Are you thinking about starting a vegan skincare routine but feeling overwhelmed? Or are you already following a vegan lifestyle and want your skincare choices to reflect your values? Either way, this blog will guide you step-by-step.

We'll show you how to easily build a 100% vegan skincare routine and how to recognize which products are truly vegan. Plus, we've compiled a list of Korean brands that are fully vegan, as well as brands that offer dedicated vegan lines.

We won't dive into every non-vegan ingredient (although feel free to research further if you're curious). What we do want to highlight is that many popular skincare ingredients are still derived from animals. So here's a small reminder: always check not only the benefits on the label, but also what you're actually applying to your skin.

And good to know: vegan skincare is often gentler than its animal-derived counterparts. So a win win! 

5 Easy Steps to Build Your Vegan Skincare Routine

Step 1: Vegan Cleanser
Purito CleanserPurito From Green Cleansing Oil

Gently removes sunscreen and heavy makeup while protecting the skin.

Benton Honest Cleansing FoamBenton Honest Cleansing Foam

Fresh and purifying cleanser with tea tree extract.

Tocobo Coconut Clay Cleansing FoamTocobo Coconut Clay Cleansing Foam

Vegan cleanser with gentle clay exfoliation.

Step 2: Vegan Toner
Anua Heartleaf 77 TonerAnua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

Soothes and hydrates sensitive skin.

I'm From Rice TonerI'm From Rice Toner

Brightens and nourishes for an even complexion.

Pyunkang Yul Essence TonerPyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Minimalist formula providing deep hydration.

Step 3: Vegan Serum
Axis-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow SerumAxis-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

Helps reduce dark spots and even out the skin tone.

iUNIK Tea Tree Relief SerumiUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum

Calming serum with tea tree and centella for troubled skin.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep SerumBeauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Arbutin

Lightweight serum that brightens and hydrates using traditional Hanbang ingredients.

Step 4: Vegan Moisturizer
Purito Mighty Bamboo CreamPurito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream

Deeply hydrating moisturizer that restores and strengthens the skin barrier.

iUNIK Centella Calming Gel CreamiUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream

Lightweight moisturizer with low molecular hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist CreamIsntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream

Richer texture, perfect for dry skin types needing extra nourishment.

Step 5: Vegan SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch SunscreenPurito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF50+

Lightweight, fragrance-free vegan sunscreen for daily protection.

Tocobo Bio Watery Sun CreamTocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream

Hydrating, non-sticky vegan sunscreen with a natural finish.

Beauty of Joseon Relief SunBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics

Top-rated vegan SPF, lightweight and calming thanks to rice and probiotics extracts.

Vegan Alternatives for Popular Skincare Ingredients!

Retinol → Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol, derived from the Babchi plant, provides anti-aging benefits similar to retinol but without irritation, making it a gentle and fully vegan alternative.

Snail Mucin → Beta-Glucan or Centella Asiatica

Snail mucin is often used for hydration and healing. Vegan options like Beta-Glucan and Centella Asiatica offer deep hydration and skin repair without any animal involvement.

Honey/Propolis → Rooibos, Tea Tree, or Fermented Extracts

Instead of honey or propolis, rooibos, tea tree oil, and fermented extracts provide anti-bacterial and skin-calming benefits — completely plant-based.

PDRN (Salmon DNA) → PHYTO PDRN®

Traditional PDRN is derived from salmon DNA. PHYTO PDRN®, sourced from ginseng, is a potent vegan alternative that supports skin renewal and elasticity.

 

Our Favorite Korean Vegan Skincare Brands

Purito— Almost Fully Vegan

Purito offers an almost entirely vegan collection. Only a few older products contain beeswax. Popular lines like Centella Green Level and From Green are fully vegan-friendly.

Axis-Y — 100% Vegan

Axis-Y creates fully vegan and cruelty-free skincare, focusing on climate-based formulations designed for sensitive and problematic skin.

Tocobo — 100% Vegan

Tocobo offers fully vegan, playful skincare products with light textures, such as the Cotton Soft Sun Stick and Bio Watery Sun Cream.

Abib — Partially Vegan

Abib has special vegan lines like the Heartleaf Essence Calming Pump and Heartleaf Sun Essence. Not every product is vegan, so always check the label carefully.

Bonajour— 100% Vegan

Bonajour is proudly 100% vegan and cruelty-free, offering serums and hydration boosters made purely from plant-based ingredients.

Beauty of Joseon — Partially Vegan

Beauty of Joseon offers some vegan products like the Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF and the Green Plum Refreshing Toner. Always check if the product is part of their vegan offerings.

I'm From — Partially Vegan

I'm From focuses on clean regional ingredients. Their Rice Toner and Beet line are vegan-friendly, but some products still contain honey or beeswax.

Isntree — Partially Vegan

Isntree offers many vegan-friendly products, especially in the Hyaluronic Acid and Green Tea lines. Some items are not fully vegan, so it's best to double-check individual products.

SKIN1004 — Mostly Vegan

SKIN1004's Madagascar Centella line is fully vegan and loved for its calming, skin-repairing properties sourced from pure Centella Asiatica in Madagascar.

Ready to get into vegan skincare?

Your skin deserves the very best and it can be done without compromise. By choosing vegan skincare, you nurture yourself with love while contributing to a better, kinder world. As you can see, going vegan in skincare is just as good and sometimes even better than using non-vegan products. With such a wide range of beautiful vegan brands available, our advice is simple: just give it a try!

With love for skincare, Little Wonderland