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The Top 20 Cruelty-Free and Vegan Retinol Products To Achieve Flawless Skin

A question I have been getting often is about cruelty-free retinol products. Retinol is a popular ingredient in the skincare industry and there are a ton of produts to choose from. But which ones are cruelty-free? Which ones are vegan? Keep reading to find out!

What is Retinol?

What is Retinol?

First, I thought I would explain what Retinol is and why it’s in our skincare. Retinol is a powerful yellow compound that can either be plant-based (green and yellow vegetables) or animal-based (egg yolk and fish-liver oil). I don’t know about you but the latter sounds very unpleasant. If you’re one who has contacted me about vegan retinol products, you probably agree with me. Animal-based retinol is typically called retinoid, and vegetarians/vegans will be looking for the term carotenoid – the plant-derived source.

What does REtinol do for our Skin?

What does REtinol do for our Skin?

Retinol is a potent source of vitamin A. It supplements the body with vitamin A that the body can’t produce on its own. The plant-derived sources are best to obtain beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A when it enters our bodies. If you don’t know, beta-carotene is great for maintaining eye health and good vision. It’s also an antioxidant to help neutralize free radicals in our bodies – and that includes our largest organ: skin.

When you apply retinol as a topical treatment, it helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase collagen production and stimulate the production of new blood vessels. Overall, it is used to improve skin color, reduce signs of aging, and increase skin elasticity/youth.

Fortunately, there are many cruelty-free brands that offer retinol products, including retinol from plant-based sources. Below is the top 20 cruelty-free retinol products, and I have labeled which ones are also vegan-friendly.

Cruelty-free and vegan retinol products

Cruelty-free and vegan retinol products

All brands that are listed below are 100% cruelty-free, including their parent companies.

fACE SERUMS/CREAMS:

fACE SERUMS/CREAMS:

1. 100% PURE Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm2. 100% PURE Collagen Boost Sheet Mask – Vegan3. BEAUTYBIO The Nightly Retinol + Peptide Anti-Aging Serum4. BEAUTYBIO The Quench Quadralipid Recovery Cream5. BIOSSANCE Squalane + Retinol Night Serum – Vegan6. CHARLOTTE TILBURY Charlotte’s Magic Night Cream (NO LONGER CF – read more here.)7. HERBIVORE Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum – Vegan8. TULA Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum9. OLEHENRIKSEN Double Rewind Pro-Grade 0.3% Retinol10. PATCHOLOGY Restoring Night CloudMasque Sleeping Mask 11. PIXI BEAUTY Overnight Retinol Oil12. PIXI BEAUTY Retinol Tonic – Vegan13. PIXI BEAUTY Collagen & Retinol Serum14. PIXI BEAUTY Overnight Retinol Cream15. REVOLUTION SKINCARE Retinol Overnight Cream – doesn’t work16. REVOLUTION SKINCARE 0.5% Retinol Intense Serum17. SUNDAY RILEY Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil – Vegan18. SUNDAY RILEY A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum19. TATA HARPER Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil With Vitamin A – Vegan20. BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil

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Those are the top 20 cruelty-free retinol facial products that you can find at your local Target, Walgreens, Ulta or Sephora. However, I thought I would also include some great retinol products targeting specifically the eye area. The skin around the eye is the most-hardworking, and where many people first see signs of aging. Below is a list of some popular eye serums and creams that also contain anti-aging retinol.

eYE SERUMS AND GELS:

eYE SERUMS AND GELS:
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XO, Stephanie

See More:

See More:

The Top 20 Cruelty-Free Eye Creams

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