranate Firming Night Cream, which uses the power of organic Pomegranate Seed Oil to help activate and strengthen skin’s natural repair processes during the night, while you sleep. It’s perfect for mature skin, as firmness and elasticity is improved, whilst the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is diminished. 30ml RRP $41.95.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
e.l.f Cosmetics (which stands for eyes, lips, face), started in 2004 with a simple mission – to make luxurious, high quality beauty products available for everyone. They’ve certainly achieved that, with a gorgeous line of colour cosmetics made with high quality ingredients, that are not tested on animals, so are cruelty free. The value prices mean you can afford to play around with the products and create multiple looks. We love the Baked Highlighter, an illuminating powder that gives our mature skin a gorgeous glow. It can be used wet for a more striking effect, or dry for a subtle shimmer. It’s great for achieving that year round glow. Available in 4 shades. 5g RRP $12.00.
Kevin Murphy
Born from the same philosophy as skincare caring for skin, Kevin Murphy products are designed to weightlessly deliver performance, strength and longevity to your hair care. Supporting a sustainable ethos, Kevin Murphy looks for suppliers that use micro cultivation, organic growing practices, or ecologically sound wild harvesting techniques when sourcing their high quality, natural ingredients. Ingredients such as Mango butter and Murumuru butter to smooth cuticles and soften hair, extracts from Peruvian Bark, Baobab, Bamboo and Orange Blossom to infuse hair with weightless moisture, and antioxidants from Kakadu Plum, Orchid, Lotus Flower and Desert Lime to reduce breakage and repair chemical damage naturally. All Kevin Murphy hair products are sulphate free, paraben free and of course, cruelty free. Kevin Murphy uses recyclable and biodegradable packaging, whilst the heart of KM (Kevin Murphy) funds charities focusing on human and environmental issues. From this sustainable company, we love the Young Again Hair Wash, a gentle restorative shampoo which contains a complex of 20 Amino Acids, and anti-ageing extracts from Lotus flower and Orchid help to renew youthful lustre and shine to dry brittle (ageing) hair. Combined with the Plumping Rinse, a thickening and densifying conditioner for thinning hair, my hair is left soft, shiny, and fuller. Hemsleya Root in the rinse, rich in Oleanolic acid, nourishes and restores for thicker, stronger hair. Shampoo 250ml RRP $42.95, Rinse 250ml RRP $43.95
Sleek MakeUP
Founded in 1995, in East London, Sleek MakeUP was originally created in response to deeper skin tones being under represented in the market. The products were so good they became loved by women of all skin tones, due to their high pigmentation and quality. By 2009, the brand had launched internationally, and Sleek MakeUP is now sold in over 50 countries and over 2,500 stores globally! The makeup is amazing, and we love the I-Divine A New Day Eyeshadow Palette, a super versatile palette featuring 12 shades of wearable brown and neutral colours to create gorgeous day time looks for the office, home, the beach, catching up with friends, or anywhere at all. 12 x 0.8g RRP $19.95.
Barry M Cosmetics
Barry M Cosmetics was created in 1982, in London, Great Britain, by Barry Mero. In the early 80’s Barry had a number of retail outlets in London selling beauty and cosmetic products. The fashion was for dramatic, outrageous make-up, however, he found that no one was producing the exciting and vivid colours that his customers really wanted, so he created the Barry M Cosmetics range. Barry M soon became a cult name in the field of colour cosmetics, and was worn by punks, goths and new romantics. Fast forward to now, and the colours are bold, wearable, and contemporary. It seems a little ironic then, that our favourite Barry M product is one that helps hide colour – skin redness that is. We love the Flawless Primer Colour Correcting, a green based primer that helps to neutralise skin redness that can occur as we age (if you’re not sure how this works, click here to read about the colour wheel and makeup). The formula contains calming cucumber, to help further reduce redness, and vitamin E to help makeup stay smoother for longer. 30ml RRP $16.95.
Bare Minerals
Bare Minerals has gained a cult following since its launch over 35 years ago, as a destination for women looking for products that were good for their skin. Bare Minerals are known for their innovative makeup products, containing skin-loving, nourishing minerals, formulated to be pure and natural. This belief means the products are not tested on animals, and are cruelty free. For a year round glow, we love the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel Cream, a gloriously nourishing gel cream with sheer to medium (natural looking) coverage that gives our skin a dewy healthy glow. Available in 16 shades. 33g RRP $44.00.
Less is More
Less is More was developed jointly by Dr. Doris Brandhuber and Hannes Trummer. In direct consultation with clients, a range of organic certified care and styling products was launched, combining functionality and simplicity, beauty and health, ethics and aesthetics. The innovative formulations exclusively contain natural ingredients which are selected for effectiveness, purity and optimal skin compatibility and environmental impact. The ingredients are obtained from renewable resources and, whenever possible, from certified organic farming and are all fully and rapidly biodegradable. The brand is cruelty free, and predominantly vegan. To protect our dry, brittle hair, we love the Lavender Smooth Balm, a nourishing leave-in conditioner, which makes hair wonderfully soft, supple and easy to comb. and protects against heat when styling and helps to prevent split ends. 150ml RRP $40.00.
We’ve loved putting this article together – who knew there were so many cruelty free brands available in Australia? Was your favourite cruelty free brand in the post? If not, what is it? Will you look for cruelty free beauty products next time you shop? Let us know in the comments below.
