Here are 10 ethical Japanese cosmetic brands to complete your vegan and cruelty-free beauty routine.
While the demand for ethically focused cosmetics has been steadily growing in the West, finding cruelty-free and vegan Japanese beauty brands can be a challenge. Not only is the cruelty-free beauty industry much smaller than in places like the US or Europe, but without clear product labelling and regulation standards, even identifying existing products that do not test on animals is difficult.
That’s why we’ve created this list of 10 cruelty-free Japanese beauty brands to cover makeup, skincare and haircare products. Cruelty-free can have many different meanings, but in this list, we are sharing cosmetic companies that have openly declared that they do not test on animals. Many of these brands also offer a selection of plant-based products, and we’ve made sure to include a list of the best 100% vegan Japanese beauty brands for the ultimate ethical beauty routine.
Vegan & Cruelty-Free Japanese Brands
1. Mirari
Mirari is a 100% vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand launched in 2020. Founded on the concept of creating products to reflect your inner beauty on the outside, Mirari’s name comes from the word mirror. It first came to market with a selection of moisturising sheet masks, but today it sells an array of Korean-inspired skincare products in high street stores and online. All ingredients are naturally derived with a concerted effort to source organically.
- Ethos: Vegan and cruelty-free
- Where to Buy: In stores or online
2. DAM DAM Tokyo
DAM DAM Tokyo is a proudly Japanese skincare company that believes life itself is an art form. Its array of skin, hair and body care products is domestically formulated in Japan using clinically proven ingredients like shiso leaf, phytic acid and Uji tea extract. DAM DAM Tokyo prides itself on a scientific approach to skincare, using advanced formulation technology to produce innovative and effective cosmetics.
- Ethos: Vegan and cruelty-free
- Where to Buy: In stores or online
3. La Vie Stella
La Vie Stella is all about natural beauty. It markets itself as a luxury vegan brand that strives to create organic beauty products to nourish and protect your skin. La Vie Stella promises never to use animal-derived ingredients while also avoiding synthetic ingredients, alcohol and palm oil. Its product range includes moisturizers, soaps and even a vegan UV milk sunscreen with SPF30/PA++ protection.
- Ethos: Halal, vegan and cruelty-free
- Where to Buy: In stores or online
Cruelty-Free Japanese Makeup Brands
4. MiMC
One of the largest and longest-standing cruelty-free beauty brands in Japan, MiMC creates organic cosmetics formulated around natural minerals and plant extracts. Its makeup centers on clean and fresh-faced beauty, with an extensive catalog of products that have you covered from primer to highlighter, as well as including tools like brushes, sponges and guashas.
- Ethos: MiMC and its ingredient manufacturers do not test on animals
- Where to Buy: In store or online
5. Naturaglacé
As the name suggests, Naturaglacé formulates products with 100% natural ingredients and never tests on animals. Its products range from base makeup that leaves the skin looking glowing and natural, to a selection of sheer lipsticks, blushes and eye shadows. Its makeup can be found in stores across Tokyo, including Hands, Biople and Cosme.
- Ethos: No animal testing with some vegan products
- Where to Buy: In store and online
Cruelty-Free Japanese Skincare Brands
6. Fancl
Fancl has made a name for itself across Japan for selling cosmetics and supplements that help restore your beauty on every level. Its star product is the mild cleansing oil, which has become one of the most popular cleansers in Japan and works to melt away makeup and prevent clogged pores. Fancl Beauty has also spent the last decade working to reduce its use of plastic by approximately 40% and opts for recycled materials when possible.
- Ethos: No animal testing, but products are sold in China*
- Where to Buy: In store and online
7. Shiro
For 16 years, Shiro has been dedicated to creating products derived from nature. From rice to ginger and flax, Shiro draws inspiration from the environment across its expansive range of products, which includes lotions, soaps and body care. The brand has a firm stance on cruelty-free beauty for itself and its subcontractors, with transparency regarding which products use non-vegan ingredients like beeswax.
- Ethos: Shiro and its subcontractors do not test on animals, although products are sold in China*
- Where to Buy: In store and online
Cruelty-Free Japanese Haircare Brands
8. Botanist
Botanist is a Japanese haircare brand that has grown to global success. It approaches haircare formulation by combining natural ingredients with innovative technology to create products that are good for the body, mind and world. Since launching, Botanist has been committed to sustainability, even launching the Botanist Foundation in 2023, whose mission is to create a more sustainable future.
- Ethos: No animal testing and a commitment to sustainability
- Where to Buy: In store and online
9. The Public Organic
The Public Organic’s original concept was to bring essential oil-based haircare products to the world. The Japanese beauty brand works with organic certification agencies to ensure all fragrances are derived from essential oils, as well as that their products are formulated with at least 90% natural ingredients and 10% organic ingredients.
- Ethos: No animal testing or ingredients derived from animals, except beeswax and honey
- Where to Buy: In store and online
10. Argelan
A house brand of Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Argelan is an environmentally conscious haircare line that has extended into skin and body care. The simple yet beautiful products come at an affordable price point, and are a minimum of 95% naturally derived. Argelan’s products are also all Japan-made, using domestic and sustainably sourced ingredients such as cypress oil, neroli flower and unshu mandarin.
- Ethos: No animal testing or ingredients derived from animals, except beeswax and honey
- Where to Buy: Matsumoto Kiyoshi Drug Stores
*In China, some cosmetics like sunscreen are required by law to be tested on animals, meaning a brand selling in physical stores in mainland China may have had to outsource animal testing to sell their products.
Have you tried any of these cruelty-free Japanese beauty brands before?
