Finding the right foundation for your skin tone is a difficult task as it is.
What makes this even harder is trying to find a foundation that aligns with your personal views and morals regarding animal cruelty.
Luckily, there are so many more makeup brands now employing vegan formulas and cruelty free methods in their processes, which makes finding makeup that is 100% cruelty free so much easier.
That being said, you still need to find a foundation that suits your personal needs, your skin type, skin undertones and color, that lasts all day and does not clog up your pores.
This can literally sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack!
This is why we have created a list of the best foundations that are 100% cruelty free.
This means that the ingredients themselves are cruelty free, the company that makes them are cruelty free, and you can make your face up guilt free!
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The Top 3 Cruelty-Free Foundations Summarised
OUR TOP PICK
If you are looking for the perfect all rounder foundation that is cruelty free, then look no further than the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation.
This foundation is breathable, buildable, and provides a lasting matte finish all day, without that feeling of cakiness or patchinees.
At the time of its release, TIME named Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r foundation one of the best inventions of 2017.
One of the main appeals of Fenty Beauty’s foundation is that it comes in a jaw dropping 50 shades to choose from.
The brand has been continuously praised for its morals, inclusivity and sheer amount of options that suit every skin type and skin color.
What is great about this foundation is that it can be built up to create a flawless, full coverage, but it does not feel thick or heavy on your skin, and does not clog your pores.
The foundation is also oil free, which is perfect for those with oil skin, but is also suitable for dry skin types, we just recommend you prime before using!
If you want a healthy, natural look, but with all blemishes and discoloration perfectly covered, then this cruelty free foundation from Fenty is the way forward.
PROS:
- 100% cruelty free
- Winner of 2018 Allure Best of Beauty Award
- Full coverage, yet lightweight formula for breathable wear
- Smooth, matte finish that is shine free
- Available in 50 different shades to find the perfect match
- Oil free formula perfect for oily skin, but also suitable for dry skin
- Offers a natural looking finish that lasts all day
CONS:
- Drier skin types will need a primer before using
EDITORS CHOICE
NYX is another popular makeup brand that offers professional grade makeup at affordable prices.
Additionally, NYX has confirmed that all of their products are truly, completely cruelty free.
This means that NYX does not test their finished products or ingredients on animals nor do their suppliers or do any third parties.
This foundation is also available in 38 shades to help you find your true color match.
The formula is additionally lightweight, waterproof and highly pigmented for long lasting wear, and beautiful results.
What we love about this foundation is that it offers full coverage, which is perfect for long days, or night out where you want a full makeup look.
Despite being full coverage, this foundation is not too thick or cakey, and glides on incredibly smoothly, and lasts up to 24 hours!
For a professional look, that is affordable and suitable for many skin types, you will have to try this cruelty free foundation from NYX.
PROS:
- Offers full coverage and is highly pigmented
- Available in 38 shades to find your true match
- Has a long wearing, waterproof formula for all day wear
- 100% cruelty free
- Professional grade makeup at an affordable price
- Creamy liquid foundation that glides on smoothly
CONS
- Not suitable for dry skin
BEST VALUE
If you prefer a more lightweight, liquid formula foundation, then you will want to try the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation.
This foundation goes on like silk, and despite being called full coverage, it provides a more medium coverage that is buildable to the look that you desire.
What is great about this foundation is that it provides SPF coverage too, to protect your skin from sun damage, which is so important!
The Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation provides a natural, seamless finish that lasts all day on all skin types.
PROS:
- Suitable for all skin types
- Has SPF 15 in the formula for sun protection
- Medium yet buildable, natural finish
- Affordable price
- 100% cruelty free
- Feels very light and breathable on the skin- doesn’t block pores
- Available in 39 different shades for the perfect match
CONS;
- Expensive considering the amount of product
RUNNER UP
KVD Beauty is one of the biggest beauty brands with animal safety at the forefront of its message.
Initially made by vegan influencer and tattoo artist Kat Von D, this foundation was made to provide extremely full coverage, with a cruelty free formula.
When we say full coverage, we mean full coverage...this foundation will actually cover up tattoos.
So, if you are looking for a thick, long lasting and durable formula that you can wear all day, then you will love the KVD Lock it foundation.
For a perfect flawless look, you can choose from 44 shades in a variety of skin tones and undertones to suit your skin, for that seamless match.
PROS:
- Extremely high coverage for covering scars, tattoos, blemishes
- Available in 44 shades with variety of undertones to choose from
- 100% cruelty free formula
- Very long lasting, matte finish
- Thick liquid- only have to use a small drop to cover face
CONS:
- Not suitable for dry skin- can dry out skin
RUNNER UP
E.L.F. is one of the most popular cruelty free brands available, as they upkeep their strong morals against animal cruelty, whilst also providing fantastic products at really affordable prices.
This foundation offers users an extremely lightweight, breathable and soft formula that lasts all day.
The foundation blends naturally with the skin, restores uneven skin tone and slides seamlessly over all skin textures and tones.
In addition, the Flawless Finish Foundation from E.L.F. is equipped with SPF 15 for sun protection, and has an oil free formula, so you will never get those greasy areas around the T zone.
What we love about this foundation is that it comes in 39 shades to help you find that perfect blend and seamlessly natural look.
It’s 100% vegan and cruelty free, and is the perfect everyday foundation at a competitive price.
PROS:
- Highly affordable
- 100% cruelty free
- Perfect for all skin types
- Comes in 39 shades for the right match
- Offers a semi-matte finish
- Lightweight and breathable formula
- Includes SPF 15 for sun protection
CONS:
- Has a strong scent
- Not full coverage
RUNNER UP
If you are looking for a matte finish that is perfect for hiding blemishes, acne or any problem areas in your skin, then you will love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation.
This foundation is 100% cruelty free and will literally cover anything.
With a mattifying finish, and full coverage look, this is a foundation that you will want to use for nights out, events, or if you just want your face made up flawlessly.
This foundation is highly pigmented, and highly recommended for covering up.
The formula is creamy and buildable, and comes in up to 26 different shades to help you find one that suits you.
The stick foundation is so easy to apply, and is great for concealing on oily and combination type skin.
You can also purchase this foundation in a tone that is much darker for your skin to use as a contouring stick, for that perfect, flawless look.
PROS:
- Creamy, thick stick foundation perfect for high coverage
- Highly pigmented for concealing
- Available in 26 shades to choose from
- Can be used as contour or highlight stick
- Perfect for oily and combination skin types
- 100% cruelty free
CONS:
- Not suitable for dry skin
- Expensive for the amount of product
Buyer’s Guide
What to consider when purchasing the best cruelty free foundation
When purchasing a new cruelty free foundation, there are a few things that you will have to consider before buying.
For instance, you will want to make sure that the foundation is actually 100% completely cruelty free before making a purchase.
To do this, you will want to look out for signs or symbols that certify that the product is cruelty free.
The best way to do this is to check for a bunny logo on the product packaging.
These could be Choose Cruelty Free, Leaping Bunny or Beauty Without Bunnies.
These logos guarantee that the product has not been tested on animals for your peace of mind.
If you are shopping online, then you can also check if a product is cruelty free by searching this on the web.
There are many reliable sources that check if a company meets all of the requirements to be considered cruelty free.
Once you have a good knowledge of which brands you can safely buy from, and which ones cannot be trusted, you can start shopping for your next foundation.
Before purchasing your foundation, you will want to know what your skin needs first.
Think about whether you want a lightweight, dewy foundation, or a creamier, all day wear foundation.
In addition, some people have oily skin and may need something more mattifying, whereas others prefer a moisturizing BB cream (Korean brands are popular), or barely there foundation.
The important thing is finding the right foundation for your needs and for your skin.
How to find the right foundation for your skin
When looking for the right foundation, there are a few things you will have to consider.
The main thing that you will need to worry about is whether the foundation will be right for your skin.
This means looking as to whether the foundation you wish to purchase is suitable for your skin type.
The main skin types are dry, oily, or combination.
Combination is basically the medium skin type that can handle most foundations, however if you have dry skin, then you will not want to dry it out any further with a powder foundation, and likewise, you will need a mattifying foundation if you have oily skin.
The other thing you will have to think about is if the foundation will match your skin tone.
Most people either have yellow undertones or pink undertones, which will affect how a shade of foundation will look on your skin, and whether it will make you look orangey or too pale.
The easiest way to decipher which undertones you have is by checking the color of your veins.
If your veins seem greenish, then you may have warm undertones, whereas if your veins look blue or purple, then you have cool undertones!
You will also have to ensure that the color of the foundation matches the color of your skin, which can be quite difficult if you are shopping online.
Luckily, we have a hack that you can use.
The best way to find the perfect match for your skin online is by using a foundation checker.
These tools can look at the foundations you already use, or have used, and find the right shade in other brands.
Our favorite is: https://findation.com
However, many makeup brands will have their own foundation matching systems on their websites to help you find your shade.
Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
