Top skincare picks from small vegan beauty brands

I’ve recently come across some wonderful independent skincare brands and had the chance to try their products. Today I’m sharing my top picks from small vegan beauty companies that I’m genuinely loving right now.

Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted some products from these brands, however this blog post is not sponsored and I am only recommending what I genuinely enjoy using :)

chloe hamard Top picks from small vegan beauty brands | UK Small Business Love.jpeg

lelive

lelive was founded in 2020 by Amanda du-Pont and her South African team with a mission to create skincare that celebrates Africa’s rich diversity.

The brand name comes from Amanda’s Swazi name, Langalelive, meaning “light of the world,” and this ethos guides everything they do.

Each formula blends the continent’s powerful botanicals, like green rooibos, marula, moringa, shea butter and aloe, with active ingredients such as bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C and peptides, creating modern, results-driven skincare made with 95% natural ingredients.

I’ve enjoyed every lelive product I got to try so far, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be the jelly cleanser. I absolutely love the texture, the scent and how clean it makes my skin feel!

Read my full lelive review here.

Ambo

Ambo is vegan, fragrance-free skincare that blends science-backed synthetic ingredients with antioxidant-rich natural extracts while keeping prices accessible.

Based in Devon, England, this independent brand was founded by Arthur Airey, who personally researched the best ingredients and designed the packaging before working with formulation experts to create high-quality, sustainable products.

What sets ambo apart is its honesty, offering full transparency about ingredients and sustainability without relying on greenwashing or clean beauty myths.

My favourite Ambo product is the 100% organic Rosehip Seed Oil from Ambo. Cold-pressed from hand-picked wild seeds in Bulgaria, it feels incredibly pure and nourishing on the skin. It’s the perfect final step to your evening skincare routine, especially paired with a gua sha tool for a relaxing facial massage.

Read my full Ambo review here.

ARK Skincare

ARK Skincare takes a positive approach to ageing, celebrating every stage of life rather than fighting against it. Their philosophy is simple: as skin changes over time, skincare should adapt with it.

With three Age Intelligent ranges originally developed for professionals, ARK delivers salon-grade formulas tailored to the evolving needs of your skin — whether that means protecting younger complexions or giving mature skin the extra nourishment it deserves.

The standout product for me is the Skin Protector Primer with SPF30, which I enjoyed using until the very last drop. It’s a great pick to simplify your routine, combining moisturiser, SPF and primer in one single step.