Making the switch to cruelty-free beauty and skincare isn’t always as easy as you might think. What ingredients are vegan? Which brands can truly be trusted? And how can we be certain which products really are cruelty-free?
Here, we help you navigate your way through the sea of ingredient names, certifications and labels to help you on the path to conscious, simplified beauty shopping.
A is for animal testing
Contrary to what many people believe, animal testing for cosmetics still happens. Despite bans in the UK and the EU, legal loopholes make it possible for animals to still be tested on. Other countries have partial or complete bans on testing cosmetic ingredients on animals, and progress is happening – but there are still around 500,000 animals being used for cosmetic tests worldwide.
B is for beeswax
A by-product of the honey industry, beeswax can be used as a thickening agent or emollient in products such as lotions, creams, balms and hair products. Beeswax derives from the exploitation of honeybees in an industry where they can be mutilated, artificially inseminated and deprived of a healthy and natural diet.
Instead of beeswax, choose cosmetics that contain carnauba or candelilla wax, coconut oil or other plant-based oils and waxes.
C is for China
For a long time, China has been the last frontier when it comes to animal testing for cosmetics: until recently, any cosmetic product sold (not made!) in China had to undergo animal testing before it is put on the market. This made it very difficult for brands to be on cruelty-free lists – if they sold in China, they could not call themselves cruelty-free.
Now, thanks to relentless activism and superior non-animal methods, the law has changed and imported ‘general use’ cosmetics no longer require animal testing. However, other types of products, branded ‘special use’, still need to go through tests on animals.
Plant-based waxes like carnauba wax, coconut oil, and shea butter are cruelty-free alternatives to beeswax and animal fats in cosmetics. Photo © p-fotography/Adobe Stock
D is for Draize test
A particularly gruesome test on rabbits, the Draize test was developed for testing cosmetic ingredients. It involves applying potentially harmful ingredients to the skin or eyes of rabbits, which can cause ulcers and lead to blindness. Animal-free methods, such as cell-based assays and reconstructed human tissues, have largely replaced the Draize test for cosmetic use.
E is for e.l.f
One of the leading vegan and cruelty-free beauty brands on the market, Eyes Lips Face (e.l.f) is an affordable make-up and skincare label certified by PETA. It also adheres to clean beauty standards, meaning that its colourful, diverse products are formulated without potentially harmful substances such as phthalates, sulfates and parabens.
F is for flaxseed oil
Flax is an amazing plant – not only is it used for making linen (one of the most sustainable materials in fashion), its moisturising, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties also make flaxseed a great addition to facial products. Used to ward off wrinkles (a TikTok trend referred to flax masks as “DIY Botox”) as well as helping with acne and rosacea, this skincare superhero is fully vegan.
G is for glycerine
A very common ingredient in cosmetics, glycerine can be vegan if made from coconut oil or soy – but it can also derive from animal fats. There is also a third option: glycerine that is made synthetically, using petroleum. There really isn’t a way to know whether the glycerine in your product is vegan or not (unless the label specifically says “vegetable glycerine”), so it’s best to stick to vegan brands to be entirely sure.
H is for hyaluronic acid
A common skincare ingredient, hyaluronic acid contributes to moisture retention and has a plumping and smoothing effect on skin. As it is traditionally derived from rooster combs, hyaluronic acid isn’t originally vegan. But many contemporary skincare products use hyaluronic acid made through microbial fermentation (fermenting bacteria, yeast and fungi). Glow Recipe, The Inkey List and The Ordinary are just a few brands offering products containing vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid.
I is for in vitro
In vitro models are animal-free alternatives to experiments on animals. Using tissues, microorganisms or cells studied in petri dishes, in vitro models are simple and straightforward, and sometimes more cost-effective compared to tests on animals. Reconstructed tissue and artificial skin are used to test cosmetic ingredients instead of testing them on live animals.
In vitro testing – not involving animals – is a kinder way to test cosmetics. Photo © Elnur/Adobe Stock
J is for jojoba oil
A superstar vegan cosmetic ingredient, jojoba oil is antioxidant, antibacterial, and hydrating. It is used in products that support ageing skin as well as acne-prone complexions, and is a common product in moisturising and de-frizzing haircare products. It can be used in place of animal-derived waxes and oils.
K is for K-beauty
Korean beauty has taken the world by storm – and vegan-friendly K-beauty products are on the rise. Vegan labelling is clear and prominent on skincare by Korean brands such as Klairs, Mixsoon, Aprilskin and Purito. Korean make-up that is vegan-friendly includes Laka, Amuse, Muzigae Mansion and Dinto. So if K-beauty is your guilty pleasure, there’s no need to give it up for your ethics.
L is for Leaping Bunny
One of the most trustworthy cruelty-free certifications is Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny scheme. Since 1996, the Leaping Bunny symbol on beauty products has been synonymous with a guarantee that a product and its ingredients are free from any testing on animals. To obtain certification, companies must promise to never conduct animal testing at any stages of product development, recommit to the programme every year, and allow third-party audits.
The Leaping Bunny logo has become a widely recognised symbol of cruelty-free beauty products. Photo © Linas T/Adobe Stock
M is for mica
If you own any cosmetics with a shimmering effect, that might be due to mica, a naturally derived mineral which is technically vegan. Some natural mica, however, raises other ethical concerns: it is obtained through mining and the process often involves child labour. Companies such as Lush have moved away from the use of natural mica for these reasons, moving to synthetically made mica instead. This is one example of ethics going beyond veganism.
N is for natural
This is one of those vague buzzwords that doesn’t really mean much. Cosmetics regulations in most leading markets have no set definition for the term. While it often means that most ingredients in a cosmetic product are derived from nature in some way, there is nothing to define them as healthier or more ethical than non-natural or synthetic ingredients. Rather than relying on ‘natural,’ look for a cruelty-free, organic and/or vegan certification – clear and specific definitions of those terms make them easier to rely on.
O is for organic
Organic, on the other hand, is a term with a set definition: organic cosmetics use ingredients grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals that can be harmful to health or the environment. They are also free from parabens, silicones, synthetic dyes and paraffin. To be defined organic, a product must contain 95% organic ingredients. Organic products aren’t necessarily vegan or cruelty-free by default (even if many are), so look out for these certifications as well.
P is for Pacifica
Pacifica is one of the most popular and iconic vegan and cruelty-free beauty brands. The tropical-inspired, good-vibes packaging contains sweet-smelling skincare, perfumes and make-up that few ethical beauty lovers can resist. Available at Superdrug and Cult Beauty, Pacifica offers vegan versions of cult skincare heroes such as collagen and ceramide.
Q is for quality tools
Your tools are valuable helpers in your beauty routine – and not all make-up tools are made equal. Many make-up brushes are made from animal products such as badger hair, but today’s savvy beauty brands offer vegan options aplenty. Synthetic brushes made from nylon or taklon are your friend here – they are offered by labels such as e.l.f, EcoTools and KVD Beauty.
R is for Rare Beauty
Selena Gomez’ foray into cosmetics is an example of animal-friendly beauty: certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, as well as approved as vegan by PETA, Rare Beauty is a cult classic for a reason. The soft pastel packaging and effective formulas are enhanced by the brand’s kind and thoughtful approach to make-up and skincare.
S is for salmon sperm facials
Yes, you read that right. People are injecting salmon sperm into their faces on a quest to look younger – and the fish are paying the price: the salmon used for this procedure usually come from intensive factory-farming systems. Avoid this faddy procedure to spare salmon from intense suffering.
T is for The Body Shop
A pioneer in ethical beauty, The Body Shop has proudly stood against animal testing since the 1970s, educating countless consumers on the suffering animals face in laboratories. The company went fully vegan in 2024, when all its products became certified by the Vegan Society, making it easier to shop their body butters, fragrance mists and sweet-smelling lip balms with a clear conscience.
While The Body Shop unfortunately backtracked on this decision just two years later, it’s still a source of plenty of cruelty-free gifts and pampering products.
The body shop has pioneered cruelty-free beauty for decades, but is not fully vegan. Photo © mariiaplo/Adobe Stock
U is for Ultimate Cruelty-Free List by PETA
Another trustworthy label to look for when shopping for ethical cosmetics, PETA’s Ultimate Cruelty-Free List features a database of companies that do and do not conduct tests on animals; companies that are both vegan and free from animal testing; and companies that work for regulatory change to ensure that animal experimentation is outlawed. Over 5,000 brands carry the certification.
V is for vegan
Vegan labelling on cosmetics is different from cruelty-free certification: this label guarantees that no animal-derived ingredients are present in the formulations. This labelling is useful for vegan shoppers as some ingredients, such as glycerine, can be both vegan and animal-derived. The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark is used to certify over 34,000 cosmetics from a variety of brands: a trusted symbol to look for when shopping.
W is for waste
The cosmetics industry is one of the most wasteful industries on the planet: 120 billion units of packaging are produced annually for the beauty trade – and much of this packaging is not recyclable. To minimise plastic waste, make sure you always recycle correctly, visit refill stores if there is one near you (The Body Shop also offers refills of some of their products) and try shampoo and soap bars, such as the ones offered by Lush.
X is for xanthan gum
A natural thickener and stabiliser, xanthan gum isn’t just a food ingredient – it can also be used in beauty products like creams and serums. It derives from wheat, corn or soy, so is vegan in its natural state. However, some production methods use dairy and whey, which compromises the vegan-friendliness of this ingredient. As always, rely on vegan labelling.
Y is for ylang-ylang
This floral-smelling ingredient is often added to skin and haircare for its delicate fragrance, but also for its balancing and moisturising properties. It is also believed to strengthen hair, so is often found in haircare. As it derives from a plant, ylang-ylang essential oil is a vegan ingredient.
Z is for zinc oxide
Zinc oxide is a mineral that is sometimes used in sunscreens and acne products. Its antibacterial properties also make it suitable for use in deodorants. Most forms of zinc oxide used in cosmetics are vegan, so you’re likely to find it in vegan-friendly products.
https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-lifestyle/a-z-ethical-beauty/
