Are rabbits really hopping around in sweatpants somewhere? What about those mice wearing tiny lab coats? I’m not entirely sure, but I do know that most beauty products are not vegan or cruelty-free. That’s right, my friends, those bunnies are probably just hanging out, minding their own business, when some jerkface scientist snatches them up for the sake of our beauty routines.
Don’t worry, though. We’re going to transition you out of this horrible beauty rut and into a world where animals are not tortured for the sake of vanity. Are you ready? Here’s your guide to a vegan and ethical beauty routine.
What Does It Mean to Be Vegan and Cruelty-Free in Beauty Products?
Being vegan means that the product does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. That’s a no to honey, beeswax, lanolin, and anything extracted from the adorable animals that we share this planet with.
Being cruelty-free means that the product was not tested on animals. This is sometimes harder to determine because animal testing is still so common. It can also be more complicated because companies often use loopholes to make their products appear cruelty-free.
It’s important to note that vegan and cruelty-free are not the same thing. A product can be vegan but still be tested on animals, and a product can be cruelty-free but contain animal-derived ingredients. To be both vegan and cruelty-free is ideal.
Choosing vegan and cruelty-free products is not only important for animal rights but also for the environment. Many animal products are harvested in unsustainable ways, like palm oil and leather. Ethical beauty choices are better for the planet, too.
There are some common misconceptions about vegan and cruelty-free products. Many people believe that plant-based products are automatically vegan and cruelty-free, but that’s not always the case. For example, some plant-based products are harvested in ways that harm animals or their habitats. Some companies may also use animal testing to develop plant-based products.
Another myth is that vegan and cruelty-free products are not as good as non-vegan and animal-tested products. This is simply not true. There are many amazing, high-quality vegan and cruelty-free beauty products out there. In fact, many of them are better than their animal-derived counterparts because they don’t contain harsh chemicals or byproducts of animal suffering.
Evaluate Your Current Beauty Routine
If you’re not sure if your current products are vegan and cruelty-free, you’ll need to do some investigating. This can be time-consuming, but it’s important to know what you’re putting on your body.
First, you’ll need to read the ingredients list. There are some common animal-derived ingredients to avoid, such as:
- Beeswax
- Honey
- Lanolin
- Collagen (animal-derived but sometimes plant-derived, so you’ll need to check the source)
If you see any of these ingredients in your products, they’re not vegan. If you’re unsure about the source of an ingredient, you may need to do some additional research.
Next, you’ll need to determine if your products were tested on animals. This is often more difficult because companies are not always transparent about their animal testing practices. Some will lie about it or use loopholes to make their products appear cruelty-free.
One way to determine if a product was tested on animals is to check if it has been certified by a reputable organization. Some common vegan and cruelty-free certifications include:
- Leaping Bunny
- Cruelty-Free International
- PETA
If a product has one of these logos, you can be fairly certain that it’s vegan and cruelty-free. However, you should still check the ingredients list to make sure it’s vegan.
Another way to determine if a product was tested on animals is to check if it is sold in China. China requires animal testing for most cosmetics, so if a product is sold there, it’s likely that it was tested on animals.
If you’re unsure about a product or brand, you can check online resources like CrueltyFree.org or LeapingBunny.org. These databases contain information on thousands of products and brands.
Transitioning to a Vegan and Cruelty-Free Routine
Now that you know what to look for, you can start transitioning your beauty routine to vegan and cruelty-free products.
Here are some categories of products you may use and some common options in each category:
Skincare
- Cleansers, toners, and moisturizers
- The Ordinary
- Fresh
- Kiehl’s (their website has a vegan filter)
- Serums and treatments
- Paula’s Choice
- The Inkey List
- OleHenriksen
- Sunscreen and SPF protection
- EltaMD
- Neutrogena (some of their sunscreens are vegan, check the ingredients list)
- Supergoop
Makeup
- Foundation, concealer, and powder
- Fenty Beauty
- Tarte
- Colourpop
- Eyeshadows, eyeliners, and mascaras
- Urban Decay
- L’Oréal Paris (some of their mascaras are vegan, check the ingredients list)
- NYX Professional Makeup
- Lipsticks, glosses, and balms
- Burt’s Bees
- Colourpop
- Milk Makeup
Hair Care
- Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products
- SheaMoisture
- Not Your Mother’s
- Briogeo
- Vegan and cruelty-free hair dyes
- Arctic Fox
- L’Oréal Paris (some of their hair dyes are vegan, check the ingredients list)
- Manic Panic
Body Care
- Lotions, body washes, and scrubs
- The Body Shop
- Aveeno
- Burt’s Bees
- Deodorants and antiperspirants
- Tom’s of Maine
- Schmidt’s
- Native
There are many more options out there, but these are some popular and well-reviewed brands to get you started.
Navigating Vegan and Cruelty-Free Labels and Certifications
Now that you know what to look for in products, you’ll need to learn how to read labels and decipher certification logos.
Some companies will make false claims about their products being vegan or cruelty-free. Others will use misleading language or certifications that are not as reputable as others. It’s important to know what to look for so you can avoid these tactics.
For example, a company may say that their product is “animal-friendly” or “no animals were harmed in the making of this product,” but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s not a regulated term, so it’s just a marketing ploy.
On the other hand, if a product has a certified vegan or cruelty-free logo from a reputable organization, you can trust that it’s vegan and cruelty-free. Some of these logos include:
- Leaping Bunny
- Cruelty-Free International
- PETA
However, not all brands have these logos on their products or websites. In that case, you may need to do some additional research to confirm that the product is vegan and cruelty-free.
Some brands may be completely vegan and cruelty-free but not have any of these logos. This can make it difficult to know for sure, but you can trust that brands like Fenty Beauty, Tarte, and Colourpop are vegan and cruelty-free because they have publicly stated so and have been reviewed by reputable organizations.
Some brands may be partially vegan and cruelty-free, meaning that some of their products are vegan and cruelty-free, but not all of them. In this case, you may need to check the ingredients list and certification status for each individual product.
You can also check online resources like CrueltyFree.org or LeapingBunny.org to confirm that a brand or product is vegan and cruelty-free. These databases contain information on thousands of products and brands.
It’s important to note that just because a product is not listed on these databases does not mean that it’s not vegan and cruelty-free. Sometimes smaller brands or products are not included in these databases. In that case, you may need to do some additional research.
Maintaining a Vegan and Cruelty-Free Routine
Now that you’ve made the switch to vegan and cruelty-free beauty products, you’ll want to make sure that you continue to use products that align with your values.
It’s important to stay informed about industry changes and new product launches. Some companies that were once vegan and cruelty-free may change their practices or be bought by larger companies that engage in animal testing. In these cases, you may need to stop using their products.
You can stay informed by signing up for email lists or following your favorite brands on social media. You can also check online resources like CrueltyFree.org and LeapingBunny.org for the latest news and information.
Another way to maintain a vegan and cruelty-free routine is to incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Look for products with minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled materials. Avoid products with excessive packaging or packaging that cannot be recycled.
You can also share your journey and inspire others to make the switch to vegan and cruelty-free beauty products. Share your favorite brands and products on social media or with friends and family. The more people who make the switch, the more demand there will be for ethical beauty products, and the more animals will be protected.
Conclusion
Making the switch to a vegan and cruelty-free beauty routine may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you know what to look for. By reading labels, checking certifications, and staying informed, you can easily find products that align with your values and are good for both animals and the environment.
There are many amazing, high-quality vegan and cruelty-free beauty products out there, so you don’t have to sacrifice your beauty routine for the sake of animals. In fact, you may even find that some vegan and cruelty-free products are better than their animal-derived counterparts.
So what are you waiting for? Ditch those bunny-killing products and make the switch to a vegan and cruelty-free beauty routine today. Your skin will thank you, and so will the animals.