Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Korean Brand Picks for Ethical Beauty

More and more skincare lovers are paying attention to what’s inside their products—and how those products are made. With growing awareness around animal welfare and ethical beauty, terms like vegan and cruelty-free have become essential in the skincare conversation. But while they’re often used together, they don’t mean the same thing. Understanding the difference helps you make more conscious and informed choices for both your skin and your values.

Curious? We’ll break down what these two terms really mean, and highlight our favorite Korean skincare brands that follow ethical practices—whether that means avoiding animal ingredients, animal testing, or both.

WHAT DO VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE MEAN ?

Before exploring our favorite Korean skincare brands, it’s important to understand what “vegan” and “cruelty-free” really mean—because while they’re often used together, they’re not the same.

Vegan skincare: means that a product contains no animal-derived ingredients whatsoever. This includes obvious ingredients like milk and egg, but also less obvious ones like snail mucin, honey, beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis. 

Cruelty-free: on the other hand, refers to how a product is developed and tested. A cruelty-free product is not tested on animals at any stage of its development, from ingredients to finished formula. However, this doesn’t automatically make it vegan. A product can be cruelty-free but still include animal-derived ingredients—and vice versa. 

In short, vegan refers to a product’s ingredients, while cruelty-free refers to its testing process. For truly ethical skincare, many consumers now look for products that are both.

WHICH KOREAN SKINCARE BRANDS ARE VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE ?

While not all Korean skincare brands meet both vegan and cruelty-free standards, a growing number are committing to more ethical practices—eliminating animal-derived ingredients and avoiding animal testing entirely.

SKIN1004:
A viral Korean skincare brand recognized for its soothing, plant-powered formulas featuring Centella Asiatica sourced from Madagascar. Committed to being fully vegan and cruelty-free, the brand focuses on creating products that care for both your skin and animal welfare. Their Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ stands out as a lightweight, hydrating sunscreen that protects and calms the skin, making it a perfect choice for a mindful daily skincare routine.

Haruharu wonder:
A clean Korean skincare brand is known for its minimalist, plant-based formulas and naturally fermented ingredients like black rice, bamboo, and ginseng. All products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, developed with a focus on both skin health and animal welfare. One of their standout products, the Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil, gently removes impurities while nourishing the skin—perfect for an ethical and effective daily routine.

Torriden:
A Korean skincare brand known for its hydration-focused formulas that combine clean, plant-based ingredients with advanced technology. The brand is committed to being both vegan and cruelty-free, ensuring all products are free from animal-derived ingredients and never tested on animals. Their Dive-In Serum is a deeply moisturizing and soothing formula that strengthens the skin barrier, making it an excellent choice for those seeking effective, ethical skincare.

Dr.Althea is 100% vegan, but not certified cruelty-free
Dr.Althea:
A famous Korean skincare brand known for its gentle and effective formulas focused on soothing and repairing the skin. The brand is 100% vegan, meaning all products are free from animal-derived ingredients, but it is not certified cruelty-free. Their 345 Relief Cream is a soothing, hydrating product that helps strengthen the skin barrier, making it a great choice for those looking for vegan skincare options.