Do you think of brands that stand up against animal cruelty? Or perhaps brands that fight against environmental cruelty? Or what about those that are fighting against skin cruelty, who are trying to defend our bodies from the chemicals that are put in our everyday products?
Whether you think of just one of these or all three, choosing products that are cruelty-free is clearly a good decision for you and the planet.
Nevertheless, as we the consumers become more and more conscientious about the products that we buy and use, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the options available.
Fortunately, beauty experts Cosmetify have conducted research into the most popular cruelty-free haircare brands in the UK. This is a great place to start if you want to incorporate cruelty-free products into your life.
What is the most popular cruelty-free haircare brand in the UK?
The most popular cruelty-free haircare brand in the UK is Aesop. Following closely is Arctic Fox, Bleach London, Giovanni, Christophe Robin and Aveda.
All of these brands clearly identify themselves as cruelty-free and go to significant lengths to protect animals, the environment and your skin from cruelty.
Let’s explore each of these brands in a little more detail.
Aesop
Established back in 1987 in Melbourne Australia, Aesop is one of the top cruelty-free haircare brands in the UK.
Aesop focuses on using plant-based ingredients to create products of the finest quality with a proven safety and efficacy record.
If you are lucky enough to visit one of their truly unique stores, you will see that sustainability is at the core of each and every aspect of Aesop. From products, to design, to store interior.
Aesop’s haircare range includes products to cleanse, condition, treat and groom. Including shampoos, conditioners, serums, hair balms and beard oils.
This Australian brand offers more than simply haircare, they are equally as popular for their skin and body care formulations that are all created with efficacy and sensory pleasure in mind.
Arctic Fox
Founded in 2013, Arctic Fox Hair Color is a hair colouring brand that was fed up with the way things were done in the hair colouring industry. They decided to set out to create the best semi-permanent hair colour available, whilst remaining cruelty-free.
It is Arctic Fox’s mission to provide the world with a variety of high-quality hair colour and care products that can be used as tools for self-expression.
All Arctic Fox products are contrived of all-natural ingredients that are free from drying alcohols, PPDs and harsh chemicals. They are created with hair’s health in mind.
Arctic Fox says that they aim to provide a voice for those without one – namely animals. They proudly declare that they are 100% vegan and cruelty-free and they actively work towards the prevention of animal cruelty, through educating the public and charity work.
In fact, 15% of Arctic Fox’s profits are donated to charities that fight against animal cruelty. In 2020, they increased their efforts and began contributing between 25% to 100% of online profits to these charities. The team also visit the charities in person and contribute supplies and time to the animals in rehabilitation.
Arctic Fox offers hair colour products, repair serums, hair perfume, UV protection products, shampoo, conditioner, hair masks and dry shampoo in their haircare range.
Bleach London
Bleach London was the first hair salon focused on hair colouring rather than cutting and was created by hairstylist Alex Brownsell back in 2010.
The company now has a line of home hair colouring products and makeup, that are all vegan and cruelty-free. They are equally committed to using recycled and recyclable packaging in their products. They are even working on incorporating biodegradable materials into their products where possible.
Bleach London has tweaked their formulas over the years to create the best possible range of products including bleach kits, toners, semi-permanent dyes and high-end care for bleached and coloured hair.
Giovanni
Giovanni was the first salon-inspired haircare brand to be sold in natural product stores across the US. Arthur Guidotti, the father of this luxury haircare line is inspired by nature in all his products and is now reported to be the number one selling haircare line in the United States Natural Products Industry.
Since 1979, Giovanni has been committed to making pure and natural products without sacrificing exceptional product performance and quality.
The Giovanni brand is committed to animal welfare and cruelty-free beauty, with all their merchandise being Leaping Bunny certified. All of their products are vegan with the exception of three individual products that contain honey or lactoferrin.
The Giovanni range includes various haircare, hair styling tools and accessories. They have even launched a new pet haircare range that is infused with botanical ingredients.
Christophe Robin
Christophe Robin is another favourite cruelty-free haircare brand. Since 1999 this brand has set itself apart from other brands by creating formulas that are powered by precious natural-origin ingredients free from silicone, parabens and SLS.
The products available from Christophe Robin are guaranteed cruelty-free however they are not all vegan. The brand strictly avoids animal testing throughout its products’ development, manufacturing, and marketing. This is a rule that applies to their suppliers and third-party contributors as well.
They stand firmly against animal testing of all kinds and even refuse to sell their products in countries where animal testing is required by law. They have previously stated that whilst customer safety is of huge importance to them, they know that this can be achieved without animal cruelty.
Christoph Robin sells various cruelty-free shampoos, conditioners, leave-in masks, colour treatment, hairbrushes and male grooming products.
Aveda
Everything that Aveda does, they do so with care for the world that we live in. They strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility through their products and the ways in which they give back to society.
As a cruelty-free brand, they do not test their products on animals, nor use third parties to do so, instead, they state that their products are all “people-tested”.
Wherever possible they use naturally derived ingredients and utilise the power of pure flower and plant essences. In addition to this, all of their products are manufactured with 100% wind power. The brand supports the development of renewable wind energy to work towards offsetting carbon footprint over time.
If this wasn’t enough they are also the first beauty company to use 100% post-consumer recycled PET. This means that 85% of their PET bottles and jars contain 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
If there is a brand that truly encompasses cruelty-free it is Aveda. Everything that they do, they do so conscientiously. They stand against animal cruelty, they fight planet cruelty with their sustainable and recyclable approach to business. They use naturally derived ingredients to help support our bodies and skin.
Aveda offers a variety of haircare products such as shampoo, conditioner, styling products, masks, treatments, dry shampoo, oils, hairbrushes and more. They also create other products for your skin, body, makeup and fragrance.
