5 cruelty-free skin-care products that help control my acne, oily skin, and dark circles

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Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious about products that haven’t been tested on animals, which are just as effective as those that have been and infinitely more ethical in my eyes.
There are thousands of cruelty-free skin-care products on the market, and I have found these five to be effective in addressing my skin-care concerns of acne, dark circles, and hyperpigmentation.
To see if the products you’re using are cruelty free, be sure to read labels and brand websites for details, and double-check with organizations like Leaping Bunny and PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies.

Animal testing began in 1933 after a dozen women were blinded and one died after using mascara with an untested ingredient. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the only way to safely test any cosmetics then was on animals. Thankfully, alternative safety tests were developed in the ’80s and animal testing in cosmetics went down by 90%. The practice is becoming increasingly outdated as cosmetic brands seek more humane alternatives in response to customer demands.

For anyone who still believes that companies should test on animals, memorize this — the way a skin-care product or its ingredients have been tested has no correlation to how effective it is. "Cruelty-free skin care is just as effective as traditional products. The only difference is the way that the products are developed and tested," says dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital Dr. Joshua Zeichner.

In fact, here are five cruelty-free skin-care products that have been effective for my skin concerns.

A gentle exfoliating cleanser that won’t dry out the skin

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Buy the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash for $38 at Sephora

This cleanser from Leaping Bunny-approved Kate Somerville was recommended to me back during my acne-ridden days because it’s one of the few cleansers out there that deep cleans without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

For that reason alone, I’ve been using it both day and night for the past couple of years, even now that my acne has gone away.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it "cured" my acne, but the combination of chemical
acids and fruit enzymes make this product efficacious without drawing out the good oils from the deeper layers of my skin. Glycolic and lactic acids penetrate my pores to clean beneath the surface, and a combination of pineapple enzymes and orange peel oil leave my skin feeling soft and moisturized — not to mention smelling great.

A fast-absorbing serum that gently exfoliates and clarifies the skin

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Buy the Herbivore Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion for $62 at Sephora

This Leaping Bunny-approved serum has gained a cult-following for its fast-absorbing, lightweight texture and potent formula packed with fruit acids. This was recommended to me when I was at Sephora looking for something to get my oily skin under control, but I found it did so much more.

My skin mostly gets oily because I have large pores around my cheeks and nose. Throughout the day, dirt and pollution get trapped in the pores, causing my skin to get oily and pimples to form.

The sugar cane glycolic and willow bark in this elixir naturally clarify my skin so well that for the first time in almost a decade, I don’t come home from work just to see a new pimple in the mirror. The natural, aloe-derived salicylic acid treats and prevents blemishes without irritating my sensitive skin too.

While it did control overall oil production on my skin a bit, I would highlight it mostly for its ability to prevent acne without irritating my skin.

A glow-inducing moisturizer that makes skin look dewy instead of greasy

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Buy the First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Priming Moisturizer for $28 at Sephora

As an oily-skinned girl, I used to run from any face product advertised to make me glow until one day, I ran out of my stand-in moisturizer and had a sample-size of this PETA-approved product sitting on my vanity.

Not only can I skip primer now, but I don’t even need my post-lunch powder touch up. I’ve been using it for three months and I don’t even carry blotting sheets in my purse anymore.

The coconut water moisturizes lightly so your skin doesn’t have to overcompensate for dry skin with excess oil production. "Coconut water is rich in vitamins that calm inflammation while quinoa protein forms a protective barrier for the skin," says Dr. Zeichner.

I’ll wear this alone without foundation or concealer if I’m not in the mood to wear makeup but still want a healthy glow that makes me look like I put more effort into my appearance than I really did.

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