When a vegan puts together a makeup kit, there are several factors to consider to ensure her beauty routine hasn’t endangered or harmed any animals. First, some cosmetics include animal products, such as lanolin or honey. Next, even makeup that doesn’t include any animal products may have been tested on animals. Finally, even if a vegan has a collection of vegan make up, the brushes she uses to apply it shouldn't be made of animal hair. Finding vegan makeup and cruelty free cosmetics is fairly simple to do, and even some department store and drugstore brands meet the bill.
Here’s more information on how to identify vegan cosmetics, and a list of vegan makeup brands.
Ingredients in Vegan Cosmetics
Many vegan cosmetics are labeled as organic or natural makeup, but the ingredients should always be read before buying. Some common cosmetic ingredients that are not vegan-friendly include:
- Beeswax
- Carmine
- Elastin
- Hyaluronic acid
- Lactose/lactalbumin
- Lanolin
- Lard
- Propolis
- Propylparaben (though synthetic, animal-free versions also exist)
- Silk derivitives
- Squalane (can be made from shark liver or olives)
- Tallow
- Whey/milk products
If the ingredients aren’t listed on the package, or if an ambiguous ingredient is listed (such as squalane), send the company an e-mail or give them a call. Most cosmetic companies have websites, or toll-free numbers, included on the packaging.
It is usually easier to find vegan powdered cosmetics (like pressed power, eye shadow, and blush) than liquid (such as lipstick, lip gloss and mascara). Also, anything colored red is less likely to be vegan; red dye most often is made with carmine, which comes from insects.
Cruelty Free Cosmetics
After reading the ingredients on any makeup package, a vegan should look for a statement like “Not Tested on Animals” or “Against Animal Cruelty.” Cruelty free cosmetics don't contain animal ingredients, and they aren't tested on animals, either. Again, most cosmetic companies list their testing policies and stance on animal cruelty on their websites.
Vegan Makeup Brushes
Many makeup brushes are made from the hair of animals, such as goats, horses, squirrels and minks. Anyone who doesn’t wear fur likely doesn’t want to brush it across their face, either. High-quality synthetic makeup brushes are becoming more widely available, though. Here are a few brands to look for in store or online.
- Aveda
- Origins
- Ecco Bella
Vegan Makeup Brands
The list below includes makeup brands that are 100% vegan, or that have an extensive selection of vegan products. In general, mineral makeup is a good place to start; if a vegan comes across a mineral makeup brand that’s locally available, it’s usually worth reading through the ingredients.
Here’s a list of makeup brands that offer many vegan cosmetics:
- Arbonne
- Aromaleigh
- Aveda
- Bare Minerals
- Beauty Without Cruelty
- Bonne Belle
- Everyday Minerals
- MAC
- Pink Quartz Minerals
- Zia
- Zuzu Luxe
The most important tip to remember for a vegan looking for makeup is to read the ingredients. Even if a vegan has used a product in the past, it’s worthwhile to re-read the label when buying a replacement, as cosmetic companies change the formulas of their products.
Cruelty-free makeup and brushes is widely available in drugstores, department stores, and online. With so many brands available, the only difficult part is choosing colors!
Jennifer Thorimbert - Jennifer grew up in small-town British Columbia, Canada, and moved to Victoria, BC, to attend university. She majored in English ...
Join the Conversation