Top 5 Best Vegan Cruelty-Free Setting Powder Brands
Looking for a cruelty-free pressed or loose setting powder that's made without animal ingredients to complete your fabulous makeup looks? Whether you're after a dewy, luminous, or matte finish, translucent, light, or dark skin tones... we've got you covered. But, what should you look for in your vegan setting powder? Keep reading for the complete guide!
What Makes a Face Powder Vegan?
If you want to make sure no one gets hurt for the production of your favorite powder, here's what you need to know. To keep things simple, we could say a vegan face powder is made with plant-based or synthetic ingredients, and isn't tested on animals. However, we also believe it's important that it's non-toxic to you and the planet, and is packaged as sustainably as possible so as to avoid harming wildlife. And if you'd like to take things a step further, it's also nice to go for a brand that offers options for a wide variety of skin tones and skin types, to help promote inclusivity. In other words, try selecting a product that upholds your values and aligns with your vision of a more ethical world.
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Logos To Look For
If a product is labeled 'vegan', this is usually enough to ensure the validity of the claim. However, that's slowly changing. As 'vegan' becomes more of a trendy term, brands are becoming more eager to use this label to promote their products, even if it's not entirely true. And if you're not totally familiar with the ingredients, or don't have the time to read ingredient lists, double-checking these brands can be tricky. That's where certifications come in.
To be real, many of the products we recommend in our list are not certified vegan, but they do make the claim, and we've meticulously reviewed their ingredients lists and practices to make absolutely sure. However, if you want to do some research for products outside of our list, it's important you're familiar with the most trustworthy logos. Check them out!
'The Vegan Trademark' by The Vegan Society
Did you know the same group that founded the vegan movement has their own certification? If you see this logo anywhere on your product, you can be totally sure no animals were harmed. To obtain this certification, products must:
be formulated and manufactured/developed without the use of animal-derived ingredients.
not have been involved with animal testing conducted by the company or on its behalf.
not contain animal GMOs.
These strict standards ensure you're supporting the production of a totally cruelty-free product!
'Certified Vegan' by Vegan.org
This organization's standards are similar to those of The Vegan Society. The certified product must not contain any ingredients derived from any beings in the animal kingdom (including insects), and the brand must not have conducted animal testing of any sort for its development (*even when required by law). Plus, the company must provide manufacturer verification that no animal products were used. Great to know!
What To Look For In a Vegan Setting Powder
Now that we've reviewed what makes a product totally vegan, what exactly should we look for when browsing setting powders?
While researching products, we came across plenty of vegan brands that looked promising, accessible, and super effective! However, many of these brands also used harmful or unethical ingredients like talc, mica, and artificial colorants. Or, they only provided two or three light shades, rendering them useless to a large percentage of people with darker skin tones. So, our goal was to find products that were 100% vegan, cruelty-free, talc and mica free, made with non-toxic ingredients, and available in a wide variety of shades for most skin tones (or simply translucent). Keep reading to find out why these features are so important to us.
Why Go Talc-Free?
There's a reason this ingredient scores a lousy 5-8 on the EWG database, which evaluates the toxicity levels of different ingredients and products. Although talc is "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA, it can sometimes be contaminated with asbestos fibers, which are considered toxic and even carcinogenic. In fact, in one study asbestos was found in the lung and lymph node tissues of women who used talc-containing powders. So, you certainly want to steer clear of any vegan powders containing talc.
Why Go Mica Free?
Although mica receives a non-toxic score of 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database, we still can't support products containing this ingredient. Why? It turns out that the mining of the mineral mica, and the production of cosmetics containing this ingredient is strongly linked to child labor and serious health risks for workers.
In India alone, thousands of children work in illegal mica mines. This occupational exposure affects not only them, but also adult workers handling this ingredient in cosmetic manufacturing factories, mills, and construction sites. Long-term inhalation of mica dust can cause lung scarring and other respiratory problems. Although this is not a concern for consumers, it's enough to consider it a generally unethical ingredient.
Fortunately, the Responsible Mica Sourcing Initiative has set out to implement fair and sustainable mica mining, processing, and sourcing practices, so consumers can enjoy its cosmetic benefits without supporting unethical and irresponsible production. Find a list of makeup brands using ethical mica here.
Why Support Inclusive Brands?
In an ideal world, individuals with all skin tones and skin types would have plenty of makeup products to choose from, and would feel represented across all industries. Unfortunately, today's beauty industry is still plagued with a lack of representation for many groups, and we believe it's time to put a stop to this.
Even if you can easily find products for your complexion, it's always a helpful and thoughtful gesture to go for brands that provide for a wide variety of skin tones, as well as options for oily, dry, or sensitive skin. This way, more brands will follow suit! So, whether you select a translucent powder or tinted face powder, you can always double-check to make sure other individuals are also accounted for.
Finding Your Powder Shade Group
A major factor to take into consideration when shopping for a setting powder online is securing the right shade for your skin! The last thing you want is to appear ghostly, or fail to match the rest of your body. Thankfully, there are now plenty of websites that will help you find the correct shade, like matchmymakeup.com, findation.com, and even brand-specific shade finders. However, in case you can't find the product you want on these sites, here are some helpful tips:
Identify your undertone. If you have blue veins on your wrist, you have a cool undertone. If your veins are green, you have a warm undertone. If your undertone is cool, you'll want to go for a powder that's slightly pink or beige. If you're warm, go for vegan powders that are more golden or yellow. You could also be neutral (blue-green veins), meaning both warm and cool undertones look fine on you. If this is the case, don't even worry about this step!
Step into natural lighting. You may appear darker in an artificially-lit room than in plain sunlight. So, it's a good idea to step outside for a moment while comparing your shade with the swatches provided by the brand. To make sure you're in the correct lighting, you can always hold up a piece of paper and make sure it looks totally bright white, with no grey, yellow, or blue tint.
Use the shade at your jawline to select your face powder. This is the perfect reference for your entire face shade.
If you're going for a translucent powder, try to use it sparingly so as to reduce any visible white cast. Also, keep in mind that while a powder may look fine in the mirror or in person, some light-reflecting ingredients like zinc oxide or silica may cause you to look like a ghost in photos taken with flash! This is called 'flashback', so you can check for any mention of this among the product's reviews.
Ingredients Commonly Found In Non-Toxic Vegan Setting Powders
You may find the perfect clean, talc-free powder in our list, only to visit their website and find yourself questioning whether the complicated and/or synthetic ingredients are truly safe for daily use. So, let's clear things up, shall we?
Some typically unrecognizable ingredients used in non-toxic setting powders may include zinc oxide, kaolin clay, silica, boron nitride, calcium aluminum borosilicate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, ethylhexylglycerin, and iron oxides. These ingredients are all perfectly safe as used in beauty products. They're also non-toxic, despite how intimidating their long and complicated names may seem. Check out our breakdown of each one here:
Zinc Oxide
EWG Skin Deep Score: 1-3 (Fair Data)
Often used as a colorant and sunscreen agent, zinc oxide is a mineral found in plenty of non-toxic setting powders, sunscreens, and foundations. It does not penetrate the skin, and is not a reproductive toxicant in humans.
Kaolin Clay
EWG Skin Deep Score: 1(Fair Data)
Used as an absorbent, opacifying agent, and anti-caking agent in skincare and beauty products, this ingredient is not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful, bio-accumulative, or an environmental toxin. So, no need to shy away from products containing kaolin!
Silica
EWG Skin Deep Score: 1-2 (Good Data)
When used in skincare as an absorbent or anti-caking agent, silica presents little, if any risk to people. However, it can be a bit more harmful in loose powders, as it may be associated with respiratory toxicity. So, you can try to go for only pressed powders containing this ingredient, or be extra careful not to inhale your powder. Even so, it still scores a fair "2" on the EWG scale when used in face powders or sprays.
Boron Nitride
EWG Skin Deep Score: 1 (Fair Data)
A synthetic inorganic compound, boron nitride is totally vegan. It's typically used in cosmetics as an absorbent, opacifying agent, and skin conditioner. So, why does it get such a good score? This ingredient is not suspected to be an environmental or organ system toxin, and is not bio-accumulative.
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
EWG Skin Deep Score: 2 (Fair Data)
Typically used as a bulking agent, CAB is considered safe as used in cosmetics and skincare products. It has limited evidence of any toxicity.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
EWG Skin Deep Score: 1 (Limited Data)
Used as a bulking and viscosity increasing agent, synthetic fluorphlogopite is typically used as a mica substitute in makeup. In fact, it's also sometimes called 'synthetic fluorine mica' or simply 'synthetic mica'. It's not suspected to be an environmental toxin, bio-accumulative, or harmful to organ systems.
Ethylhexylglycerin
EWG Skin Deep Score: 2 (Limited Data)
Although generally considered safe and non-toxic, this ingredient may cause contact dermatitis for those with sensitive skin, and is labeled a 'mild skin irritant'. You also don't want to get products containing ethylhexylglycerin in your eyes!
Iron Oxides
EWG Skin Deep Score: 2 (Fair Data)
Iron oxides are used by many natural and non-toxic brands as a cosmetic colorant! Although they are suspected to be bio-accumulative, they're not considered harmful to organ systems, nor are they an environmental toxin.
Products We Avoided and Why
Now that we've identified which ingredients are safe and ethical, and which aren't, check out the products we avoided during our research, and why!
The Lip Bar Set The Tone Finishing Powder: Although we support this 100% vegan brand's mission, and are glad they're using mostly non-toxic ingredients, we had to skip this product as we noticed it contains mica as its first ingredient. It also may contain a wide range of artificial colorants, which have been linked to cancer, irritation, dermatitis, neurotoxicity, and bioaccumulation, among other health concerns.
Beauty Bakerie Oat (Translucent) Flour Setting Powder: Beauty Bakerie's flour setting powder stood out to us for its shortlist of ingredients, and because it's totally vegan and gluten-free! However, its first ingredient was talc, which we cannot recommend due to the concerns listed earlier.
KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Powder Foundation: It was quite upsetting to have to omit this product! Why? It has outstanding reviews and is produced by a 100% vegan brand. However, this one contains talc as the second ingredient, right after mica. However, we'd like to point out that they do source their mica ethically.
The Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Face Powders
Finally, time to review the products that align with all of our strict standards, and actually work! Keep reading to find your new favorite pressed or loose powder!
Range Beauty Smooth Out Vegan Translucent Powder
Price | $23.00
Coverage | Medium Coverage.
Finish | Demi-Matte Finish.
First Four Ingredients | Sericite, Kaolin, Magnesium Carbonate, Zinc Stearate.
Ethos | Vegan, Only 7 Ingredients, Light to Deep Shades, Black Owned Brand, Suitable for Sensitive Skin.
This all-vegan face powder is ideal for all skin types; even for dry and sensitive skin! It won't accentuate any dry patches, and leaves a smooth, natural finish, reducing the appearance of pores. Best of all, its gentle formula leaves your skin feeling refreshed and healthy! Made with just 7 natural ingredients, you're sure to feel the difference with this non-toxic vegan finishing powder.
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Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder
Price | $30.00
Coverage | Light to Medium Coverage.
Finish | Dewy/Velvety/Luminous Finish.
First Four Ingredients | Synthetic Fluorphlogopite (Synthetic Mica), Silica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sugarcane-Based Squalane.
Ethos | Vegan and Cruelty-Free, Fragrance-Free, Mica and Talc Free, Light to Deep Skin Tones, Skin-Beneficial Ingredients, Clean Ingredients, Fully Recyclable, Made with 35% Post-Consumer Resin, 1% For the Planet Members, Climate Neutral Certified.
For a gorgeous buildable, soft-matte finish, try out this ethical and sustainable vegan product! Made with their patented aerated-cream technology, it leaves a dewy finish for a totally natural look. However, it's also buildable for additional coverage that will not appear cakey or dry.
We'd like to point out that this brand is not totally vegan as they use some animal-based ingredients in other products, so you'll want to keep an eye out for this while browsing. However, you can rest assured knowing their powder is 100% animal-free and cruelty-free!
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100% Pure Bamboo Blur Powder
Price | $42.00
Coverage | Subtle/Natural Coverage.
Finish | Matte Finish.
First Four Ingredients | Bamboo Silica (Tinted Powders Also Include: Peach Pigment, Apricot, and Cocoa Bean).
Ethos | Vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, Gluten-Free, Just 1-7 All-Natural Ingredients, Made In USA.
100% Pure's translucent formula is available in plain white to fit a wide range of skin tones, and in three additional shades you can choose from! Just make sure to apply with a light hand if you're using the original translucent shade, to diminish any white cast!
Providing subtle coverage, this powder is designed to absorb excess oil with its natural bamboo silica and leave behind a soft, smooth finish. In fact, its non-pigmented translucent setting powder is made with just this one ingredient! Meanwhile, their other shades include all-natural ingredients like peach pigment, apricot, cocoa bean, papaya, turmeric, and green tea.
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Beautycounter Mattifying Powder
Price | $43.00
Coverage | Subtle/Natural Coverage.
Finish | Matte Finish.
First Four Ingredients | Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Phenoxyethanol.
Ethos | Vegan, EWG Verified, Mica and Talc Free, Translucent For All Skin Tones, Tested for Heavy Metals, How2Recycle Partners, Recyclable Packaging.
A non-pigmented, colorless translucent powder, Beautycounter's Mattifying Powder is ultra-clean and even tested for heavy metals! It's also totally recyclable.
Leaving no white residue, this powder is designed for a wide range of skin tones, to absorb shine and leave a natural matte finish. Try this fabulous natural product, which features an EWG Verified seal to back it up!
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Vegan Setting Powder with SPF
Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35
Price | $30.00
Coverage | Subtle/Natural Coverage.
Finish | Matte Finish.
First Four Ingredients | Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate.
Ethos | Vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, Provides SPF Protection, 100% Mineral Formula, Nano Free, Includes Dense Powder Brush, Dermatologically Tested, Reef-Friendly, Translucent Option.
If you want a little extra sun protection, go for the Supergoop! (Re)setting Mineral Powder! Like any face powder, you'll want to reapply it throughout your day. Although in this case, it'll go a step further to reinforce your sun protection with its SPF 35 zinc oxide formula! Genius! Find it in translucent to deep shades and for all skin types, for a gorgeous matte finish.
