The Best Vegan & Cruelty-Free Face Wash

1. Cruelty-free face cleansers for dry skin
2. Cruelty-free face wash for oily skin
3. Cruelty-free face wash for sensitive skin
4. Cruelty-free face wash for combination skin
5. Cruelty-free face wash bars
6. Cruelty-free face wash FAQs

The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Face Wash is a gentle face cleanser that doesn’t, I repeat doesn’t dry your face out. At all. 

• £8.50
• 125ml
• Vegan
• Paraben, sulfate and silicone-free
• Recyclable packaging

It keeps skin so soft and hydrated. Packed full of vitamin E – moisturising, skin barrier strengthening properties that protects cells from damage cause by free radicals – and wheatgerm oil – effective acne, eczema and dry skin ingredient. It is the all-skin type face wash solution.

• Non-drying formula
• Light, creamy texture
• Suitable for all skin-types

Read out cruelty-free review of The Body Shop here.

Aveda’s Purifying Gel Cleanser is a plant-based, facial foaming cleanser made with 16 essential oils and ultra-nourishing, high grade ingredients.

The all-natural surfactants gently remove grease, grime and build-up without irritating skin or altering your natural pH balance.

• £20
• 150ml
• Certified cruelty-free
• Vegan
• Certified organic – 97% naturally derived ingredients
• Paraben, sulfate and harsh chemical-free
• 100% recyclable bottles
• All powered by 100% solar and renewable energy

Enriched with vitamin E – to help protect against free radical damage, coconut and sesame oils for their nourishing, moisture-locking properties and chamomile, lavender and rosemary for their soothing, calming benefits.

A facial cleanser suitable for all skin types – ideally normal to oily skin -as good for your mind as it is for your skin. Who knew?

Read our cruelty-free review of Aveda here.

Nip+Fab’s Glycolic Cleansing Pads are a fuss-free, exfoliating solution made to improve skin tone and protect from oily build-up and general outbreaks.

• £11.87
• 60 pads
• Certified cruelty-free
• Certified vegan
• Soaked in 2.8% glycolic acid
• Paraben, sulfate and silicone-free

The pads themselves are soaked in glycolic acid – a high performing acne-fighting acid, soothing witch hazel – which has anti-inflammatory properties and ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid – a humectant (fancy word!) that helps skin hold onto water.

Perfect pads for more radiant, younger looking skin!

On a fantastic deal at the minute!!

This Tea Tree Facial Wash is such an effective facial cleanser. Amazing at getting rid of excess oil and grime. Even the most stubborn kind!

• £8.50
• 250ml
• Vegan
• Climate pledge-friendly
• Recyclable packaging

If you’re prone to excess oil buildup – or it’s been a tough week – this face wash is designed with blemished skin in mind.

The inclusion of tea tree oil – fair trade from Kenya – ensures the product has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. 

Which makes it superb for acne-sufferers. And can even clear up wounds or scars. 

And the Palmarosa Face Wash is another superb organic cleanser from Neal’s Yard. A gently foaming option perfect for oily and combination skin. A terrific cleanser and decongest-er. Not a word, I know. 

• £17
• 100g
• Vegan
• Paraben and sulfate-free
• Recyclable packaging (and product)

Sometimes I find that these stronger cleansers can strip away your natural oils. Leaving your skin feeling dry and under-nourished. 

But not this one. It’s wonderful for getting rid of acne, spots and scars thanks to the primary ingredient palmarosa.

Palmarosa is proven to treat oily, acne prone skin by helping control the production of sebum and locking in hydration.

And – in true 2021 style – it’s fantastic for getting rid of mascne. 

Arguably Neal’s Yard’s best-selling face wash, this rose scented cleanser’s gentle foaming cleaning makes it ideal for sensitive skin. 

• £17
• 100ml
• Vegan
• Paraben, synthetic colour and fragrance-free
• Recyclable packaging
• Certified carbon neutral

The inclusion of aloe vera – clinically proven to prevent and even heal wounds – makes this such an effective, soothing wash. 

• Organic wild rose
• Soothing pink rose petals – apparently it has the scent of 120 petals in each bottle
• Aloe vera

This did dry my skin out a little on first use. But I got used to it quickly and never looked back. Except to try the equally lovely Orange Flower Face Wash version.

Jeju Cleansing Milk is an amazing cleanser. Even the bottle itself looks so stylish. Jet black!

• £13.50 (as a member)
• 100ml
• Vegan
• Fragrance-free
• Gluten-free

And the product is full of rich, powerful ingredients including:

• Jeju Cherry Blossom: a rich antioxidant which brightens skin and improves complexion
• Bamboo Grass: also rich in antioxidants protecting your skin from free radicals and UV damage
• Liquorice-Root Extract: Another antioxidant rich ingredient that inhibits the production of spots and brightens skin tone
• Meadowfoam Seed Oil: hydrates skin and hair by forming a moisture locking barrier

Suitable for all skin types, but great for sensitive skin.

Third party seller, hence the high price

Aesop’s Parsley Seed Cleansing Gel is another excellent cruelty-free facial cleanser from Aesop. One that is super for sensitive skin and at fighting the signs of ageing.

• £28.70
• 200ml
• Certified cruelty-free
• Certified vegan
• Contains jojoba oil, liquorice root, lactic acid and blackcurrant seed
• Suitable for all skin-types

The first gel cleanser in the Parsley range, this facial cleanser is a very mild exfoliant (thanks to the presence of lactic acid) balanced by the inclusion of ultra-nourishing jojoba oil.

Lactic acid is a wrinkle-fighting, anti-ageing ingredient that reduces the appearance of pores, creating smoother, brighter skin.

And blackcurrant oil – an antiseptic that is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C – helps boost your immune system and can help remove skin irritation. Even from conditions like psoriasis.

Read our cruelty-free review of Aesop here.

Aesop’s Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque is a rose, geranium and primrose scented face wash designed for tired skin.

• £27.00
• 120ml
• Certified cruelty-free
• Certified vegan
• Floral scents
• The bottle is made-from traditional amber glass or sustainable plastic
• Preservative-free

Enriched with vitamin E and soothing botanicals, Aesop’s formula is nourishing and protective.

Primrose oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids. And an ingredient that is well-known for its protective properties and ability to clear-up acne and eczema.

And rose oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, whilst being scientifically proven to alleviate stress!

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser is a foaming deep facial cleanser with properties that brighten, hydrate and refresh skin.

• £10.95
• 145ml
• Vegan
• Recyclable packaging

And glycolic acid cleansers are far superior to their grit-centric cousins because they are less abrasive and kinder to your skin.

Packed full of:

• Glycolic acid: a chemical exfoliating ingredient derived from sugar cane that has been proven to gently dissolve dead cells and revitalise your skin
• Apple amino acids: gentle, but effective cleansing and foaming properties
• Olive oil: lots of cosmetics use olive oil as a base as it can even be used as a moisturiser by itself such is it’s hydrating quality. Studies have shown it repairs your skin barrier effectively. 

A wonderful facial cleanser that leaves your skin soft and supple to the touch. Even after just a few uses. 

Sukin’s Foaming Facial Cleanser is a vegan, gentle foaming face formula with purifying, balancing properties.

The inclusion of aloe and witch hazel make for a soothing moisturising effect. When combined with primrose oil – a well known anti-irritant and inflammation suppressant – this cleanser is fab if you’re suffering with skin or spot breakouts.

• £5.96
• 125ml
• Certified cruelty-free
• Vegan
• Paraben, sulfate and harsh chemical and preservative-free
• 100% carbon neutral
• Suitable for all skin types

A non-drying formula that gently removes excess build-up, perfect or combination skin.

And such great value!

A double pack, hence the higher price

Green People’s Foaming Face Wash is a gentle, cruelty-free face wash suitable for all skin types.

Containing green tea, witch hazel and rose geranium, this face cleanser is floral, gentle and soothing. If a face wash could be considered sympathetic, it would be this one.

• £11.20
• 100ml
• Certified cruelty-free
• Vegan
• Certified organic – 96% certified
• Recyclable, recycled packaging
• Suitable for all skin types

If you’re looking for a facial cleanser that will draw out impurities, toning whilst cleansing

You can read more about the company in our cruelty-free review of Green People.

Perfect for clearing up those problem pores, blackheads and acne breakouts, JASON’s Brightening Apricot Scrub is an all-natural complexion cleanser.

• £5.68
• 128ml
• Certified cruelty-free
• Certified vegan
• Paraben, sulfate, petrolatum and phthalate-free

JASON’s formula is so good for a number of reasons. It’s all-natural and harsh chemical-free, but that doesn’t make it good.

Whilst the apricot kernels create a scrubbing action – with a bit of elbow grease – it’s a gentle wash. And as apricots are high in vitamin A, it really helps with smooth, supple skin formation.

The addition of jojoba oil and aloe vera create a nourishing, moisturising base. And – such is the moisturising content – it can be used as a scrub, mask and polisher.

Deep cleaning and nourishing. All for £5.99!

Natural Spa’s Face Wash Bars are a gentle, nourishing facial cleanser that is as kind to the planet as it is to your skin.

• £4.95
• 100g
• Vegan
• 50% profits go to an animal sanctuary
• Harmful chemical-free
• Recyclable packaging (and plastic-free)

The essential oils are picked because of their enriching, skin-softening properties. And the product itself is in line with core brand values:

• Produced sustainably
• Can be packaged plastic-free; you need to confirm whether you would like this. But why wouldn’t you?
• Minimal waste production throughout the manufacturing process
• Vegan and cruelty-free

Etee’s Facial Cleansing Bar is another great vegan facial cleansing bar. The charcoal and aloe variation is our favourite.

• £8.66
• 90g
• Vegan
• Palm-oil free
• Recyclable, recycled and plastic-free
• Zero-waste

And, the best bits? The bar is entirely plastic-free, zero waste, 85% organic and harsh chemical-free!

Packed full of:

• Olive oil, coconut oil, mango seed, cocoa and shea butter: all with incredible nourishing, moisture locking properties
• Activated charcoal: hailed as one of the very best natural cleansing ingredients
• Essential oils: wonderful for skin nourishment

It is absolutely brilliant for cleansing sensitive skin. Without the abrasiveness that usually comes with stronger cleansers.