Beauty products carry a lot of labels: a bunny, a leaf, the word "vegan". They don't all mean the same thing.
Two terms matter most. Cruelty-free is about animal testing. Vegan is about animal ingredients. This guide shows you how to tell them apart, which logos to trust, and how to check Vegan and Cruelty Free Beauty Products yourself. New to veganism overall? Start with our beginner's guide to going vegan.
Cruelty-free = not tested on animals. Vegan = no animal-derived ingredients. A product can be one, both or neither. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF))
1. Vegan vs Cruelty-Free: What's the Difference?
| Cruelty-free | Vegan | |
|---|---|---|
| It means | No animal testing (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs) | No animal-derived ingredients (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF)) |
| Can it contain beeswax or carmine? | Yes (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), US Federal Register (FDA), cochineal and carmine) | No |
| Can the brand still test on animals? | Not if it is certified. Certifiers set different rules (see section 2). (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, PETA, how a company gets listed) | Yes, unless the certifier also bans testing. The Vegan Society does. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF)) |
That gives four types of product:
- Vegan and cruelty-free. No animal ingredients and no animal testing.
- Cruelty-free only. No testing, but it may contain beeswax, honey or carmine. (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), US Federal Register (FDA), cochineal and carmine)
- Vegan only. No animal ingredients, but not every vegan label covers testing. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF))
- Neither. It has animal ingredients and no testing guarantee.
What cruelty-free covers
- Certified schemes cover the finished product and ingredients. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, PETA, how a company gets listed)
- Suppliers too. Leaping Bunny checks suppliers (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs). PETA asks the CEO to sign a statement that covers ingredient suppliers. (Source: PETA, how a company gets listed)
- Leaping Bunny allows one narrow exception: a test a regulator demands for an ingredient already on the market, not for cosmetic purposes, and outside the brand's control. Each case is formally assessed. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs)
- In the US, the FDA says there are no legal definitions of "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals". A company may apply the claim only to the finished product and rely on suppliers or contract labs for animal tests. (Source: FDA, "cruelty free" claims) Rules differ by country.
- It says nothing about ingredients. A cruelty-free shampoo can still contain keratin from animal hair or feathers. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, PETA, ingredients to avoid)
What is a "fixed cut-off date"?
The brand picks a date. After that date, neither the brand nor its suppliers and manufacturers may conduct, commission or be party to animal tests for ingredients anywhere in the world. Leaping Bunny keeps each brand's date confidential. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs)
What vegan covers
No animal products, by-products or derivatives. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF)) Some vegan labels also cover testing. The Vegan Society's does. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF))
2. Which Logos Can You Trust?
Look for a logo from an independent group. Pick the one that matches what you want.
Leaping BunnyNo animal testingLeaping Bunny or PETA cruelty-free logo
Vegan SocietyNo animal ingredientsVegan Society sunflower
PETA veganCruelty-free and vegan in one logoPETA "Animal Test-Free and Vegan"Leaping BunnyLeaping Bunny
Run by Cruelty Free International. Brands set a fixed cut-off date, monitor suppliers down to ingredient manufacturers, and accept independent audits. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs)
Checks: the brand's animal-testing controls across its supply chain, with independent audits. It checks testing, not whether ingredients are animal-derived. Applies to: the brand. All its eligible own-brand products must be included, and individual products cannot be approved alone. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, Cruelty Free International, applying for Leaping Bunny approval) A separate Leaping Bunny site, leapingbunny.org, runs its own certification process, so check which programme lists a brand. (Source: leapingbunny.org company FAQ)
PETAPETA cruelty-free logo
The CEO signs a legally binding statement that the company and its ingredient suppliers do not conduct, commission, pay for or allow animal tests anywhere in the world. The company also sends paperwork and supplier agreements. PETA then lists the brand. (Source: PETA, how a company gets listed)
Checks: a legally binding signed statement, paperwork and supplier agreements about animal testing. It does not certify vegan ingredients. Applies to: the company or brand that signs. Using the logo is optional and licensed. A listed company is not necessarily vegan: PETA marks strictly vegan companies separately. (Source: PETA, how a company gets listed, PETA, logo licensing, PETA, "companies that don't test" list (PDF))
PETA veganPETA cruelty-free and vegan logo
The version that reads "Animal Test-Free and Vegan". PETA offers it to companies that sell an entirely vegan product line. (Source: PETA, logo licensing)
Checks: the same animal-testing statement, for a company that sells an entirely vegan product line. We did not find how PETA verifies the vegan side, so read PETA's page. Applies to: companies with an entirely vegan product line. PETA's pages call this version both "Animal Test-Free and Vegan" and "Cruelty-Free and Vegan". (Source: PETA, logo licensing, PETA, Beauty Without Bunnies FAQ)
Vegan SocietyVegan Society sunflower
No animal-derived ingredients. No animal testing of the product or its ingredients, including tests required by law, by the company, on its behalf, or by entities it controls. Experts assess ingredients and supply-chain paperwork first. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF))
Checks: vegan status (no animal-derived ingredients or by-products) and no animal testing. Society staff review ingredients and work with manufacturers and suppliers. Applies to: individual registered products, not whole companies, so one brand can have certified and uncertified products. (Source: Vegan Society, about the Vegan Trademark, Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF))
PETA says its logo can appear in any colour or in black and white, so the same logo may look different on different packs. (Source: PETA, logo licensing) Logos belong to their owners.
A logo or directory entry shows that a brand or product is listed under that scheme's own rules. It does not mean every product from a company is certified, and the schemes are not equivalent. Check the scope on the certifier's own page. A logo shown in this article does not mean any product is certified.
Leaping Bunny requires supplier monitoring and independent audits. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs) PETA relies on a signed statement and supplier agreements. (Source: PETA, how a company gets listed) The Vegan Society certifies vegan status and has its own testing rule. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF)) Do not treat them as the same standard.
"Cruelty-free formula", "natural", "clean" and "ethically made" are not certifications. In the US, the FDA says "cruelty free" has no legal definition. (Source: FDA, "cruelty free" claims) "Natural" does not mean vegan. (Source: Green Queen (news site)) A bunny drawn by the brand does not count. Check who issued the logo. Leaping Bunny says some companies use its logo without approval, so confirm the brand in its search. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs)
Extra context from a creator. These two Instagram posts are from @_natashachoolun, shared for background. We have not checked every claim in them, so confirm certification on the certifier's own list.
3. Animal Ingredients to Avoid in Vegan Cosmetics
For vegan cosmetics, learn these names. Many animal ingredients have chemical-sounding names. (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), PETA, ingredients to avoid) Some hide in "natural" products. (Source: Green Queen (news site))
| Ingredient | Where it comes from | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Beeswax, honey | Bees (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), Green Queen (news site)) | Animal-derived |
| Carmine (also CI 75470, E120) | Scale insects (Source: US Federal Register (FDA), cochineal and carmine) Alternative names: (Source: Green Queen (news site)) | Animal-derived |
| Lanolin | Sheep's wool (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) | Animal-derived |
| Shellac | Lac insects (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), Green Queen (news site)) | Animal-derived |
| Tallow | Animal fat (Source: Animal Liberation Victoria (advocacy group)) | Animal-derived |
| Casein, whey | Milk proteins (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) | Animal-derived |
| Ghee | Clarified butter from milk (Source: Healthline) | Animal-derived |
| Snail mucin, placenta | Snail secretions, animal placenta (Source: PETA, ingredients to avoid) | Animal-derived |
| Collagen | Usually animal bones, skin or cartilage (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog)) | Origin varies |
| Keratin | Usually hooves, horns, feathers or hair. Some products use vegan versions. (Source: PETA, ingredients to avoid) | Origin varies |
| Guanine | Often fish scales. Can also be made synthetically. (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), Green Queen (news site)) | Origin varies |
| Glycerin | Animal fat, plants or fish (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) | Origin varies |
| Stearic acid | Animal fat, or plants such as cocoa and shea butter (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) | Origin varies |
| Squalene | Shark liver oil, or plants such as olives (Source: PETA, ingredients to avoid, Cosmetics & Toiletries (trade press), squalene) | Origin varies |
The last rows show that some ingredients cannot be judged by name alone. Glycerin, stearic acid and squalene can come from animals or plants, so the origin often can't be told from the ingredient list. (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients, PETA, ingredients to avoid) The NIH-hosted review advises verifying such ingredients with the manufacturer. (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) A vegan certification helps, because the certifier assesses ingredients and supply-chain paperwork. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF)) It is not perfect: the Vegan Society's standards only require brands to minimise cross-contamination as far as is reasonably practicable. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark Standards page)
Ingredient scanner
The scanner matches names against a short list. It cannot certify a product, check a certification or verify a supply chain.
4. How to Check If Makeup Is Vegan: Examples
Example 1: a made-up label
This lipstick label is made up. It is not a real product.
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, Cera Alba, Glycerin, Carmine (CI 75470), Tocopherol, Mica
Castor oil, candelilla wax, mica Usually plant or mineral. Candelilla is a shrub wax (Source: Formula Botanica (training school)). Mica is a mineral. (Source: OEKO-TEST (German magazine))
Cera alba Beeswax. (Source: Northglow (retailer)) Carmine A dye made from scale insects. (Source: US Federal Register (FDA), cochineal and carmine) Both are animal-derived, so this lipstick is not vegan.
Glycerin Animal or plant. (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) You would need to ask the brand.
Result: not vegan. Whether it is cruelty-free is a separate check. Search the brand on the Leaping Bunny or PETA list.
Example 2: a real product page
This is a real product page, read on 18 October 2026: an Ayurvedic kajal on the brand's own site. We use it to show how to read a label. We are not judging the brand, and pages can change.
Published ingredients (abridged): Isoamyl laurate, Ricinus communis (castor) oil, Sorbitan olivate, Euphoribia cerifera (candelilla) cera, Copernicia cerifera (carnuba) cera, Butyrum (clarified butter), Theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, Garcinia indica (kokum) butter, Prunus dulcis (almond) oil, Mel (honey), Cinnamomum camphora (camphor) powder, Tocopherol.
Claims on the page: "100% Vegetarian", "Not tested on animals", "Certified as per BDIH Standards by IONC Germany". (Source: Soultree kajal product page (brand))
- Butyrum (clarified butter). Ghee is made from milk. (Source: Healthline) It is animal-derived.
- Mel (honey). Honey comes from bees. (Source: Green Queen (news site)) It is animal-derived.
- Candelilla and carnauba. Plant waxes. (Source: Formula Botanica (training school))
- A mismatch to ask about. The page's FAQ says the product contains ghee, honey and beeswax, but we did not see beeswax in the ingredient list. (Source: Soultree kajal product page (brand)) When page text and list differ, ask the brand which is correct.
- "100% Vegetarian". This is the brand's claim. Vegetarian is not vegan, and the page itself tells vegans to double-check. (Source: Soultree kajal product page (brand))
- "Not tested on animals". This is a brand statement. We did not check the Leaping Bunny or PETA lists, so it is not certification evidence here.
- BDIH standard. We did not check what it says about animal ingredients or testing, so we do not treat it as evidence either way.
Result: from the published list, this product contains clarified butter and honey, so it is not vegan. We cannot say whether it is cruelty-free. That needs a certifier listing or a written policy from the brand.
How to verify a brand's claims: search the brand in the certifier's directory, compare the ingredient list with the rest of the page, and email the brand with specific questions. The scanner can write that email for you.
Two more tips. Read the whole list, including colour codes (the "CI" numbers). And learn a few Latin names: Cera alba is beeswax (Source: Northglow (retailer)) and Mel is honey. (Source: Soultree kajal product page (brand)) Some of these, like carmine, also appear in food. See our list of hidden animal ingredients in food. (Source: Switch To Vegan beginner guide)
5. Animal Testing Laws by Country
Laws differ by country and they change. This table is a summary, not legal advice. Check the official texts before you rely on it.
| Region | What the law says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | Testing of finished cosmetics has been banned since September 2004 and of ingredients since March 2009. The ban on selling animal-tested cosmetics applies from March 2009 for most health effects and from March 2013 for the most complex ones (repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics). (Source: European Commission, animal testing ban in cosmetics) The bans apply to tests done to meet the Cosmetics Regulation's requirements. (Source: European Commission report COM(2018) 531 (PDF copy)) | Good baseline. Vegan is separate. |
| India | Import of cosmetics tested on animals after 12 November 2014 is prohibited under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. (Source: AZB & Partners (law firm), India Cosmetics Rules 2020, Mondaq, Cosmetic Rules 2020 (law-firm article)) See section 6 for the testing ban. | Helpful. Ingredients may still not be vegan. |
| United Kingdom | Cosmetics cannot be sold if the final product or its ingredients were animal-tested to meet the Cosmetics Regulation. No such testing may take place in the UK. Historic animal test data may still be used. (Source: UK legislation, Cosmetics Regulation Article 18) | Check the brand's other markets. |
| United States | Federal law does not specifically require animal testing for cosmetic safety, and manufacturers may use it to establish safety. (Source: FDA, cosmetics safety Q&A: animal testing) A 2020 news report lists several states that restrict sales of animal-tested cosmetics. (Source: AP report via Washington Times, 2020) State law needs checking. | Certification matters more. |
| China | Since 1 May 2021, imported "general" cosmetics can be exempt from mandatory animal testing if conditions are met. (Source: Cruelty Free International, China 2021, PETA, China 2021) | Check if the brand sells there. |
Leaping Bunny's criteria apply globally and go beyond the law, and PETA's statement covers testing anywhere in the world. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, PETA, how a company gets listed) That is why a certification tells you more than one country's law.
6. India: What to Know
India introduced two separate rules on animal testing in 2014. The Cosmetics Rules, 2020 prohibit importing cosmetics tested on animals after 12 November 2014. (Source: AZB & Partners (law firm), India Cosmetics Rules 2020, Mondaq, Cosmetic Rules 2020 (law-firm article)) The ban on using animals to test cosmetics in India was introduced in 2014 as Rule 148-C. (Source: FICCI document quoting Rule 148C (GSR 346(E)), Cosmetics Design Asia, Rule 148-C (trade press)) The 2020 Rules replaced the earlier cosmetics provisions. (Source: AZB & Partners (law firm), India Cosmetics Rules 2020) We could not find the official text of the 2020 Rules. The import rule rests on law-firm summaries, and we could not confirm that the domestic ban (Rule 148-C) continues under the 2020 Rules. Check the official text.
Does a green dot mean a product is vegan?
No. G.S.R. 826(E), published on 21 September 2026 (Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026), requires a green dot for products of vegetarian origin and a red or, as the case may be, a brown dot for products of non-vegetarian origin on soap, shampoo, toothpaste, other cosmetics and toiletries. The dot goes at the top of the principal display panel. The rules came into force on the date of publication, and the notification states no exemptions or transition period. (Source: Gazette of India, G.S.R. 826(E), 21 Sept 2026 (copy on a third-party site), Vaish Associates (law firm) alert) The notification does not define "vegetarian origin". One news report describes green-dot products as plant-based or plant-derived (Source: Onmanorama (news)), but the notification does not say this, so do not assume a green dot means a product is entirely plant-derived. The dot is about origin. It is not a vegan certification and says nothing about animal testing. Look for the word "vegan" or a vegan logo too. We read the notification as hosted on a third-party site, so confirm it on the official eGazette.
Example 2 in section 4 is a real product page that says "100% Vegetarian" and also lists clarified butter and honey. (Source: Soultree kajal product page (brand))
How do I spot animal ingredients in Ayurvedic products?
Do not rely on the word "herbal". Ayurveda values ghee for skin (Source: Healthline), and ghee is traditionally made from cow's milk. (Source: Healthline) Honey comes from bees. (Source: Green Queen (news site)) Also check balms and creams for beeswax and lanolin. (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients)
How do I judge imported cosmetics?
Cosmetics tested on animals after 12 November 2014 cannot be imported. (Source: AZB & Partners (law firm), India Cosmetics Rules 2020) That does not make a brand cruelty-free everywhere, because certification criteria apply globally (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs), and it says nothing about vegan ingredients. Check the brand's global policy and certification.
What proof should an Indian brand give for "cruelty-free"?
Animal testing of cosmetics was banned in India in 2014 (Rule 148-C) (Source: FICCI document quoting Rule 148C (GSR 346(E)), Cosmetics Design Asia, Rule 148-C (trade press)). If that ban still applies, "not tested on animals" alone proves little. Ask for a Leaping Bunny or PETA listing, a written policy that covers ingredients and suppliers, and the countries it sells in. Buy from the brand's own store or an authorised seller, and check batch numbers and expiry dates.
Questions to ask a brand before you buy
- Is the product vegan certified, or only marked vegetarian (green dot)?
- Which ingredients are animal-derived: ghee, honey, milk, beeswax, lanolin?
- Is the glycerin, stearic acid or squalene plant-based?
- Which certifier lists you as cruelty-free?
- Which countries do you sell in?
Rules change. Check current notifications before relying on them.
7. How to Check Vegan and Cruelty Free Beauty Products Before You Buy
- Step 1: Find a logo. Leaping Bunny, PETA or Vegan Society. No logo means you need to dig more.
- Step 2: Search the brand on the certifier's site. The certifier's directory is the place to confirm a brand. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, PETA, how a company gets listed)
- Step 3: Read the ingredients. Use the scanner above.
- Step 4: Contact the brand about unclear ingredients. Ask how glycerin, stearic acid, squalene and similar ingredients are sourced.
- Step 5: Check the owner and the markets. It shows how strict the brand really is.
- Step 6: Buy from the brand's own store or an authorised retailer, then patch-test. Vegan and cruelty-free labels do not cover how your skin will react. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF), Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs)
Vegan and cruelty-free skincare: what to check
Skincare often includes honey, lanolin, collagen and snail mucin. (Source: Green Queen (news site), NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients, Cosh! Eco (brand blog), PETA, ingredients to avoid) Read the full list, look for both a vegan logo and a cruelty-free logo, and ask the brand about unclear ingredients such as glycerin and squalene. (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients, PETA, ingredients to avoid)
What to check in each product
| Product | Animal ingredients to look for | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lipstick, lip balm | Beeswax (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog)), carmine (Source: US Federal Register (FDA), cochineal and carmine), lanolin (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients) | Look for plant waxes like candelilla (Source: Formula Botanica (training school)) |
| Mascara, eyeliner | Beeswax (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog)), guanine (origin varies) (Source: Green Queen (news site)) | Check the wax and shimmer ingredients |
| Foundation, blush | Carmine (found in blush) (Source: Green Queen (news site)), collagen (Source: Green Queen (news site)) | Check the colour codes |
| Skincare | Honey (Source: Green Queen (news site)), lanolin (Source: NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients), collagen (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog)), snail mucin (Source: PETA, ingredients to avoid) | Read the full list |
| Shampoo, hair care | Keratin (Source: PETA, ingredients to avoid) | Look for a vegan logo or "vegan keratin" (Source: PETA, ingredients to avoid) |
| Nail polish | Shellac (Source: Green Queen (news site)) | Check the ingredients |
| Soap, body wash | Tallow (Source: Animal Liberation Victoria (advocacy group)) | Look for tallow in the list |
Warning signs
- A bunny or leaf with no named certifier
- "Cruelty-free" on the box, but no testing policy on the brand's website
- A "no animal testing" claim that ignores ingredients and suppliers
- No information on where the brand sells
- "Clean", "pure" or "natural" doing all the work
Your before-you-buy checklist
Check again from time to time. Certifications expire and need renewing. The Vegan Society's licences run for a fixed term, and its current pages say 12, 24 or 36 months. (Source: Vegan Society, cosmetics and household certification)
8. Quiz: What Should You Pick?
Find your starting point
9. Common Mix-Ups
"Vegan means cruelty-free." Vegan is about ingredients. Only some vegan labels also cover testing. (Source: Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF), Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs)
"Cruelty-free means vegan." It can still contain beeswax or carmine. (Source: Cosh! Eco (brand blog), US Federal Register (FDA), cochineal and carmine)
"Natural or herbal means vegan." Natural products can contain honey, beeswax or lanolin. (Source: Green Queen (news site), NIH/PMC review of hidden animal-derived ingredients)
"A bunny on the box means it's certified." Check who issued the logo. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, FDA, "cruelty free" claims)
"Vegan products are better for my skin." The label says nothing about how your skin will react.
10. How This Guide Is Researched
To check certification status, we prefer the certifiers' own directories: the Leaping Bunny brand search and PETA's list. Ingredient lists and manufacturer statements are supporting evidence. If an ingredient's origin is unclear, confirm it with the manufacturer.
We link to a source beside each factual claim. Where a source is a news report, brand blog, retailer or training school, the link says so, because it is not an official document. Laws, certifications and brand policies can change, so confirm anything that matters to you. Sources last checked: 18 October 2026.
Switch To Vegan does not test products, audit brands or verify supply chains. The product walkthrough reads a brand's own published page and does not certify the product. Use it as a method, then check the brand yourself when you choose vegan cruelty-free beauty products.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Is cruelty-free the same as vegan?
No. Cruelty-free is about animal testing. Vegan is about animal-derived ingredients. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs, Vegan Society, Vegan Trademark standards (PDF))
Is vegetarian the same as vegan in beauty products?
No. They are different standards. A product can be labelled vegetarian and still contain ingredients like ghee or honey. (Source: Soultree kajal product page (brand)) Look for the word "vegan" or a vegan logo.
What does the green dot on Indian cosmetics mean?
A green dot marks products of vegetarian origin and a red or brown dot marks non-vegetarian origin, under rules published on 21 September 2026. (Source: Gazette of India, G.S.R. 826(E), 21 Sept 2026 (copy on a third-party site)) The notification does not define "vegetarian origin". The dot is not a vegan certification and says nothing about animal testing.
Are herbal or Ayurvedic products vegan?
Not automatically. Ayurveda values ghee for skin (Source: Healthline), and ghee comes from cow's milk. (Source: Healthline) Read the ingredient list or look for a vegan certification.
Which is better, Leaping Bunny or PETA?
They work differently. Leaping Bunny sets a fixed cut-off date, monitors suppliers and accepts independent audits. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny FAQs) PETA lists brands whose CEO signs a statement of assurance (Source: PETA, how a company gets listed) and offers a combined logo for entirely vegan lines. (Source: PETA, logo licensing) Many shoppers use both.
Does "not tested on animals" mean a product is cruelty-free?
Not always. In the US, the FDA says there is no legal definition, and a company may apply the claim only to the finished product. (Source: FDA, "cruelty free" claims) Look for an independent logo and read the brand's testing policy.
How do I check if a brand is cruelty-free?
Search the brand on the Leaping Bunny or PETA list. (Source: Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny brand search, PETA, how a company gets listed) Then read the brand's testing policy and see which countries it sells in.
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Related reads
Vegan and cruelty-free brand list
Coming soon.
How to go vegan: beginner guide
Start here if you're new to it all.
Hidden animal ingredients in food
Carmine, gelatin, whey and more.
Many people start with beauty products and then look at what they eat. If that's you, our beginner's 3-day vegan meal plan gives you simple meals with steps, so you don't have to work it out alone.
Ready to Shop?
That's really all there is to it. Read the label, scan the ingredients, check the brand, then buy Vegan and Cruelty Free Beauty Products without second-guessing yourself.