7 Vegan, Cruelty-Free and Halal Beauty Brands You Need to Know About

There are a lot of beauty brands in the world right now—more than we could ever imagine, in fact. The sheer number of brands and products out there doesn't make beauty shopping any easier, so throw in specific requirements and, like me, you're probably even more at a loss of where to begin. The positive news is that the beauty industry has come a long way in the last few years, and there is certainly no need to skimp on quality when it comes to purchasing beauty products that align with your values. Vegan, cruelty-free and halal beauty products have come on leaps and bounds compared to the slim pickings that were on offer in your local beauty destination just a few years ago.

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(Image credit: @thatgracegirl)

It may seem complicated due to never-ending labels and claims, but ultimately, vegan, cruelty-free and halal requirements are simple: All vegan products should be free of any animal products, and that includes animal by-products. "Cruelty-free" means no animal testing during any stage of the production of the product. Halal products adhere to strict halal guidelines, which means products should not contain ingredients derived from blood, pigs, human body parts, predatory animals, reptiles, insects, and alcohol. 

Gone are the days when vegan, cruelty-free and halal products were notoriously hard to shop for. In 2023, we're welcomed with a myriad of choices that fit the bill. And to make shopping for top-ups or new beauty products just that bit easier, we've done the hard work for you and meticulously put together the crème de la crème of vegan, cruelty-free and halal brands available. Read on to find out about the vegan, cruelty-free and halal brands we really rate. 

1. Rouje 

When it comes to classic, chic beauty, the French are certainly pioneers. Think a red lip, a fresh and beautiful complexion and flushed cheeks—voilà, you have Rouje. Founder and French icon Jeanne Damas says, "At Rouje, there is not just one take on beauty nor one vision of good taste. There is no such thing as a faux pas." The entire beauty line is 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

Shop the best of Rouje:

2. Le Labo

Since launching in 2006, the fragrance brand Le Labo has taken the world by storm. In fact, we don't think there's a person out there who doesn't know about the brand's über-popular Santal 33. But it's not just perfume that has our attention. Don't skip its gorgeous collection of candles, bodycare and haircare.

The brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and that ethos—alongside the luxurious, long-lasting and intoxicating scents—has the fashion and beauty set hooked.

Shop the best of Le Labo: 

3. Glossier 

If there is one brand that needs no introduction, it's Glossier. "We are committed to being cruelty-free: This means we do not test on animals at any stage of product development, and we will only work with vendors who uphold the same standards," the brand says on its website. Not only that, but the brand is also working on developing vegan formulas for its beloved products.

Shop the best of Glossier:

4. Aveda 

Vegan and cruelty-free can be hard to come by, but Aveda has been the leader in this realm with its range of high-performing and sustainably sourced plant-powered haircare. From hair masks and leave-in conditioners to styling products, the formulas are Leaping Bunny approved and never compromise on salon-esque results.

Shop the best of Aveda:

5. Mora Cosmetics 

A halal certification is hard to come by, as halal for Muslims is more than just the ingredients included or excluded from a product. For something to be halal certified, the production process also needs to be looked at. Mora Cosmetics is one of the few brands that encompass a halal ethos, from how the products are developed to the ingredients used. The brand is simple: It has one hero product that is multiuse in different shades. If you favour a more streamlined beauty routine, this is for you.

Shop the best of Mora Cosmetics:

6. E.l.f. Cosmetics

Meet your go-to for affordable beauty that goes above and beyond. A brand that always hits the mark and is a favourite in the beauty community, E.l.f. is committed to being cruelty-free and working with vegan formulas.

Shop the best of E.l.f. Cosmetics: 

7. Inika Organic

A pioneer in halal-certified beauty, Inika Organic was one of the first available on the market. The Australian brand is committed to developing formulas that use clean and 100% natural ingredients, and it produces products that work to enhance your natural features. It's definitely a brand for the ethically conscious shopper.

Shop the best of Inika Organic:

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Promo image: @sasha.mei

Freelance Beauty Journalist

Zeynab Mohamed is a London-based freelance beauty journalist, covering beauty, wellness, lifestyle and identity-related content. Her background in psychology and her identity as a Black woman has influenced a lot of her writing and has become a driving force to create engaging content that touches on a perspective that is often neglected and speaks to other Black women who love beauty as much as she does. She is inspired by how individuals engage with beauty and how beauty can make you feel but also how beauty holds the power to connect individuals across the globe to form communities. She began her career in beauty journalism with the British Vogue team, where she discovered that beauty isn’t just frivolous but can be a tool to empower individuals and give them a voice which they were not afforded.

Zeynab is currently a beauty contributor to Who What Wear. She has also written for Stylist, Elle, Refinery29 and Byrdie, building on her freelance portfolio and expanding on the type of content she creates in the hope of reaching diverse communities. When Zeynab is not writing and hunting down her next story, you can find her travelling the globe and tucked away with a good book.