10 Best Cruelty-Free Foundations UK 2024 | Charlotte Tilbury, Barry M and More
If you’re wondering where to start, we’ll show you exactly how to ensure you’re buying cruelty-free, and give you some inspiration whether your skin is oily, mature, sensitive or dry. And if you’re worried you can’t save the animals on a budget, fear not, because our picks include drugstore favourites Barry M and e.l.f., as well as some premium options like Charlotte Tilbury. No filter needed!
Quick List - Top Cruelty-Free Foundations
Charlotte Tilbury
Lightweight Magic Perfect for Both Young and Mature Skin
bareMinerals
Natural Powder for a Healthy Complexion
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Animal Testing in the Cosmetic Industry and What Cruelty-Free Means
Animal testing has been banned in the UK since 1998, and in the EU since 2013. But even with this success in our part of the globe, the product could have been tested on animals overseas, or somewhere else along the supply chain.
This more often than not points to China, which is the only country in the world that actually requires cosmetics to be tested on animals. Therefore, if a company wants to have a piece of their multi-billion dollar beauty market, they must pay to have their products tested by a third party in order to sell there.
On top of that, the parent company that owns the brand may test their other products on animals, or include brands in their company that do. It’s up to you to decide how strict you want to be, but by definition a product is completely cruelty-free if there has been absolutely no animal testing involved at all.
How to Choose a Cruelty-Free Foundation in the UK – Buying Guide
Look for Products Certified Cruelty-Free, and if in Doubt, Check Online Resources
Choose Products With Official Certification Logos by Trusted Parties
The best way to do so is to buy a foundation that has been certified cruelty-free by independent third-party testing. Companies have to pay a licensing fee to display them on their packaging, so it’s safe to say those who do are serious about the ethical claims they are making.
The three seals of approval to look for are the bunny by PETA, the leaping bunny logo by Cruelty Free International, or the Choose Cruelty Free rabbit. You can look these up online to make sure you’ve got the right bunny for the job!
Which Brands Are Cruelty-Free? Consult Online Databases or the Brand's Official Statement
There are a couple of ways to do this, one being to consult online resources that list cruelty-free make-up brands or which brands bear the aforementioned certification logos. For example, you can check The Leaping Bunny Program, Cruelty Free Kitty, or Cruelty Free UK.
Additionally, if you can’t find a product on the database, you can have a browse through the website of the foundation brand you are interested in, as any company worth their salt will proudly state their stance on anti-cruelty. If these methods come up short, then you’re probably better off looking for another product.
Check the Ingredients if You're Vegan: A Cruelty-Free Foundation Isn't Always Both
Unlike the ambiguity of the cruelty-free phrase, if a product says it’s vegan, it usually is – but this isn’t regulated. The websites noted in the previous section can confirm or deny whether the company, or just the foundation you like, is vegan friendly. You can also inspect the ingredients list yourself to be certain.
Here are some of the non-vegan ingredients which could potentially appear in a foundation:
- Beeswax: Taken from the honeycombs of honey bees.
- Carmine/Cochineal: Essentially crushed female beetles, used as a colouring or dye.
- Collagen: Used for its plumping effect, and normally derived from animal fat.
- Retinol: Often found in anti-ageing bases and a source of Vitamin A. Normally animal-derived.
- Tallow: This rendered animal fat helps foundation stick to your face and binds it together. Delightful!
Like Any Foundation, Remember to Check It’s Suitable for Your Skin Type and Tone
You may usually buy for oily, sensitive, acne-prone or older skin, or look for a foundation with an SPF, so we’d recommend checking out the description or reviews of each product to see if it’s a fit for you.
We’d also advise having a peruse of the shades available and the level of coverage. This will be especially helpful if you have very dark or fair skin. If you have a preferred foundation type, such as powder, liquid, or stick, you will want to note which category the product falls into, too.
Top 10 Best Cruelty-Free Foundations in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Charlotte Tilbury 3. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation | | Lightweight Magic Perfect for Both Young and Mature Skin | |
2 | NYX 2. L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation | | Get Your Glow on Without Breaking the Bank | |
3 | Inika 1. INIKA Truly Organic Liquid Foundation | | Vegan, Organic and Mineral-Based for Dewy Skin | |
4 | bareMinerals 7. Nude by Nature Radiant Loose Powder Foundation | | Natural Powder for a Healthy Complexion | |
5 | Charlotte Tilbury 4. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation | | Light-as-Air Foundation for Glowy Skin | |
6 | e.l.f. 5. e.l.f. Acne Fighting Foundation | | An Affordable Beauty Blogger Favourite | |
7 | Barry M 8. Barry M All Night Long Foundation Stick | | A Bargain Buildable Stick Foundation for Summer | |
8 | Urban Decay 6. Hourglass Vanish Seamless Liquid Foundation | | Loaded With Pigment for Exceptional Coverage | |
9 | 3ina 9. 3INA The 3 in 1 Foundation | | An All-in-One to Prime, Cover, and Conceal | |
10 | Fenty Beauty 10. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation | | A Premium Pick Designed for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin |
Charlotte Tilbury 3. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation
Lightweight Magic Perfect for Both Young and Mature Skin
It contains a plethora of beneficial ingredients for every type of skin, including anti-ageing properties for mature skin and an SPF of 15. It also comes in even very dark and pale shades. Once again, the entire brand is cruelty-free, so you can shop the rest of the range with confidence too (and you will want to!).
NYX2. L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation
Get Your Glow on Without Breaking the Bank
Inika1. INIKA Truly Organic Liquid Foundation
Vegan, Organic and Mineral-Based for Dewy Skin
If you’re looking for a cruelty-free buy from an ethical company that ticks all the boxes for a daily foundation, this is your pick. There are eight shades to choose from, which are helpfully based not just on skin tone but on our undertones, too.
bareMinerals 7. Nude by Nature Radiant Loose Powder Foundation
Natural Powder for a Healthy Complexion
Though it is a powder foundation, it feels more like a cream on application, and can be built up to a medium coverage when you need it. It also comes in a large number of shade options, which is often difficult to find in a powder. This is the ideal buy for those wanting a more natural option, in terms of both appearance and ingredients!
Charlotte Tilbury 4. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation
Light-as-Air Foundation for Glowy Skin
While this foundation is vegan-friendly, some of Charlotte’s other makeup products do contain carmine. However, the brand is completely cruelty-free! An absolute must for those wanting to invest in a premium-quality lightweight foundation.
An Affordable Beauty Blogger Favourite
We are huge fans of e.l.f. for making an entirely cruelty-free and 100% vegan makeup range that’s accessible to all budgets. Plus, there are now an astonishing 40 shades available!
A Bargain Buildable Stick Foundation for Summer
For a cruelty-free and vegan product under £10 this is a total bargain, and one which very much lives up to it’s “all night long” claim as it doesn’t budge even after longer wear. If you haven't tried a stick foundation before, this pocket-sized product is a great place to start!
Urban Decay 6. Hourglass Vanish Seamless Liquid Foundation
Loaded With Pigment for Exceptional Coverage
It gives a full coverage without the need to build or apply multiple layers – just be mindful that a little goes a very long way and it dries quickly, so you'll need to apply with care to avoid overdoing it! This foundation is free from animal ingredients, as is Urban Decay's entire range.
An All-in-One to Prime, Cover, and Conceal
This foundation is paraben-free with added vitamin E and moisturisers, so it's a great pick for dry or sensitive skin. There's also that all-important SPF factor of 15. Just be aware that the finish is more dewy than matte, so for other, less dry skin types it may end up looking a little oily after a few hours.
Fenty Beauty 10. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
A Premium Pick Designed for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Fenty Beauty are a cruelty-free brand and this foundation is vegan, but be aware that some other products in the range include carmine or beeswax. Though this is not ideally suited to drier skin types, there is an alternative available, the Pro Filt'r hydrating foundation.
More Ways to Shop With a Conscience
Looking for more ways to spend your well-earned pounds without supporting brands or products you don't believe in? Here are a few more beauty and skincare guides that will help you be kinder to our planet and the beautiful animals we share it with.
Summary
With the ever-growing demand for cruelty-free beauty in the UK, it’s easier than ever to find a foundation to match your needs that doesn’t unnecessarily harm any animals in the process. We hope this guide has given you the information you need to shop consciously without sacrificing quality and affordability in your beauty regime.
Author: Natasha Dziubajlo
Top 5 Cruelty-Free Foundations
No. 1: Charlotte Tilbury ｜3. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation
No. 2: NYX｜2. L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation
No. 3: Inika｜1. INIKA Truly Organic Liquid Foundation
No. 4: bareMinerals ｜7. Nude by Nature Radiant Loose Powder Foundation
No. 5: Charlotte Tilbury ｜4. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.