The Best Cruelty-Free Products to Replace Your Go-To’s

As much as we love some go-to products, it can feel even better to know that, where feasible, we’ve switched to brands that do not require the harm and abuse of animals. Keep reading for some of my favorite products and brands that are both affordable AND cruelty-free!

Micellar Makeup Remover

Some examples of non-cruelty-free micellar waters include La Roche-Posay (owned by L’Oréal) and BIODERMA.

Cruelty Free Option: Garnier SkinActive,

Courtesy of Garnier on Amazon. 

Micellar water has become a hugely popular method of makeup removal in recent years, so I encourage everyone to opt for the cruelty-free option of Garnier Micellar Water. It is technically owned by a parent company (L'Oréal) that tests on animals for their other products, but their micellar water is a cruelty-free exception. You can find it affordably at Target, Amazon, Ulta, and your local drugstore. 

Hair Care

Some examples of non-cruelty-free hair care brands include Estée Lauder (which owns these brands) and OGX (also known as Organix).

Cruelty-Free Option 1: CHI 

Courtesy of CHI on Amazon. 

Not only is Chi amazing for all hair types, but the brand is committed to maintaining 100% cruelty-free and vegan production. You can find Chi on their Amazon homepage and select products in chain drugstores.

Cruelty-Free Option 2: SheaMoisture

Courtesy of SheaMoisture on Amazon. 

SheaMoisture is another brand that does wonders for diverse hair. You can find a wide range of SheaMoisture hair care on Amazon and some local stores.

Cruelty-Free Option 3: Olaplex 

Courtesy of Olaplex on Amazon.

Olaplex’s prices are admittedly less accessible than other products, but the option is listed here in case it particularly fits anyone’s needs. The brand, like the above, does not test on animals and does not sell in countries that require them to test on animals. You can find Olaplex on their Amazon storefront amongst other locations.

Soap & Body Wash

Some examples of non-cruelty-free brands include those owned by conglomerates Johnson & Johnson (these brands) and Proctor & Gamble (these brands).

Cruelty-Free Option 1: Dove

Courtesy of Dove at Target.

Dove is highly affordable and does not test any of its products or animals or ask anyone to test on animals on their behalf. You can find an array of Dove products (including Hair Care) at Target, CVS, Amazon, and more. 

Cruelty-Free Option 2: NATIVE

Courtesy of NATIVE at Walmart. 

Another affordable brand, you can find NATIVE at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and their store homepage. They also sell deodorant and other hygeine products. 

Makeup

Non-cruelty-free brands are plentiful and include those owned by Estée-Lauder (owns these brands) and L’Oréal (owns these brands and sells in mainland China, which by law requires animal testing). Thankfully, there are a number of makeup brands that sell a range of products that are 100% cruelty-free. All can be found in mainstream cosmetics stores (e.g. Ulta/Sephora) and online.

Cruelty-Free Option 1: Essence

Courtesy of Yahoo Lifestyle.

I cannot recommend Essence mascara (and their other products) highly enough. Their Lash Princess mascara (pictured above) has been a hugely effective staple for me for several years now, and you can find it at Ulta and Target for just $4.99 per tube. It is also, unsurprisingly, the No. 1 bestselling mascara on Amazon. Everyone needs to hop on this cruelty-free gem.

Cruelty-Free Option 2: e.l.f. Cosmetics

Courtesy of e.l.f. Cosmetics. 

Cruelty-Free Option 3: Glossier

Courtesy of The Independent. 

Cruelty-Free Option 3: CoverGirl

Courtesy of CoverGirl. 

How To Check if Future Products Are Cruelty-Free

This PETA database is a great tool to search for a certain beauty product and find out if they test on animals or are cruelty-free. Their catalog is quite large and contains nearly all brands sold in stores today.

We all love our favorite beauty items, but it’s even better to know that we aren’t asking a company to harm animals unnecessarily in the process. The next time you look for a new product or want to check how your current lineup stacks up, I highly recommend doing your research and opting for something humane and animal-friendly! 

Featured image courtesy of Reader’s Digest.