Vegan cosmetics are on the rise, however, their outlines are still blurred. Here’s what you need to know to make a smarter choice.
Organic cosmetics don’t have to be vegan
We often confuse organic cosmetics with vegan cosmetics, but they are not the same thing: Organic cosmetics consist of products from organic farming, but they can be of animal origin. Vegan cosmetics, on the other hand, must be strictly free of animal products and guarantee no animal testing.
No animal material of any kind is allowed
Veganism renounces the use of animal materials, including secretions, which goes beyond the simple fact of not testing on animals. This includes makeup brushes with synthetic bristles, beeswax-free lipsticks, and more. Therefore, cosmetic formulations need to be carefully analyzed.
they are present in many products
Initially limited, vegan cosmetics have expanded to include: make-up, care, wash products, and more. Their texture, ease of use, and efficacy are constantly improving, making them ever easier to use.
label exists
For better identification, the Three Vegan label guarantees that the product contains no ingredients of animal origin and that its manufacture did not involve any animal testing. These are PETA’s “Cruelty-Free and Vegan” label, the Vegan Society’s “Vegan” label, and the association’s “Once Voice” label.
Some Vegan Cosmetics Are Not Certified
Many cosmetics are “vegan” and not certified, as certification is often expensive and tedious. If a product’s ingredient list does not contain any animal materials, or any processed materials involving animal materials, and has not been tested on animals, then the product can be considered vegetarian even if it does not mention it.
Lanolin is not vegan
Lanolin is a natural emollient and protective fat derived from the fat of sheep’s wool, so it comes from the wool industry, so it’s not vegan. However, we find a lot of ingredients that we would consider vegan in our natural lotions, balms, and moisturizers.
Choosing 100% vegetable products is a good choice
To ensure you’re making the right choice when starting out vegan, it’s best to choose 100% plant-based products, such as vegetable oils, essential oils, hydrosols, cold-process soaps, and even aloe vera gel. They are versatile and guaranteed free of animal matter. For example, some 100% natural products, such as honey, are not vegan, which is why the product must be of plant origin.
Prioritize self-made
The labels of some cosmetic products are sometimes illegible. If you have questions about a product, it’s best to do it yourself. Making homemade vegan cosmetics doesn’t represent a huge investment unless you’re buying basic products and a few utensils at the start-up stage. Furthermore, you respect your own health and the environment.
100% Mineral Authorized
Mineral materials are permitted. Therefore, clays such as kaolin, red clay, green clay, rhassoul, etc. can be incorporated into vegan cosmetics. Clay has many benefits for the skin and hair and is used in facial masks, salves and wraps.
Major Ingredients Not Allowed in Vegan Cosmetics
Vegan cosmetics exclude all ingredients that need to exploit animals. Therefore, products containing milk and its derivatives (e.g. lactic acid, casein, lactose) are prohibited. The same goes for eggs, which are found in some cosmetics in the form of albumin, mainly from egg whites and honeycomb products like beeswax, royal jelly, honey, and propolis.
