How to Know If Your Beauty Product Is Cruelty-free or Vegan
Cruelty-free vs. vegan - what's the difference?
Looking to be more conscious with your beauty product buys for Veganuary? We know it can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to figuring out if a product is vegan or cruelty-free, which is why we’ve created an easy guide.
What Is the Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Many assume that cruelty-free and vegan are the same thing, but there is a difference.
Cruelty-free means that the product and ingredients have not been tested on animals, while vegan means that the product and ingredients have not been tested on animals and are free from animal ingredients.
How Can You Tell If a Product or Company Is Cruelty-free or Vegan?
Most brands and products will advertise that it is cruelty-free or vegan on its packaging. But it’s always a good idea to double-check websites and social media. You can check using the list below.
1. Check For a Cruelty-Free Logo
If a product or company is cruelty-free it will feature a cruelty-free logo, below are the most common ones to look out for.
Leaping Bunny
The Leaping Bunny logo is one of the most common logos on cruelty-free products and is the only internationally recognised symbol that guarantees consumers that no new animal tests were in the development of the product.
PETA
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment) is one of the largest animal rights organisations in the world. To be certified by PETA companies are “must complete a short questionnaire and sign a statement of assurance verifying that they do not conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products and that they pledge not to do so in the future.”
Choose Cruelty-free
Choose Cruelty-free is an independent, non-profit organisation that’s based in Australia. This indie organisation requires the brand’s parent company to be cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny or PETA do not have this requirement).
2. Check For a Certified Vegan Logo
Vegan products will have a certified vegan logo, which means that it has not tested its ingredients on animals and doesn’t have any animal-based ingredients.
However, it’s worth noting that there are a lot of vegan and cruelty-free brands that do not use the official logos.
3. Check For Animal-derived Ingredients
Below are some of the most common animal-derived ingredients to look out for.
Beeswax: It’s normally used in balms and is also known as cera alba its Latin name.
Carmine: This a red-coloured dye created by crushing/boiling beetles to obtain the chemical that makes the beetle red.
Lanolin: This ingredient is derived from the sebum of sheep.
Shellac: Similarly to carmine it is derived from bugs.
Honey: Bees produce this sweet liquid using nectar from flowers.
4. Ask Lots of Questions
Still unsure? As we mentioned earlier, you can just check out the website/social media of the brand in question and ask them. Use this list of frequently asked questions as a guide.
Are your products tested on animals?
Are any of your materials or ingredients tested on animals?
Do your suppliers test on animals?
Does your parent company test on animals?
Are any of your products including raw materials or ingredients derived from animals?
Do your suppliers use animal-derived materials?
Does your parent company sell or use animal-derived materials?
Vegan Hair Care Products We Love
Whether you’re already fully vegan in your lifestyle choices or are just looking to make the switch to using more vegan beauty products, here are some of our favourites to get you started.
Love Beauty and Planet Volume & Bounty Shampoo Bar
Made with coconut water and mimosa flower, try the Love Beauty And Planet Volume & Bounty Shampoo Bar for a zero-waste alternative to traditional shampoo bottles. Designed for those with fine hair, it hydrates strands without weighing them down and leaves hair bouncy with lots of shine.
Love Beauty And Planet Hope & Repair Conditioner
Has regular heat styling left your hair damaged? Then you’ll love this Love Beauty And Planet Hope & Repair Conditioner. Infused with coconut oil, it nourishes dry tresses and helps to prevent split ends for soft, healthy-looking hair.
Love Beauty And Planet Volume & Bounty Dry Shampoo
Trying to wash your hair less? The Love Beauty And Planet Volume & Bounty Dry Shampoo helps you to space out your hair washing days by making hair look less greasy. It’s also great even on clean hair for adding texture to tousled or braided hairstyles.
Love Beauty And Planet Happy & Hydrated Gentle Cleansing Conditioner
Cleanse and condition in one easy step with this 2-in-1 Love Beauty And Planet Happy & Hydrated Gentle Cleansing Conditioner. Shea butter protects hair from environmental damage and dryness, while ethically sourced Australian sandalwood gives an exotic, woody scent that makes washing hair a dream.
