It’s hardly a secret that awareness towards animal cruelty is on the rise. Whether it’s through the widespread popularity of Netflix documentaries like What the Health and Food Inc., or through statistics that show a 220% rise of vegetarians in America since 1971—the ethical treatment of animals is gaining growing support in society. Making it as good a time as ever to highlight some incredible beauty brands that have just said no to animal testing and instead are committed being cruelty-free.
Read ahead for three of my favorite beauty brands whose results are as good as their ethics.
THE UNEXPECTED: LA PRAIRIE
Animal rights have long been associated with hippie-dippie types, which is why it’s exciting to see a brand on the most exclusive end of the beauty spectrum so committed to being cruelty-free.
La Prairie, the Swiss skincare brand founded by Dr. Paul Niehans, has a legacy of innovation rooted in medicine and nature. It sits at the apex of the beauty pyramid and is known for their cellular complex (designed to rejuvenate skin at the cellular level) and for unlocking the benefits of natural sources like caviar, gold and platinum. Earlier this week, they launched their latest platinum product, Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir, which harnesses the most potent mixture of platinum and La Prairie's famous cellular complex for smoother skin in just one dose. It's too new to review--I only just managed to get my hands on a sample this week--but in the few nights I've tried it, my skin was smoother, more rejuvenated and plumper by morning.
Top Three Must-Have La Prairie Products
Skin Caviar Absolute Filler
A moisturizer for the face, this product is designed to achieve a more youthful appearance with a subtle plumping and filling effect to combat aging from the inside out. In a cleverly designed dispenser which only doles out the exact amount needed for an application, this is the perfect product for someone who wants to give a lift to sagging skin.
White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion
A serum born of their famous Skin Caviar series, this product is designed to bring brightness and shine to dull skin through a silky complex that results in a glowing complexion. It goes on light and soft and gives skin a soft and hydrated look with a subtle, pearly glow that lasts all day.
Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Perfection à Porter
A small compact with anti-aging eye and lip cream in one. Designed as a quick, on-the-go, pick-me-up packed with benefits, these two products combat aging of the delicate skin of the lips and eyes. The hydrating effects are seen and felt almost immediately and the compact in which it comes is unlike anything else on the market, making it a fun accessory to pull out on a crowded subway platform for those around to wonder, "What is she using?"
THE NEWBIE: GLOSSIER
Founded by a Vogue staffer-turned-beauty-blogger, Glossier's Emily Weiss is being touted as the Estée Lauder of the millennial generation. With its minimalistic design, accessible price points, products that deliver solid results and real-girl advertising supported by a network of ambassadors, it’s hardly a surprise Glossier is committed to being cruelty-free. Their following is large and spans many demographics while their products aim to achieve and enhance natural beauty. All their customers have one thing in common--they only ever rave about the results of Glossier products.
Top Three Must-Have Glossier Products
Boy Brow
This is Glossier’s breakthrough product. Designed to give brows thickness, color and shape with the mere swipe of a wand, Boy Brow gives brows definition without the heavy-handedness of a pencil or powder. One of the best attributes of Boy Brow is its simplicity, it's quick, easy and no-fuss.
Solution
This is a product for people of all ages who want to see smooth, clear skin through the use of mild acids for skin resurfacing. Solution is a powerful formula consisting of three different acids designed to minimize pores, gently smooth away signs of aging and even help fight acne. It breaks down dead skin cells through its chemical exfoliation giving way to the healthy skin underneath. It's applied after washing like a toner and claimes that after four weeks, skin is clearer, smoother and brighter. That said, you will start seeing smoother, clearer and brighter skin after just a few days.
The Supers
These three serums are sold individually or in a set and are designed to combat skin issues in three different ways. Super Glow is a Vitamin C complex that evens skin tone to help achieve a natural glow over time. Super Pure is a combination of Niacinamide and Zinc to help soothe redness and helps to calm blemishes. Super Bounce does exactly what the name suggests, gives the skin plumpness and elasticity through a combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5. It's not necessary to use all serums at once, although one can if your skin demands. Personally, I use all three in the mornings and at night use only the ones that make sense for that particular day.
THE MAINSTAY: KIEHL'S
With its no-nonsense packaging, a witty point of view and sales associates dressed in white lab coats, this 166-year-old brand has held on to its roots as an apothecary. A true-blue New York brand, Kiehl’s first-ever outpost from the mid-1800's, and current flagship, sits on the corner of Third Avenue and Thirteenth Street in Greenwich Village. Their commitment to products based in natural solutions extends to their pledge towards being cruelty-free. This is unsurprising given their heritage, making them the go-to for premium products with a natural edge.
Top Three Must-Have Kiehl’s Products
Creme de Corps
This is likely one of the most famous products from this brand because of its consistently incredible results, earning it a cult following among anyone who wants super hydrated, healthy and glowing skin. This rich body lotion delivers all-day hydration that seeps deep into the dermis and has become so popular that Kiehl's added lightweight and soy milk formulas.
Midnight Recovery Serum
Using a combination of essential oils like Lavender and Evening Primrose along with the botanical lipid Squalene, this serum is applied at bedtime to awaken to fresh and dewy skin. It goes on light although its intense hydration and soothing effects are felt immediately. For added benefits, I apply it to lips as well for overnight hydration and rejuvenating benefits.
Super Fluid UV Defense
This product is probably the lightest and most effective UV protection for the face that one may ever encounter. It's silky smooth and weightless while Keihl's formulations guarantee protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Plus, the packaging is small, slim sleek and fits easily into a pocket or handbag, making superior sun protection easy to achieve wherever, whenever.
