The answer is no. If you want to make sure a cosmetic, fragrance or skincare item is cruelty free, we recommend doing a little research. These days this information is easily found on google even if the brand doesn't disclose this information on their website. It is worth noting that some brands which are cruelty free in the UK, EU and US, but sell in China, may not be 100% cruelty free. One of the regulations for selling into China is that products should be animal tested first.
The good news is that many more brands are now offering completely animal cruelty free and 100% vegan collections.
The rise of men's cosmetics
For centuries it has been widely accepted for women to wear make-up and the use of cosmetics can be traced back to the early Egyptians and Greeks. Cosmetics and make-up can improve one’s complexion, treat skin conditions and give people confidence. So, why has it been frowned upon for men to wear make-up and use cosmetics?
Well that is changing as more male grooming brands are coming to market, making skincare more accessible for men of all ages. The outdated idea that men shouldn't wear make-up is being pushed aside. What is more, many have been created by men, for men, so they feature specific formulations for male skin.
Like all good business ideas, these brands were born out of a need. But they have also created a conversation about societies perception of masculinity. They are challenging the historical male stereotype and show that male grooming can be compassionate.
Where did the idea that men must be tough come from?
Men must be strong and tough. Taking care of one’s appearance or seeking help for emotional issues is weak and unmanly. These are historical pressures which have been created and one company looking to debunk this are Kings. Kings are an ethical aftershave fragrance brand on a mission “to inspire and empower men to live healthier and happier lives”.
From facewash, soap, hair gel and beard balms, we have a selected the very best cruelty free and vegan grooming brands for men.
The team at Mancave pride themselves on four main principles, Clean Ingredients, Vegan & Cruelty Free, Refreshing Aromas and Free from Nasties.
Mancave believe that the benefits of establishing a good personal care routine go well beyond just improving physical appearance. The act of taking care of your skin is comforting and soothing by nature, no matter what your motive.
If you are also an eco warrior when it comes to waste and plastic, it will please you to know that the tubes can be easily recycled without removing any caps or labels. Both the cap and main body are formed in a single material (PP), meaning that the finished product is 100% recyclable and BPA compliant.
All of their products are Cruelty Free, and the whole range is Vegan Friendly except for the Conditioning Style Cream which does include Lanolin.
Keep your skin looking youthful and rested with an uncomplicated skincare regimen from Arbonne. Arbonne have been creating skincare sine 1975 using only natural ingredients and all their products are cruelty free and certified by The Vegan Society.
The RE9 Advanced® range for Men is formulated with malachite extract to help promote strong and healthy skin while algae extract and vitamin C help support a firmer, youthful, more resilient appearance. The collection includes shaving cream, soothing aftershave lotion and eye repair cream.
Arbonne also have a useful tool to help you determine your skin type and choose products suited to your skin.
Founded by Alan and Becky in 2016, Original Beard Co. was born from a struggle to find products that suited their ethical stance. With backgrounds in Chemistry and Engineering they decided to create their own and spent almost a year trialling different formula's and experimenting with scents and blends.
Their ethos is to provide high quality natural products at an affordable price.
The collection consists of handmade balms and oils which are designed to condition your beard, helping to repair and prevent split ends whilst softening, nourishing and leaving a light shine. At Original Beard Co. you can also pick up combs, soaps and waste free shampoo bars. Made from natural ingredients and essential oils, everything is 100% vegan.
These guys work incredibly hard and can often be seen at local events and shows where they are happy to discuss your requirements and make recommendations to make sure your beard always looks and feels healthy.
Swagger & Jacks began in 2012 as an independent Barbershop in the Norwich Lanes and has grown into its current location in the heart of the City on Timber Hill. It boasts barbering, a treatment clinic, and lifestyle clothing on three floors. Amongst the range of services and items offered is their signature cologne.
Crafted with base notes of Bergamot, the scent has spicy undertones and provides a subtle depth of fragrance. The cologne arrives beautifully packaged and is dispensed from a convenient spray bottle.
Activate your glow with a grooming routine from Vegan Organic Skincare. The team here take a natural, vegan, organic and cruelty free approach to all the items they produce, using suppliers across the UK.
The Vegan Organic Skincare range includes face scrub, face wash and moisturiser, as well as a shaving cream made with avocado butter, fruit extracts and blackberry seeds. What is more, they offer a travel collection, making it easy to use your favourite vegan skincare wherever life takes you.
We all know that pumpkin seeds are extremely beneficial for our health and it seems they are good for skin too. Many items in the Vegan Organics Collection contain pumpkin seed oil. Rich in vitamin E, zinc, omega 3- and 6- fatty acids as well as antioxidants, it has tremendous benefits for the skin. It can help to retain moisture, fight free radicals and maintain a youthful appearance.
Kings was born out of a personal struggle with mental health. Each day a staggering 84 men take their own lives in the UK and inspired by this and his own experience; Founder Blue O'Connor created Kings. Blue suffers from social and general anxiety, and during his mid-twenties this progressed to high levels of anxiety, stress and depression. On the day before his 25th birthday, while driving home from work, he experienced chest pain and numbness in his hands. Blue thought he was having a heart attack and only later discovered it was a panic attack.
As a man, he felt an overwhelming sense of shame. He believed it was up to him to solve the problem alone. Feeling trapped, he knew he needed help, but the fear of feeling ‘unmanly’ and ‘weak’ held him back from reaching out for help.
After a career break and a re-evaluation of his life, he decided to create a ‘social enterprise’ that would use profits to empower men to live their best lives. Every purchase of Kings supports men's mental health projects and Blue's new Talk Club initiative has even attracted the attention of Sir Richard Branson.
Kings aftershaves are certified ‘Made in Britain’, registered with The Vegan Society & Cruelty Free International.
If you want to look fresh-faced and flawless with minimal effort, a daily skincare routine can be easily achieved with Altr London.
Altr London serves to help people access cosmetics, by producing easy to apply products alongside a range of tutorial content to help first time cosmetic users. Their products help reduce skin problems such as acne, Rosacea and hyper-pigmentation.
Alex Doyle created Altr London after experiencing skin problems as a teenager. He found that the products on the market didn’t work well with his skin or appeal to him as a young guy. With Altr London he aims to reach people who have not considered wearing makeup to improve their appearance. He has also started the conversation of makeup being a product for everybody.
Their product range includes Face Fix concealer and Blemish Balm (not yet vegan), and a Whiskey Infused Moisturiser & Face Wash which are both 100% vegan. Made with naturally derived ingredients such as Chamomile and Aloe Vera, these daily essentials help leave skin soft and velvety. Added Acai extract helps to fight environmental damage and the effects of pollution.
Keep an eye out for our social posts in the coming weeks. We have some gift sets from Altr London to giveaway.
Surprised by the lack of straightforward skincare options, Simon Duffy created Bulldog back in 2005.
Whether you have the face of an angel or the skin of a rhino, Bulldog is on your side. Specially formulated vegan skincare products help you look and feel your best. Select from normal, sensitive, oily or mature skin collections purpose built for men.
Bulldog products contain natural ingredients, like the camelina, green tea and aloe vera. These are combined with carefully selected, man-made ingredients to offer superb performance. They never use ingredients from animal sources and are certified by Cruelty Free International.
Almost all their products are made in the UK and Bulldog are the first male skincare brand in the world to use sugarcane as a raw material in their packaging. Instead of using plastic from fossil fuels, Bulldog’s tubes use sugarcane plastic from Brazil. Sugarcane is a renewable source that needs little more than natural rainfall to grow.
Founded in 1981, Neal's Yard was the UK’s first certified organic health and beauty brand. They are passionate advocates of organic living and want to help people to live happier, healthier lives.
Set in acres of organic gardens, fields and meadows in Dorset, a team of gardeners grow organic calendula, St. John’s wort, verbena and lemon balm. Handcrafted in their eco-factory, these ingredients help to make their vegan skincare collection.
Neal's Yard use natural, organic and ethically sourced herbs, botanicals and essential oils free from harmful chemicals. They have never used plastic micro-beads and have a Bee Lovely range which raises money to support bee-friendly organisations.
Their Men’s collection includes face wash, moisturiser, face scrub and aftershave balm which are all vegan and Certified by Cruelty Free International.
The variety of vegan skincare and the number of cruelty free skincare brands for men is growing. So pick a brand and dive right in! Think about what you want to improve, is it the appearance of acne or improving complexion? After a few weeks you will know if the formulation is right for your skin or not.
Skincare On The Move
Need a super stylish washbag to organise and carry your skincare, razor, toothbrush and grooming products? Our handmade vegan washbags are just the ticket. Features a spacious interior that is fully lined with a durable, water-resistant and washable lining, they are the perfect travel companion for weekends away or long haul.
Complied by Watson & Wolfe.
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