Skip to content

What to Look for In Vegan Bath and Body Products

Did you know that the beauty and cosmetics industry is largely unregulated?

A remarkable 47% of consumers are buying vegan cosmetics more than they used to, but some brands use their labels to misguide buyers. It can be confusing for consumers, but we're on hand to help.

Continue reading to understand what you should look out for when buying vegan bath and body products.

What are Vegan Cosmetics?

Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of all animal products. A growing number of people worldwide adhere to a vegan diet, but it's not just limited to food.

Vegan cosmetics are also increasing in popularity and do not contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients. 

Animal-derived ingredients and by-products such as crushed bugs, fat from slaughtered animals, and ground-up claws are still commonly found in a wide range of beauty products.

It's also vital for consumers to understand what the term 'cruelty-free' means. This label features when products have not been tested on, or used animals in the manufacturing process.

Some products are 100% vegan but may have been tested on animals.  Rabbits, mice, rats, and guinea pigs are subjected to invasive chemical tests to check for skin or eye reactions. 

All our products at Hebe Botanica are both vegan and cruelty-free, so take a look at our sustainable collection today.

Vegan skincare

Are Vegan and Vegetarian Cosmetics the Same?

While some cosmetics are vegan certified, others are considered vegetarian based. As with diet, there is an important distinction between the two.

A vegetarian cosmetic product won't contain any animal parts. Yet, it can contain animal by-product ingredients, such as albumen and honey.

Vegan cosmetic products must contain natural extracts from flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruits, and essential oils. It will contain no ingredients derived from animals. People living a vegan lifestyle tend to sway towards plant-based bath products.

How to Check if Products are Vegan

Consumers are more aware than ever, and today only 10% of women fail to check beauty products' labels and ingredients.

Yet, across different media platforms, you'll find convincing advertising that can trick consumers into buying products they believe are vegan but actually are not.

Due to a lack of regulation in the beauty industry, brands can use words like "vegan," "organic," and "sustainable" to misguide you. For example, a "vegan formula" product may only use one or two vegan ingredients.

To check if products are actually vegan, look for certification stamps on the label. Vegan Society, Vegan Action, and Peta are three third-party certifications you should look for when buying vegan bath and body products.

A Leaping Bunny stamp ensures you're buying cruelty-free body products, and we're proud that all the products at Hebe Botanica are vegan and Leaping Bunny certified.

Another way to ensure you're using vegan body products is to research and contact the company. If they're offering a legitimate vegan product, they'll be transparent about their ingredients and how they are sourced on their website. Check out their FAQ, and get in touch because any ethical business will be happy to respond to inquiries from potential customers.

Cosmetic Ingredients You Should Avoid

You can trust those certifications detailed above, but reading the list of ingredients on the product label can help you identify what is vegan and what is not. It's good to know what ingredients you should avoid.

1. Honey

Often labeled as 'organic,' honey cannot be used in any vegan cosmetic product. The supremely popular ingredient has been used in skincare regimes for hundreds of years. It's an anti-inflammatory that naturally moisturizes, soothes, and hydrates the skin.

Yet, honey is the natural energy source for bees and is integral to the hive's wellbeing. Bees are producing honey for their own survival, and sacrificing their health for our beauty regime cannot get described as an ethical practice.

It's one of the most popular animal by-products commonly used in cosmetics, so always look for it on an ingredient list when attempting to buy vegan bath and body products.

2. Collagen

Collagen is a protein found chiefly in hair, skin, nails, bones, and ligaments, and comes from animal sources, such as pigs, cows, or fish. It's often used in traditional cosmetics for strengthening skin and smoothing wrinkles.

Produced by every animal, collagen makes its way into cosmetic products by boiling hooves, bone, cartilage, tendons, and other collective tissues. It's 100% animal-based, so steer clear when shopping for new products.

3. Beeswax

Like honey, beeswax is a substance that has been taken directly from bees. It's used in many cosmetic products because it's a natural exfoliator that helps to keep skin hydrated. Beeswax is also believed to contain anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.

Yet, humans must remove the honeycomb from the hive to obtain the wax, which is generally considered a cruel practice. The bees are producing honey and beeswax to survive the colder winter months. 

beeswax

4. Albumen

Derived from egg whites, albumen promotes shine and gets used in cosmetics to give skin firmness and gloss. Its gel-like consistency makes it a popular ingredient in creamier products.

It's not vegan because producers must farm chickens to source the egg whites.

5. Carmine

You definitely want to stay away from carmine if you're hoping to buy cruelty-free body products. It's a bright red dye used in the food and cosmetics industry. It's made through drying, crushing, and boiling the bodies of beetles and other insects.

Any product containing carmine or a derivative from cochineal insects is unsuitable for vegan consumers.

6. Lanolin

Lanolin is a wool grease or fat obtained from sheep's fatty layer of tissue surrounding their wool. This waxy substance is found in many skincare products, facial cosmetics, and lip balms.

It's an effective ingredient for combating dry skin and hair, but it's not vegan because it's tied to cruelty and animal exploitation.

Other non-vegan ingredients to avoid include hyaluronic acid, lecithin, keratin, royal jelly, retinol, propolis, elastin, casein, squalene, guanine, and oleic and stearic acid.

The Benefits of Using Vegan Bath and Body Products 

There are plenty of reasons to choose vegan cosmetics. It's self-care, it's caring for the animals, and it's caring for the Earth. So it's no wonder people are turning away from traditional products and investing their money in something more sustainable.

Before you buy your next beauty product, remember that consumer buying habits shape the products on the market.

vegan skincare

1. It's Better for Your Health

Vegan body products are safer than their synthetic alternatives. Many conventional beauty products contain harsh chemicals and pollutants that can harm our skin and health.

Anything that we put on our skin gets absorbed straight into the bloodstream. Thus, it's better to opt for plant-based ingredients instead of a long list of unknown chemicals.

Our bodies know how to process natural ingredients better. And the majority of vegan cosmetics contain ingredients that are rich in nutrients. 

These products may contain fewer ingredients than synthetic cosmetic products but provide consumers with more vitamins, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, plant-based proteins, and essential oils.

People with sensitive skin tend to enjoy better results when using the gentle ingredients found in vegan cosmetics. Also, the longer list of ingredients in traditional cosmetics can increase your likelihood of developing a rash, acne, or dry skin.

Simply put, you'll radiate better health if you choose healthier products.

2. Benefit the Earth and All Living Beings

Going vegan doesn't just benefit you. It also benefits the world around you.

It's unpleasant to admit that your beauty and self-care regime is built off the suffering of innocent animals. That's why vegan cosmetics are the way to go. Cruelty-free bath products avoid taking animals out of their natural environment and keeping them in a lab.

You won't see the benefit directly, but choosing vegan products will have a profound impact on the lives of the animals we share this planet with.

Making conscious choices is a powerful tool for change. Vegan body products are more sustainable because they reduce our environmental impact. The ingredients are grown sustainably and the packaging is often more environmentally friendly.

Many non-vegan ingredients, such as lanolin, glycerine, and oleic acid, promote deforestation by encouraging the destruction of old-growth trees to make space for more animal grazing fields. 

Check out this article to learn more about the fantastic benefits of using vegan skincare products.

Let's Move Towards a Cruelty-Free Future

Ethical consumption is a great way to create positive change in society. Yet, be aware of companies attempting to piggyback on this trend with false and misguiding sustainability claims.

Look out for authentic certifications, and take a moment to check the ingredients.

Did you enjoy this article about vegan bath and body products? If you want to improve your self-care regime, have a look at our environmentally conscious therapeutic products.

0 Comments

There are no comments yet. Be the first one to post one!

Leave a comment

Same Day Dispatch

All orders placed before 4pm Monday to Friday are dispatched same day.

Order Tracking

Free & Fast Delivery

A free fully-trackable 2-day delivery service on all orders over $75.

Learn more

Exchanges & Returns

You have 30 days from the shipping date to return your purchase FREE OF CHARGE.

Learn more