It is increasingly difficult to find cruelty-free alternatives - especially ones that are affordable! We’re hesitant to stray from products that are already staples in our collection, but finding a cruelty-free swap gives us not just a great new product, but a clear conscience while using it. A lot of brands are becoming cruelty-free, and many have alternatives to cult products that haven’t harmed any animals.
One product that has been popular within the beauty community is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, sold in John Lewis, Fenwick or Space NK. This product is amazing for when your skin needs revitalising, as it gives a healthy glow without making your face oily. Another great cruelty-free alternative to make your skin glow is Lush’s Breath Of Fresh Air. This product also contains rose, an ingredient great for sensitive skin as it helps soothe and reduce redness. These products both come in a handy spray bottle, perfect for on-the-go.
If you love glowing skin, another cruelty-free alternative is the Pixi Glow Tonic, a cult product amongst the beauty community, available in the Marks and Spencer beauty section. Use this multi-awarding winning toner before your moisturiser, as it gently exfoliates the skin to give your complexion a natural glow. The glow comes from the glycolic acid, which is a mild exfoliant made up of small molecules. These penetrate deep into skin, and can be used for all kinds of skin issues such as acne, dullness and even fine lines!
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A great and cheap product for breakouts is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, which can be found in Fenwick or online at ASOS or Cult Beauty. This is a great cruelty-free alternative for Neutrogena’s spot treatment, as this product’s active ingredient is also salicylic acid. Moreover, The Ordinary’s product also contains witch-hazel, an ingredient known for its powers of reducing redness and inflammation. The Ordinary produce a vast amount of skin products for other issues too. Try the Vitamin C Suspension to brighten complexion, or the Caffeine Solution to reduce dark circles.
Unfortunately L’Oreal’s well-loved Pure Clay Face Masks and Glamglow’s amazing, but pricey, SuperMud Mask are not cruelty-free products. However, Lush have a gorgeous range of Fresh Face Masks, each for a specific skin type or issue, and each with the reassurance they have not been tested on animals. For oily skin, try the Cupcake Fresh Face Mask – this beauty will moisturise your skin while simultaneously unclogging your pores. Oatifix is great if you have dry skin, as it gently exfoliates and hydrates your complexion. The Fresh Face Masks from Lush are a great option if you already buy lots of their potted products, because if you bring 5 empty pots to the shops, you can choose a Fresh Face Mask for free!