These days, there are just as many cruelty-free makeup brands as there are vegan makeup brands. With raised global awareness of animal welfare, many cosmetics companies have taken up the challenge of providing an ethical alternative.
Some are completely vegan, meaning their products don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. Others are cruelty-free, meaning that they don’t test their products on animals. Not every cruelty-free company is vegan, however, and vice versa.
It’s important to distinguish between these two terms and learn what each of them entails.
That’s why we’ve created this very deep investigation of what exactly makes a vegan or a cruelty free makeup brand, along with a list of all the brands we’ve found.
This article about cruelty-free brands contains affiliate links. See our full disclosure here.
By Ana Marković
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The Basics: Vegan vs. Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands
Vegan beauty products are defined as products that don’t contain animal ingredients, animal by-products, or any other animal-derived ingredients. This even includes as honey and beeswax. Unfortunately, plenty of animal-derived ingredients are commonly used in the production of cosmetics. Furthermore, such products may be labeled organic or natural without necessarily being more ethical. For example, beeswax is a natural ingredient, but it is certainly not vegan; and palm oil, even if it is certified organic, is still a highly debated ingredient.
Veganism is all about preventing and eradicating cruelty to animals, so a vegan beauty product shouldn’t be tested on animals. However, this isn’t always the case. The term “vegan” is often used to mean only “plant-based”. Likewise, numerous beauty products are labeled vegan because they contain only plant-based ingredients. This is true even for some that have been tested on animals. “Vegan” products, therefore, aren’t necessarily cruelty-free. You need to research a particular product well to be sure you’re buying what you’re looking for.
Cruelty-free beauty products haven’t been tested on animals. Nor have their ingredients been tested on animals by another party. Also, they must not be sold in mainland China. The Chinese market requires animal testing on all cosmetic products imported into the country by law. If you’re unsure whether a company is cruelty-free, you should always check their FAQ section. If they mention that they don’t test their products on animals, except where required by law, it means that they actually do test on animals and they can’t be considered cruelty-free.
Cruelty-Free Makeup Certification Requirements
For a company to be cruelty-free, it needs to meet the following criteria:
- Their products haven’t been tested on animals
- Their products’ ingredients haven’t been tested on animals
- They don’t hire a third party to do the animal testing on their behalf
- Their products are not sold in mainland China
- Their suppliers of raw materials don’t test on animals
However, if a product is cruelty-free, it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically vegan. Since the term “cruelty-free” only refers to animal testing, cruelty-free makeup may still contain animal-derived ingredients. For example, Milani Cosmetics launched a lipstick that’s cruelty-free, but not vegan. This means that Milani cruelty-free lipstick hasn’t been tested on animals, but it still contains animal-derived ingredients such as carmine, which is the red pigment created from crushed insects.
There are also some cases of brands that are cruelty-free, but are owned by some other company that performs animal testing. One such example is Urban Decay, a brand that’s certified cruelty-free by PETA, but its parent company is L’Oreal, which is known to test on animals when required by law.
Vegan vs. Vegan-Friendly – Is There a Difference?
“Vegan” and “Vegan-Friendly” both refer to products that don’t contain animal ingredients, animal by-products, or any animal-derived ingredients.
But which term will be used on a specific product? That will depend on whether a product is officially certified by an organization.
If a product is labeled “vegan” with a logo or trademark, it has been approved by the Vegan Society. If a product is labeled “vegan-friendly”, it has no such official certification. It this case, the company itself is making the claim on veganism.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the product is less vegan. It simply means that it hasn’t been certified by an external organization to make sure it meets their standards. Still, you should always be careful with brands that don’t have official logos or trademarks. Reach out to them for information if necessary.
Vegetarian Beauty Products
If you see a product labeled vegetarian, you may assume that it doesn’t contain animal ingredients. Unfortunately, things are not that simple. As we mentioned before, vegan products don’t have anything that came from animals or was produced by them. On the other hand, vegetarian beauty products don’t contain parts of an animal, such as meat or fat. But they do contain ingredients that were produced by animals, such as milk, egg whites, honey, and beeswax. Vegetarian products are not vegan and they aren’t necessarily cruelty-free.
What Ingredients in Makeup are Not Vegan?
It may be tedious, but you’ll need to get accustomed to reading labels to ensure your chosen product doesn’t contain animal ingredients. They are listed under different names and while you can’t memorize all of them, there are several animal ingredients that are commonly used, so you’ll be able to spot them right away.
A List of Non-Vegan Makeup Ingredients:
- Collagen – a protein from animal tissue
- Lanolin – a wax or grease produced by sheep, often found in eyeshadows
- Gelatin – a thick matter derived from cows’ skin or bones
- Carmine – a red pigment derived from crushed insects, often found in lipsticks and blushes
- Tallow – animal fat, often derived from cows or sheep
- Keratin – ground-up hooves or feathers
- Retinol (Vitamin A) – can be derived from animal sources, such as eggs, beef, chicken liver, and fish, but it can also come from plants and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes
- Guanine – derived from fish scales, often found in lipsticks and mascaras
- Musk oil – genital secretions from musk deer, commonly used in perfumes
- Squalene – an oil derived from a shark’s liver
- Civet oil – a cat’s glandular secretions, commonly used in perfumes
- Ambergris – derived from the digestive system of a whale, typically used in perfumes
- Stearic acid – typically derived from the stomach of a pig, cow or a sheep, but it can also come from plant fats
- Beeswax – commonly used in lipsticks and mascaras
You can find a full list of animal ingredients to avoid here.
The Ethical Issues of Mica
Mica involves a group of naturally-occurring silicate minerals found in different types of rocks. It’s often used in makeup, skincare, and nail products for its shimmering and sparkle effect. While the amounts of mica found in personal care products don’t pose a risk to human health, the use of mica in cosmetics raises ethical concerns.
Mica is found in large quantities in Madagascar mines, as Madagascar is the third-largest mica exporter in the world. A report published in 2019 found that children comprise 62 percent of the overall mining workforce in Madagascar. Around 11,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 work as scavengers for mica in extremely dangerous conditions, descending deep into the ground to cut mica by hand. According to the report, the children complained of aching muscles, open sores, and respiratory issues, and even if they worked for a full day, the salary they received could only cover a single meal.
The majority of mica from Madagascar is exported directly to China, and the report showed that none of the companies involved took the necessary measures to investigate their supply chains, which is essential for preventing abuse of vulnerable workers and communities.
However, in December 2020, the United Nations Development Programme created the MICA project with the aim of eliminating child labor in four communes in Madagascar and promoting environmentally and socially responsible mica mining. The project is expected to be completed in June 2025.
Since there is still no regulatory body established to perform audits and give certifications as official confirmations that a particular brand is indeed using ethically sourced mica, we’ll have to take the companies’ word for it. Nonetheless, there are also some brands that are completely mica-free, and they are included in this list.
Our List of Vegan and Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands
So the question remains: What makeup brands are cruelty-free?
Some makeup brands chose to become vegan and cruelty-free to ensure a safe and ethical cosmetics production, and the following companies offer a wide range of vegan makeup products that haven’t been tested on animals.
Haut Cosmetics
Haut Cosmetics is a Canada-based company that offers makeup and skincare products. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, their products are also formulated without the use of mica. Haut Cosmetics uses ingredients that are ethically sourced and locally grown, and they are blended up fresh before being shipped. Also, all of their products are customizable, as the company offers online consultations to help modify the product according to your needs.
Omiana
Certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny as vegan and cruelty-free, Omiana is dedicated to creating makeup and skincare products that are suitable for sensitive skin. Their products are hypoallergenic and free of talc, parabens, fragrance, and other potentially toxic ingredients. Also, Omiana has a line of mica-free products that range from lip liners and finishing powders to eyeliners and mascaras.
Alima Pure
Alima Pure is a natural cosmetics brand founded in Portland, Oregon in 2004. They formulate their products using clean, non-toxic ingredients, including pure mineral pigments, plant oils, and botanicals. The result is high-performance, sustainable, and cruelty-free makeup that comes in a bold range of colors and cruelty-free foundation shades for every skin tone. Alima Pure is also dedicated to sustainability and environment protection. This company is carbon neutral, it uses renewable energy sources, and 1% of their annual gross revenue goes to grassroots environmental organizations dedicated to protecting our planet.
Twinkle Apothecary
Twinkle Apothecary is another inspiring vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics company that offers everything from makeup and skincare to perfumes and hair products. It’s a one-woman show as Stefanie, the owner, says it, but you’re guaranteed high-quality and affordable products made using completely natural ingredients. What’s more, all products come in packaging that’s recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable.
wet n wild Beauty
This LA-based makeup brand is for those who are wild at heart, and all of their products are vegan and cruelty-free. You can get everything you need for your face, eyes, lips, and nails, together with brushes. With some of the best-priced products on the market, wet n wild Beauty is a great choice if you want to try clean and affordable makeup. Fun fact: wet n wild Beauty were the first to introduce black nail polish into drugstores.
Bésame Cosmetics
Bésame Cosmetics is a California-based makeup brand that is dedicated to creating cruelty-free makeup products specifically designed for sensitive skin. Their products are formulated without the use of gluten, mineral oils or parabens. Their historically inspired makeup is highly-pigmented and produced using a minimal-waste policy. It’s important to note that they are not entirely vegan, but they do have some vegan products, which include all of their powders, Cream Rouges, Black Cake Mascara and Brown Cake Mascara. They emphasize that their Classic Color Lipsticks and mascaras contain beeswax for texture, but that the wax is properly sourced from bees.
Cover FX
Driven by desire to create natural beauty products that combine clean ingredients and high performance, Cover FX provides a variety of vegan and cruelty-free makeup products that contain vitamins and antioxidants. Also, their products are free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, talc, fragrance, gluten, and phthalates. With Cover FX, it’s all about customization, so you can experiment with many different formulas, shades, and tones until you find the one that’s best suitable for your skin.
Pacifica
Pacifica’s entire product line is completely vegan and cruelty-free, which represents their belief that proper skincare shouldn’t come at the expense of your health and the environmental wellbeing. Their products are free of petroleum, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, and other chemicals that can have a negative effect on skin and the entire body. Also, their company runs a recycling program which allows their customers to return empty packages and components, which are later re-used. Apart from being one of the most inventive and cutting-edge natural beauty companies, Pacifica is also one of the most affordable vegan makeup brands out there, and they are committed to providing everyone with access to the best possible skin care.
Lime Crime
Lime Crime is a well-known innovator in the natural beauty industry, as they were among the first makeup brands to feature liquid matte lipsticks. They continue to break new grounds by going fully vegan and cruelty-free, with PETA and Leaping Bunny certifications. Lime Crime makeup is designed to stand out and last longer by using rich colors and textures, which can be seen in their famous Venus eyeshadow palettes. In addition to vegan makeup, you can also get brushes.
Zuzu Luxe
Developed by Gabriel Cosmetics, Zuzu Luxe is a cruelty-free makeup line that’s 100% vegan and features products made of completely natural ingredients. Manufactured in the USA, their products are also devoid of gluten and potentially harmful chemicals. Zuzu Luxe never tests their products on animals, and the company is dedicated to preserving the environment with the use of eco-friendly packaging. One of their bestselling products are vegan eyeshadows.
Clove + Hallow
Clove + Hallow company combines simplicity with clean cosmetics to achieve the highest-quality vegan makeup and skincare products accessible to every woman. Their formula contains only 15 natural ingredients consisting of butters, oils, botanicals, and eco-friendly synthetics, so you won’t have to worry about any potentially dangerous chemicals getting absorbed by your skin. Their products are made in the United States, but follow EU’s rigorous formulation standards for safe cosmetics.
Aveda
Aveda is another inspiring brand that creates hair care, skin care, body care, and makeup products with nature and sustainability in mind. All of their products are ethically sourced, vegan, and cruelty-free. The formula they use is free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oils, paraffin, or polyethylene beads. Also, they were the first beauty company to manufacture all products with 100% wind power and to use 100% post-consumer recycled material in packaging.
VEGAMOUR
VEGAMOUR specializes in creating products for hair, brows, and lashes, and their hair serums are getting rave reviews. All of their vegan cosmetics products are cruelty-free and gluten-free, and made of natural ingredients. In addition to employing a plant-based formula, VEGAMOUR is also dedicated to preserving the environment as the ingredients they use are sustainably and ethically sourced. Also, they have started a Fair Trade initiative with their sister company Southern Botanica with the aim of providing economic opportunities to over 5,000 women in southern Africa.
Fitglow Beauty
Fitglow Beauty relies on science in choosing the right ingredients for their products and is dedicated to creating gentle and clean formulas that deal with issues such as dehydration, redness, sun damage, and premature aging. They use ethically-sourced, plant-based ingredients that don’t contain heavy oils, silicones, and waxes. All of their products are cruelty-free, and in addition to vegan makeup, skincare, and body care items, they also offer vegan and cruelty-free brushes.
Love The Planet
Love The Planet is a Scotland-based natural beauty company that manufactures makeup, cleansing pads, and brushes; and it’s our pick from amongst the new wave of ethical and environmentally aware indie makeup brands. All of their vegan cosmetics are cruelty-free, and free of parabens and palm oil. Love The Planet is dedicated to reducing plastic waste, which is why their products are delivered in a biodegradable pouch that is meant to be removed into an existing container. They offer a range of makeup products, but if you’re wondering what to try out first, their mineral foundations and eyeshadows are a good place to start.
Red Apple Lipstick
Red Apple Lipstick produces makeup for lips, eyes, and cheeks, and their clean and green formula is free of parabens, gluten, lead, and soy, and enriched with Vitamin E. You can browse through their selection of moisturizing lipsticks, highly pigmented eyeshadows, and vegan brushes. All Red Apple Lipstick products are vegan and cruelty-free and manufactured locally in the US.
adesign Beauty
adesign Beauty specializes in creating cruelty-free makeup brushes designed by artisans using only the highest quality materials. The ingredients they use are ethically and sustainably sourced in their fully owned, end-to-end supply chain. adesign makeup brushes are PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free. Also, the packaging they use is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
100% Pure
100% Pure is committed to producing the healthiest, all-natural, and organic beauty products that are also vegan and cruelty-free. Their products are infused with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential oils to hydrate and nourish the skin. 100% Pure uses pigments sourced only from fruit, vegetables, cocoa, and tea, so you won’t have to worry about your makeup containing heavy metal dyes and other toxic chemicals. Another benefit is that they use recyclable packaging. 100% Pure cosmetics line offers everything from skincare products to shampoos, but you may want to try their fruit-pigmented makeup first.
Axiology
This planet-friendly makeup brand never uses more than 10 ingredients while formulating their products, and some of them include organic avocado oil, kokum butter, and elderberry extract. Axiology produces creamy vegan and cruelty-free lipsticks, balmies, and crayons in a variety of colors that range from warm and light tones to vibrant and deep shades.In addition to using clean and sustainably-sourced ingredients to produce ethical makeup, Axiology donates a percentage of their annual profits to vegan and cruelty-free organizations to support their work.
Vesca
Vesca is a vegan makeup brand that goes a step further when it comes to wide shade ranges. In addition to foundations, they also produce bronzers and highlighters that are suitable for all skin tones. Vesca natural beauty products are vegan and cruelty-free, and the brand is committed to doing their bit in protecting the environment. Vesca uses recyclable and compostable packaging for their products, except their paper tape, which can only be recycled. Also, their Soft Sun Radiant Skin Primer & Luminizer bottles are made from EVOH plastic and can be recycled at some facilities, together with the primer caps and plugs.
Hynt Beauty
Hynt Beauty is a makeup brand that fully discloses the ingredients they use so that you always know what their products contain. They are committed to creating formulas with natural and organic ingredients, such as antioxidants, plant extracts, and phytonutrients, and their products lack parabens, nanoparticles, artificial preservatives, and gluten. In addition to being cruelty-free, this brand is PETA-certified vegan for all of their products, except mascara. You can choose from a variety of cruelty-free makeup and skincare products, and they also offer brushes.
Ecco Bella
Ecco Bella creates makeup and skincare products using nutraceuticals, which are some of the most effective anti-aging ingredients in nature. They are derived from pigmented fruits and vegetables and some of Ecco Bella’s favorites are lutein from marigolds, beta carotene from carrots, astaxanthin from sea algae, and lycopene from tomatoes. All Ecco Bella products are gluten-free and cruelty-free. Most of their products are vegan as well, except for certain lipsticks, blushes, and lip liner pencils that have carmine, which they outline in their FAQ section. Also, Ecco Bella products come in biodegradable packaging.
Bare Minerals
Bare Minerals formulates makeup and skin care products with just a few natural and botanical ingredients, and their products are free of parabens, mineral oils, microbeads, and other additives. All of their products are cruelty-free, while the majority of them are vegan, including cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments. Also, many of their products are gluten-free. Bare Minerals is committed to reducing unnecessary waste, so members of their free loyalty program get points with every recycled item.
Nude by Nature
Nude by Nature uses a high-performing formula that contains only natural ingredients and is free of chemicals such as parabens, silicones, talc, and bismuth. This Sydney-based company uses locally sourced ingredients and is Australian No. 1 Mineral Make-Up brand. Nude by Nature is PETA-certified cruelty-free makeup and it offers a selection of vegan-friendly products listed on their website. They also outline that some of their products use ethically sourced beeswax and lanolin.
Emani
Emani cosmetics believes in treating makeup as skincare and their formula contains high-performance doses of Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, organic oils, and plant extracts. They aim to provide a sustainable, clean, and gluten-free alternative to conventional makeup. Emani uses green technology and eco-friendly manufacturing to make a positive impact on the planet through their cosmetics. Also, their 30-day guarantee allows you to return even a partly used product if you’re not satisfied and exchange it for something else or get a full refund.
Everyday Minerals
Everyday Minerals is one of truly inspiring makeup brands, as their products are formulated with just a few clean, natural, hand-crafted, and sustainably-sourced ingredients. Instead of testing on animals, Everyday Minerals evaluate ingredients on human volunteers and they make sure that their suppliers stay in good standings with their beliefs. From eyeshadows and concealers to lip glosses and blushes, you’re likely to find everything you need to upgrade your natural beauty routine.
Antonym Cosmetics
Antonym Cosmetics is a certified organic and natural makeup brand launched by a makeup artist with plenty of experience working with professionals in TV, film, commercials and print. Despite the clean and gentle formula, Antonym doesn’t cut down on color vibrancy as it creates highly-pigmented makeup that’s suitable for all skin types. In addition to being cruelty-free makeup, all Antonym products are vegan, except lipsticks, which contain organic beeswax. Antonym Cosmetics is dedicated to preserving the environment and their compacts are made of sustainable bamboo, while the paper for packaging is either recycled or FSC (sustainable forest) paper.
NCLA
NCLA is a Los Angeles-based company that quickly rose to prominence due to its vegan formula and high-quality, affordable cruelty-free makeup products. They started off with nail wraps and nail lacquers and expanded to lip products and care. Vivid colors and clean ingredients are defining traits of this company, as well as staying committed to never testing on animals.
Atomic Makeup
Atomic Makeup is the rock star among cruelty-free makeup brands, and its edgy and colorful look will certainly spice up your makeup routine. Their extensive range of lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeshadows, highlighters, and body glitter is completely vegan and cruelty-free and comes at affordable prices. Bold and unique colors are the core of this New York-based company, and they believe in creating makeup that matches every skin tone and personality. Atomic Makeup is also the first vegan makeup brand to launch a full line of CBD-enhanced lipsticks and lip glosses.
Inika
Inika is an Australian-owned brand that’s well-known for its use of natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients. Their makeup is vegan and cruelty-free and it’s infused with botanicals and pure minerals intended to provide hydration and nutrition. Inika’s products are suitable for all skin types, and in addition to makeup and skincare products, they also offer an extensive range of brushes. This company applies eco-friendly practices in every stage of the production, and their packaging is made of recyclable materials.
EcoTools
EcoTools company manufactures makeup brushes, sponges, and other bath accessories that are PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free. This innovative brand features makeup brushes made using high-quality, soft bristles, while the handles are made of renewable bamboo. EcoTools is committed to repurposing old and used things, so their products are made from recycled aluminum and plastics. Also, they endorse Tree-Free paper philosophy, which is why their packaging is made of cotton and bamboo fibers.
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Makeup Certifications
Vegan-Certifying Organizations
Organizations like PETA, The Vegan Society, and Vegan Action certify vegan beauty products. And if a particular product has one of their logos, it means that it meets their standards for being vegan. While PETA is the only one of the three that offers separate certifications for vegan and cruelty-free products, both Vegan Action and The Vegan Society list animal testing as one of the criteria for evaluating whether a product is vegan or not.
PETA
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a non-profit organization founded in 1980 with the aim of protecting animal rights. They focus on issues such as animal testing, factory farming, fur farming, and the use of animals in entertainment. Although the organization has been the focus of controversy several times, especially regarding their euthanasia practices, PETA continues to grow, attracting over six million supporters.
PETA supports a vegan lifestyle and it certifies personal care and fashion products that fulfill their requirements of being vegan. The “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo can be used on individual products, for collections or for an entire brand.
In addition to vegan certifications, PETA also certifies brands or companies that don’t test on animals, under its Global Beauty Without Bunnies program. As they state, “to be considered “cruelty-free” under PETA’s Global Beauty Without Bunnies program, a company must not only ban animal tests but also refuse to use any animal-derived ingredients, such as honey, beeswax, or carmine in its products.”
The Vegan Society
The Vegan Society is a registered educational charity founded in 1944 by Donald Watson, who coined the term “vegan”. It’s the oldest vegan society in the world. Its mission is to provide information on vegan lifestyle and promote it through numerous campaigns. Companies can register their products with the Vegan Trademark, provided they meet the society’s vegan standards. The products include anything from food and drink, to cosmetics, clothing, and household items.
Vegan Action
Vegan Action is another non-profit organization that certifies vegan products. Founded in 1995, it’s dedicated to eliminating animal suffering, reducing environmental impacts, and promoting a vegan diet as a way to improve health. Their “Certified Vegan” logo has been used on thousands of products that don’t contain animal products or byproducts and that haven’t been tested on animals.
Cruelty-Free-Certifying Organizations
Organizations like Cruelty Free International, Choose Cruelty Free, and Beauty Without Cruelty certify beauty products that haven’t been tested on animals. Look out for these certifications in your hunt for vegan cruelty free makeup brands.
Cruelty Free International
Cruelty Free International is an animal protection and advocacy group founded in 1898. This organization campaigns for abolition of all animal experiments. They certify cruelty-free cosmetics, personal care and household products under the internationally known Leaping Bunny program, with an instantly recognizable logo.
Choose Cruelty Free
Choose Cruelty Free is an Australian non-profit organization that advocates for animal rights. This group is the only independent body in Australia that surveys and accredits cruelty-free companies selling cosmetics, toiletries, and household cleaning items. The products that are certified by Choose Cruelty Free have the Not Tested on Animals Rabbit Logo.
Beauty Without Cruelty
Beauty Without Cruelty is an animal rights organization created in 1975 in South Africa with the aim of informing and educating people about animal abuse and exploitation, and about humane alternatives to cruel lifestyle choices. The organization offers a humane guide, which is a list of 120+ companies certified cruelty-free according to BWC’s set of criteria.
All of these companies feature a bunny-like logo, but when buying a certain product, you should always pay attention to logos and check whether they are legitimate and from a reputable brand. That said, a company can be cruelty-free without having the official logo, because displaying it on a product requires additional cost. If you’re unsure about the company’s policy regarding testing on animals, it’s always a good idea to reach out to them and ask for information.
Frequently Asked Questions
To further assist your journey towards cruelty-free cosmetics, we’ve put together some frequently asked questions about vegan makeup and sourced the answers.
What is vegan makeup made out of?
Vegan makeup is free of animal ingredients, animal by-products, or any other animal-derived ingredients, such as honey and beeswax. While some cosmetic brands continue to use animal-based ingredients because they are less expensive and easier to source, others have committed to finding alternative ways of creating makeup products.
For example, instead of using regular beeswax for binding purposes, some cosmetic companies use synthetic beeswax or hemp-derived cannabis seed oil. To avoid using lanolin, a wax produced by sheep, often found in eyeshadows and lipsticks, some brands opt for using mango and shea butters, which have the same moisturizing effect.
Another ingredient that’s commonly found in lipsticks is carmine, a dye made from crushed insect shells that’s responsible for the red color. A more ethical way to ensure you still get a vibrant red lipstick is to use natural beet dyes instead.
What is the best vegan makeup?
Any makeup brand from our list is a safe bet – the best product for you will depend on your skin requirement and preferences. When searching for quality vegan makeup, always look for official certifications from reputable institutions, such as PETA or The Vegan Society.
When in doubt, you can always reach out to the company and ask for more information. If they refuse to provide it or they don’t have a transparent sourcing policy, that may be a sign to move on with your search.
Is vegan makeup more expensive?
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the price of vegan makeup – it will depend on the individual brand. Like with any product, there are high-end options, but there are also many budget-friendly brands, such as Pacifica, e.l.f. and wet n wild Beauty.
What is cruelty-free makeup?
Cruelty-free makeup hasn’t been tested on animals. Also, their products’ ingredients haven’t been tested on animals, and they haven’t hired a third party to do the testing on their behalf. Cruelty-free products are not sold in mainland China (where animal testing is required by law), and their suppliers of raw materials don’t test on animals either.
Which makeup brands are vegan? Which cosmetic brands are cruelty-free?
All of the brands on our list are both vegan and cruelty free, with the exception of Besame Cosmetics, Nude by Nature, Ecco Bella, Antonym Cosmetics, and Bare Minerals, which are not entirely vegan, but are cruelty-free. Besame Cosmetics, Nude by Nature, and Bare Minerals have selections of vegan products. Ecco Bella’s lipsticks, blushes, and lip liner pencils have carmine, while Antonym Cosmetics’s lipsticks contain beeswax.
What is vegetarian makeup?
Vegetarian makeup doesn’t contain parts of an animal, such as meat or fat, but it does contain ingredients that were produced by animals, such as milk, egg whites, honey, and beeswax. Vegetarian beauty products are not vegan and they aren’t cruelty-free by default, you’ll have to check for certifications to be sure.
Is vegan makeup better for your skin?
Generally, vegan makeup is free of synthetic chemicals and potentially toxic substances that may put your health at risk, such as parabens, lead, and phthalates. Although not all vegan makeup is necessarily a better choice for your skin, it’s certainly safer for the environment. Many vegan brands have chosen to go carbon-neutral, they use renewable energy sources, and their products come in recyclable packaging.
Does vegan mean all natural?
Vegan and natural are not the same. A product may be labeled organic or natural, but that doesn’t mean that it’s made ethically. For example, beeswax is a natural ingredient, but it’s certainly not vegan. Therefore, you shouldn’t assume that all-natural products are vegan by default.
What does vegan mascara mean?
Mascara often contains animal-derived ingredients that give it a smooth and glossy effect, such as beeswax, guanine, shellac, collagen, panthenol, and lanolin. However, many brands use plant-based formulas for mascaras, and opt for cleaner alternatives, such as argan oil, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, carnauba wax or candelilla wax, which have the same moisturizing and volumizing properties. If you want to give a vegan mascara a shot, we suggest trying Ecco Bella Natural Mascara.
What is mica used for in makeup?
Mica is a mineral used in cosmetics to provide a shimmering effect, and it’s often found in makeup foundations and nail polishes. While it’s commonly used in the manufacturing of personal care products, mica is often sourced unethically, by means of child labor and exploatation of vulnerable communities. There are only a few cosmetic companies that create products without the use of mica, so finding a sustainable and socially responsible solution is essential to protect the communities and the environment.
Final Thought on Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands
Using a vegan formula and showing compassion to animals is something every major beauty company should strive for. These vegan cruelty free makeup brands started a revolution that was met with a hugely positive response. We can hope that the rest of the big and smaller players alike will follow in their footsteps.