26 Leaping Bunny-approved cruelty-free beauty brands to try

This post shares 26 Leaping Bunny-approved cruelty-free makeup and skincare brands that are worth checking out.

All of the beauty brands in this post meet Leaping Bunny’s standards for being cruelty-free; they don’t test on animals at any stage of product development. From affordable to high-end, this list offers so many amazing makeup and skincare picks to suit your wants, needs, and morals.

These cruelty-free beauty brands are not only effective but they’re also ethical. Keep reading to see the brands are worth investing in!

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

About Leaping Bunny and how companies become part of the Leaping Bunny Program

Since 1996, the Leaping Bunny Program, operated by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics in the US and Canada, has been connecting compassionate consumers to cruelty-free companies under its Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals. Companies must pledge to end animal testing at all stages of product development in addition to recommitting to the programme annually and being open to third-party audits.

There are currently 2,343 Leaping Bunny-approved companies. A list of all the Leaping Bunny-certified brands can be found in this directory.

What happens if a company isn’t part of the Leaping Bunny Program?

Just because a company is not part of the Leaping Bunny Program it doesn’t mean it’s not cruelty-free. For example, the brand may not be aware of Leaping Bunny and thus not have its certification. However, being Leaping Bunny-certified ensures that you’re buying from a company that adheres to rigorous standards and is 100% confirmed to be cruelty-free.

26 amazing Leaping Bunny-approved cruelty-free beauty brands to try

1. Glossier

Glossier is a brilliant beauty brand if you’re into minimal, low-effort looks that make your skin appear healthy and naturally dewy. This is the perfect brand to check out if you want to look sophisticated, chic, and ‘put together’ in under 15 minutes. The skincare products are effective, uncomplicated, and leave skin feeling comfortable, hydrated, and soft. The makeup products are perfect for effortless looks where your natural beauty shines through. There are even skin-loving bodycare products and signature fragrances to leave you smelling incredible and feeling fresh.

Tried and tested: Boy Brow

On my wishlist: Glossier You

2. Sunday Riley

Sunday Riley is a premium skincare brand that’s so worth the money. Every formula delivers exactly what it claims to, with no concerns over how effective the products are. Whether you want to fade hyperpigmentation, have visibly bright under-eyes, or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Sunday Riley has a solution for you.

Tried and tested: C.E.O. Glow

On my wishlist: Good Genes

3. Glow Recipe

Glow Recipe (get 15% off Glow Recipe at Sephora UK with my code SARAHSSPH) is a popular skincare brand that’s known for its fruit-powered and aesthetically pleasing products. This cruelty-free brand provides gentle, effective, and glowy formulas that leave skin healthy and radiant. Think avocado eye creams, watermelon toners, strawberry serums, and plum moisturisers.

Tried and tested: Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner

On my wishlist: Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

4. Jones Road

Jones Road is a modern and minimal beauty brand that focuses on simple, high-performance, and versatile products that are easy to use. Although many of the base makeup products cater for drier or more mature skin, there’s a wide range of products to suit different skin tones, types, and preferences. Some of the staple products are the glossy highlighter balm called the Miracle Balm, the opinion-dividing What the Foundation, The Mascara, and The Face Pencil for effortless concealing.

Tried and tested: Gel Liner

On my wishlist: The Lip Tint

5. NIOD

NIOD is less well-known than The Ordinary, but both brands have the same parent company, DECIEM. NIOD is more expensive than The Ordinary but offers more innovative and powerful solutions to meet your skin’s needs. These solutions are all backed by science and work to target specific skin needs, such as redness, dullness, uneven skin texture, and signs of ageing.

Tried and tested: Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex

On my wishlist: Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

6. e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. Cosmetics is a popular cruelty-free beauty brand that’s known for its affordable yet effective products. e.l.f. offers a huge range of makeup and skincare products. And so many of the brand’s products have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram for being so budget-friendly yet so high-performing. Whether you’re after a hydrating lip oil, gripping primers, full-coverage concealers, hydrating face creams, or yummy bronzing drops, e.l.f. has got you covered.

Tried and tested: Power Grip Primer

On my wishlist: Fine as Fleck Glitter Eyeshadow

7. Half Magic

Half Magic is the incredible, glittery, and fun makeup brand behind the hit TV show Euphoria. This creative brand is for people who are inspired by playful makeup or love makeup as a form of self-expression. From bright colours and neutral mattes to insane duochromes and innovative eyeliners, Half Magic is a wonderful brand with killer formulas.

Tried and tested: Eyeshadow Singles in Blushing Lizard

On my wishlist: Glitterpill in Sweet Prince

8. Dermalogica

Dermalogica is a well-known skincare brand that’s known for its clinical-grade solutions. Beyond selling science-backed formulas, Dermalogica offers professional skincare treatments across the UK, both online and in person, such as a face mapping skin analysis, LED red light therapy, and transformative skin peels.

Tried and tested: Special Cleansing Gel

On my wishlist: Precleanse

9. The Body Shop

The Body Shop is an excellent cruelty-free beauty brand offering straightforward and uncomplicated products. Whether you’re after a soothing cleansing balm, purifying conditioner, nourishing body wash, or repairing foot cream, this brand has a tonne offer at very reasonable prices. I love The Body Shop’s approach to sustainable, eco-friendly, and kind-to-your-skin beauty.

Tried and tested: Camomile Sumptuous Makeup Cleansing Butter

On my wishlist: Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask

10. MERIT Beauty

MERIT Beauty is the ideal brand if you like minimal, sleek, and fuss-free makeup. The products are easy to apply, versatile, and look natural. This is a brand that’s not about loads and loads of unnecessary products; it’s about statement pieces that work. I love how quickly I can put together a makeup look using MERIT products.

Tried and tested: Great Skin Instant Glow Serum

On my wishlist: The Minimalist Complexion Perfecting Stick

11. Jordan Samuel Skin

Jordan Samuel Skin is an excellent cruelty-free skincare brand that was founded by the knowledgeable aesthetician Jordan Samuel Pacitti. His formulas are all about being effective, high-performing, and packed with potent ingredients while still being soothing and kind to the skin. Although these products are on the pricier side, they all perform brilliantly and are gentle.

Tried and tested: The After Show Treatment Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

On my wishlist: Mandelic Exfoliating Mask

12. Haus Labs

Haus Labs is one of the most revered celebrity makeup brands. Created by the legendary Lady Gaga, Haus Labs produces pioneering, highly pigmented, and high-performing makeup products. Each product encourages creativity, self-expression, and artistry, with vibrant colours, beautiful textures, and futuristic formulas. There’s a reason why this brand is so popular!

Tried and tested: Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

On my wishlist: B Structural Mascara

13. Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant is a high-end skincare brand that’s known for its excellent actives-packed formulas that are kind to the skin. With a broad range of skincare and bodycare products available, these cruelty-free solutions leave your skin feeling happy and healthy. This brand frequently goes viral on social media for its aesthetically pleasing and instantly recognisable products.

Tried and tested: Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

On my wishlist: Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

14. Rhode

Rhode is a trendy makeup and skincare brand, founded by popular celebrity Hailey Bieber, that promotes intentional, fuss-free, and everyday products that make your skin radiant. This brand revolves around natural beauty and formulas that nourish and soothe the skin’s barrier for your best skin yet. Rhode consistently goes viral on Instagram and TikTok every time a new product launches.

Tried and tested: Glazing Milk

On my wishlist: Peptide Lip Shape

15. Milani

Milani is a drugstore makeup brand that’s accessible and inclusive for everyone. Although the products are affordable, that in no way means they’re cheap! This is a quality makeup brand that delivers great formulas on a budget. Its best-selling Baked Blush is smooth, pigmented, and comes in a beautiful shade range. And there are loads of other excellent formulas that perform just as well.

Tried and tested: Baked Blush

On my wishlist: Conceal + Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation

16. Paula’s Choice

Paula’s Choice is a science-backed skincare brand that’s all about uncomplicated, effective, and powerful products. Not only are there loads of high-performing products to choose from, but Paula’s Choice is also an excellent resource for skincare advice and knowledge. Its skincare ingredient dictionary is a go-to page for research-backed information about ingredients, how they work, and whether they’re good for your skin.

Tried and tested: 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

On my wishlist: Skin Clearing Treatment

17. Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty is Selena Gomez’s adored cruelty-free beauty brand. Rare Beauty rarely ever gets any bad reviews. Instead, this is an award-winning brand that’s loved by all and designed to make you feel good when you wear it. From insanely pigmented blushes and shimmering liquid highlighters to smooth concealers and hydrating lip creams, this brand celebrates individuality and confidence.

Tried and tested: Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

On my wishlist: Soft Pinch Liquid Contour

18. Naturium

Naturium focuses on effective skincare solutions that work for all skin types. These products help you achieve a healthy complexion, powered by potent actives and natural botanicals. From gentle body washes to multi-peptide moisturisers, Naturium offers a broad range of products that won’t break the bank.

Tried and tested: Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

On my wishlist: The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash

19. Saie

Saie is another brand that’s known for its effortless makeup products that are infused with skin-loving ingredients. This brand is all about dewy skin, high-quality formulas, and natural beauty. From featherlight highlighters and nourishing lip oils to radiant tinted moisturisers and soft-focus bronzers, Saie offers plenty of no-makeup makeup essentials.

Tried and tested: Glowy Super Gel

On my wishlist: Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

20. Kosas

Kosas is a cruelty-free brand that delivers a makeup-skincare hybrid. The products are packed with effective ingredients to improve your skin while still delivering the pigmentation and fun of makeup. These are solutions that feel minimal on the skin but deliver maximum results.

Tried and tested: Wet Lip Oil Gloss

On my wishlist: Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder

21. Liz Earle

Liz Earle is a mid-priced beauty brand that offers a massive range of products. The brand is centred around the potent power of naturally active ingredients and caters to all skin types and needs. Liz Earle’s flagship product, the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, has won over 150 awards and continues to be incredibly popular today.

Tried and tested: Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

On my wishlist: Instant Boost Skin Tonic Toner 

22. Milk Makeup

Milk Makeup (get 15% off Milk Makeup at Sephora UK with my code SARAHSSPH) offers effective and easy-to-use formulas to allow you to express yourself. These products will become everyday staples that are fun to apply and deliver amazing results. From the hero Hydro Grip Primer that keeps your makeup in place all day without budging to the TikTok-viral Cooling Water Jelly Tint that has a unique bouncy texture, Milk Makeup constantly innovates.

Tried and tested: Sculpt Stick

On my wishlist: Hydro Grip Makeup Setting Spray

23. ILIA

ILIA is another skincare-meets-makeup brand that prioritises a natural, minimal look. This is a brand you’d love if you want your skin to look like skin, your complexion to look radiant, and for light coverage. If you want to cheat the ‘I woke up like this’ look, ILIA is your go-to.

Tried and tested: Super Serum Skin Tint SPF30

On my wishlist: Limitless Lash Mascara

24. The Ordinary

The Ordinary is an iconic and incredibly affordable skincare brand that’s loved by many. This brand arguably kickstarted the trend of consumers becoming way more savvy about what ingredients in skincare products do. With its innovative ingredient-led formulas, people started learning more about INCI lists and what solutions will truly meet their skin type and wants. Today, the brand continues to release budget-friendly and effective formulas.

Tried and tested: AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

On my wishlist: Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum

25. Kjaer Weis

Kjaer Weis is a luxury cruelty-free beauty brand offering a more sustainable approach, with refillable and recyclable packaging. This is a sleek and minimalist brand for natural makeup looks that are easy to put together. From refillable lipsticks and nourishing facial oils to finely milled setting powders and creamy eyeshadows, this is a great option if you want to splurge on some products.

Tried and tested: Cream Blush

On my wishlist: The Beautiful Oil

26. Nudestix

Nudestix provides makeup products that enhance natural beauty for a fresh-faced, nude look. Despite the products having a minimal feel to them, they’re very high-quality. The formulas melt into the skin and are easy to play with. Nudestix is most famous for its iconic stick blushes, but the brand offers plenty of other effective and luxurious formulas.

Tried and tested: Nudies Bloom

On my wishlist: Nudies Glow All Over Face Color

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.