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?

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?

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

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

fACE SERUMS/CREAMS:

1. 100% PURE Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm
2. 100% PURE Collagen Boost Sheet Mask – Vegan
3. BEAUTYBIO The Nightly Retinol + Peptide Anti-Aging Serum
4. BEAUTYBIO The Quench Quadralipid Recovery Cream
5. BIOSSANCE Squalane + Retinol Night Serum – Vegan
6. CHARLOTTE TILBURY Charlotte’s Magic Night Cream (NO LONGER CF – read more here.)
7. HERBIVORE Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum – Vegan
8. TULA Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum
9. OLEHENRIKSEN Double Rewind Pro-Grade 0.3% Retinol
10. PATCHOLOGY Restoring Night CloudMasque Sleeping Mask
11. PIXI BEAUTY Overnight Retinol Oil
12. PIXI BEAUTY Retinol Tonic – Vegan
13. PIXI BEAUTY Collagen & Retinol Serum
14. PIXI BEAUTY Overnight Retinol Cream
15. REVOLUTION SKINCARE Retinol Overnight Cream – doesn’t work
16. REVOLUTION SKINCARE 0.5% Retinol Intense Serum
17. SUNDAY RILEY Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil – Vegan
18. SUNDAY RILEY A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum
19. TATA HARPER Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil With Vitamin A – Vegan
20. BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil

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:

• 100% PURE Retinol PM Eye Cream – Vegan
• CHARLOTTE TILBURY Magic Eye Rescue Cream (NO LONGER CF – read more here.)
• GLOW RECIPE Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask – Vegan
• PATCHOLOGY FlashPatch Restoring Night Eye Gels
• PEACE OUT Retinol Eye Stick

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XO, Stephanie

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