Signs Your Beauty Product is Not Vegan Friendly

At Soapbox they have a few vegetarians and vegans on the team. We teamed up with them to get the low down on real vegan beauty products that are out there and affordable to suit any beauty budget. After research into vegan and cruelty free cosmetics, we want to share our recent findings with our dear readers.

Here are a few of common ingredients that can be in your cosmetics. If you look on cosmetic labels you will be able to see if these are in your lipstick or mascara and other products. If you are unsure on any ingredients that aren’t listed here, a simple google search should re-assure you.

BEESWAX (AKA CERA ALBA, CERA LAVA) – This is the wax from a bee’s hive. Bees must consume six or more pounds of honey in order to create one pound of wax. It is created by either being secreted by worker honeybees from four pairs of glands on the underside of their abdomens, or by secreting droplets of wax called “scales.” It can be found in many forms of makeup, from eye shadow to foundation to lipstick.
CARMINE (AKA COCHINEAL, COCHINEAL EXTRACT, CRIMSON LAKE, NATURAL RED 4, C.I. 75470, E120, CARMINIC ACID) – This deep red colour is taken from crushed cochineal insects. The colour is extracted from the insect’s body and eggs. It is a very common colourant in lipsticks and blushes.
COLLAGEN – This is a protein that is naturally produced in the bodies of animals. In order to extract the protein, collagen is taken from dead animals by cooking cartilaginous animal materials, such as bones, connective tissues and skin. Collagen is typically used because of its temporary plumping or firming effect and can be found in lotions, creams or lip sticks.
GUANINE (AKA CI 75170) – Guanine is fish scales that have been scraped off dead fish. It is then soaked in alcohol to create a pearly essence that is added to products. In mainstream cosmetics you can find it in the sparkles of your products such as blush, eye shadow and nail polish.
KERATIN – This is another protein found in mammals. It comes from hair, nails and horns of animals. It is often found in hair products.
LANOLIN – This fat is derived from the grease in a sheep’s hair. It is most often found in lotions and lip balms.
SQUALANE – This ingredient can be made from squeezing oil from the liver of a shark. You can find it in all sorts of moisturisers and cosmetics.

If you have ever thought about making the transition to vegan-friendly brands but don’t want to break the bank. Here is a short few of amazing cosmetic store brands that provide some vegan and cruelty free options.

e.l.f – All of their the make-up is vegan, but some of their make-up brushes are not.
NYX Cosmetics – Most items are vegan. Here’s their official statement: “Most of our products are but a few do have animal derived ingredients and/or could contain gluten. It is best for the customer to view the labels of each product in-person and determine if there is any ingredient that could be derived from animals and/or contains gluten.”
Pix – This line is cruelty-free with lots vegan options – just be sure to read ingredient labels.
Wet ’n’ Wild – This line is cruelty-free with mostly vegan options, but some products contain carmine.
Milani – This bunny friendly beauty line has heaps of vegan options.

Use a NYX Concealer Wand for under-eye circles, blemishes, or uneven skin complexions

Our favourites here have to be e.l.f, NYX Cosmetics and Pix. They are really great quality and if you read the labels you can make sure your whole make-up bag is cruelty free and vegan friendly. A lot of products simply have a sign on the packaging so you don’t have to read through a ton of weird and confusing product names.

 Summer Colour Wet N Wild Nail Polish

After researching into the vegan cosmetics industry – we have come to the conclusion that if you can, you should be buying cruelty free and vegan cosmetics. There are so many options out there. Do you really want to be brushing your face with the hair of a goat?

Alicia Joy

Soapbox are a team of industry professionals who live, breathe and sleep beauty and fashion. Click here to visit the website.