10 Best Cruelty-Free Foundations 2020 [Buying Guide]

Your Authors and Guides

Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Cruelty-Free Foundation

When you’re on a quest for ethical makeup, it doesn’t get much better than cruelty-free. Most of the foundations on this list are also organic and chemical-free, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is a great place to start. Before we get to these great makeup products, here are some things you should look for while you shop. Then, we’ll get to our list of the top ten cruelty-free foundations.

Type: Foundations can come in a few different forms, which can definitely dictate how you use it. There are liquid foundations, powder foundations, and stick foundations (which are cream foundations in an easy-to-use stick form). Choose your favorite form!

Shades: The general rule with foundations (and other face-area cosmetics) is the more shades, the better the line. The shade is what you use to match your skin tone, so make sure that you choose the one will match your face.

Package Size: How much product are you getting? Of course, the amounts for powder foundations and liquid foundations are going to be different, so make sure you take that into account. This can help determine the product’s value.

Organic: Organic foundations are made with natural ingredients without chemicals, preservatives, or other synthetic ingredients. A large selection of ethical foundations will also be organic and some are even vegan, so check it out if that’s important.

Paraben-Free: Parabens are preservative chemicals that aren’t great for you. We’ll let you know here if the product is listed as being free of harmful parabens. It’s a great thing to look for in makeup or any other skin product.

Hypoallergenic: Hypoallergenic makeup is made so that even people with sensitive skin won’t have any allergic reactions. That means that it uses gentler ingredients and natural alternatives rather than harsh chemicals. For makeup users with sensitive skin, this is the best feature!

Top 10 Products

With that information, we can start taking a look at the top ten cruelty-free foundations that we could find. All of these foundations are great cosmetics, and the choice comes down to the type of foundation and the shades that are available. Our top pick and budget pick are our personal favorites, so start there before moving down the rest of the list. Your new favorite foundation is waiting for you!

Shimarz Liquid Mineral Foundation

The 9 shades provided by Shimarz are undoubtedly the best vegan cruelty-free foundations on the market right now. This full-coverage formula will make your skin look great, with a dewy finish that you’re going to love. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, these foundation shades are organic and gluten-free. You can choose your correct shade by using the photos. If you don’t choose the correct shade, that’s okay! Shimarz offers a no-risk shade correction guarantee. If you ordered the wrong shade, you can tell the company and they will send you the correct one at no extra cost – and you don’t have to send the old one back! That’s some great customer service! In addition, if you have any other issues with the foundation within 30 days, you’ll get a replacement or refund. It’s a great mattifying and anti-aging product with amazing customer service. You just have to give it a try! It’s completely risk-free.

Check Price Now Review Top Pick

Mineral Fusion Powder Foundation

Mineral Fusion is next on our list with this affordable foundation. It’s created with Aloe Vera, as well as cucumber and other natural and gentle ingredients. It’s hypoallergenic, so your skin will thank you for using it. It’s also 100% vegan if that’s something that is important to you, and it uses an antioxidant blend of white tea, red tea, pomegranate, and vitamins to fight free radicals and make your skin look and feel healthier. It’s a pressed powder foundation that only uses pure and non-toxic ingredients, so you know that your skin is getting the best. There are 15 different shades available, so you’re sure to find one that perfectly matches your skin tone. It’s a full, flawless coverage foundation to help conceal pores and fine lines. The compact is easy to store and perfectly portable, so you can touch-up your look anywhere! It’s a great age-defying formula with a huge shade range that you’re going to love.

Check Price Now Review Budget Pick

EVXO Mineral Foundation

EVXO makes some of the best cruelty-free foundations that come in a mineral liquid form. This foundation (and all of EVXO’s other foundation lines) are certified organic. All ingredients are natural, and the formulas are non-comedogenic. This means that they won’t clog your pores. You can wear it all day long, and this buildable coverage foundation will give you a non-greasy, dewy finish that will last you until you don’t need it anymore. What we like most about a buildable coverage foundation is that you have the option of how much coverage you want. You can keep a light, natural look or you can layer up to medium coverage that will reduce the appearance of any ‘problem areas’. In addition to being cruelty-free, EVXO foundations are vegan and gluten-free, as well as being made in the USA. There are ten shades to choose from, so you’re sure to find a great match for your skin tone!

Check Price Now

BaeBlu Liquid Foundation

There are seven shades available in this line of foundations from BaeBlue. These are some of the best foundations on our list because of all of the perks. The formula is all natural, with zero artificial colors, preservatives, or chemicals. The foundations are organic and made with parabens or gluten. They are also 100% vegan and of course cruelty-free. The formulas are non-comedogenic so they won’t clog your pores. This foundation goes on smooth and gives you a balanced coverage that won’t grease up after you’ve had it on for hours. BaeBlu also boasts that these foundations have an anti-aging formula that will make your skin look and feel younger and healthier. If you’re looking for some of the best cruelty-free foundations, you can’t go wrong with this line from BaeBlu. Choose your closest match from the seven available shades and experience great, non-greasy coverage on your face! The number of perks certainly can’t be beaten.

Check Price Now

Aesthetica Contouring Foundation

The foundations in this kit are a little bit different. These are contouring cream foundations, made so that you can contour your face to accentuate your natural features. This palette features 6 blendable creams to help sculpt and define your face. If you’ve ever tried to highlight and ended up having trouble, this is the kit for you! It comes with step-by-step instructions and diagrams to make sure that you can get your contour perfect each and every time. You can remove and refill each of the pans if you like. There are three cream foundation or concealer shades as well as 3 illuminating creams included so you can get the look that you want. If you don’t like contouring? You can still get this palette and use the shades for foundation, bronzer, and highlights. The formula is hypoallergenic and contains no Talc or parabens. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free as well, so contour away!

Check Price Now

Skin2Spirit Better’n Ur Skin Foundation

Just because this Skin2Spirit’s Better’n Ur Skin Foundation line isn’t certified organic doesn’t mean that it isn’t made with great ingredients. This foundation is actually 90% certified organic, with all natural ingredients. The formulas are also gluten-free, vegan, and paraben-free. A unique aspect of this formula is the real vanilla infusion that makes them smell and feel great. The natural SPF sunscreen makes this one of the best cruelty-free foundations for dry skin, to protect you while you’re outside. There are 12 shades, and each of them is non-toxic and buildable so you can choose your level of coverage. Though it’s a liquid foundation, it dries down to a lightweight powder finish. That means that you can cover just a few spots or build it up for full coverage, and it’s never cakey. If you order the wrong shade, you can return it for a refund and re-order the right one with no hassle. It’s a great foundation!

Check Price Now

Harvest Natural Beauty Foundation

Harvest Natural makes this liquid foundation in 8 different shades that will adjust to the color of your skin. This organic foundation is breathable and lightweight, perfect for someone who doesn’t use much makeup regularly or doesn’t like the cakey feel of other foundations. It’s Leaping Bunny Certified to be cruelty-free, as well as certified organic and vegan. There are no sulfates or parabens, as well as no gluten. The formula overall is non-toxic. It’s fortified with Vitamin E to help moisturize your skin and make it feel great even after you’ve taken it off. Plus, this foundation is non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores. For people with sensitive skin, this is an especially great foundation line to try. Any skin type will thrive with this great, sustainable foundation! With this nourishing and smoothing formula, your face is going to feel great during and after using this foundation. You’re sure to find a shade that matches your skin tone!

Check Price Now

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Foundation

Ecco Bella’s cruelty-free foundation is unique in just about every way. You can use all seven shades of this liquid foundation as a concealer as well if that’s what you would prefer. That’s because it’s made of all-natural ingredients that offer coverage that isn’t greasy at all. It’s enough coverage to cover dark circles and other flaws that you want to cover. How is it made? Even that is unique! It’s made with organic oils and flower wax to achieve a great makeup look that is natural and great for people with sensitive skin. That means that each of their foundations is free of chemicals, fragrances, and gluten so that you can put on your face with peace of mind. It’s also easy to apply as a concealer, which means that the coverage is buildable to whatever level you need or feel comfortable with. That’s great! It’s eco-friendly and cruelty-free, making it one of the best foundations on the market!

Check Price Now

Au Naturale Zero Gravity Foundation

Au Naturale makes these 15 shades of the best cruelty-free powder foundation. It doesn’t start out as a powder, but that’s the finish that you get when you use this stick. It starts off as a nourishing crème formula that you can easily move around on your face and blend down to a weightless powder finish. You can use it straight from the stick or use your favorite clean foundation brush to finish off your look. There are 15 different shades, so you have a pretty good chance of finding the shade that best matches your skin tone. The best part about this great foundation is the formula, which is made without gluten, parabens, dyes, animal by-products, or preservatives. That means that this Zero Gravity foundation is natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. This foundation formula is also organic and, of course, cruelty-free. You can see all of the ingredients in the listing so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Check Price Now

Undone Beauty Glow Tint

If you’re looking for a cruelty- free foundation that has a light coverage profile, you’re going to love the Undone Beauty Glow Tint. It’s a foundation that doesn’t give you complete coverage so that you can choose to wear a lighter product rather than covering your entire natural look. You can use it to blur away imperfections that you want to get rid of, as well as to enhance the shape of your face. You can use it in your contouring routine or on its own to cover dark circles or smaller flaws. It’s made with coconut extract for a natural glow and a dewy, non-greasy finish. In addition to being cruelty-free, Undone’s Beauty Glow Tint is also Vegan. If that’s important to you, this is one of the best products that you can get! There are 6 light-coverage shades that you can easily match your skin tone, and with such sheer coverage, it’s easy to find a match.

Check Price Now

About the Author

Heather Patton

Expert Researcher and Writer

Heather Patton is a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped. She has been creating high-quality content for over a decade and covers home, lifestyle, beauty, fashion products and more.

Best Cruelty-Free Foundations

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Shimarz Liquid Mineral Foundation

Mineral Fusion Powder Foundation

How to Choose the Best Cruelty-Free Foundation

Top 10 Products

Shimarz Liquid Mineral Foundation

Mineral Fusion Powder Foundation

EVXO Mineral Foundation

BaeBlu Liquid Foundation

Aesthetica Contouring Foundation

Skin2Spirit Better’n Ur Skin Foundation

Harvest Natural Beauty Foundation

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Foundation

Au Naturale Zero Gravity Foundation

Undone Beauty Glow Tint

About the Author

TOP PICK

Shimarz Liquid Mineral Foundation