The Cruelty-Free Skincare Picks You Need
Navigating the expanse of skincare can be overwhelming, and the arena of cruelty-free skincare may well prove impossible. Steep price tags and lack of brand trust are only a first of many barriers when first delving into clean beauty. Still, even for those wholly uninterested in the benefits of an ethical skincare practice, the great question of skin types persists.
To establish how you may regard your skin and cultivate your ideal skincare routine, here are some baseline assessments to help puzzle out the mystery of skin types.
Common Skin Types
- Sensitive: Your skin is responsive but temperamental. You may avoid experimenting with new products for fear of a breakout, redness or excessive dryness.
- Dry: Your skin is drained with unrealized potential. Redness, flaking, itching or roughness all point towards dry skin and may resolve themselves with simple and effective alterations to your daily routine.
- Normal: Your skin is ardent and true. You may feel you appear dull at times, but you are generally blemish free without extreme reactions to new products.
- Combination: Your skin is moody. Some regions—like your forehead, nose and chin—are oily or acne-prone while other regions are dry or sensitive.
- Oily: Your skin is generous, maybe overgenerous. Your skin may feel greasy and you always keep blotting tissue at hand.
- Acne-Prone: Your skin is turbulent and volatile. You may struggle with persistent or recurring pimples. Some breakouts may even cause slight pain, linger for a few days or fade into dark spots after extraction.
Even with a basic outline on characteristics that differentiate one skin type from another, it is important to note that skin is constantly changing. Your daily routine should be grounded in solid and adaptable products made by trustworthy brands whose utmost priority is ethical and quality skincare.
ourCommonplace supports sustainable brands and prioritizes ethical practices with standards like no-animal testing. The following suggestions are vetted not only for their reliability but also for their commitment to the six ourCommonplace values. Check out this article for more details on what cruelty-free skincare means at ourCommonplace as well as the benefits of a cruelty-free regimen.
Our Favorites Matched To Your Skin
Sensitive
Cleanser: Anise Glow Foaming Cleanser from Aspen
This vitamin-rich foaming cleanser works great for all skin types. Anise Fruit Oil will leave you with a glowing complexion, while peppermint oil and glycerin smooth and invigorate your skin. This is the perfect wash for a well-balanced, brightened face!
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Moisturizer: RESQ Potion from KHUS + KHUS
RESQ potion represents the evolution of KHUS+KHUS products. As we evolve so does our ability to formulate the best skincare options for the modern person, living in a modern 21’st century world. Contains botanical superpowers moringa, bakuchi, saffron, and Bulgarian rose.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
The Holy Grail: Forma Floris - To Soothe Skin from ELUO BEAUTY
Calm redness, nourish skin, smooth texture and promote regeneration with this powder blend that instantly soothes redness and irritation while softening sensitive skin to reveal a renewed complexion. See all the ways this product seamlessly works to your needs.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Normal
Cleanser: Clarifying Cleansing Milk from D’ISOLANA
This cruelty-free face cleanser nourishes the skin with its high concentration of aloe vera, red fruits, and thermal water that leave the skin clean and refreshed.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
Moisturizer: Inner Light Moisturizer from Strange Bird Beauty
Thanks to the super hydrating powers of Hyaluronic Acid and glow boosting oils of Camellia and Jojoba, your skin will look and feel transcendent. This moisturizer is as complex as you— light and silky, yet rich and dewy.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, BIPOC Owned, Woman Owned
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The Holy Grail: Replenish from STAMBA 
Combining a full-spectrum blend of probiotic strains in a flavorless, alkaline water base, these droplets help balance your immune system and reinvigorate nutrition absorption through digestion.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Dry
Cleanser: Ultra Nourishing Cleansing Oil from Marie Hunter Beauty
A dynamic combination of all natural oils that cleanse the skin without leaving behind a greasy residue.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Moisturizer: Avocado Basil Intensive Moisturizer from Aspen
This rejuvenating deep moisturizer is refreshing and offers all-day hydration. Nourish skin with botanical actives and anti-oxidants, CoEnzyme Q10, Organic Sunflower, Avocado Oil, and Jojoba Oil. Refreshes while improving tone, texture and resilience. Blueberry, Basil, Raspberry and Seabuckthorn Oils provide intensive nourishment. This is the perfect ending to your skin-brightening routine!
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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The Holy Grail: Rose Dew Drops from Bios Apothecary
Deep conditioning, vitamin-enriched and brimming with pro-vitamin B5 these indulgent drops deeply moisturize and deliver the plumping effects of hyaluronic acid.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, BIPOC Owned, Woman Owned
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Combination
Cleanser: Fight Grime Cleansing Gel from 27 Rosiers
With a gel formula that turns into a light foam, this cleaner deeply cleans with a gentleness that suits all skin types.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, BIPOC Owned, Woman Owned
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Moisturizer: Peppermint Face Cream from Bios Apothecary
A plant-based, deeply moisturizing buttercream that provides a non-greasy, soft velvety finish.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, BIPOC Owned, Woman Owned
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The Holy Grail: Forma Oleum - To Nourish Skin from Eluo Beauty
A ritual to nourish, this potent and transformative blend of botanical oils restores radiance and supports a healthy, balanced complexion. Forma Oleum is formulated with an abundant array of essential fatty acids, plant-based nutrients and antioxidants to calm inflammation, regenerate tissue and support barrier strength. Enjoy clear, noticeably hydrated and healthy-looking skin.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Oily
Cleanser: Inner Clarity Cleanser from Strange Bird Beauty
This cleanser/mask/exfoliator detoxifies, removes makeup, gently scrubs away dead skin, and washes away for an incandescent glow. Even more, this 3-in-1 clay cleanser is charged with clear quartz and crab apple essence to leave you with nothing less than clear, liberated skin.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, BIPOC Owned, Woman Owned
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Moisturizer: Hydrating Facial Moisturizer from D'Isolana
This lightweight facial moisturizer is a combination of gold and thermal water that renews and moisturizes the skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It hydrates and moisturizes for smoother, softer skin, all the while protecting the skin from free radical damage that causes further aging. It also blends borage oil, grape extract, aloe, argon oil, and lavender, with other naturally beneficial ingredients to optimally hydrate, leaving the skin feeling rejuvenated and radiant.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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The Holy Grail: SuperGreens & Lavender Clarify Green Clay Mask from Klei
A balanced blend of clays, aloe vera and plant powders, this pore-clearing mask works to clarify and calm the skin. Still more, this clay mask helps regulate oil and sebum production to transition skin into a bright and balanced state.
ourCommonplace Values: Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Acne-Prone
Cleanser: Coco Citrus Noir Purifying Cleanser With Charcoal from Bella Vida
With Activated Charcoal, Vitamin C and organic Aloe Vera, this formula will deeply cleanse pores while hydrating skin to leave it fresh and soft.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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Moisturizer: Hydrating Facial Moisturizer from D'Isolana
This lightweight facial moisturizer is a combination of gold and thermal water that renews and moisturizes the skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It hydrates and moisturizes for smoother, softer skin, all the while protecting the skin from free radical damage that causes further aging. It also blends borage oil, grape extract, aloe, argon oil, and lavender, with other naturally beneficial ingredients to optimally hydrate, leaving the skin feeling rejuvenated and radiant.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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The Holy Grail: SEN Hydrolat from KHUS + KHUS
Formulated with Wild French Lavender and Witch Hazel, this cruelty-free skincare blend promotes new tissue growth while also reducing inflammation and addressing acne.
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
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