Best products from r/VeganBeauty

HAIR:

• Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo. I get this at Target, where they have the jumbo bottle for $10. I really like that it's super gentle and doesn't have sulfates in it (I have a fairly dry, curly hair type). It also smells soft, almost like play dough, and I love that. I also use the matching conditioner.
  
  TEETH:
  
  
• Earth Paste Toothpaste. I get this at my local health food store and I have seen it at Whole Foods and New Seasons. This toothpaste makes my teeth feel the cleanest they've ever been, but you should know that the mouth feel is a little different from a traditional foaming toothpaste. Before this I used Tom's Of Maine.
  
  
• Modest Planet Natural Bamboo Toothbrush. Just got this recently but so far I like it just fine.
  
  BODY:
  
  
• I don't shave, so I don't have any current recommendations for this. HOWEVER I know that safety razors are a great option as far as finding cruelty free (plus they're more eco conscious) and I used to like using coconut oil to shave my legs.
  
  
• Wild Carrots Vanilla Bean Skin Cream. I just checked their website and this appears to have been discontinued. :(
  
  
• Tom's Of Maine Deodorant. I like the Wild Lavender and Maine Woodspice scents. I don't sweat much, so these do fine for me, but might not be great for someone who sweats a lot.
  
  SKINCARE:
  
  
• I just found out my cleanser isnt vegan, I need recs for this again.
  
  
• Thayer's Alcohol Free Rose Witch Hazel. It's gentle and calming. I used to wipe it on with a cotton round but I've discovered I actually like spritzing my toner on better.
  
  
• Derma E Hydrating Day Cream. This is very moisturizing but still light. It sinks in really well, which I love because I like to layer skin creams. It also smells delicious and light.
  
  
• Derma E Hydrating Night Cream. This is thick. This is rich. I want to marry it. I have pretty dry skin so I actually layer a dab of this over my day cream as well.
  
  
• Pure Maracuja Oil.This is the one I use right now, and before this I used the Tarte one. It's softening and helps my breakouts a little bit.
  
  
• Pure Neem Oil. I'm allergic to Tea Tree and my skin doesn't like Salicylic Acid very much so I use this instead. Sometimes I apply like a spot treatment, sometimes all over. I love what it does for me but it smells like burning peanuts so I only use it at night.
  
  
• Shea Moisture African Water Mint Lip Balm. This is really thick so I like it for lip prep before lipstick. My only complaint is the packaging. It's so hard to open.
  
  MAKEUP:
  
  
• Hard Candy Color Correcting Primer in Green. I just learned that this is LE. WHY the FUCK..... Before this I was using elf Hydrating Mineral Primer.
  
  
• I don't use foundation much anymore, but when I do I rotate between Wet N Wild Photofocus, Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Luminous Foundation and Urban Decay Naked Skin. All three are lightweight, thin formulas, and medium coverage.
  
  
• Kat Von D Lock It Concealer Creme. This is beautiful. And let me tell you, my skin is AWFUL but I can just use this instead of foundation and it looks awesome. Best makeup purchase of my life.
  
  
• Essence Stay Matt Powder. I use this to "bake" and set my face all over. It's very effective and has a great blurring effect. Sometimes if I have a bad foundation day, this actually fixes it.
  
  
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Moonstone. I like to put this on top of my base but under powder. It gives a nice subtle glow.
  
  
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. This is beautiful and it smells delicious, and it's very easy to blend.
  
  
• Urban Decay Blush in Fetish. The formula on these is just so soft and beautiful, without being powdery at all. This is also a pretty similar color to Tarte's Exposed (not vegan) though slightly pinker.
  
  
• Still need an eye primer replacement and am working on the eye shadows.
  
  
• elf Mineral Infused Mascara. This makes my lashes so fluttery and curly. Perfect for everyday. For more dramatic lashes, I really like the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
  
  
• My favorite lipsticks are the Kat Von D Liquid Lipsticks and the Milani Matte Lipsticks.
  
  NOW AFTER ALL OF THAT. Please make sure you check the HG Masterlist in the sidebar. I made it just for these situations! There's tons more products listed there!

THERE IS A TLDR at the end of this. I am trying to be as helpful as possible and it ended up being pretty long. Each sub category is kind of defined in caps.


First and foremost, as you have mentioned you are a 26 y/o male, I think priorities for your skin may be quite basic: hydration, cleansing, perhaps a light sunscreen, and a bit of exfoliation.

So far in my journey I have found matching your skin needs to different products purposes will be your best bet to finding a regime for you. That being said, learning about different ingredients might serve well to finding products that will be successful with your skin type.

As for HYDRATION: Comedogenic ratings are helpful to understand what may break you out and why some products are clogging your pores. I didn't gain a ton of detail about your skin type and environment from your description, but using an oil as a moisturizer has worked well for me. I especially like using simple (less ingredients, the better) products because it offers a streamlined routine and most oils are multi purpose. Here is a link to an article that breaks down what Comedogenic properties are and how they appear in different products. I.e. if an oil has a higher Comedogenic rating, there is a higher chance of it clogging pores and leading to break outs.

https://goldmountainbeauty.com/blogs/news/oil-waxes-butters-botanicals-comedogenic-ratings

I've found coconut oil (Organic, unrefined, cold pressed, and fair trade if possible) is the best body moisturizer for my skin. However, it has a high comedogenic rating and my sensitive skin breaks out if I use it on my face or chest. Shea Butter and hemp seed oil are what I use to moisturize my face, they offer enough hydration without the clogging.

As for a CLEANSER: A gentle, mild soap is best to use for daily cleansing. Of course depending on your skin type, you may have different needs... but assuming you just want a simple cleanser, I would recommend African black soap (I prefer bar form, but you can find liquid forms from Shea Moisture {not all of their products are vegan} and Alaffia). Someone else mentioned Castille soap in bar form which is also an excellent body wash, hair wash, and face wash. It's a great staple in any routine. I would say that African Black soap has worked wonders for me because it is deep cleaning and helps reduce redness. I struggle with dry, acne prone skin and have found both of these options to not be super drying to where your skin gets tight and peely.

As for EXFOLIATION: I seriously recommend getting yourself a spin brush with an exfoliation attachment. I use the Vanity Planet spin brush here:

https://www.vanityplanet.com/collections/facial-brushes/products/spin-for-perfect-skin

DO NOT PURCHASE THIS AT THE FULL PRICE. It is listed at $99 USD and goes on sale OFTEN. Not to mention, you tubers who have reviews on the product almost ALWAYS give a discount code in their description box to get the system for like $30. I don't think I paid more than $30 for mine and you shouldn't either. Here is the first link from a YT video that popped up for 70% off (hopefully it works for you).

https://www.vanityplanet.com/collections/refer-a-friend?mbsy=dm96F&campaignid=30196&mbsy_source=c64322ed-8c30-4233-9e64-00758b921d6b

The brush comes with a cleansing brush, exfoliating brush, body brush and pumice stone for your feet. I personally haven't used the last two brushes because I don't really need them but the cleanser and exfoliation brushes I use daily. Instead of buying exfoliates and more products for your skin, you can just use your daily cleanser with the exfoliating brush head and you're good to go. I use mine about once a week on the exfoliating brush and/or when I feel the fluff of some extra dry patches on my face.

As for SUNSCREEN: I use a makeup cream hat contains SPF 30 and live in the rainy PNW so sunscreen isn't my area of expertise. I do know Alaffia makes a daily facial lotion that contains a light spf of 15. You can find that here:

http://alaffia.com/daily-face-lotion/

I currently use their replenishing face cream at night for a little extra moisture if you are dry skinned like me. You can find that here:

http://alaffia.com/replenishing-face-cream/

WHY ALAFFIA? Their products are made with majority organic, fair trade ingredients. All of their products are vegan with the exception of some of their balms. I find them to be extremely affordable for excellent quality products. I also enjoy the simplicity in their ingredients.

I live in Washington state so this company is local to me so I can support that.

They also fund support organizations for women in Togo to relieve health care, reforestation in other countries, and many other projects that better impoverished communities around the world.

I can't recommend this brand enough. They are not mentioned quite enough and are completely cruelty free.

TONER: The only thing I have left out is perhaps looking into a toner for your skin. Alaffia makes a coconut water toner (easy to use as a spray on and go bottle). You can find that here:

http://alaffia.com/coconut-water-face-toner/

But I also opt for a mix of 1 part Apple cider vinegar and 1 part water used on a cotton pad or cloth. I just swipe this over my face at night after cleansing and pre-moisturizer to help diminish the appearance of acne scars and redness.

OTHER ITEMS I ENJOY:

BENTONITE CLAY: If you haven't heard about bentonite clay, you can purchase a 1lb tub on amazon for relatively cheap (it lasts foreverrrr) to mix with equal parts apple cider vinegar. This can be used as a mask to help fight acne and draw out dirt from your pores. You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sNDRybG4C77VH

Tips for the Bentonite clay:

Mix a single serving at a time (storing the mix will result in molding).

Do not use metal utensils or a metal bowl to mix this in. It reacts with the ingredients with the bentonite clay (don't ask me how, somewhere on the Internet can tell you but I know it has to do with chemistry and elements).

Don't leave the mask on to completely dry. I wait about 10 minutes and only apply a light layer. I let it set, but not completely dry because it can really be a pain to take off because it hardens so much. That being said, DON'T PEEL IT OFF.

My last warning is that it will slightly 'stain' (not sure if this is the right word) your skin with a pink flush. It draws blood to the surface of your skin and gives your skin a pink wash after using it. So maybe use it at night before you go to bed or just not before anything important.

ALMOND OIL: If you are concerned about under eye circles or looking for something with anti-aging properties (vitamin C and retin A serums are popular but they are HARSH), look to almond oil. A quick swipe under the eyes or around the laugh lines outside your mouth help with the smoothness of your skin. Almond oil is packed with vitamin A. You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186EO2U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GQDRybBEA1RNK



TLDR; Of course a well balanced diet, sufficient water intake, and exercise account for overall good health and appearance to your skin, the main components of my ideal routine would include cleansing, hydration, sun protection, and exfoliation.

I know this is a TON of suggestions but hopefully you can find one option that works for you in here, or guides you to something that aligns with your needs. Let me know if you have any questions. I typed this via mobile, so there might be some funky typos. Good luck.

I know you're asking about sunscreen, but if you're interested in a CC cream with SPF, I really love Supergoop!

It's SPF40, I'm not sure what the range of colors is like as I'm an eternally pale person so I just get the lightest shade of everything. I find it pretty lightweight though, and it seems to slightly moisturize my skin too, it feels softer and less oily since I've been using it.

Best of luck finding a good sunscreen!

So I've got the hawaiian body oil which I don't use too often, but is good after a shower once and a while. Uh then I also have the good&clean mini peel which I've used only once I think, and actually probably need to try again because I have some blackheads. That's pretty much it, honestly I would say the Dr Bronners is my, not so much secret, but #1 key product for good skin. I shower probably 4-6 times a week with that stuff. Oh and then I also have this shave cream.

I can't tell you which stores carry that stuff in Canada though, sorry.

Some other general healthy skin tips are:

• Drink plenty of water
  
• Eat Plenty of fresh leafy greens and fruits
  
• Moderate daily exposure to direct sunlight
  
• Don't smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol
  
• get plenty of sleep
  
  
  
  
  
  (̿▀̿‿ ̿▀̿ ̿)
  

I love this made by “Ancient Greek Remedy.”

Extremely clean ingredients and just as good as Skin Food, imo.

Edit: it’s vegan and cruelty free, don’t take the “butter cream” description to heart, it’s more describing the consistency. Here’s the ingredient list:

FACE & BODY MOISTURIZER made of a 100% PURE Blend of Organic Sweet Almond, Cold pressed Olive, Castor, Sunflower, Grapeseed, Vitamin E, and Lavender Essential oil. VEGAN, GLUTEN, GMO & PARABEN FREE.

I started taking this Organic Plant Based Collagen Builder about 3 or 4 weeks ago. It doesn't have collagen in it, but through the plant-based ingredients it claims to increase or maintain your body's own collagen production.

Since I'm still new to it, I can't say for sure what effects it's having, but I think my hair & nails feel healthier. It has biotin in it so that would make sense. I started taking it for joint health as I'm getting older and read that collagen is important for knees. I want to make sure my joints can keep up with my activities! The skin aspect is more of a bonus for me, but I hope to see some effects after the 2nd bottle. People said it took a little bit to notice anything.

It's also full of vitamins which is a plus because my diet is not always great. For me there were a lot of reasons not to take a non-vegan collagen supplement.

​

edit: I won't deny that collagen products have become a new, hot marketed item. I hope to see some effects for my joints but will discontinue it if I don't.

Vanicream is CF & vegan, super gentle. I love their cleanser, lite lotion and regular lotion for those super dry days. Similar price point to cetaphil. I highly recommend!


Amazon link

Do you use a toner? An extremely popular vegan, cruelty-free, soy-free and alcohol-free toner is [Thayer’s Witch-Hazel Rose Toner](Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LfM3AbAWMQ4HZ).

I use this stuff everyday... it’s amazing and gentle. It has a PH of 5.5-6. You can use this after cleansing and before creams/serums. Target sells this toner with the spray nozzle which is also nice as a mid-day refresher or make-up primer. You can find the travel-sized toners on Amazon as well.

I also second trying Pacifica. My faves: seafoam cleanser, kale micellar water, coconut body butter, passionfruit/guava perfume! But seriously, everything is amazing!

I used that same product every day for many years and I also have very sensitive skin! I just found an EXCELLENT replacement product that's actually an upgrade. It is more expensive but worth it in my opinion. It is tinted so it makes my skin look almost like I have make up on. I also contacted the company and verified that this product was vegan and cruelty free, which it is. It is actually for dermatologists to sell in their medical offices, but you can buy it on Amazon for $30. It is SPF 41 and I can't recommend it enough! I am really in love with it and found out about it from Dr. Dray on youtube. Here's the link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C8FVZZY/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1520455461&sr=8-4&keywords=elta+md

Welcome new vegan!!

When my hair was white/blue I tried a few different toners and none of them worked for me (and I bleached the heck out of my hair so it was very light to start with). What worked for me was mixing a little bit of Special Effects Blue Mayhem with conditioner and leave it in for maybe an hour. I'm sure you could use another brand of plant-based dye too. I'd usually do it a little darker than I wanted and it would fade perfectly and last a little longer. I hope that helps!

Kiss My Face. This one smells AMAZING and it's $9 for 32oz with a frickin pump!


Kiss My Face Anti-stress Bath and Shower Gel, Moisturizing Body Wash, Value Size 32 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EUSRNA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OPBNAbR5P3G86

When I ran out of Cerave a few weeks ago, I bought some Derma E at Kroger on a whim. It's actually been amazing for my skin, it's so thick and moisturizing. The tub I bought was $10, think it was in sale.

I tend to go for Tom's for deodorant and toothpaste, they're only slightly more expensive than what I used to buy.

I buy this crazy good coconut conditioner, I just can't remember the brand.. Will update with it later, promise. Oh, and Queen Helene mint julep mask!

Edit: Here's the coconut conditioner I love, and this is what I bought last time because there wasn't any of the coconut one on the shelf.

I know you're looking for a foundation, but if you like the cushion application, Amazon has just the cushion compact and you add your favorite product to it.

​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDQ3B53/?coliid=I1T8X1M49M0E7I&colid=3EM0YLKKWVM28&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077MVGNXP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 i love this stuff! i barely feel it minutes later.