Vegan and Cruelty-Free Cosmetics: What’s New?

The vegan sector of the cosmetics industry is undergoing a major transformation. Until recently, the Vegan label simply meant avoiding animal-derived ingredients and animal testing. Today, however, vegan raw materials are being developed through advanced technological processes. Proven product efficacy and consumer convenience are now coming to the forefront.

What’s New in Modern Vegan Cosmetics?

1. Microbiological and Cellular Technologies

There is an ongoing search for effective vegan alternatives to traditional animal-derived ingredients, as well as for innovative new actives. For example, the premium Swiss brand Montreux Skincare uses:

• plant-based collagen obtained through biofermentation;
• Narcicea Complex, a cellular daffodil extract;
• acetyl hexapeptide with a Botox-like effect.

2. The Search for, and Effective Use of, Valuable Food Industry By-Products

This reflects the eco-conscious cradle-to-cradle principle. In modern cosmetic production, highly nutritious and widely available by-products are increasingly being used, including:

• coffee grounds;
• brewer’s wort;
• grape and berry pomace left after juice production;
• fruit stones;
• citrus peel.

A wide range of vegan cosmetic ingredients can be produced from these materials, including:

• antioxidants;
• regenerating actives;
• preservatives;
• exfoliating particles;
• colourants;
• fragrances, and more.

3. A Focus on Supporting the Skin Barrier and Microbiome

The concept of corneotherapy has come from professional cosmetology: restoring the barrier properties of the epidermis is seen as key to healthy skin function.

Today, vegan organic and/or natural formulas generally avoid aggressive acids and harsh foaming agents, or surfactants. Instead, they often include humectants, oils to help restore the lipid barrier, and prebiotics and postbiotics to support the skin microbiome.

Here is how this idea is reflected in two interesting vegan products:

4. The Principles of Neurocosmetics

This fast-growing segment offers products that modulate not only the condition of the skin, but also mood. This approach is particularly beneficial for people experiencing chronic stress — in other words, many working city dwellers — as well as those with hypersensitive skin.

Shower and bath products designed to provide morning energy or evening relaxation are especially popular.

Ayluna Relaxing Bubble Bath helps to soothe the senses and improve sleep quality thanks to its combination of lavender hydrolate and lavender essential oil.

Ayluna Shower Gel combines lavender with toning rosemary to help balance emotions and support the skin and body’s adaptive potential.

5. More Effective Skin Protection

Today’s vegan cosmetics can help the skin defend itself against:

• heat;
• ultraviolet radiation;
• pollution;
• increased air dryness.

To achieve this, formulas are enriched with plant-based and biotech vegan actives, including:

• regenerating ingredients;
• antioxidants;
• safe mineral-origin sun filters.

These ingredients are now regularly found not only in sunscreens, but also in many day creams.

For example, Montreux Skincare Super Glow Serum contains edelweiss stem cells, providing powerful antioxidant protection and resilience inspired by this legendary plant of the Alpine heights.

I+M Sun Protect Tinted Facial Sun Cream SPF 30 is exceptionally convenient to use. Sun protection is provided by a classic mineral sunscreen filter: non-nano zinc oxide. Its protective properties are further enhanced by organic karanja oil.

To Summarise

Vegan cosmetics in 2026 are eco-conscious, clinically tested products featuring innovative ingredients that act as alternatives to animal-derived components and are produced from plant-based raw materials using advanced technologies.

They are already being recognised for their efficacy, visible and lasting results, flexibility, comfort, and environmental safety.