Are you an animal lover? If so, then now is the perfect time to purchase a personal care or beauty product with conscience and take a stand against animal cruelty. Remember, 'customer is king'. A consumer's buying habit has the power to influence the way a business thinks and works. Honestly, if more and more people were aware of the cruel ways in which animals are tested before formulating new skincare or makeup products, then I am sure they would avoid buying them.
What Does Cruelty Free Mean in Cosmetics?
Like any firm, cosmetic companies too want their consumers to believe in their products. They want consumers to trust that their beauty products won't damage their skin. For this reason, cosmetic giants have been using animals like mice, rabbits, monkeys, etc. in their labs for testing ingredients and/or finished products to confirm whether they are toxic, irritating, or allergic to skin.
However, times have changed. These days, there are many harmless and alternative methods to know if an ingredient is safe to use or not. This is where cruelty-free comes in. When a brand labels itself as 'cruelty-free', it simply means that the brand does not test any of its ingredients or final product on animals before they hit the market.
How to Know if a Brand is Cruelty-free
To date, there is no government agency that regulates or defines the term 'cruelty-free' or 'no testing done on animals'. As a result, many companies claim themselves to be cruelty-free, even if this may not be the case.
To cross-check whether a product is indeed cruelty-free, check for the 'certified cruelty-free leaping bunny logo' on the product packaging. Likewise, you can also search a brand name against certified third-party accreditation like PETA, the Leaping Bunny program or Cruelty Free International. For example, click this PETA link, type the name of the beauty brand, and see if there is information about it being PETA-approved cruelty-free or not.
Are Cruelty-free and Vegan the Same?
The answer is NO.
While cruelty-free products mean that no animal testing is done at any stage, vegan simply means that the product does not contain any animal-derived ingredient or its by-products (example: honey, beeswax, albumen (egg whites), lanolin, collagen, gelatin, squalene, etc.).
A cruelty-free product may or may not be vegan. Likewise, a vegan product (despite containing zero animal-derived ingredients) can be tested on animals.
1. Daughter Earth
If you feel that natural products are not as effective as chemically formulated products, then I must say your belief is wrong. Daughter Earth is a scientifically formulated Ayurvedic beauty brand that is vegan and PETA-approved cruelty-free. This brand is also earth-friendly, dermatologist-tested, and reef-safe; that is, it doesn't use microbeads, nanoparticles, or chemicals like SLS/SLES, avobenzone, silicones, parabens, or oxybenzone in any of their products.
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| Daughter Earth Vegan Lip and Cheek Tint |
From their 'no-plastic' packaging policy to sourcing ingredients from different parts of the country (a reason why their products are a bit pricey), Daughter Earth makes a conscious effort to offer the best formulas while generating economic activity for communities in remote parts of the country. Quite a responsible brand, I must say. Click here to view their various product offerings.
2. Plum
Founded in 2013, Plum is India's first online-only beauty brand that focuses on resolving and treating your beauty concerns through research-based and plant-based active ingredients. Plum, a 100% vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free brand, offers a wide range of clean products for your face, hair, and body, including some fabulous makeup products. Plum products are also free from parabens, SLS, phthalates, coal tar, and other toxic chemicals.
Plum is a sought-after beauty brand. Their Plum Green Tea Renewed Clarity Night Gel (best suited for oily/acne prone skin), NaturStudio All-Day-Wear Kohl Kajal (super smooth and gel-based), and Plum Green Tea Pore Cleansing Face Wash are some of their most-loved products. You can shop for Plum products here.
3. Forest Essentials
Forest Essentials is a luxury Indian beauty brand that is known for creating products that are 100% Ayurvedic formulations (inspired by the Ayurvedic recipes of the Ministry of AYUSH) and perfectly balanced with contemporary techniques and aesthetics. Forest Essential products are made with fresh, seasonal, and natural ingredients. The brand maintains the highest level of purity while conforming to strict quality control standards.
A PETA-certified animal cruelty-free brand, Forest Essentials offers a range of high-quality products under their skincare, haircare, makeup, body care, fragrances, and wellness categories. Some of the best-selling Forest Essential products include Soundarya Radiance Cream with 24K Gold (very expensive), Forest Essentials Delicate Facial Cleanser Kashmiri Saffron and Neem and Forest Essentials Hair Vitalizer Bhringraj. Click to shop.
4. Colorbar Cosmetics
Launched in 2004, Colorbar is now one of the fastest-growing and most-loved beauty brands in India. This home-grown brand is recognized for providing skincare and makeup products that are 100% vegetarian, dermatologist-tested, and PETA-certified cruelty-free. An innovative beauty brand, Colorbar provides affordable luxury to its customers by offering a wide array of products for the face, eyes, lips, and nails.
Over a short span of time, Colorbar has gained a huge number of satisfied customers. This is the reason why the brand has a strong presence in the country through its 100+ exclusive stores, 1200+ multi-brand outlets, and third-party online shopping sites like Amazon, Nykaa, and Myntra. Some of the best-selling Colorbar products are Colorbar Perfect Match Primer, Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipsticks, Colorbar Cosmetics Intensely Rich Kajal, etc. See more items from this brand here.
5. Disguise Cosmetics
Disguise Cosmetics is one of the first Indian cosmetic brands to offer 100% vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free products. This beauty brand is well-known for its incredibly moisturizing lipsticks with smooth formulations and intense color payoff. Besides their amazing lip colors, Disguise is also popular for their eyeshadows, nail paints, and multi-purpose glowsticks (which can be used as eyeshadow, eye liner, lip topper, and even highlighter).
Off late, this homegrown beauty brand has expanded its production to offer advanced face serums, hand creams, and moisturizers in their skincare range. Disguise Cosmetic products are reasonably priced and free from toxins, parabens, alcohol, lead, and sulphate.
6. Just Herbs
Just Herbs is a luxurious skincare, makeup, and haircare brand that is totally committed to offering safe, result-oriented, and PETA-certified cruelty-free beauty solutions using both traditional Ayurvedic practices and contemporary knowledge. The brand claims that all of its products include a complete ingredient disclosure and are made from certified organic and wild-crafted ingredients that are obtained from across the country.
With an incredible selection of everyday beauty products for skin, hair, bath and body, natural makeup, and fragrances, Just Herbs has it all. This brand also offers trial kits for skincare and haircare products. This allows you to use and test these small-sized products for possible allergies before you decide to purchase their full-sized versions. Furthermore, Just Herbs provides exclusive gift sets and combos and 'make your own box' option too. You can check out their products here.
7. Ruby's Organics
If you want to consciously switch over to non-toxic, cruelty-free, and clean makeup products, then Ruby's Organics is a good pick. This homegrown cosmetic brand offers a range of fabulous makeup staples that are made from organically sourced ingredients (the majority of them being ECOCERT and/or COSMOS and/or NATURE certified). What is also best about this brand is that their formulations do not sit on the surface of the skin but nourish, protect, and enhance it with active skincare ingredients.
Ruby's Organics products are especially created for Indian skin tones and are free from alcohol, parabens, petrochemicals, gluten, and toxins. It is definitely one of the go-to beauty brands if you are looking for uncomplicated and skin-friendly makeup products.
8. Neemli Naturals
Neemli Naturals started off as a humble family-run startup selling safe, non-toxic, and vegan skincare products. The effectiveness of their products, loyal customer base, and great response from users then prompted the brand to expand their production and develop a line of products for skincare, haircare, and body care. Today, Neemli Naturals is one of the emerging premium skincare brands in the beauty market.
The skincare range of Neemli Naturals is environment-friendly, hand-made, and based on certified organic ingredients. All Neemli Natural products are cruelty-free and devoid of synthetic ingredients, parabens, SLS, fillers, phthalates, mineral oils, petroleum, and animal-based ingredients. Some of the bestselling Neemli Naturals products are Hyaluronic & Vitamin C Serum, Argan and Rose Day Cream, Mattifying Sunscreen, and Caffeine and Cucumber Under Eye Cream. You can check them out here.
9. Earth Rhythm
Earth Rhythm (formerly known as Soapworks India) is a fast-growing, homegrown brand for smart and safe skincare products. The brand claims that their recipes are made using a combination of plant-based and earth-friendly ingredients and scientific research. All Earth Rhythm products, including their skincare, haircare, and limited range of natural makeup, are dermatologically tested, clinically effective, and come in colorful, and recyclable packaging.
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| Earth Rhythm Lip and Cheek Tint (Mermaid) |
Earth Rhythm products are non-toxic and clean. Their ECOCERT certification supports this. Additionally, Earth Rhythm products are free from parabens, sulphates, and artificial fragrances, while also being PETA-certified cruelty-free. If you want to switch over to guilt-free beauty products, then this is undoubtedly one of the eco-friendly brands to look out for.
10. Kama Ayurveda
If there is one Indian Ayurvedic luxury beauty brand that has successfully attracted a loyal customer base with their authentic, time-tested, and target-oriented remedies for skin, hair, and body concerns, then it is Kama Ayurveda.
From receiving multiple certifications like ECOCERT, PETA cruelty-free, and COSMOS organic labels to using high-quality all-natural ingredients with no toxins or harmful additives to its beautiful packaging, honestly, there is a lot to admire about this brand. Kama Ayurveda sells beauty and wellness products for both men and women. They also offer a few massage and treatment oils for mothers and babies.
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