Essential Vegan Ingredients in Korean Skincare

redness

Calm. Protect. Restore.

Korean skincare has mastered the art of harnessing nature’s most potent plant-based ingredients—and vegan beauty lovers are reaping the rewards.

From soothing herbal extracts to antioxidant-rich superfoods, these vegan-friendly actives deliver impressive results without compromising your ethics.

Here are the top three ingredients making waves in Korean vegan skincare, and why they deserve a place in your routine.

SHOP VEGAN PRODUCTS

Top Ingredients for vegan skincare

Cruelty-free botanicals with big skin benefits.

Centella Asiatica

Cica is the ultimate skin soother, known for accelerating skin healing, strengthening the barrier, and reducing irritation. In vegan Korean formulas, it’s often combined with other botanicals to deliver a powerful calming effect without any animal-derived ingredients.

ma:nyo Our Vegan Heartleaf Cica Cleansing Foam 120ml

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule 100ml

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum 30ml

Etude Soon Jung 10-Panthensoside Cica Balm

Rice Extract

A time-tested brightening and hydrating ingredient, rice extract helps soften skin, even tone, and boost radiance. In Korean skincare, it’s often combined with fermented botanicals to enhance absorption and deliver a smooth, luminous finish.

Tea Tree

A clarifying botanical that helps fight breakouts, calm redness, and balance oil production. In Korean skincare, it’s often blended with centella or aloe for gentle, soothing care.

haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil 150ml

Dr.Jart+ Ctrl-A Teatreement Cleansing Foam 120ml

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Alpha-Arbutin 30ml

Dr.Jart+ Ctrl+A Teatreement Soothing Spot 15ml

haruharu wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream 20ml

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++ 50ml

Crafting the Perfect Vegan Routine

Building a skincare routine with vegan products is easier than you think. By focusing on plant-based and cruelty-free formulas, you can care for your skin effectively while aligning with your ethical values. Here’s a simple 5-step routine using only vegan-friendly products — from gentle cleansers to nourishing creams — plus tips on what to look for and what to avoid in each step.

STEP 1

Cleanser

A gentle, sulfate-free vegan cleanser removes dirt, sunscreen, and impurities without stripping your skin. Oil cleansers with plant-derived oils can also be a great first step for deeper cleansing.

- Plant-based surfactants, green tea, rice water, heartleaf.
- Avoid: Beeswax, lanolin, animal-derived glycerin.

STEP 2

Toner

A vegan toner preps your skin, balances pH, and boosts hydration so the next steps absorb better.

- Aloe vera, centella asiatica, chamomile, hyaluronic acid (plant-derived).
- Avoid: Animal collagen, propolis, snail mucin.

Serum

STEP 3

Target specific concerns with vegan serums — whether that’s brightening, calming, or anti-aging.

- Niacinamide, licorice root, vitamin C from plant sources, bakuchiol.
- Avoid: Royal jelly, placenta extract, animal elastin.

Moisturizer

STEP 4

Lock in hydration with a vegan moisturizer that strengthens your skin barrier and leaves it smooth.

- Shea butter, squalane (olive-derived), oat extract, jojoba oil.
- Avoid: Beeswax, lanolin, animal-derived stearic acid.

STEP 5

Sunscreen

Protect your skin with a vegan sunscreen that shields against UV damage without harming marine life.

- Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, green tea, aloe vera.
- Avoid: Carmine, animal-based glycerin, non-vegan beeswax blends.

Want to Go Vegan With Your Skincare?

Skip the guesswork and discover our top vegan-friendly Korean skincare picks — each product is carefully chosen to be plant-based, cruelty-free, and effective for a variety of skin needs. From gentle cleansers to hydrating creams, these recommendations make it easy to build a routine that’s kind to your skin, animals, and the planet.