What is Vegan Product?
These products contain ingredients that are not derived from animals. The ingredients of vegan cosmetics does not contain honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumin, gelatin and so on. However, vegan products are not necessarily cruelty-free. Some of these products may have been tested on animals. Furthermore, vegan cosmetics may also contain artificial elements so being a vegan product does not automatically make it natural as it is possible to create a vegan product — one which does not contain any animal-derived ingredients — that still contains ingredients which are not ‘natural’.
- Does being a vegan product make it automatically a natural beauty product? NO.
- Are vegan and organic beauty products the same? NO.
- Are vegan beauty and skincare products cruelty-free? NOT NECESSARILY.
What is Cruelty-Free Product?
As the name suggests, these products will not have been tested on animals. However, these can be of natural, organic, vegan, or NONE OF THE ABOVE.
Now, how many of you know that some laws REQUIRE some cosmetics TO BE TESTED ON ANIMALS, to ensure the safety of its consumers?
If you are shocked, it means that you belong to the large group of beauty products users who think that it is against the law to test ALL cosmetics on animals.
Hence, some beauty products can NEVER be cruelty-free.
You can learn more about the difference between all the other ‘eco-friendly’ categories you can find in beauty products such as organic and natural here.
6 Reasons Why Using Vegan Or Cruelty-Free Make Up Products Is Important?
Okay so now that we know ‘cruelty-free’ refers to products that are not tested on animals, and ‘vegan’ refers to products that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients, let us look at why picking these products are important, besides using our purchasing power to create increasing demands for products that are produced ethically!
1. A Healthier Option For The Environment, AND YOUR SKIN!
Going for cruelty-free or vegan make up products means getting rid of bad chemicals like parabens, sulphates, and synthetic dyes. Hence, you are actually saving your beautiful skin from breakouts, allergies, and inflammation as the chances for these to occur are very low in the absence of the chemicals in your makeup products. We are absolutely (almost) confident that brands which restrain from harming animals, would not want to hurt your skin so it is safe, we assume, to say that these brands definitely deserve to top your list!
2. Encourages A More Conscious Beauty Routine!
There is no denying that there are tonnes of makeup products available in the cosmetics market today so narrowing your options to cruelty-free and vegan makeup products prompts a quality shopping experience. Less and better choices lead to more mindful and conscious decisions and gives us the chance to truly consider if a product is a great addition to our self-care routine!
3. Mice ARE NOT The Only Victims!
There are results of certain investigations that prove rabbits, cats, and even dogs are subjected to chemicals that we would never consider putting on our own pets. Hence, mice are not the only furry critters subjected to cosmetic testing. These animals are locked in tiny cages and often end up maimed, blinded, or killed. In a nutshell, “lab rats” are not actually just rats!
4. CHANGE Is In Our Hands!
When we purchase more cruelty-free and vegan makeup products instead of the normal cosmetic products, we are changing the trend of the purchasing style, creating an increasing demand for products that are ‘eco-friendly’, which preserves the environment and conserves our skin. By choosing this alternative, we are demonstrating to the world of cosmetics producers that harming animals for the sole purpose of profit is wrong. So, make wiser and powerful choices by investing your money to keep our animals safe while taking care of yourself!
5. Save Some Ringgits!
Now, we are not surprised if we caught you off guard with this. Unknowing to many, most of the companies that sell cruelty-free and vegan makeup products are actually a little kinder to your pockets! You will soon come across a list of eco-friendly brands in Malaysia, which are also budget-friendly, below. Keep scrolling!
6. More Of Harming The Animals Are Not Necessary!
Did you guys know that there are already over 7,000 cosmetic ingredients proven to be safe? Harming the animals would only be necessary in the event of developing new ingredients but fortunately, technology is creating more humane options for product testing. So, ladies and gentlemen, be told!
How Do We Spot Cruelty-Free Or Vegan Makeup Products?
Remember guys, always take some time to read the labels of the makeup products you purchase and learn the terms and commonly used symbols on cosmetics.
It is common for a cruelty-free and vegan makeup product to have certain specific indications or symbols on its label, indicating that no animals were harm in the making of the product, and no animal-derived ingredients were used to make the product. The symbols or labels that mark a cruelty-free and vegan makeup generally look like these:
“No Animal Ingredients”
no animal-derived ingredients
no ingredients obtained from animals
“Cruelty-Free”
no animal testing
not tested on animals
we don’t test on animals
against animal testing
“100% Vegetarian”
vegetarian
vegetarian-friendly
vegetarian ingredients
suitable for vegetarians
However, bear in mind that companies which produce cruelty-free products have to pay for license and use one of the three certified bunny logos so a company could be certified cruelty-free and meet all the standards but they might not be able to afford to pay and use the logo on their packaging.
Furthermore, the organizations that provides certified bunny logos set different cruelty-free standards. Hence, it is crucial that you find the one meets your needs. On the other hand, the Certified Vegan Logo is currently on thousands of products manufactured by over 800 companies, but not on every vegan product yet.
If you guys are shopping online, we understand that it may be difficult for you guys to spot any symbols or labels. What you guys can do to ensure your makeup products are cruelty-free and vegan instead, when shopping online, look for an online list of certified cruelty-free and vegan makeup brands.
Also, unlike the earlier mentioned method, a company does not have to pay to be on the list of cruelty-free and vegan makeup brands but they still are obligated to meet all of the cruelty-free and vegan standards to be enlisted. Plus, this method will make sure you do not miss out on any noteworthy brands which may not have been able to afford licensing and using the bunny logo on their packaging.
A gentle reminder ladies and gentlemen, if a cruelty-free and vegan makeup product uses one of the unverified labels, it does not automatically mean that they are illegitimate. As conscious and responsible consumers, we need to be mindful of the legitimacy behind these labels. We can always just contact the company directly through calls or emails to obtain specific answers and assurances.
5 Homegrown Brands That Are Vegan And Cruelty-Free
1. Mineraw
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGlg_N1JxHF/
Besides being featured in British Vogue, this locally made skincare is all about minimalism. Aimed at using as few ingredients as possible and delivering superior results, Mineraw is promises products that are natural and tested only on friends and family but not on animals. Their products are also vegan suitable for all skin types.
2. Velvet Vanity
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE_wmDzBR-e/
Velvet Vanity strives to provide customers products that are affordable yet on par with international brands when it comes to quality. With over 4 years of experience in the market, this cruelty-free, vegan & halal brand continues to deliver trendy makeup that meets the current trends.
3. Ardana Haran Beauty
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE3Ea1bh8ee/
Ardana Haran Beauty introduces a luxury range of matte liquid lipsticks and makeup brushes that are vegan and free from animal testing. This newly launched range which is a brainchild of a designer and makeup artist will satisfy all make-up enthusiasts especially when you see the affordable price tag.
4. Skinned.co
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFonAC8JG9J/
Founded by a beauty entrepreneur who suffered from very sensitive skin and eczema, this brand promises to be a skin listener and also offers clean beauty that is free from paraben and toxic. Their key product, an antioxidant serum, is said to do wonders to the skin.
5. Meizlab
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_smEJ-J8rJ/
This Handmade Natural Skincare range that is free of harmful ingredients and cruelty was born to meet the needs of the founder who was suffering from sensitive skin. Meizlab guarantees freshness and effectiveness of its product as every product is made to order.
