What are the best cruelty free skincare dupes for popular brands like La Roche-Posay and CeraVe?
Let’s build you a cruelty-free routine twin to La Roche-Posay + CeraVe
Quick disclaimer (because I am your BFF, not your dermatologist)
I’m not a doctor, dermatologist, or esthetician. This post is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always patch test, listen to your skin, and talk to a professional if you have skin conditions or concerns.
Affiliate note:
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you decide to purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you supporting my skincare obsession.
Why people love La Roche-Posay and CeraVe… but your ethics might not
La Roche-Posay and CeraVe are dermatologist-darling brands because they focus on barrier repair—ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, soothing textures, and fragrance-free formulas. They’re everywhere in derm articles and “starter routine” lists.
But both CeraVe and La Roche-Posay are not considered cruelty-free by major watchdog sites like Cruelty Free Kitty and Ethical Elephant, because they sell in markets where animal testing can still be required by law .
If you love the function of those products but want to stick with brands that don’t test on animals, the trick is to:
Figure out what the original is actually doing (ingredients + texture + purpose).
Match it with a cruelty-free formula that hits similar notes:
humectants (like glycerin, hyaluronic acid),
emollients (ceramides, fatty alcohols, squalane),
barrier-support actives (niacinamide, cholesterol, fatty acids).
Let’s go step-by-step through a classic CeraVe / La Roche-Posay style routine and swap everything for cruelty-free.
Step 1 – Gentle, hydrating cleanser dupes
OG vibes: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser & LRP Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a creamy, non-foaming cleanser with ceramides + hyaluronic acid + glycerin to cleanse without stripping.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is very similar: creamy texture, gentle surfactants, glycerin, and soothing ingredients for dry/sensitive skin.
These are great if your barrier is fragile or you use actives like retinoids and just want “cloud cleanser” energy.
Cruelty-free dupes
1. e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser (closest drugstore-style swap)
Why it’s a dupe:
Texture: creamy, non-foaming, “milky” cleanser—same vibe as CeraVe Hydrating.
Ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, oat milk, niacinamide—so you still get barrier support plus soothing oats.
Fragrance-free, designed for sensitive skin.
e.l.f. is cruelty-free and vegan.
Use it like: your everyday AM/PM cleanse for normal–dry, sensitive, or retinoid-using skin.
Link it:
2. KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser (gentle but a little more juicy)
Why it’s a good alternative:
Still gentle, low-foam, and glycerin-rich, but adds green tea/matcha + amino acid surfactants for antioxidant support and softness.
Fragrance-free and formulated for sensitive, acne-prone, and barrier-compromised skin.
KraveBeauty markets itself as vegan and cruelty-free.
If you wish CeraVe had a slightly more “skincare nerd” formula with antioxidant flex, this is that.
Link it:
Step 2 – Barrier moisturizer dupes (CeraVe Cream & LRP Double Repair)
OG vibes: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream & LRP Toleriane Double Repair
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: Rich cream with three ceramides, hyaluronic acid, cholesterol, and petrolatum for major barrier repair and long-lasting hydration.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer: Lightweight cream with ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin, and prebiotic thermal water for 48-hour hydration and microbiome support.
We want that creamy, cushiony, ceramide-rich, fragrance-free feel—just without the animal testing drama.
Dupe for CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (rich barrier repair)
3. Ceramedx Ultra Moisturizing Cream
Why it’s a strong dupe:
Functionally very similar: it’s a rich, intensive cream for very dry, sensitive skin.
Uses plant-based ceramides (Riceramide-3 blend), cholesterol, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and emollient butters to mimic the skin’s natural lipid barrier—just like CeraVe’s ceramide + cholesterol + fatty acid combo.
Fragrance-free, dermatologist-recommended, and marketed as cruelty-free and vegan.
This is the “I want my heavy cream in a tub” answer that feels extremely CeraVe-coded, but is bunny-friendly.
Link it:
Lighter, everyday face moisturizer dupes for LRP Double Repair
4. e.l.f. Pure Skin Moisturizer
Why it’s a good stand-in:
Double Repair is all about ceramides + niacinamide + glycerin in a non-greasy texture.
e.l.f. Pure Skin Moisturizer uses ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and oat milk to hydrate and support the barrier in a similar light-cream texture.
Fragrance-free, designed for sensitive skin, and fully cruelty-free/vegan.
This is a perfect “simple daytime moisturizer” or “pair with actives at night” option.
Link it:
5. Versed Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream (for drier or combo-normal skin)
Why it works here:
Texture: similar medium-rich cream that feels like a less clinical, more “indie girl” version of Double Repair.
Uses squalane, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and natural oils to provide lasting moisture and cushion.
Versed is committed to clean, cruelty-free formulations.
If you like a slightly richer, more “moisturizing but still non-greasy” feel, this one is dreamy.
Link it:
6. Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer (great if you’re younger / combo-acne prone)
Bubble aims at younger, breakout-prone skin with glycerin, aloe, avocado oil, and vitamin E in a non-heavy formula.
It doesn’t copy the La Roche-Posay formula exactly, but it delivers similar gentle, non-irritating hydration and pairs well with acne treatments.
Bubble is a cruelty-free brand.
Link it:
Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer → your-link-here
Step 3 – Sunscreen swaps for Anthelios-style protection
OG vibes: La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreens
La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios line is worshipped because it offers:
High SPF (often SPF 50+),
Lightweight, elegant, mostly chemical formulas,
Options for sensitive and acne-prone skin,
Minimal white cast.
We want similar daily-wearable, non-greasy, no-chalk SPFs from brands that are actually cruelty-free.
7. e.l.f. Suntouchable! Invisible Sunscreen SPF 35
Why it’s a good Anthelios-style dupe:
Invisible gel-like chemical sunscreen that plays nicely under makeup and doesn’t leave a cast.
Includes hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and feels more like a primer, similar to the “cosmetically elegant” feel of Anthelios Fluids.
From a fully cruelty-free, vegan brand (e.l.f.).
8. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Why it’s a strong swap:
Texture and finish are very similar to Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid: clear, weightless, 100% chemical, and great under makeup.
Supergoop is verified as cruelty-free and 100% vegan by multiple sources.
Offers broad-spectrum protection and is designed as a “sunscreen-primer” hybrid.
Link it:
9. Saie Sunvisor Mineral SPF 35 (if you prefer mineral like LRP’s mineral Anthelios)
If your skin is sensitive to chemical filters or you prefer mineral formulas:
What it offers:
100% non-nano zinc oxide with hyaluronic acid + vitamin C for hydration and antioxidant protection.
Dewy, moisturizing finish similar to some of LRP’s more nourishing SPFs.
Saie is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free.
Step 4 – Healing ointment / “slugging” dupes
OG vibe: CeraVe Healing Ointment
CeraVe’s Healing Ointment uses petrolatum + ceramides + hyaluronic acid to create an occlusive layer that locks in moisture and protects compromised skin.
If you like slugging or need serious chafe/windburn protection but want cruelty-free:
10. Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly
Why it’s an excellent swap:
Petrolatum-free but still thick and occlusive thanks to castor oil, sunflower seed oil, beeswax, and vitamin E.
Designed to “soothe, moisturize and soften” dry, irritated skin and create a moisture barrier—similar function to Healing Ointment.
Alba Botanica is explicitly cruelty-free and part of the Leaping Bunny Program.
Link it:
TL;DR – Build your cruelty-free “La Roche-Posay / CeraVe” style routine
Here’s a quick plug-and-play routine you can literally copy:
Cleanser (AM & PM)
e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser → your-link-here
or KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser → your-link-here
Moisturizer (AM/PM, normal–dry or sensitive)
e.l.f. Pure Skin Moisturizer → your-link-here
or Versed Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream → your-link-here
If you’re super dry or compromised: Ceramedx Ultra Moisturizing Cream → your-link-here
SPF (AM – non-negotiable, bestie )
e.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible SPF 35 → your-link-here
or Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 → your-link-here
or Saie Sunvisor Mineral SPF 35 (if you want mineral) → your-link-here
Extra barrier protection / slugging
Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Jelly → your-link-here
One more little note on “cruelty-free”
Cruelty-free status can change as brands expand into new markets or update policies, and different orgs sometimes disagree (looking at you, K-beauty drama 👀). Before you buy, it’s always worth a quick check on up-to-date lists like Cruelty Free Kitty or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies database.
But yes: you can absolutely have barrier-loving, derm-style, gentle skincare and keep your routine aligned with your values. Your skin and the bunnies can both win. 🐰
