Let’s be real — the beauty world is having a massive glow-up, and at the centre of it all is vegan skincare. If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably seen all your favourite influencers and celebs flaunting their fresh, glowing skin with eco-friendly, plant-based products. It’s not just a trend, though. Switching to a vegan skincare routine is a whole mood. Think fewer chemicals, no animal cruelty, and a smaller carbon footprint — all while giving your skin the love it deserves.

But wait — before you dive headfirst into the world of vegan skincare, you need to know all the tea. It’s not just about grabbing any product with a “vegan” label. There’s some serious decoding involved, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with a routine that’s more hype than help.

Whether you’re an absolute newbie or a beauty guru looking to make the switch, this guide is packed with the juiciest tips and tricks to level up your vegan skincare routine. We’re talking must-have products, what to avoid, and even a few celeb-owned brands to spice things up. Ready to get that glow? Let’s go!

What exactly is vegan skincare?

First things first: let’s get our facts straight. A vegan skincare routine means no animal-derived ingredients. Yup, that means no honey, no beeswax, no lanolin (bye, sheep’s wool!). It’s all about plant-based goodness. Oh, and cruelty-free comes as a package deal with vegan skincare. No bunnies harmed here!

But here’s the catch: something that is labelled “cruelty-free” is not necessarily also vegan. Some cruelty-free products can still contain ingredients sourced from animals. So, stay alert and always check those labels.

Ingredients to watch out for:

• Lanolin: Usually found in moisturisers and lip balms — it is, quite literally, sheep oil.
• Beeswax: Common in lip balms and creams. However, vegan alternatives like carnauba wax are a great substitute.
• Collagen: Often animal-derived, though it is possible to extract collagen from plant-based sources.
• Carmine: A red dye made from crushed beetles (Hard pass).

How to start your vegan skincare routine

1. Patch test before you wreck your skin

If you’re switching up your skincare game, your skin might need time to adjust. Vegan skincare introduces a lot of natural ingredients (think essential oils, fruit extracts, et cetera), and not all of them will play nice with your skin. Before you start, it’s always advisable to first do a patch test.

How to patch test:

• Apply a small amount of the product behind your ear or on your inner wrist.
• Wait 24 hours to see if any irritation, redness, or breakouts occur.
• If your skin loves it, you’re good to go!

2. Keep your routine simple (At first)

We all love a fancy 10-step routine, but less is more when you’re starting out with a vegan skincare routine. Overloading your skin with too many new products at once can be overwhelming. Start slow and build your way up.

Your vegan starter pack should include:

1. Cleanser: Go for something gentle and hydrating.
2. Moisturiser: Stick with a lightweight moisturiser tailored to your skin type.
3. Sunscreen: Yes, you still need SPF in your vegan routine!

Once you’ve nailed down the basics, you can start experimenting with serums, toners, and masks.

Product recommendations:

• Fenty Skin Total Cleans’r: Rihanna’s vegan and cruelty-free cleanser is gentle, but also gets rid of all the grime. (Plus, it’s got Riri’s seal of approval, so you know it’s good).
• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask: A cult favourite for hydration, this vegan mask is perfect for when your skin needs a glow boost.
• Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 50: Non-greasy, reef-friendly, and totally vegan. Say goodbye to clogged pores!

3. Get that label game strong

Decoding labels can be a headache, but if you want a vegan skincare routine that does as it says, you have to know what’s in your products. Brands throw around buzzwords like “clean,” “organic,” and “natural” like confetti, but they don’t always mean vegan or cruelty-free. Stay sharp and look for legitimate certifications.

What to look for:

• Certified Vegan: The Vegan Society’s sunflower logo or PETA’s bunny indicate that they are certified vegan.
• Cruelty-Free: The Leaping Bunny logo guarantees that no animals were harmed in the making of the product.
• No Nasties: Skip harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates — your skin will thank you later.

Pro tip: If the ingredients list sounds like something you’d find in a smoothie recipe (think avocado oil, shea butter, or almond milk), you’re on the right track.

4. Transition gradually

The hype is real, but don’t throw out all your non-vegan products just yet. Your skin can react adversely if you overhaul your routine overnight. The best approach? Slowly start swapping out your current products with vegan alternatives. This way, you’ll avoid any major skin tantrums (a.k.a. breakouts, irritation, et cetera).

5. Oils and butters are your BFFs

Plant-based oils and butters are total game-changers for your vegan skincare routine. They’re loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that your skin will love.

Star ingredients:

• Argan Oil: A holy grail for hydration and glow.
• Rosehip Oil: Perfect for fading acne scars and brightening dull skin.
• Jojoba Oil: A lightweight oil that mimics your skin’s natural sebum, making it a fabulous option for oily and combination skin.

Product recommendations:

• Kylie Skin Vanilla Milk Toner: Kylie Jenner’s vegan toner is a gentle way to refresh your skin and balance moisture levels.
• Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil: Packed with plant-based oils, this one’s a splurge-worthy treat for glowing skin.
• Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Facial Oil: This vegan oil is packed with antioxidant-rich rosehip, sea buckthorn, and chia seed oil to deeply nourish and hydrate your skin while giving you a radiant, youthful glow. Perfect for dry to combination skin types in need of serious hydration.

6. Choose products based on your skin type

The beauty of a vegan skincare routine is that it works for everyone — but it’s all about choosing the right products for your skin type.

For dry skin:

• Look for products rich in shea butter, squalane, and hyaluronic acid.
• Go for nourishing creams and oils to lock in hydration.

For oily/combination skin:

• Stick to lightweight, non-comedogenic ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, and niacinamide.
• Opt for gel cleansers and moisturisers that won’t clog your pores.

For sensitive skin:

• Fragrance-free and gentle ingredients like oat extract and calendula are your best bet.
• Keep your routine minimal to avoid irritating your skin.

Product recommendations:

• Rare Beauty Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist: Selena Gomez’s vegan, hydrating mist is perfect for refreshing sensitive skin.
• Tatcha The Water Cream: A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that hydrates without making your skin feel greasy.
• Evolve Organic Beauty Miracle Facial Oil: This 100 percent vegan oil is packed with organic rosehip and argan oils, helping to boost skin radiance and reduce signs of ageing. Perfect for all skin types, you can trust this lightweight, non-greasy oil to provide deep nourishment.

7. Exfoliate like a pro but don’t overdo it

Exfoliating is key to glowing skin, but overdoing it will leave you looking red and irritated — not cute. Whether you’re into physical or chemical exfoliants, it’s imperative that you find the right balance for your skin type.

Types of exfoliants:

• Physical Exfoliants: Think natural scrubs like ground walnut shells or sugar.
• Chemical Exfoliants: AHAs (like glycolic acid) and BHAs (like salicylic acid) dissolve dead skin cells without the scrubbing.

Product recommendations:

• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: A gentle and effective way to get your exfoliation fix.
• Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask: If you want to splurge, this luxury mask uses natural BHAs to give your skin a radiant glow.
• REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream: A vegan moisturiser that’s perfect for sensitive and combination skin.

Add your products here !

8. Consistency Is Key

Here’s a truth bomb: no skincare routine — vegan or not — works overnight. Consistency is key, and you need to give your skin time to adjust to your new routine. Stick with it for at least 4-6 weeks to see visible results.

9. Don’t skip eye care

The skin around your eyes is delicate, so don’t skip the eye cream when building your vegan skincare routine. Vegan eye creams are packed with plant-based actives to brighten, de-puff, and firm up the under-eye area.

Product recommendation:

• Youth to the People Dream Eye Cream: This vegan eye cream is a total dream for de-puffing and reducing dark circles.

10. Hydrate inside and out

Remember, glowing skin starts from within. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin hydrated and plump, while plant-based skincare ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, and hyaluronic acid lock in moisture externally.

Product recommendations:

• Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum: It may be an investment, but it is worth every penny. This serum delivers intense hydration and visibly reduces fine lines.
• Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturiser: A lightweight, vegan moisturiser that restores balance and boosts radiance.

11. Go sustainable (Because why not?)

One of the most appealing things about a vegan skincare routine is how it aligns with a more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle. Many vegan skincare brands are dedicated to using sustainable packaging, ethical sourcing, and reducing their carbon footprint.

Sustainability tips:

• Look for products with recyclable packaging or, even better, refillable options.
• Choose brands that are committed to sustainable sourcing and support environmental causes.
• Opt for minimalist packaging to reduce waste.

Brand recommendations:

• BYBI Beauty: A sustainable beauty brand that offers effective vegan products with recyclable and upcycled packaging.
• UpCircle Beauty: This brand reuses ingredients like coffee grounds and fruit stones to create their eco-friendly, vegan skincare range.

12. Stay informed and explore new products

The vegan skincare world is constantly evolving, with new ingredients, formulations, and brands popping up regularly. Stay curious, keep reading up on new trends, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different products.

Follow skincare experts on social media, subscribe to beauty blogs, or join forums where like-minded beauty lovers share their experiences with various vegan skincare products.

13. Use beauty apps!

Use apps like Think Dirty or EWG’s Skin Deep to scan barcodes for an audit of how clean and ethical a product truly is. These apps give you insights into a product’s ingredients and its potential allergens, and will also tell you if said product is truly vegan and cruelty-free.

(Main and Featured Image: Pexels)

This article was first published in Prestige Singapore