There are a lot of different terms and sayings when it comes to the cosmetic industry that is worthwhile knowing. If you’ve been using beauty and cosmetic products for most of your life or even a few years, you’re probably familiar with vegan beauty and cruelty-free. If this is your first time hearing these terms, don’t worry – they’ll be explained in detail. Everyone is using beauty products these days. Even the most cis-gendered and masculine professionals there have been introduced to the necessity of makeup and beauty products through the massive increase in video-conferencing as the remote work world continues to grow in popularity and is cemented as a part of our future.
As such, it’s essential for anyone shopping for beauty products to know the difference between vegan makeup products and cruelty-free cosmetics. This will help modern aesthetic-conscious consumers make informed purchase decisions about the beauty products they bring into their homes and put on their skin and hair.
How can Makeup be Vegan?
One of the most common questions is how makeup can be vegan. Well, similar to the difference between vegan and non-vegan food, the difference is in the ingredients list. It is not vegan if a meal contains any animal products or byproducts. The same rule applies to beauty products.
If the ingredient list of the conditioner, makeup, or face cream you’re considering includes animal products or byproducts, you know it isn’t vegan. While this may be a surprise to some, there are quite a few animal products and even more by-products that are commonly found in cosmetic products.
From dairy derivatives to collagen and elastin to straight-up snail-slime and crushed-up bugs, many rather gross ingredients can be found in many non-vegan beauty products.
Another extremely popular animal byproduct that is used in a lot of beauty products is beeswax and honey. While these ingredients are certainly less cruel than other animal byproducts sourced from slaughterhouses and less gross than snail-slime or crushed-up bugs, they still disqualify a product from the vegan label.
Vegan Makeup Products vs. Vegan Beauty Brands
Another important distinction in cosmetic products is the difference between a vegan beauty product like vegan makeup and an entire vegan beauty brand. Many traditional cosmetic brands have released a line of vegan products to market to that specific consumer segment. However, they continue to manufacture and sell other lines of products that are nowhere near vegan.
On the flip side are vegan makeup or beauty brands that only manufacture and sell vegan makeup and beauty products. Understanding this difference is integral to supporting organizations and cosmetic brands that stand by your values.
What it Means to be Cruelty-Free
With a baseline understanding and definition of what it means for a beauty product to be vegan, the question remains: What is cruelty-free? Cruelty-free beauty products are specific products that have not been tested on animals in any capacity whatsoever.
A vegan makeup brand can theoretically not be cruelty-free if its cosmetic products are tested on animals. In the other direction, a cruelty-free product will not necessarily be vegan.
Vegan makeup and beauty brands that are also cruelty-free manufacture and sell products that in no way harm any animal’s life. From the ingredient list to the testing phase, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics pave the path to a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
Finding Vegan Beauty Products That are Also Cruelty-Free
Luckily for the modern consumer, it is not very difficult to find vegan makeup and other beauty products that are also cruelty-free. This is especially the case for the diligent consumer who researches to find brands they feel good about supporting.
By switching to vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics, you’re actively speaking out against generations of animal cruelty that has been normalized in the beauty product industry.
Wrapping up on the Differences Between Vegan and Cruelty-Free Makeup Products
Everyone wants to feel their best. Part of that is looking your best. Nowadays, just about everyone uses beauty products to some degree, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or any other societal stigma. When shopping for beauty products, consider searching specifically for vegan and cruelty-free products. You can find almost anything you’re looking for, from vegan makeup to lotion to shampoo and conditioner.
Finally, it is worth noting that consumers should practice the same diligence in shopping for vegan beauty products in any other shopping journey. Conduct research, find a brand you like, and purchase high-quality products that are vegan and cruelty-free.
