Nowadays, you try to be conscious about the cosmetics you use. You know the difference between natural and organic cosmetics (see my post « organic or natural » ) but, maybe, you’d like to learn more about vegan cosmetics. Let’s see together.
Veganism
Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals. This includes food, clothings and cosmetics.
« Vegan » cosmetics
Formulated without any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients, vegan cosmetics exclude :
- milk an milk by-products
- beeswax, honey, royal jelly, pollen, propolis
- animal collagen, keratin, elastin
- lanolin
- silk
- animal-based stearic acid
- mink oil
- carmin colorant
Difference between organic and « vegan » cosmetics
Organic skin cares are made of raw materials from controlled organic agriculture and they have a certification. Vegan skin cares are not automatically of natural origin. It can contains artificial conponents found in conventional cosmetics but no substances of animal origin. Vegan cosmetics can be organic but not always.
The different labels
Different labels are existing and certify that cosmetics have not been tested on animals. The main labels are :
- Cruelty Free and Vegan required and delivered by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment for Animals) an american label
- Vegan Society an english label
- HCS (Human Cosmetics Standard), a european label
- One Voice, a french label
My advice : if you want to use vegan cosmetics just try to buy organic ones. Some vegan cosmetics contain mineral oils (forbiden in organics ones) which are not good for your health and skin.
