Achieving radiant skin involves more than just a good diet; it's about being kind to your skin. Thankfully, the market is flooded with a variety of cruelty-free and best vegan face washes, reflecting the lifestyle of veganism beyond just food choices. If you discover that your current cleanser isn't vegan, you might hesitate to repurchase it. That’s where a plethora of vegan skincare products, free from animal cruelty or derivatives, come to the rescue. 

Our contributor Bianca Lorena, a certified aesthetic educator, says, “Vegan face washes don’t contain animal ingredients or by products - being 100% free from cruelty benefiting your skin and the environment. They aren’t tested on animals, and help avoid risks of skin conditions such as inflammation, and are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins and  minerals.

Such face washes promote healthy skin tone and keep pores clean by removing make-up, excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells. Other benefits of using these face washes include hydration and soothing results.”

However, the real challenge is in finding the ideal match for your needs. That's where our team of skincare experts steps in to assist you. Drawing from practical knowledge, we've carefully evaluated the pros and cons of several trendy vegan face washes, ensuring you can choose what suits your skin best.

Whether you're dissatisfied with your current cleanser or just curious about the variety of natural vegan face products available, we've got you covered. Dive in to explore our recommended list of vegan face washes below.

• 1
  Best Overall

  Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel

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You will experience pure refreshment with this Dr. Dennis Gross cleanser. Its gel-to-foam formulation is like a cool splash on your skin that leaves you completely revived. It's enriched with willow bark extract and farnesol, which acts against impurities and bacteria. The cleanser also lifts up dead skin cells with alpha beta acids, giving way to radiant skin. Plus, mushroom extract ensures your skin stays calm and hydrated throughout. The chamomile-derived bisabolol is another key ingredient that adds a soothing touch. We liked how this cleanser boasts the luxurious floral scent of jasmine.

2

Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser

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This daily green juice gel face cleanser boasts a fresh herbaceous scent and harnesses the nourishing power of greens you'd find in a healthy smoothie. Packed with kale, spinach, and green tea, it delivers a potent antioxidant boost. Spinach and kale provide fatty acids and phytonutrients for radiant skin, while green tea fights aging with its natural antioxidants. This cleanser not only removes makeup but also balances skin pH and clears pore buildup, preventing blemishes. Its nutrient-rich gel lathers well and effectively clears away oil and dirt, making it perfect for oily to combination skin types. Our skincare experts also confirm it's great for single and double cleansing, leaving your skin glowing, soft, and clean without any dryness.

3

Best Lightweight Cleanser

Bliss Fab Foaming 2-In-1 Cleanser

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Bliss brings you a fantastic oil-free gel formula blended with bamboo buffers to make your skin appear dewy and fresh. This 2-in-1 cleanser has plant-based bamboo exfoliators that gently polishes your skin. It also contains chamomile and glycerin to soothe and nourish the skin. This cleanser caters to all skin types. Moreover, it's not only vegan but also a cruelty-free face wash. When we tested the product, we liked how its delightful scent added an energetic touch to the skincare routine.

4

Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

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Pacifica Beauty's cleanser effortlessly removes tough makeup in one rinse, even without sulfates. It is also free from harsh chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and mineral oil to help you get healthy skin naturally. This cleanser contains sea algae complex to maintain skin's moisture. Additionally, it has papaya and vitamin E to add natural softness to the skin and enhance brightness. For added benefits, it's formulated with coconut water to tone and balance the skin. Thus, it smells lovely, with a delightful coconut scent coming from both coconut water and oil. In our testing, we found that this cleanser works best for oily or combination skin and is a refreshing choice for makeup removal.

5

Best Hydrating Choice

Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash

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Ursa Major's fantastic face wash sets a high standard for skin protection. It has a gentle formula that ensures your skin stays safe. This honey-colored gel foaming facewash is a true blessing for dry skin. Packed with a hydrating blend of aloe and rice extract, it replenishes the skin, strengthens its natural barrier, and keeps your skin moisturized and perfectly balanced. The fusion of cedar, spearmint, and lime gives it a refreshing aroma. What's great is that these ingredients are formulated with coconut-derived surfactants that give a rich and silky foam.

6

Best Smelling Cleanser

Sweet Chef Oat Milk Latte Cleanser

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The Sweet Chef Oat Milk Latte Cleanser is your skin's perfect morning brew. This vegan-friendly gel cleanser creates a mild, frothy lather, gently whisking away makeup and impurities. It has a gentle formula that suits all skin types. Its star ingredient, oat milk, soothes and nourishes, while coffee seed and panthenol fortify and calm your skin. It also contains hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to boost skin hydration. Plus, it's alcohol-free, which means that it won't strip the moisture. After giving it a try, we couldn't help but admire how it leaves the skin fresh and bouncy after every wash.

7

Best Gentle Formula

HERBIVORE PINK CLOUD Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

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This amazing jelly cleanser by HERBIVORE is a low-foaming gel that mainly targets redness and dryness. With a pH-balanced formula, it not only cleanses but also hydrates the skin, making you prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine. It contains Tremella mushroom, a potent humectant that boosts skin moisturization (1). In addition, it has rose hydrosol that adds a delicate rose scent while soothing sensitive skin. The cleanser also has squalane, a vegan oil that helps remove makeup and lock in moisture. This pale pink creamy-gel cleanser effortlessly transforms into a gentle lather, giving a dreamy cleansing experience

8

Best Nourishing Ingredients

No B.S. Gentle Foaming Cleanser

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True to its name, the No B.S. Foaming Cleanser contains no unnecessary ingredients. This sulfate-free, vegan facial cleanser works wonders in deeply cleansing your skin while offering defense against pollution and environmental stress. It's packed with aloe vera that rejuvenates and calms your skin, reducing inflammation and acne scars. Plus, the gentle formula includes cucumber and green tea extracts, which help brighten your skin and combat puffiness, dark circles, and dark spots. These antioxidant-rich ingredients shield your skin from free radicals and environmental pollutants. After using the product, we found that it effectively removed makeup and debris.

9

Moon Juice Milk Cleanse

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Moon Juice Milk Cleanser is all about being gentle and kind to your skin. Unlike harsh cleansers that can disrupt your skin's natural balance, this one creates creamy bubbles from coconut ferment that cleanse without causing dryness or irritation. It's formulated with adaptogenic Reishi, silver ear mushroom, and Vitamin E to keep your skin hydrated and maintain a healthy protective barrier. Plus, the natural bentonite clay and amino acids from sugar beet molasses work together to ensure a thorough cleanse without making your skin dry. Overall, this daily face wash offers a great cleansing experience, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and not overpowered.

10

Best Gluten-free

I DEW CARE Namaste Kitten Face Wash

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This vibrant green cleanser turns into a rich white lather on your skin in no time. This magical cleanser from I DEW CARE is designed to clear up skin without being harsh. It is packed with the benefits of cypress leaf and heartleaf extracts. The former has anti-inflammatory properties and fights blemishes, while the latter calms down irritated skin and clears your pores. When we put it to the test, we were quite impressed. It lathers up beautifully, so you only need a little each time. That means this potion will last you a long time, giving your skin a treat every day.

11

Best Face Wash for Acne

e.l.f. Cosmetics Pure Skin Cleanser

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E.l.f, a brand known for its affordable and professional-quality products, presents Pure Skin cleanser, an effective and gentle face wash suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. This non-irritating formula removes dirt and impurities without causing any discomfort. It's enriched with oat milk, allantoin, and ceramides that soothe, nourish, and support the skin's natural moisture barrier. It also has niacinamide to help minimize pores and even out skin tone, while its hyaluronic acid content locks in moisture to plump up the skin. What's great is that all e.l.f's products, including Pure Skin, are not only vegan and cruelty-free but also free from harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens.

12

Best for Treating Signs of Aging

Then I Met You Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel

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This gel cleanser by Then I Met You is packed with fermented rice water to get rid of all the impurities and give you instant brightness. The cleanser is a dream team packed with PHAs, hydrating agents, and antioxidant properties. It has plant-based antioxidants like licorice root, green tea, tea tree, and Centella asiatica that even out skin tone, treats signs of damage caused by UV rays, and brightens the skin. Its potent and effective formula helps prevent signs of aging, inflammation, and breakouts. Meanwhile, it also has hydrators like sodium hyaluronate and glycerin that ensure nourishment. It's a sulfate-free gem with a gentle pH of 6 that effortlessly clears your skin of impurities. The fusion of herbal licorice root and mandarin citrus scents gives a sensory delight that elevates the skincare routine to a whole new level.

13

Best for Long-lasting Hydration

KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

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The refreshing power of Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is your ultimate solution for clean and nourished skin. This face wash goes deep, cleansing your skin without any harshness, with its coconut-based surfactants. Instead of stripping your skin, it brings hydration and antioxidants back to your skin with matcha and hemp seed oil. Its gel formula transforms into a silky lather, effortlessly removing dirt, light makeup, and sunscreen. Plus, it's packed with Sodium PCA, known for its intense hydration and skin-friendly properties (2). Unlike other cleansers, it doesn’t make the skin feel dry or irritated.

Finding the best vegan face wash can be a bit of a challenge with so many brands using animal-derived products, some of which might not even be listed on the ingredients. Here are some valuable tips to help you choose the right vegan face cleanser.

Ingredients to Avoid

Stay clear of face washes containing animal-derived ingredients like beeswax, royal jelly, or animal-based glycerin. Also, be cautious about hyaluronic acid and squalene, as it might sometimes be sourced from animals. Look for the Leaping Bunny logo or rely on our recommended list for certainty.

Gentle Plant-based Ingredients

Opt for cleansers with natural ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, coconut, and cucumber extracts. These not only cleanse but also soothe your skin. A good cleanser should not only remove impurities but also rejuvenate the skin. Look for natural antioxidants and phytonutrients to combat environmental stressors and pollutants. For gentle exfoliation, opt for clay-based cleansers with ingredients like Kaolin clay. If you prefer actives, then choose vegan cleansers containing plant-derived salicylic acids, citric acids, or glycolic acids.

Know Your Skin Type

Understand your skin type before picking a vegan face wash. Different cleansers cater to various skincare needs. In your daily skincare routine, opt for gel-based cleansers if you have oily skin. Likewise, creamy cleansers provide balance and hydration for dry skin. If you deal with oily, acne-prone skin, foaming face washes are often the best choice.

Avoid Harmful Ingredients

Check the ingredient list for sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Choose sulfate-free cleansers made from organic, plant extracts or plant-based ingredients. Avoid alcohols that can dry your skin; instead, go for plant-based surfactants like olive and virgin coconut oil.

Scent Preferences

Consider your scent preferences. Some cleansers offer refreshing citrus scents, while others have calming lavender or sweet coconut fragrances. Pick a scent that not only cleanses but also uplifts your mood during your skincare routine. Also, avoid synthetic fragrances that can irritate the skin. 

Consider Allergies And Sensitivities

Be mindful of allergies or sensitivities. If your skin feels dry or tight after cleansing, your cleanser might be too harsh. Also, monitor your skin texture for redness or itchiness. If you are allergic to certain botanical extracts or essential oils, avoid them. Instead, choose a hypoallergenic cleanser formulated for sensitive skin.

Taking these factors into account ensures you find a vegan cleanser that suits your skin's unique needs.

Brands certified as vegan adhere to strict guidelines, ensuring their products are free from any animal-based ingredients or byproducts and come with the following benefits.

1. Environmental Impact

Veganism benefits the environment not just in terms of diet but also in cosmetics. Vegan cosmetics use less water and energy than animal products and reduce the impact of pollution. Furthermore, they often come in sustainable materials like glass or recyclable plastic, minimizing environmental harm.

2. Gentle on Skin

Vegan face washes are enriched with natural ingredients like coconut, oats, tea tree oil, vitamin E, aloe vera, and chamomile. These natural elements hydrate and nourish the skin, promoting a healthy glow. 

3. Fewer Allergens

Vegan cleansers are free from toxic additives and are often safe for the skin. Their minimal ingredient list further lowers the risk of irritation or allergy. Thus, you can avoid conditions like rashes, asthma, acne,  eczema, and inflammation with these gems.

4. Supports Ethical Practice

Most vegan products are cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing is involved. Therefore, opting for vegan face washes supports brands committed to cruelty-free and ethical skincare practices.

It's time to embrace a natural and gentle cleanse with our top picks of the best vegan face washes. We always vouch for effective products without any animal-derived ingredients. Also, the world is shifting towards vegan beauty and fashion, and thus, amazing products are flooding the market. Considering this, our carefully curated selection promises a refreshing cleanse while being gentle on your skin. You'll enjoy radiant skin without any harsh ingredients due to plant-derived surfactants and extracts in most of these products. It's high time to welcome more natural and eco-friendly skincare into your routine. Choose the best for your skin and the planet.

Contributor: Bianca Lorena, a Registered Nurse and Aesthetic educator - BLC Aesthetics