In Search of Cruelty Free Alternatives to Specific Beauty Items
May 2, 2015 9:04 PM   Subscribe

A few of the mainstay items in my beauty regimen aren't cruelty free and I'm having a hard time finding replacements that don't give me acne or allergies. Can you recommend alternatives to these products/brands so I can stay true to my desire to be a cruelty free consumer?

Here's what I'm really having trouble replacing...

Bumble & Bumble Straight Shampoo/Conditioner (sulfate free, oil free, silicone free)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for Extra Dry Skin (oil free, fragrance free, dye free, non-comedogenic)
Clean & Clear Oil Free Makeup Remover Wipes
Bausch & Lomb Bio True Contacts Solution

Basically I need to be sulfate, oil, silicone, and fragrance free wherever possible. Unfortunately, Yes to Carrots and Burt's Bee's makeup wipes give me a rash so as much as I'd like to use them, it's a no go. Thanks for your help!

If you're wondering why I'm not just Googling this myself it's because I already have and the first site I went to for help had graphic photos of animal testing on it along with their makeup recommendations and now I'm too scared to keep looking.
posted by Hermione Granger to Shopping (16 answers total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
I'll recommend getting your shampoo and conditioner from Lush. I love their hair products and many of them will meet your requirements, I think.

For your face cream, maybe Pangea Organics or Juice Beauty?
posted by shesbookish at 9:41 PM on May 2, 2015 [2 favorites]


Best answer: For makeup remover wipes: Josie Maran. The company is cruelty-free and gives back a portion of profits to charity, and the wipes are awesome. They do have oil, but it is argan oil, which doesn't bother my skin like other oils do. They have them at Sephora, so maybe they'd let you test one to see if your skin reacts.
posted by bedhead at 9:42 PM on May 2, 2015 [2 favorites]


Best answer: I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to suggest specific alternatives to the products you're using right now, but I bet this really extensive list of vegan, cruelty-free beauty products will help you out.
posted by Gymnopedist at 10:05 PM on May 2, 2015 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Oh I'm sorry you had to see that. Our skin needs are different, but I use this app when shopping and there are no pictures.
posted by PaulaSchultz at 10:33 PM on May 2, 2015


You might like Paula's Choice products, especially their moisturizers.
posted by neushoorn at 10:44 PM on May 2, 2015 [1 favorite]


Avalon Organics and Andalou Naturals don't use animal testing or animal byproducts. I'm allergic to a ridiculous amount if things and the shampoo from Avalon and facecreams from Andalou haven't irritated my skin or hair.
posted by fiercekitten at 11:17 PM on May 2, 2015 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Argan oil doesn't make me break out the way almost everything else does, so you might want to get a sample even if it is an oil. Josie Maran claims to be fair trade, but I haven't looked into it, so I don't know.

Unfortunately, Lush products do have sulfates.
posted by betweenthebars at 1:09 AM on May 3, 2015 [1 favorite]


I would look into Weleda, Aveda, and The Body Shop.
posted by exquisite_deluxe at 2:47 AM on May 3, 2015


Pacifica has a wonderful line of vegan & cruelty-free facial care products, including moisturizers and wipes. Also great makeup.
posted by apparently at 3:30 AM on May 3, 2015


DHC doesn't do animal testing and their products are quite good for sensitive skin. The link says they send to China and that China do animal testing, but I heard they stopped close to a year ago.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 7:50 AM on May 3, 2015


Best answer: Clear Conscience contact lens solution.

Moisturizer and jojoba oil (for makeup removal) from Acne.org. Also seconding Josie Maran makeup remover wipes.

Pureology or Acure Organics hair products. (Caveat: I think Pureology may now be owned by a larger company that is not cruelty-free.)

I am a fan of 100% Pure which has various hair and skincare products.

Leaping Bunny and PETA are the definitive resources for cruelty-free companies and products, and you can browse their lists without having to see disturbing pictures.
posted by désoeuvrée at 9:23 AM on May 3, 2015 [1 favorite]


Oh! I have also had good luck with Skyn Iceland makeup remover wipes (and I have very sensitive skin). They are vegan and cruelty-free.
posted by désoeuvrée at 9:32 AM on May 3, 2015


Best answer: I second Juice Beauty. The only problem with Juice Beauty is that their products aren't sold in department stores as far as I can tell.

If you want something where you can go to the store and try out, I reluctantly suggest Urban Decay. There is some controversy regarding whether Urban Decay is truly cruelty free since it sold out to L'Oreal. L'Oreal does allow its ingredients to be tested on animals and is not considered cruelty free by Peta. On the other hand, Urban Decay is still considered cruelty free. It's been a difficult choice for me, but ultimately Urban Decay was the only department store brand on the cruelty free list so I've been buying a few things from them lately, but have been using Juice Beauty in most cases.
posted by parakeetdog at 9:48 AM on May 3, 2015


I'm in a similar situation. Neutrogena moisturizer is proving really hard to replace.

Worth a try: La Fresh oil-free cleansing cloths. They don't take off serious makeup, but they're good for a light day. I linked you to a trial size; they come in a typical envelope size as well. La Fresh's waterproof makeup remover cloths contain oils and fragrance and are not sensitive-skin friendly.

La Fresh also has a bunch of convenient, cruelty-free wipes for traveling or tossing in bags or glove boxes: antibacterial hand wipes, sunscreen, insect repellent, mouth freshener, and more.

I am not affiliated with La Fresh. I'm just a happy customer.
posted by swerve at 12:53 PM on May 3, 2015


Live Clean has been a great cruelty-free option for me, and it meets many of your criteria.
Also found this cruelty-free contact lens solution: Clear Conscience.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 6:26 PM on May 4, 2015


Response by poster: I am so excited, you guys! Thanks to your input I've been able to find replacements for my shampoo/conditioner and moisturizer at Trader Joe's. Not only is everything there cruelty free, but the products I got are making my hair and skin infinitely better than they've been in ages AND everything totaled up for under $10! I used to pay over $100 just for the B&B products alone! I also ordered some Juice Beauty product samples to try and will be seeking out some of the argan oil wipes mentioned. Thank you so much for all the recommendations!
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:51 PM on May 10, 2015 [1 favorite]


« Older how to create a simple slideshow from a USB file...   |   How to disguise yourself as a man Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.