I switched to a fully vegan skincare routine—these are the only products I kept

Two months ago, I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and realized my skincare shelf looked more like a science fair project than a self-care ritual.

Tiny jars with unpronounceable ingredients. Tubes I couldn’t recycle. And worse—brands I thought were “green” that turned out to be anything but.

So I did something bold: I boxed up everything I owned and decided to rebuild from scratch—with one non-negotiable rule. Every product had to be 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Spoiler alert? My skin has never felt better.

Why vegan skincare?

Before we dive into what I kept, let’s talk about why I made the switch.

For me, it started with food. I’ve been eating plant-based for over a decade, but my skincare didn’t follow suit. That disconnect started to itch—literally and ethically.

Animal-derived ingredients like lanolin (from sheep’s wool), collagen (from fish or cow), beeswax, and carmine (from crushed beetles) are surprisingly common in personal care products.

And testing on animals, while banned in the EU and parts of the U.S., still happens globally—especially in markets like China that require it for certain imports.

As someone who shops with the planet and people in mind, I couldn’t justify rubbing ambiguity into my skin anymore.

There’s a climate case here, too. Producing animal-based ingredients typically requires more water, land, and energy than their plant-based counterparts. Studies show that microplastics and waste from various products contribute significantly to pollution in waterways and ecosystems.

If we’re going to talk about sustainability, skincare absolutely belongs in the conversation.

How I did it: a 3-step reset

Let’s be real: replacing your entire skincare routine overnight is overwhelming—and expensive. I took a strategic, step-by-step approach that made the transition smoother (and gentler on my wallet and skin).

Step 1: The purge

I started by reading ingredient labels like I read menus—closely and with purpose. Anything that wasn’t explicitly labeled vegan and cruelty-free got a red flag. I also used verification tools like:

• Yuka – for ingredient safety and transparency

• Cruelty-Free Kitty – for up-to-date cruelty-free brand lists

• Leaping Bunny – a gold standard certification

What I let go of surprised me: a beloved exfoliating mask with honey, a glossy serum that relied on snail mucin (yes, really), and even a high-end moisturizer that hid animal-derived collagen under a fancy name.

If the ethics weren’t fuzzy, the packaging usually was. Goodbye single-use sachets and hard-to-recycle tubes.

Step 2: The patch test period

Instead of restocking in a frenzy, I rebuilt my routine one product at a time. I started with basics—cleanser, moisturizer, SPF—and only introduced a new product after two weeks of patch testing. It helped me spot irritation early and kept my skin barrier happy.

The biggest surprise? My skin improved with fewer steps. I stopped chasing “glass skin” trends and focused on nourishment. Turns out, your microbiome doesn’t need ten different acids to thrive.

Step 3: The refill revolution

This was the cherry on top. I realized that sustainability doesn’t stop at ingredients—it extends to packaging, production, and shipping. I prioritized:

• Brands offering refillable packaging

• Glass or aluminum containers over plastic

• Take-back programs or compostable mailers

This shift wasn’t just eco-friendly—it was surprisingly elegant. My skincare shelf is now minimalist, functional, and beautiful. Who needs thirty mismatched plastic tubes when you can have five purposeful, planet-forward staples?

The only products I kept

Switching to a fully vegan routine didn’t mean settling. These five products earned permanent shelf space by excelling in four categories: ingredient integrity, performance, sustainability, and price point. And yes—they work.

1. Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

This cleanser is like a green juice for your face—literally. Packed with kale, spinach, and green tea, it leaves my skin clean but never tight. The gel texture lathers gently and rinses off easily, which is a must for my sometimes-sensitive skin.

• Why I kept it: Glass bottle, biodegradable formula, and the brand is both vegan and climate-neutral.

• Pro tip: A little goes a long way. One bottle lasts me nearly four months.

2. Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum

This bakuchiol serum replaced my traditional retinol without any of the irritation. It helped even out my skin tone and softened texture within three weeks. Unlike retinol, it’s safe for daytime use and pregnancy-safe, too.

• Why I kept it: Vegan alternative to retinol, recyclable glass packaging, and no synthetic fragrance.

• Texture: Lightweight, milky, and fast-absorbing.

3. BYBI Day Defence SPF 30

Finding a truly vegan, reef-safe sunscreen that didn’t leave a ghostly cast felt like chasing a unicorn. This one finally delivered. It’s moisturizing without being greasy and layers beautifully under makeup.

• Why I kept it: Uses mineral (zinc oxide) SPF, sugarcane-derived bioplastic packaging, and the brand offsets carbon emissions.

• Bonus: It smells subtly of green tea and cucumber.

4. OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil

This body oil is my post-shower ritual. It smells like a beach vacation in a bottle and leaves my skin deeply hydrated without feeling greasy. Seaweed extract, acai, and passion fruit oil make it an antioxidant powerhouse.

• Why I kept it: Vegan, cruelty-free, glass packaging, and the brand is Climate Neutral Certified.

• Hack: I mix a few drops into my body lotion for extra glow.

5. Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream

I know, I know—finger-applied deodorant? But hear me out. This stuff works. It’s gentle, baking soda-free, and made with magnesium and arrowroot powder. The lavender-bergamot scent is heavenly.

• Why I kept it: Compostable packaging, refill jars available, and the brand supports environmental justice groups.

• FYI: One jar lasts 2–3 months with daily use.

Lessons I learned along the way

You don’t have to be an esthetician or environmental scientist to revamp your skincare with purpose. But navigating the swap to fully vegan products taught me more than just what to buy. It helped me rethink what “clean beauty” really means—and who it’s for.

Here are a few insights I picked up along the way.

Less really is more

My pre-vegan routine included a rotating cast of exfoliators, toners, masks, and serums. Some worked. Some didn’t. Most confused my skin.

Now I keep it to the essentials. Cleanser, serum, moisturizer, SPF. A few times a week, I’ll exfoliate with a gentle enzyme mask. That’s it. My skin is more resilient, my wallet is happier, and I spend far less time (and packaging waste) chasing beauty trends.

Labels matter, but they’re not everything

“Clean.” “Green.” “Eco-luxe.” These terms aren’t regulated—and they often distract from what really matters. I learned to ignore buzzwords and dig into the details.

Look for certifications like:

• Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free)

• Vegan Action (no animal ingredients)

• Climate Neutral (offset emissions)

If in doubt? Email the brand. The companies worth supporting are proud of their transparency.

Vegan skincare is for everyone

This isn’t about gatekeeping beauty. You don’t need to be fully plant-based to benefit from vegan skincare. These products are gentle, effective, and increasingly accessible—from luxury lines to drugstore favorites.

And the impact goes beyond your reflection. Choosing plant-based ingredients helps reduce animal exploitation, supports ethical labor, and reduces environmental degradation. In short: it’s skincare with a soul.

The big picture: Beauty beyond the mirror

Choosing vegan skincare isn’t just a trend. It’s a choice—one that connects personal wellness with planetary well-being.

Every bottle you buy (or don’t) shapes an industry. Every brand you support (or skip) casts a vote. And every moment you spend caring for your skin can be an act of caring for something much bigger.

You don’t have to change everything overnight. Start with one swap. Keep what works. Let your values lead. Trust me—your skin, your conscience, and the planet will thank you.