Which Skincare Ingredients Are Not Vegan
While this is not a complete list of all of the skincare ingredients that are not vegan, these are the most commonly known and used in commercial skincare products.
- Lanolin Used to soften and moisturize, this emollient is made from sheeps wool, and can easily be swapped with a plant-based oil or butter
- Beeswax A natural wax produced by honey bees, it helps to keep liquids and solids together in a mixture, and can be substituted with a plant-based wax such as soy, candelilia, or carnauba.
- Glycerin Traditionally made using animal fat, this moisturizing ingredient can be replaced by a vegetable glycerin instead.
- Squalene This additive is often used for anti-aging products and is primarily made from shark liver oil. You can also find plant-derived forms from olives or wheat germ.
- Stearic Acid An emulsifier and emollient that is usually derived from an animals stomach . It can simply be replaced by a plant-based stearic acid, which would also be less irritating to the skin.
- Oleic Acid Though this skincare softener can be made using plant-derived fats , its most commonly made from animal fat.
- Casein A conditioning treatment that is made with cows milk. An alternative can be created by using a plant-based milk instead.
Ingredients To Look Out For That Are Not Vegan:
- Animal hair, used in makeup brushes and false eyelasheseven some marked as cruelty-free and taken from fox, sable, horse, goat, mink and squirrel.
- Beeswax , all derived from bees and common in skincare products from shampoo to lip balm. Cera Alba is another name for beeswax.
- Casein , derived from cows milk and used in hair conditioners.
- Carmine, made from a bug called a cochineal , is used as a dye.
- Collagen, a fibrous protein derived from animal tissue, bone, skin, or ligaments often from cows. Some brands use it as a plumper in skin care and lip products.
- Elastin, a protein extracted from the muscles, ligaments and aortas of animals and used in anti-aging skin care products.
- Glycerine, a byproduct of animal fats, often used in soaps.
- Guanine, the scales of a dead fish, used to make products sparkle.
- Keratin, which comes from the hair and horns of animals, is often in strengthening nail and hair products.
- Lanolin, which is an emollient derived from sheeps wool, is regularly found in lip products and hair care.
- Oleic acid , an animal fat used as an emollient.
- Shellac, obtained from lac bugs and used in nail lacquer.
- Squalene, a chemical extracted from the liver of a shark, and used in deodorants, lip balms, and moisturizers.
- Stearic Acid, derived from the stomach lining of a pig , and used in deodorant, soaps, hair products and moisturizers.
Additionally, makeup brands, like KVD Vegan Beauty, will spell out exactly what their claims mean on their website.
Haus Laboratories By Lady Gaga
We know Lady Gaga can rock the house down, but she also built her Haus on the foundation of clean beauty and vegan ingredients.
In addition to the vegan and cruelty-free promise, Haus will also donate $1 from every sale to Gagas Born This Way Foundation, to raise mental health awareness.
Haus Laboratories is shoppable on its own , making it even easier to get her collection in your hands and on your face. The newest release is the highly anticipated and highly pigmented Precision Eye Pencil, now sold in 13 shades to match every look you could possibly want to serve. Be sure to also shop the birthday set to celebrate the pop icon, which includes a Black Liquid Eyeliner, Matte Lip Crayon, and Four Shade Eye Makeup Shadow Palette all for $42 total.
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What Does Vegan Beauty Mean
Vegan beauty and skincare products do not use any ingredients derived from animals or any ingredients derived from animal byproducts.
That may sound simple enough. However, since the FDA also doesnt have a legal definition for what constitutes vegan beauty, it means that some labeling can be inaccurate.
https://youtu.be/nTviEPIiPZw
Are Retinol Products Cruelty
There is no definitive answer when it comes to whether or not retinol products are cruelty-free. Some retinol products may be cruelty-free if they are not tested on animals during any stage of production, while other retinol products may be tested on animals at some point during production. It is important to check with the individual company to see their policies on animal testing to determine if a retinol product is cruelty-free.
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Is Vegan Skincare Better
Often, but not necessarily. You would think that any vegan skincare product would be the better choice , but it really depends on how these non-animal ingredients interact with your own skin or skin type. Also, keep in mind, that every person is unique and reacts differently to certain ingredients.
Sometimes, using a petroleum-based product can wreak havoc on the skin due to the man-made chemicals. On the other hand, if you have sensitivities to nuts or seeds, you might want to be extra careful of natural oils that come from almonds, coconut, or sesame. What may work for one person may not work for another. Theres a lot of trial and error, but its well worth it in the end.
For the best chance at high-quality vegan skincare, heres what to strive for:
- Easy-to-understand ingredients
- Very few, if any, chemical additives or preservatives
- Organic or locally made
Are Collagen And Elastin Vegan
Until recently, collagen and elastin have been entirely animal-based. Both collagen and elastin are proteins extracted from the various parts of an animal, usually a cow or horse. Collagen is made with fibrous proteins of the animal tissue, bone, skin, or ligaments, while elastin is created from the muscles, ligaments, and aortas of animals.
But, thankfully, science is truly coming along in the skincare world. There are now plant-based collagen options manufactured using yeast and bacteria. Pacifica has a range of vegan collagen skincare utilizing this new technology. In addition, the company, Geltor, has taken advantage of the fermentation process to invent a PETA-approved elastin ingredient for use in skincare.
Yay for science!
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What Else Should I Add To My Vegan Skincare Routine
These alluring extras may a bit of brightness and a touch of TCL when your skin needs it the most. Feel free to pick and choose the products that suit you best. Its all about you and what you love.
- Toner You can use this daily to remove any traces of dirt or impurities left in the pores of your skin after you wash your face. It also helps to restore your skins pH level, smooths rough patches, and aids in improving skin tone.
- Exfoliation This process removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using either a physical tool, cleansing grains, or chemicals. Be careful to choose the best option for your skin-type. Some chemical exfoliants can be harsh on the skin.
- Serum They sound so magical, dont they? A serum is designed to deliver high concentrations of vitamin-rich ingredients. A few drops pressed into the skin before applying cruelty-free moisturizer is all that you need.
- Eye Cream As you get older, the skin around your eyes thins and causes drooping. Totally natural, but also a bummer. To keep this area hydrated, try adding a tiny, pea-sized amount of cream around the eyes. Apply with your ring finger in slow, circular motions.
- Lip Balm This is probably the least necessary before bed, but also the most luxurious. Adding a super smooth swipe to your lips will make them even softer and more supple in the morning.
The World Of Animal Testing
While a number of organizations are working towards a future without animal testing, we’re not quite there yet. Today, a range of species, but mostly rats, mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits, are still used in cosmetic animal tests.
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals , they are often made to swallow or inhale substances, or they have chemicals forced into their eyes and smeared on their skin.
Last year, the Humane Society International released Save Ralph, an animated mockumentary about a rabbit used in cosmetic animal tests, starring Taika Waititi, Zac Efron, Olivia Munn, Rosario Dawson, and more. The film aimed to raise awareness about what actually happens to lab animals Ralph is blind in one eye, deaf in one ear, and has sustained chemical burns.
Ralph is representative of ongoing suffering. PETA estimates that, across industries, more than 100 million animals are killed for testing in the US every year.
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What Is Cruelty Free Skin Care
There are no real government guidelines when it comes to animal testing, which means that cruelty free skin care, and other products are defined by the manufacturer. Ideally, a cruelty-free skin product means that the ingredients and the product itself were never tested on animals. In some cases, if some ingredients have been tested on animals but the final product was not, it could still be labeled cruelty free. A true cruelty free skin care product means that neither the ingredients nor the product was tested on animals after a specific certification date and that the product will not be tested on animals in the future. If you love animals or you’re concerned about the environment, choosing cruelty free skin care products is important.
How Do I Start A New Skincare Routine
When youre embarking on a new beauty routine, its best to stick with the basics. After that, you can add on whichever plumping and pampering practices you like! If youre anything youre like us, youll find it fabulously fun to experiment and observe the results.
First, choose a vegan makeup remover , a cleanser, and a vegan moisturizer. Then, follow these simple steps every evening before bed and in the morning, if you wish.
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Organic Zero Waste Skincare Brands
When I first started trying to reduce my waste in 2014, there werent many organic, zero waste skincare brands on the market. If youve been following my blog for a while, you know one of my favorite spots in San Francisco has been Credo Beauty.
While Ive been impressed by their clean, organic skincare, and makeup offerings I havent been blown away by a lot of the packaging options. Packaging cosmetics, makeup, and skincare is tough businesses.
But these organic skincare brands are up to the task and trying to reduce waste in a pretty wasteful industry. Id love to know if youve tried any of these brands or if you have a tried and true zero waste skincare brand you love?
Its not that they didnt care about their packaging, but there wasnt a collective conscious around the dangers of single-use plastics. Consumers werent asking for plastic-free and zero waste products so brands werent providing them. Thankfully, that has changed! A LOT. In fact, there are so many awesome clean, low-waste, plastic free, sustainable, all-natural, organic skin care brands on the market that I had a really hard time trying to narrow it down to just 20. All of these brands offer natural paraben free skincare products!
THIS POST WAS SPONSORED. SOME OF THE LINKS BELOW ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURE POLICY.
Why Do Some Brands Still Test Their Ingredients And Products On Animals
Companies claim that the products they sell have been tested, even if the product harms or poisons the animal it has been tested on. Some brands put profit over the welfare of innocent animals. Well, fear not, we break down and give you the guide to the beauty brands that are genuinely cruelty-free aka no part of the products they sell have been tested on animals. So get informed and shop safely.
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How To Know If A Brand Is Cruelty
Cruelty-free makeup brands are easier to find via third-party certifications. These certifications notify that no animals were harmed during the testing or the manufacturing process. Look at the following symbols and certifications to distinguish the authentic cruelty-free brands from the false ones.
Brands To Avoid Brands That Are Not Cruelty
The following brands are not cruelty-free. This could mean that they engage in animal testing themselves, through a 3rd party, as required by law, or use ingredients that are tested on animals. Brands will also be added to this list if they state that they do not verify or check with their suppliers or affiliates about animal testing. Please avoid purchasing these brands and support cruelty-free brands instead.
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Get Matched Take The Organic Brands Quiz
Need help finding the perfect organic brand for you? Then, take our free Organic Skin Care Brands quiz & get matched with the best organic brands for your skin! We’ve created a custom quiz to help you quickly find the top 5 brands from our list of best organic brands. Takes just a few seconds to complete—click to get started!
How To Find Out If A Brand Is Cruelty
The easiest way to tell if a brand is cruelty-free and vegan is to look for third-party certification. Several organizations, such as Choose Cruelty-Free, Leaping Bunny, and PETA, offer cruelty-free certifications for companies that have agreed to adhere to their strict guidelines for animal testing.
Similarly, the Vegan Society provides a Vegan Trademark to companies that do not use any animal-derived ingredients in their products. Look for these certifications as a sign that a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan.
Its also important to look beyond the label. Many companies may claim to be cruelty-free and vegan but may not actually adhere to those standards.
Check the companys website for information about their animal testing policies and ingredients. If a company does not have any clear information about its policies, you may want to contact them directly to get more details.
Finally, look for reviews from other cruelty-free and vegan consumers. They may have had firsthand experience with the brand and can provide insight into the companys actual practices.
Additionally, they may be able to recommend alternative cruelty-free and vegan brands that meet your needs.
Following these steps, you can determine if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan. Check out this cruelty-free makeup and skincare guide if you want more information and tips.
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Countries Taking Initiative To Go Cruelty
The outstanding five year Animal Welfare plan makes South Korea, the 2nd Asian country to announce the ban on animal testing for Korean cosmetics and implementing to certain extend after India. Some other countries too adhered to a ban on animal testing for cosmetics and beauty products. Israel banned the import of cosmetics or toiletries that are being tested on animals.
Temperatures In Us Have Warmed More Than 2 Degrees Since The First Earth Day
You always want to put your best face forward, but only if thats the best for animals and the environment, too.
Luckily for us, more and more vegan and cruelty-free beauty brands are popping up all the time so many so that we were able to create a shoppable A-to-Z guide
A bit of an explainer before we sing the beauty ABCs, its important to know the difference between vegan and cruelty-free. Vegan is a bit easier, as that means that none of the ingredients use any animal byproducts such as beeswax, lanolin or glycerin to name a few common ones.
Cruelty-free pertains to if the brand engages in practices that PETA wouldnt like, such as animal testing, the full product or just the ingredients. An adorable bunny logo may be used on products that are fully cruelty-free, to signify that no cottontails were harmed in the making of your concealer.
From The A Method to Zuzu Luxe and with gems in between such as Pacifica and Milk Makeup, shop the alphabet below for makeup you will make you feel as good as you look.
Dermatologist approved and PETA has no complaints either.
The A Method is both 100% vegan and cruelty-free, making this a safe bet for your skin and the little bunnies out there, too. Created by Tina Alster, M.D. there is a skincare product out there for everyone, including an at-home facial peel kit while spas are still closed and even products with 24 karat gold infused in the serums and masks.
When it comes to clean beauty, bareMinerals is no newbie.
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What Is A Cruelty
A cruelty-free skincare brand refers to any brand that doesnt test its beauty or skincare products on animals. It is important to note that the term Cruelty-free is different from vegan skincare brands.
With vegan skincare brands, the company shies away from including animal products in its skin-care product.
Often, before a product is released, some companies test the efficacy of the new product on animals such as rabbits, rats, and whatnot. This is unethical because the animals are caged and they go through pain when used for experiments.
In the worst-case scenarios, these animals end up dead. At Viviane Woodard, we believe it is not right for anyone to make money or enjoy a skincare product at the expense of an animals life.