Now that Garnier is officially cruelty-free, here are the IndyBest team’s favourite products

Add these affordable skincare picks to your routine with complete peace of mind

You can be confident that no animals have been hurt, killed or tested on to create any of these beauty buys (The Independent)

Your beauty routine is a space where it’s easy to make eco-friendly swaps in a bid to be more mindful of your impact on the planet and its inhabitants.

From ditching single-use cotton pads to going vegan, there’s a variety of ways you can do more. Brands are stepping up too, catering to consumers demanding a more transparent manufacturing process with sustainably sourced ingredients and materials.

Garnier is the latest beauty band to be certified cruelty-free under the Leaping Bunny programme, which works to end animal testing in cosmetics, personal care and household products.

Read more: Vegan and cruelty-free beauty brands to know, from Urban Decay to The Body Shop

Despite Garnier being openly opposed to animal testing since 1989, the new certification offers an extra guarantee for customers. It took 18 months to secure after a rigorous investigation into the brand’s supply chains, raw materials and ingredients.

In order to be awarded the status, every product is looked at to ensure it can be certified as cruelty-free.

Well-loved for its budget skincare, from body lotions to sheet masks, the IndyBest team has picked its favourite Garnier products that are worth stocking up on to celebrate the new certification.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Eleanor Jones (Executive editor)

Garnier moisture bomb pomegranate hydrating face sheet mask: £1.50, Superdrug.com

(Garnier)

As sheet masks go, this is one of the best I’ve found for hydration, and I include far more expensive options in that comparison. Whenever my skin is feeling dull or in need of a moisture boost, popping one of these on always does the trick – they fit the face well (no wonky eye holes or a nose opening that make it hard to breathe here) and come so saturated in serum that they drip when you take them out of the packet.

My skin always looks instantly plumped after the recommended 15 minutes of wear – I don’t think they make a huge long-term difference, but truly, in my experience, no sheet mask really does, as you need a consistent daily routine to reap real, tangible results. However, as prep for a special occasion or just a bit of extra complexion TLC when your skin is feeling parched, you won’t find a fairer price than this.

Buy now

Sarah Young (Writer)

Garnier summer body gradual tan moisturiser: £3.24, Boots.com

(Garnier)

I don’t know about you but after months spent cooped up inside during what feels like the longest winter of all time, my already fair skin has reached new heights. With warm weather on the horizon, I’ve started looking for ways to take the edge off of my milk-bottle complexion and found myself resorting to an old favourite: Garnier’s summer body gradual tan moisturiser.

A fool-proof way to achieve sun-kissed skin without the fear of streaky results, this product builds a natural-looking glow within a matter of days and, because it’s enriched with apricot oil, it leaves your skin feeling super soft while swerving the biscuity smell that comes with most fake tans.

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Daisy Lester (Production journalist)

Garnier moisture bomb sakura hydrating tissue mask: £3.49, Amazon.co.uk

(Garnier)

This fuss-free and super-hydrating face mask is great for a mid-week revival and is my go-to for a bit of replenishment. Avoiding the mess and palaver of regular masks, this tissue and sheet mask option is easily applied, comfortable while on and is just as easily removed after 15 minutes.

Its vegan formula is enriched with natural extracts and plant serums including pomegranate, lavender and camomile. among others. I always wake up feeling my skin looks smoother, plumper and more hydrated after using it the previous evening and for someone who is quite lazy with their skincare regimen, it’s the perfect restoring product.

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Eva Waite-Taylor (Writer)

Garnier intensive 7 days aloe vera probiotic extra body lotion, 400ml: £4.99, Asos.com

(Garnier)

This is a trusty, creamy lotion that has consistently revived my dry skin whenever I’ve needed an instant hit of moisture. The formula absorbs fasts and isn’t oily, greasy or sticky.

Infused with aloe vera, it’s also a lifesaver when I’ve spent too long in the sun and my skin is in need of soothing.

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Suzie McCracken (Senior production journalist)

Garnier Ambre Solaire dry mist sun cream spray SPF50 200ml: £6.99, Superdrug.com

(Garnier)

Spray sunscreens are now available pretty much everywhere, but Garnier’s version was the first to hit supermarket shelves in the UK and I, as a former child who would absolutely lose it on the beach whenever a parent tried to reapply, was an immediate convert.

Look, it’s not ideal for the environment, but my hatred of suncream is so pure that if I don’t use this then I simply won’t wear any – and considering my skin is so pale it’s basically blue, that is not a good result. I can also apply it with one hand while riding my bike, and it doesn’t stain my all-black wardrobe. I leave one in every bag I own during the summer months.

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Tal Dekel Daks (Audience lead)

Garnier micellar reusable make-up remover eco pads: £8.99, Feelunique.com

(Garnier)

Have you made your sustainable swap to reusable make-up pads yet? Throw away cotton pads are a huge part of beauty routines but they create lots of waste (plus, according to WWF, current cotton production methods are environmentally unsustainable). As eco-friendly make-up remover pads go, Garnier’s microfibre models are up there with the best.

They pair perfectly with the brand’s cult-favourite micellar water to thoroughly remove make-up and cleanse the skin without any harsh rubbing or mess.

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Emma Rossiter (Freelance)

Garnier micellar water, 400ml: £5.99, Boots.com

(Garnier)

Taking off your make-up at the end of a long day or night out is one of life’s simple pleasures. There’s nothing quite like the moment your false eyelashes peel away from your eyelids, or when the combination of foundation, bronzer and blusher literally melt off your skin. Those moments can be hard to come by, though, if you’re not using a good make-up remover. Over the years I’ve tried many, but nothing quite compares to the power of Garnier’s micellar water.

Not only does it remove make-up with ease – even the most waterproof mascaras and eyeliners don’t stand a chance – but it also removes dirt, cleanses, soothes and hydrates. Our skin always feels fresh after using it; so much so that we’re tempted to include this in our everyday skincare routine. And considering each bottle contains enough for more than 200 uses for less than £6, why wouldn’t we?

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Lois Borny (Freelance)

Garnier intensive 7 days shea hand cream dry skin: £3.29, Superdrug.com

(Garnier)

I can't bear having dry hands – for me, that tight feeling isn't too dissimilar on the cringe scale from scraping nails across a chalkboard – but with all the wetting, soap lathering and hand-sanitising we’ve been doing recently, it’s becoming a regular occurrence. I really need my hand cream to give an intense hit of moisture, fast, and, for this, the Garnier hand cream is a dream.

It’s shea-butter-enriched formula really seeps into my skin rather than sitting pretty on top, and unlike a lot of other hand creams, I don't need to top up every five minutes or worry about greasy fingerprints on my laptop keys. The tube seems to go on forever too – a pea-sized blob does the trick – while the fresh scent is soothing and subtle.

Buy now

For more IndyBest team picks, read our top Amazon beauty buys under £20, from mascaras to lip balms