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April 30, 2014 2:22 PM

Can anyone recommend good-quality, cruelty-free skincare?

I have been trying to do some online research about cruelty free skincare (daily moisturizers with SPF 30+), but I can't seem to find any good recommendations. A lot of the cruelty free companies I have come across I've never heard of them, so I am a bit leery. I have been using Neutrogena, but they test on animals, and for ethical reasons, I have to make a change.

I'm looking for something that is easily absorbed into skin, non-greasy, with a SPF of 30+. Something for sensitive skin is a bonus. Does anyone have a favorite product they use? (Please don't recommend products by Clinique and such, as they sell in China and any cosmetic sold in China is required to have mandatory animal testing.)

posted by ATX Peanut to Shopping (10 answers total)

I love Lush, but I am not sure if any of their stuff has SPF. Their Full of Grace Serum is an amazing moisturizer (I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, and it works like a dream).

Another brand worth investigating is MyChelle. I have not tried this product, but it could be worth a try:

http://www.mychelle.com/Sun-Shield-SPF-28
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:26 PM on April 30, 2014

Best answer: Paula's Choice products are cruelty free and they are really, really good! I believe she has various sunscreen products. Her stuff is way more sophisticated and of value than not only the cheapest drugstore brands but than ALL the fancy department store brands that sell tiny bottles of cream for over a hundred dollars. What a joke. You can't get better skincare products anywhere in my opinion and I've read about skincare ingredients and technology for years as well as looked at the ingredient lists of many, many brands. Also, just so you know I think the difference between an SPF 15 and greater (SPF 30, 100, whatever) is pretty marginal. I believe an spf 15 blocks something like 95 percent of the uvb rays and an spf that's 30 might block 97 (so you're not getting double the protection with SPF 30). But there's good info about that on her site as well.
posted by Blitz at 2:35 PM on April 30, 2014 [10 favorites]

Agreeing with Blitz on Paula's Choice. I have really sensitive, fair skin prone to redness, and her products are amazing for me.
posted by artemisia at 3:20 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

Here is a list of cruelty free skincare from Leaping Bunny - tons of options!

Also, I second the rec for Paula's Choice skincare, lots of great products.
posted by insectosaurus at 3:20 PM on April 30, 2014

MyChelle, Beauty Without Cruelty, OWN, Acure Organics, derma e, Alaffia, Avalon Organics and Andalou are all well known vegan and/or cruelty-free brands. :)
posted by stubbehtail at 3:26 PM on April 30, 2014

I just started using this Josie Maran "Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47" sunscreen on my face. It is very smooth. It is physical sunscreen (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) but it does not leave as white a residue as other ones - almost none. I have very sensitive skin and an avobenzone allergy, so I am usually stuck with the white residue.) I've only been using it a week so I can't really speak to the performance of it. It's quite costly so I'd check it out at Sephora or wherever before buying, though.
posted by stowaway at 6:46 PM on April 30, 2014

Paula's Choice. They have a great sunblock, this is the one I use. It uses a physical sunblock so you don't have to worry so much about chemical allergies, and is tinted so you don't get the dreaded white film on your skin you get from most none chemical sunblocks. All of their skin care products are great. It's a little pricey, but they have a new items on sale every week.
posted by wwax at 7:57 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

Came in to suggest Paula's Choice. Here are some reviews on Makeup Alley.
posted by moira at 8:15 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

I have loved arbonne Products, despised the direct selling thing.
Peta has lots more info.
posted by dpx.mfx at 1:43 AM on May 1, 2014

i like desert essence products.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:59 AM on May 1, 2014