Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products from John Masters Organics

I love discovering and sharing vegan and cruelty-free products with you guys! It makes me happy to know that you find my recommendations helpful as you transition to this ever so compassionate (and healthy) lifestyle. Today I want to introduce you to John Masters Organics, a brand I’ve tried in the past but didn’t get enough attention on the blog. John Masters Organics do not test on animals and most of their products are vegan. To clarify, vegan means products that do not contain animals and byproducts and in stricter terms, also do not test on animals. Their website clearly indicates which products are not vegan and my last count was only six. My wish is for the brand to become full vegan soon!

Before we go into detail, I am excited to share that if you live on Oahu, Hawai’i, the brand is extending 15% off your purchase plus a surprise freebie by showing this to post to any John Masters Organics employee at their Ala Moana branch, which by the way, happens to be the top selling store globally, after just two years of opening the branch! However, if you prefer shopping online (it doesn’t matter which part of the US you’re from), use code HAWAII to get 15% off your purchase. No, I don’t earn anything from this code, I am just sharing this amazing discount which I will also use to purchase some products I would love to stock up on!

As you may recall, I recently had a hair color treatment so I am very particular with products I use to protect my hair from further damage, and most importantly, any potential sensitivities and breakouts, which I’ve had in the past as a result of using harsh shampoo and conditioner. Well, I am happy to report that not only I had hair volume and lift I desire but I also did not experience breakouts. Tip: it’s easy to spot shampoo-related acne: do you have zits along the hairline, temple, sideburn or where shampoo/conditioner drips when you wash your hair? that could be the culprit for all you know. Both shampoo and conditioner are lather-free. Note that the conditioner is not vegan so I will not further elaborate on this.

I also like their leave-in conditioning mist (green tea and calendula). If you have wavy hair like mine which has a mind of its own sometimes, a product like this is a must-have to keep your mane look gorgeous.

I also enjoy the Hair Mask (with rose and apricot). Although it’s indicated for normal hair, I still achieved soft hair post-washing and drying.

The Hair Milk (with rose and apricot) is vegan, although it’s called “milk”. If you like a more stylized mane, you can apply it to towel-dried hair or after blow drying.

It’s also worth mentioning that all these haircare products have that green-clean-fragrance. Quite strong but not migraine-inducing. Professional hair color isn’t cheap so I make sure that I take care of my hair in between sessions. I’m glad to add some these gems to my haircare arsenal. Let’s all read the ingredients, one by one:

John Masters Organics Shampoo Dry Hair: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Aqua (Water), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Santalum Spicata Wood Oil, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioca (Nettle) Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Caramel, Potassium Sorbate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Limonene†, Citronellol†, Linalool†, Geraniol†, Citral†, Benzyl Salicylate†

John Masters Organics Dry Hair Conditioner (not vegan as it contains honey): Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Aqua (Water), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Orbignya Oleifera (Babassu) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Juniperus Mexicana (Cedarwood) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Mel (Honey)*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Arnica Montana (Arnica) Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Linalool †, Limonene †, Geraniol † 

John Masters Organics Hair Mask Normal Hair: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe)*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose)*, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium PCA, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil (Geranium)*, Gluconolactone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Sodium Benzoate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter (Cupuaçu)*, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (Borage)*, Calcium Gluconate, Xylitylglucoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Chamomile)*, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Limonene†, Citronellol†, Geraniol†, Linalool†, Citral†

John Masters Organics Hair Milk: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe)*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose)*, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium PCA, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil (Geranium)*, Gluconolactone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Sodium Benzoate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter (Cupuaçu)*, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (Borage)*, Calcium Gluconate, Xylitylglucoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Chamomile)*, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Limonene†, Citronellol†, Geraniol†, Linalool†, Citral†

*Organic ingredient

†A natural component of essential oils

Long time readers of this blog know that I have sensitive, combination and acne-prone skin so I am really very careful and picky with skincare products I use or test out. As Aesthetic Registered Nurse (Laser Specialist. Watch: How I became Aesthetic RN + Tips to RNs wanting to move to this field), I strive to be blemish-free as much as possible. Quite a challenge if your job entails treating people with skin issues. Zits freak me out. Adult acne is the bane of my existence. I’ve taken huge steps to minimizing the scars of the ugly past so I don’t want to rock the boat. Thankfully, I haven’t had any breakouts yet from the Vitamin C Anti-aging Serum which I used on its own (that’s how I test sensitivity. Eliminate all other products that are part of my regimen and road test for at least a week for possible sensitivities and whatnot). Vitamin C is known for its brightening and anti-aging claim. Great for preventive and/or maintenance but not as a sole treatment for very visible dark spots or even moderate to severe wrinkles. Even in my professional practice, there is no single best laser that can address multiple issues. It’s the combination of treatment protocol that requires patient’s commitment. So like in my personal experience, even with my monthly professional facial and every 3-4 months of radiofrequency microneedling (watch me treat myself with this procedure), I still maintain with products that are proven to have helped contain or arrest dark spots and acne. Two cents worth from someone who has direct experience dealing with patients, my own self included.

In the past, I mentioned that I skip washing my face in the morning but instead use a rose hydrating mist (from a different brand) so I am glad to discover that John Masters Organics has its own version (rose & aloe). Watch: My Skincare at 44

I have not tested the Facial Oil (pomegranate), I just do not need it at this time. However, if you are a fan of facial oils and you want to branch out to something that’s organic, vegan and cruelty-free, you may benefit from this. Let’s peruse the ingredients:

John Masters Organics Vitamin C: Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, glycerin, rosa damascena (rose) flower water*, populus tremuloides (aspen) bark extract, aqua (water), ascorbic acid polypeptide, phospholipids, superoxide dismutase, malpighia glabra (acerola) fruit extract*, oryza sativa (rice) seed extract*, spirulina platensis (algae) extract*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) nut butter*, hydrogenated lecithin, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ oil*, rosa damascena (rose) flower oil, citrus sinensis (blood orange) peel oil, diglycerin, pinus pinaster, xanthan gum, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*, sclerotium gum, potassium sorbate, geraniol†, farnesol†, hydroxyl-citronellal†

John Masters Organics Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist: Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, rosa damascena (rose) flower water*, glycerin*, leuconostoc ferment filtrate, oryza sativa (rice) extract*, camellia sinensis (white tea) leaf extract*, centella asiatica (gotu kola) extract*

John Masters Organics Nourish Facial Oil: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf/Stem Oil*, Punica Granatum Seed Oil (Pomegranate)*, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil (Ylang Ylang)*, Salvia Sclarea Oil (Sage Clary)*, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil (Geranium)*, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Leaf/Twig Oil*, Linalool †, Limonene †, Geraniol †

*Organic ingredient

†A natural component of essential oils

I wash my hands frequently, more so because I deal with patients. This frequent handwashing affects me in two ways: nail polish chips after a day or two (trivial I know), with hands sometimes feeling dry, no bueno! Like lipstick, you can never have too many hand creams. This product (lime and spruce) helps address the latter issue, especially at night, when I want to sleep feeling moisturized from head to toe. Their lip calms are not vegan (they contain beeswax). Here are the ingredients:

John Masters Organics Lime and Spruce Hand Cream: Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, glyceryl stearate citrate, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, glycerin*, water/aqua/eau, cetyl esters, picea mariana (black spruce) needle oil*, citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) leaf/ flower oil*, boswellia carterii (frankincense) resin extract, myristica fragrans (nutmeg) seed extract*, foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (fennel) seed oil, vetiveria zizanioides (vetiver) root oil, pogostemon cablin (patchouli) leaf oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*, xanthan gum, sodium phytate, sodium anisate, lactic acid.

For more information about the brand, visit their website.

Have you tried anything from John Masters Organics?