Beauty

Beauty products can be a  bit of a minefield when you are a vegan. There is a multitude of animal-derived ingredients that are commonly used in various beauty products, as well as the fact that many brands test their products on animals. However, there are now many brands that are 100% percent vegan and cruelty-free that produce beauty products that are of the standard you have come to expect from larger and more established brands. 

There are also numerous products from non-vegan brands that may happen to vegans that also do not test on animals. We will identify these products to help you navigate the world of beauty products.

What Makes Beauty Products Vegan?

Vegan beauty products will omit the use of any animal-derived ingredients in their products, and refrain from animal testing of any kind. Usually, the safest and easiest option is to purchase products from 100% vegan and cruelty-free brands. 

However, there are many brands that will abstain from animal testing, but not all of their products are vegan by ingredient. If their product is vegan by ingredient, and the company does not test on animals, then we will consider that specific product to be vegan.

Some Common Non-Vegan Beauty Product Ingredients to Look Out For

• Shellac – This is derived from insects, a process that involves killing these insects. It is most commonly found in nail products.
• Lanolin – Lanolin is usually derived from sheep’s wool. It is used in lip and hair products to provide moisture. There are synthetic and vegan forms of lanolin available, as well as natural alternatives such as plant oils and butter.
• Squalene – Non-vegan squalene is extracted from shark liver oil and is used in lip balm, deodorants, and moisturizers. You can make vegan squalene with olives and wheat germ.
• Glycerine –  Non-vegan glycerine is made from animal fats. It is found in soaps, hair care, makeup, and moisturizers. Vegan alternatives are derived from soy, coconut oil, or palm oil.
• Beeswax – Beeswax is commonly used in a wide variety of beauty products to make sure oil ingredients and water ingredients do not separate. Plant waxes are a vegan alternative that carries out the same function.
• Keratin – It is made from the hair and horns of animals. It is found in nail and hair products. Vegan alternatives are made from soy protein and almond oil

Where We Can Help

How good a beauty product is can be a very subjective issue. What works for certain people may not be suitable for others. You may also find your perfect beauty routine involves products from a combination of different brands. 

With this in mind, we will highlight our favorite vegan and cruelty-free beauty products from various brands to give you a clear picture of what is available to you as a vegan and help you create the perfect animal-friendly beauty routine.