“I’m going vegan”. How many times have you heard (or said) that phrase? According to animal rights organisation, PETA Asia, Singapore is the second most vegan-friendly city in the region, while YouGov statistics show that seven percent of us are either vegetarian or on a vegan diet.
Now what if opting for vegan beauty was as easy as grabbing an açai bowl? Would you revamp your vanity table too?
There are many preconceptions (and misconceptions) when it comes to vegan beauty—some think they’re more expensive, won’t perform as well as luxury formulas, have ingredients lists that are harder to decipher, or can’t possibly have the same colour pay off and staying power as “traditional” make-up products in the market. Many also think they’re harder to find. Thing is, you already have vegan beauty products sitting on your shelves. We’re talking skincare by the likes of Dr. Dennis Gross and Fenty Skin and make-up from Urban Decay to Kuby Beauty and of course, KVD Vegan Beauty. The list goes on, and there are options everywhere from Sephora to Guardian to online beauty platforms like Asian Beauty X.
Here are some tried and tested skincare, make-up and body care formulas to kick start—or add to—your vegan beauty rituals:
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The Face Shop
Brand status: In a recent move towards vegan beauty this year, The Face Shop introduced The Therapy Vegan range.
What to try if you haven’t already: Blending Toner, $58 available at retail stores and online.
One of the key products from this Korean beauty brand is the Vegan Blending Toner, a multi-functional elixir that combines the lightness of an essence and the efficacy of a serum in a single product. The refreshing toner features the brand’s Marche Anti-aging Formula, a complex which conditions the skin with a blend of calendula and noble laurel extracts and olive oil. Besides giving the formula a gorgeous spa-like fragrance, extracts of sandalwood, thyme, edelweiss and palmarosa help to improve your skin’s resilience. In a two-step regime, follow up with its other product, the Blending Cream.
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Vegamour
Brand status: 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free
What to try if you haven’t already: GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum, USD38, available online.
Vegamour believes in only natural ingredients to promote hair growth and wellness. Grounded on plant-based actives and proteins, their products run the gamut from treating hair loss to ridding your scalp dandruff issues. The GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum is delicately formulated with a vegan silk protein that works to remove scalp buildup while locking in moisture from within. Alongside other counterparts like Zinc PCA, excess oil and pesky flakes can also be removed. Massage this formula into your scalp minutes before rinsing off in the shower.
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Dr. Dennis Gross
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: Universal Daily Peel, $135 for a box of 30; available at Sephora
This two-step daily treatment gets you the clinical results of a skin-renewing and -resurfacing facial at home—without the sensitivities or recovery time of a full-on chemical peel. Step one features a combination of five potent but gentle exfoliating acids while step two comes in with a chockfull of actives to calm, nourish and rebalance, for refreshed, smooth and glowing skin.
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Biossance
Brand status: 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free
What to try if you haven’t already: Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer, $76 for 50ml; available at Sephora
If you’re looking for a lightweight yet ultra-hydrating moisturiser, this gel formula is it. Packed with sugarcane-derived, sustainable squalane oil and probiotic technology, this doesn’t just optimise moisture levels but also calms and soothes aggravated complexions (even with rosacea), and strengthens skin’s natural barrier and balance.
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Everyday Humans
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: Resting Beach Face SPF30 Sunscreen Serum; available at Sephora
This one-two punch sunscreen serum shields the skin while strengthening it from within. It’s packed with reef-friendly organic actives to protect against UVA and UVB rays, while hyaluronic acid, spinach and green tea help to nourish, plump and fortify complexions with a host of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that fight environmental damage and treat inflammation.
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Tata Harper
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free and vegetarian, with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil with Vitamin A, $179 for 30ml; available at Sephora
Applied right after moisturiser, this retinol-powered face oil works to rejuvenate skin by targeting all signs of ageing (like wrinkles, roughness and dullness). It does the job with rosehip seed oil, which delivers a natural form of retinoic acid from vitamin A, working hand in hand with neroli to soften and smoothen uneven texture, as well as Estate Grown Beauty Complex, a blend of botanical vitamins, nutrients and minerals to supercharge skin.
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Fenty Skin
Brand status: 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free
What to try if you haven’t already: Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum, US$28 for 150ml; available at Fenty Beauty
This viscous two-in-one toner-serum instantly hydrates, plumps and balances complexions with ingredients like blemish-busting niacinamide, brightening Barbados cherry, oil-controlling lemon myrtle and witch hazel water, hydrating cactus flower and antioxidant-rich green tea and fig to help defend against environmental aggressors.
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Drunk Elephant
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: A-Passioni Retinol Cream, $105 for 30ml; available at Sephora
The combination of retinol and supportive peptides works wonders of renewing skin’s suppleness and clarity by boosting cellular regeneration and zooming in on fine lines, uneven texture and UV damage. Formulated with one percent pure vegan retinol, this restorative treatment also contains soothing fatty acids and antioxidant-rich oils to replenish moisture and to calm any redness or sensitivities, so it’s safe for retinol beginners too. But it comes with a mini B-Hydra to mix for more comfort and moisturisation if needed.
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Lush
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: Goddess soap bar, $24; available at Lush
Make hand washing a decadent moment with this golden soap bar, crafted with moisturising Fair Trade cocoa butter, coconut oil and a rich, olfactive blend of floral and woody fragrances. Think heart notes of dark, enigmatic Oudh oil, enveloped in a seductive bouquet of jasmine and osmanthus absolute, and grounded by warm sandalwood.
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Aromatica
Brand status: 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free
What to try if you haven’t already: Tea Tree Balancing Emulsion, $45 for 100ml; available at Asian Beauty X
This lightweight formula contains tea tree leaf extract, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to help regulate sebum production and heal scars left behind by pimples and free radical-induced skin damage. It’s a great daily treatment for more acne-prone and oily areas of your face for combination skin types too.
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Dear, Klairs
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free and vegetarian, with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop, $28.90 for 35ml; available at Guardian
Dear, Klairs is the first Korean skincare brand with products to be vegan-certified by the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services. Alongside bestsellers like Supple Preparation Facial Toner and Soft Airy UV Essence, their Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop serum is a vegan-friendly energy shot for the healthy, luminous skin. This non-irritating formula contains five percent vitamin C, which is gentle enough to not cause irritation but concentrated enough to even out skin tone, brighten skin and fade pigmentation.
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KVD Vegan Beauty
Brand status: 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free
What to try if you haven’t already: Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick, $31; available at Sephora
Formulated with smooth spherical pigments and lip-nourishing ingredients, this masterful vegan formula cushions lips with lightweight, ultra creamy, vivid colour that stays comfortable throughout the day.
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Urban Decay
Brand status: 100 percent cruelty-free with some vegan products
What to try if you haven’t already: Stay Naked Liquid Foundation, $55; available at Sephora
Proving the efficacy of vegan make-up, this liquid foundation features buildable light-to-medium coverage that sets with a satiny, second-skin finish and lasts throughout the day—without caking or cracking. This lightweight and long wearing formula comes in 50 shades so there’s any option for everyone.
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Kuby Beauty
Brand status: 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free, and halal
What to try if you haven’t already: Matte Love Liquid Lipstick, $22; available at Kuby Beauty
Completely vegan without sacrificing colour or comfort, this liquid lipstick makes a statement with its highly pigmented formula in a palette of six rose, crimson and taupes that complement all skin tones. It dries down into a velvety matte finish that’s definitely smudge proof.
