What’s vegan beauty, you might ask?
While vegan beauty may seem synonymous with clean beauty or cruelty-free beauty, they actually all refer to something different. Vegan beauty refers to products that are free of animal-derived ingredients or animal products. These ingredients will usually be substituted with botanical or synthetic counterparts.
If you’re leaning towards a vegan lifestyle or are simply curious about vegan beauty, check out these 9 brands and products, from intensive hair treatment to matte lipstick.
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RE.ERTH Multi-Targeted Elixir, $116 (30 ml)
RE.ERTH Multi-Targeted Elixir, $116 (30 ml)
Grounded on two decades worth of skincare research and innovation, uses formulas that are a cross of nature and science. Their key ingredients are Japanese Turmerics, a process that took them over 30 iterations until finalising their formula. The Japanese White Turmeric and Japanese Spring Turmeric plants are used in their products as skin boosters to restore the skin’s health. This cruelty-free brand also offers a line of products that are mostly vegan.
Their signature product is the Multi-Targeted Elixir, a lightweight serum that addresses concerns like large pores, dark spots, dull skin, fine line and wrinkles. Oil-free with no added fragrance, this formula is suited even for sensitive skin. We love how it absorbs easily into the skin and brightens up the overall complexion.
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Luxe Botanics Kigelia Corrective Moisturiser, $113 (60 ml)
Luxe Botanics Kigelia Corrective Moisturiser, $113 (60 ml)
Luxe Botanics is a vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand that has a range of high performing skincare products that’s been formulated with transformative botanicals. Founded by Jené Roestorf, a South African biological scientist, these products combine the benefits of botanical oils with trusted science and research.
Powered by Kigelia fruit extract, this moisturiser gently purifies the skin while supporting cellular regeneration in the skin. The natural peptides help restore the appearance of supple and youthful skin, while the Kigelia fruit extract calms the skin. Suited for those with sensitive, acne-prone, or post-treatment skin, this moisturiser glides easily on the skin.
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Sigi Skin Dream Capsule, $82 (50 ml)
Sigi Skln Dream Capsule, $82 (50 ml)
This Singapore award-winning skincare brand has a range of multi-purpose skincare products that use superfood-powered and scientifically-proven ingredients to protect and repair the skin. Entirely cruelty-free, most of their products are vegan and made in Korea.
The Dream Capsule is an overnight mask that helps to repair and nourish the skin while you’re sleeping. Its silky air-whipped texture melts instantly into the skin and uses bakuchiol to help hydrate, boost collagen production and reduce fine lines without any harsh effects. Using purslane, an anti-ageing ingredient, it helps to protect the skin’s DNA by strengthening the cell’s repair function.
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Beigic Damage Repair Treatment Mask, $75 (200 g)
Beigic Damage Repair Treatment Mask, $75 (200 g)
This Korean vegan beauty brand formulates its products with green coffee bean extract in its purest forms to help give your skin a more radiant and glowing finish. This rich source of antioxidants provides Vitamin E and essential fatty acids for the skin.
This intensive hair mask treatment uses green coffee bean oil, argan oil, and vitamin E to deeply repair, nourish, and strengthen the hair. For those whose hair has been overexposed to the sun, frequent heat-styling, or chemical processing, this treatment mask helps to protect and moisturise the hair to strengthen it from within. It also intensely hydrates dehydrated hair while giving back its shine and gloss.
Aromatica Reviving Rose Infusion Serum, $55 (100 ml)
Aromatica Reviving Rose Infusion Serum, $55 (100 ml)
Registered as a partner of the Vegan Society, Aromatica is a cruelty-free and vegan clean beauty brand that uses natural and organic ingredients to deliver effective products. Eco-cert certified the brand is also committed to promoting good environmental and societal practices.
Formulated with Damask Rose Oil, aloe vera, and other organic herbal extracts, this serum helps to brighten and keep the skin hydrated. The Damask Rose Oil has soothing, smoothing, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with stress-related skin conditions.
Forest Rhapsody Thousand Petals Flower Acid Resurfacing Mask, US$52 (30 ml)
Forest Rhapsody Thousand Petals Flower Acid Resurfacing Mask, US$52 (30 ml)
Forest Rhapsody is a beauty brand founded by a Singaporean. The products are formulated with modern science that celebrates age-old beauty rituals across Southeast Asia. They’re also a part of Beauty Emporium’s #AntiNastiesClub that curates brands with ingredients that are certified organic, vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainably or ethically sourced.
This dual-action resurfacing mask helps to gently exfoliate the skin through chemical and physical means while protecting the skin’s health. Using Pyruvic acid from roselle flower, this mask provides gentle and effective exfoliation. The finely milled bamboo powder helps to polish the skin and remove remnants of dead skin cells while the bearberry helps even out the skin tone and fade pigmentation effectively.
Two Halves Better Balance Soothing Hydration Essence, $85 (50 ml)
Two Halves Better Balance Soothing Hydration Essence, $85 (50 ml)
Founded by a mother-daughter duo, Two Halves is a culmination of their experience in the skincare and beauty industry. The products are formulated to leave out harmful ingredients and substances that may otherwise be detrimental to the skin and environment. Produced and developed in Japan-based laboratories, their unique formulas are vegan-friendly and environmentally safe.
Formulated with a potent blend of botanical extracts packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-photoaging properties, this lightweight watery gel glides easily on the skin. Best suited for those with sensitive skin, it helps to calm and nourish the skin while reducing collagen degradation.
W.ANT Skincare Facial Spritzer, $29 (40 ml)
W.ANT Skincare Facial Spritzer, $29 (40 ml)
An ethical brand founded in Singapore, Want Skincare is formulated with pure botanical oils and minerals that are sustainably sourced. Their cruelty-free products are free from chemicals, synthetic ingredients, and water.
Three in one, this facial spritzer is a face mist, toner, and mask activator. You can use it to prepare your skin after cleansing to keep it hydrated with its aloe vera-based formula. And keep your skin hydrated even as you’re wearing masks on the go.
NITA Cosmetics Teh Tarik Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rose Beige, $24 (7 ml)
NITA Cosmetics Teh Tarik Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rose Beige, $24 (7 ml)
This Malaysian beauty brand offers a range of affordable and cruelty-free products that are also vegan and hypoallergenic. With shades suitable for all skin tones, Nita Cosmetics showcases what it’s like to be unapologetically Malaysian and celebrate the visual aspects of their customs, traditions, and cuisines in their products.
This rose beige shade is suited for Asian skin tones, and the mauve tones are reminiscent of the frothy sweet teh tarik drink. Simply swipe on the lips and leave it to dry, it dries with a matte and highly hydrating finish that’s perfect for wearing (even under masks).
This article originally appeared in Singapore Women's Weekly