7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by Sustainable Jungle #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
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7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by Antonym Cosmetics #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
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7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine

Heather Seely


Sustainable living can start with a good foundation—or in this case, a vegan foundation.

By choosing organic foundations, you’re choosing something that’s healthier for you and the planet. By choosing organic and vegan foundation, you’re rounding out that trifecta by ensuring it also doesn’t harm any living things.

Not exactly a news-flash, but many beauty products are not vegan. They contain a ton of animal-derived ingredients—beeswax, lanolin (wool grease), squalane (shark liver oil), carmine (beetle juice), and gelatin, to name a few. 

Whether you’re a life-long vegan or these ingredients simply freak you out (we get it), there are some truly good, cruelty-free foundation brands that kick these ingredients (to avoid in skincare) to the curb.

To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.

Our Blemish-Free Picks For The Best Vegan Foundations

Do vegan foundations work as well as traditional foundations? 

The answer is, absolutely!

Antonym offers one of the best vegan liquid foundations that’s also made of 99% natural ingredients. Suitable for a variety of skin tones, you won’t have to sacrifice great pigmentation in the name of veganism. 

For repair while you wear, you can’t go wrong with the herbal and mostly organic formulas from Dab Herb.

Wondering about the foundation for better beauty?

We’ve got you covered like the best cruelty-free full coverage foundation, right at the bottom of the article.

1. Antonym Cosmetics

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty RoutineImage by Antonym Cosmetics#veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by Antonym Cosmetics

*Note: Antonym’s foundation is vegan, but other products are not. Their vegan powder foundation is palm oil free, but the liquid variation isn’t. We have reached out to confirm policies directly with this brand but have not received a reply.

Antonym’s Vegan Foundation Makeup

Price Range: $40–$52

In a sustainable world that values quality over quantity, Antonym keeps it simple with two perfected organic vegan foundations designed to highlight, bronze, and contour all in one product.

Their infamous Natural Baked Foundation has light reflecting ingredients that leave a transparent, radiant glow. Being non-comedogenic, it’s their best vegan foundation for oily skin or acne-prone skin, since it won’t clog your pores. 

You will find alumina and mica in this makeup option, but they don’t specify their sourcing for these.

The 99% natural and mineral-free Skin Esteem provides a cruelty-free liquid foundation for dry skin as it’s made with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sweet almond oil, and shea butter. 

Housed in either frosted glass bottles or a bamboo compact, they also reduce plastic waste.

About Antonym

Antonym bridges the gap between formulation and function in the beauty industry, offering clean, fragrance-free beauty products and brushes. 

This Leaping Bunny, Vegan.org, and Ecocert certified company is dedicated to sustainability, with a minimum of 90% natural and 11% certified organic ingredients—and 0% phthalates, parabens, preservatives, and fillers.

Their paper packaging is FSC-certified and they support numerous environmental and animal rights organizations.

While we know products are made in Europe, their sourcing transparency is lacking, especially regarding their mineral and palm-derived ingredients.


2. RMS Beauty

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by RMS Beauty #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by RMS Beauty

*Note: Some RMS Beauty products contain beeswax, but they offer exclusively vegan foundation makeup.

RMS Beauty’s Best Vegan Foundations

Price Range: $52–$58

RMS Beauty’s award-winning cosmetics have made a name for themselves in the beauty world. 

Their two foundations, UnCoverUp Cream and ReEvolve Natural Finish Liquid, are fan-favorites thanks to their secret ingredient: the RMS signature adaptogenic herbal blend. 

Their full coverage vegan foundation cream is formulated with wild-crafted buriti oil, organic coconut oil, and the RMS signature blend, a concoction that leads to hyper focused coverage and one of the best cruelty-free foundations for dry skin.

Their liquid foundation provides a glowy finish with moisture-rich vegetable squalane, and organic aloe juice.

This water and sweat resistant formula is perfect for those who need all day medium coverage to support their long days of fighting for animal rights. 

About RMS Beauty

A big name brand, you can find this vegan foundation at Sephora (being a Clean at Sephora brand) and more.

RMS Beauty products are created from raw, food grade, certified organic ingredients free from parabens, gluten, synthetic fragrances, GMO’s, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, soy, silicone, and talc.

Most shades come from natural and ethically-sourced non-nano mineral-derived colors, though it is not always the case with tricky colors like pinks and reds. In these cases, carefully vetted non-toxic synthetic ingredients are used.

Rest-assured knowing they never test on animals, though not all products are vegan.

Focused on more sustainable packaging options, they incorporate PCR materials and are actively launching a growing number of zero waste options. 

Each purchase helps their charitable giving to organizations like Doors to Freedom and Sea Shepherd.


3. INIKA Organic

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by INIKA Organic #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by INIKA Organic

*Note: We are confirming policies directly with this brand.

INIKA Organic’s Cruelty-Free Makeup Foundation

Price Range: $45–$75

INIKA Organic tops the cruelty-free foundation charts with three options—all with 100% natural and at least 71% organic ingredients.

Their best-selling Organic Loose Mineral Foundation contains Titanium and Zinc oxides for SPF 25 protection that make it the perfect two-in-one vegan sunscreen and foundation. 

Their Baked Mineral Foundation has nearly the same fatty acid-rich and skin barrier protecting formula, but sacrifices the SPF ingredients for a mess-free recycled plastic compact. 

Cruelty-free powder foundation isn’t the only way to go with INIKA. 

Available in a recyclable aluminum bottle, their Organic Liquid Foundation contains natural antioxidants derived from botanical extracts like rosehip, evening primrose, and lavender that provide a luminous finish. 

About INIKA Organic 

This Australian brand is the it-girl in the world of organic beauty.

With over 60 awards, it’s been voted one of the best sustainable skincare brands in the world.

Their products are certified Plastic Neutral, Ecocert COSMOS Natural, PETA Animal Test Free, Vegan Society vegan, and halal. 

Over 90% of packaging is recycled or sustainable.

During the Australian wildfires, the brand held a weekend shopping event and donated 100% of the profits towards wildlife and family relief. 

They also use the plastic pollution collected through their Plastic Neutral program to rebuild farm fences in post-disaster communities.


4. Dab Herb

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by Sustainable Jungle #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by Sustainable Jungle

Dab Herb’s Vegan Matte Foundation

Price Range: $2.60–$44

With clinically-tested organic ingredients, Dab Herb’s medium coverage vegan foundation liquid balances skin hydration, increases regeneration, and cognitive function, thanks to Gotu Kola, hemp seed oil, and more.

This Frankincense Serum is a 3-in-1 vegan makeup: foundation and concealer, primer, and moisturizer.

It comes in an elegant glass bottle with an aluminum cap, but be on the lookout for newer products housed in wooden jars handcrafted by indigenous cooperative partners. 

About Dab Herb

Female-founded Dab Herb is a zero waste beauty brand that takes on a holistic approach to cosmetics.

Their entirely food-grade ingredients undergo strict testing to ensure they are safe for human consumption and free from chemicals and toxins (a pro for sensitive skin.) 

All ingredients are USDA certified organic, wildcrafted, fair-trade, vegan, and cruelty-free. 

Each product is slowly handcrafted in micro-batches (without machines or assembly lines) by Dab Herb and their partners. They’re also mailed completely plastic-free.

Aside from sourcing through ethical channels, they combat human trafficking perpetuated by other beauty brands by supporting Made in the Free World.


5. 100% Pure

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty RoutineImage by 100% Pure#veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by 100% Pure

100% Pure’s Vegan Foundations

Price Range: $42–$48

100% Pure has some of the best vegan cream foundations available. 

As the name suggests, Clean-Face Cosmetics keeps your face clean, both in appearance and ingredients.

The Fruit Pigmented Full Coverage Water Foundation is a fan favorite, available in 19 skin tone shades designed for normal, oily, and combination skin. 

It provides a full-coverage foundation backed with vitamins, nourishing ingredients, and antioxidant-packed superfruits like acai berries, grape, and alpha lipoic acid, which fights aging.

The vegan liquid foundation sets with a matte finish for a gentle complexion.  

If you prefer powder, they also have the Bamboo Blur Powder, suited for all skin types. Similar to an eco-friendly sponge, the mattifying bamboo silica absorbs excess oil and provides a soft, poreless complexion. 

Overall, these cheap, cruelty-free foundations don’t sacrifice the integrity of their ingredients—which are all vegan and almost all organic.

About 100% Pure

100% Pure’s name isn’t just a cover-up—they are committed to providing the purest, healthiest, sustainable beauty products.

Their wide range of fruit-pigmented lipsticks, eyeshadows, palettes, and more are all made from vegan, cruelty-free, and certified organic compounds. 

They adhere to strict purity standards, ensuring zero harsh or toxic chemicals. They don’t have any room for animal-sourced ingredients, FD&C colorants, or heavy metal dyes in their products, either. 

Not all of their packaging is environmentally friendly, but they’re making the swap to post-consumer recycled or recyclable materials by 2024. 

100% Pure works with countless non-profit organizations and donates one bowl of vegan dog food or plants a tree for every purchase. 


6. Elate Beauty Cosmetics

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by Elate Cosmetics #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by Elate Cosmetics

*Note: Elate Cosmetics uses stearic acid from RSPO-certified palm sources. Their vegan foundations are palm oil free.

Elate Beauty Cosmetics’ Vegan Full Coverage Foundations

Price Range: $37–$50

We are elated with Elate Cosmetics’ best cruelty-free foundation for oily skin.

The eight shade Pressed Foundation provides a semi-matte finish and is made with super-ingredient vins vinifera, a hydrating grape extract suitable for combination and sensitive skin. 

It does include Responsible Mica Initiative-sourced mica and non-nanoparticle titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for shimmer and sun protection.

For vegan liquid foundation, Refresh combines bamboo extract for elasticity and hyaluronic acid for hydration as well as natural fruit extracts and nourishing plant oils.

They also offer a cream foundation in a 12 shade range.

They’re housed in glass jars with bamboo lids or FSC-certified bamboo compacts. Order powder refills via plantable seed paper sachets.

About Elate Cosmetics

Zero waste makeup brand Elate Cosmetics never ceases to impress us with their dedication to sustainability and transparency. 

Their vegan and cruelty-free products are certified by Leaping Bunny and Beauty Without Bunnies and are mostly also organic. They always prioritize fair trade over organic when they can’t get both.

Over 75% of their packaging is reusable, recyclable, or plantable and absolutely all of it can be returned for free to be properly recycled.

They’re also a Certified B Corp, Green Business Association member, and a Surfrider Foundation approved business.

 1% of sales got to social justice nonprofits, 1% to environmental ones, and more to tree planting and carbon offset programs.


7. Plant Makeup

7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by Plant Makeup #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
Image by Plant Makeup

Note: They offer vegan and cruelty-free foundation powder, but the non-vegan foundation stick contains beeswax

Plant Makeup’s Vegan Foundations For Combination Skin

Price Range: $11–$20

Plant Makeup’s foundation powders are designed for all skin types, especially those on the oily side, since they are made with oil-absorbing clays.

This glass pot packaged vegan powder foundation can be used as foundation, bronzer, brow filler, organic eye shadow, and more.

This lightweight foundation is free from GMOs,oxides, and mica, leaving room for natural ingredients like aloe vera, cacao powder, and cinnamon. 

They also offer a cardboard push tube foundation balm, but this contains beeswax making it not a vegan foundation.

About Plant Makeup

With a name like Plant Makeup, it’s pretty obvious why this brand makes the list. 

Their small-batch products are handmade from plant-derived pigments that provide a subtle, natural shade range rather than dramatic, bold colors. 

You won’t have to worry about any carmine, chemicals, mineral oils, parabens, palm oil, or toxins in the mix. 

Ingredients are local and/or organic, many coming from founder Jes’s very own volunteer garden sanctuary and micro-farm. Which is why they’re one of the few brands making pregnancy-safe foundation that we’d recommend.

Their packaging is made from upcycled materials and recycled or compostable boxes.


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How We Found The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Foundation Makeup

Is there vegan makeup?

You bet your skin barrier, there is. But how did we decide what brands are selling the best vegan foundation? 

We incorporated the points we found when exploring sustainable and ethical beauty, through which we developed our own criteria for judging vegan beauty, foundation or otherwise.

  • Non-Toxic: Your skin is your largest organ, meaning you should treat it as such by not feeding it toxic ingredients. Ditch those toxins for sustainably-sourced natural skin care ingredients.
  • Cruelty-Free: No animal testing. We look for Leaping-Bunny and PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certifications. 
  • Vegan: For this list, we were strict with our definition of vegan here, even excluding beeswax. 
  • Palm-Oil Free: RSPO-certified responsibly sourced palm oil at least.
  • Ethical ingredient sourcing: A brand that does not support basic human and environmental rights is a brand we do not want to support. Organic and fair trade certifications help us avoid greenwashing.
  • Thoughtful packaging: As zero waste and animal rights advocates, we are all about reusable, compostable, refillable, and (lastly) recyclable packaging.

Final Thoughts On Vegan & Cruelty-Free Foundation

With an arsenal of vegan foundations at your fingertips, are you ready to face the world? 

No matter your reason for being vegan (or even if you’re not but just don’t like the idea of putting animals on your face), don’t (vegan makeup) brush off these clean beauty brands, even if you don’t quite find what you’re looking for.

As the demand for vegan products is rising, more vegan foundations are hitting beauty shelves every day.

You know what would make for a flawless finish to this article?

By giving it a share to your fellow vegan beauty gurus.

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7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by Elate Cosmetics #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle
7 Vegan Foundations To Build Your Cruelty-Free Beauty Routine Image by RMS Beauty #veganfoundation #bestveganfoundations #veganfoundationmakeup #crueltyfreefoundation #crueltyfreefoundationfordryskin #crueltyfreefullcoveragefoundation #sustainablejungle

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