A cosmetic formula is vegan when it contains no ingredients derived from animals or animal by-products. This means every raw material in the formula, from the active ingredients to the preservatives and emulsifiers, must come from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources. Below, we answer the most common questions about what makes a beauty product truly vegan.
A cosmetic formula becomes non-vegan the moment it contains any ingredient sourced from an animal or produced by an animal. These animal-derived ingredients are more widespread in conventional cosmetics than many consumers realize, and they often appear under technical or Latin names on ingredient lists.
Some of the most frequently used animal-derived ingredients in cosmetics include:
Reading ingredient labels carefully is the most reliable way to spot non-vegan ingredients, though the technical names can make this challenging without prior knowledge.
Vegan cosmetics contain no animal-derived ingredients, while cruelty-free cosmetics are products that have not been tested on animals at any stage of development. These are two separate standards, and a product can meet one without meeting the other.
A product can be vegan but not cruelty-free if its ingredients or the finished formula were tested on animals. Conversely, a product can be cruelty-free but not vegan if it contains animal-derived ingredients like beeswax or lanolin without involving animal testing. Truly ethical vegan beauty products aim to meet both standards simultaneously.
In practice, many brands that commit to vegan formulations also pursue cruelty-free status, since both values stem from the same ethical foundation. However, it is important for consumers and brands alike to check for both claims independently rather than assuming one implies the other.
A 100% natural formula can still be vegan because “natural” refers to the origin of ingredients (not synthetic or petrochemical), while “vegan” refers specifically to the absence of animal-derived materials. Many natural ingredients come from plants, minerals, or fermentation, making them both natural and vegan.
However, some natural ingredients are animal-derived, which is where the distinction matters. Beeswax, lanolin, honey, and carmine are all entirely natural but are not vegan. A formulator working with natural ingredients must therefore consciously select plant-based and mineral alternatives to ensure the formula qualifies as both natural and vegan.
At Rebel Nature, we work exclusively with natural ingredients, and our portfolio of over 500 raw materials includes a wide range of plant-based options that allow us to create formulas that are simultaneously 100% natural and fully vegan. The two qualities are entirely compatible when the right ingredient choices are made.
Most animal-derived cosmetic ingredients have effective plant-based alternatives that deliver comparable or superior performance. Formulators working with vegan ingredients have a broad toolkit of natural, plant-sourced options to draw from.
The performance of these plant-based alternatives has improved significantly as demand for vegan beauty products has grown. In many cases, formulators find that plant-based options bring additional functional benefits, such as richer fatty acid profiles or added antioxidant properties.
Vegan certification for cosmetics is granted by independent third-party organizations that verify a product contains no animal-derived ingredients and, in most cases, has not been tested on animals. Certification provides consumers with a reliable, externally verified guarantee rather than relying solely on brand claims.
The certification process typically involves:
Well-known vegan certification bodies for cosmetics include The Vegan Society (which awards the Vegan Trademark), PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, and Leaping Bunny. Each organization has slightly different criteria, so it is worth understanding which standard a brand’s certification is based on.
Yes, vegan cosmetics should ideally also be certified cruelty-free, because vegan certification alone does not guarantee that no animal testing took place. Without a cruelty-free certification, it is possible for a vegan-labeled product to have been tested on animals at some point in its development or supply chain.
For brands that genuinely care about animal welfare, pursuing both certifications sends a clear and consistent message to consumers. It also closes the gap between what a “vegan” label implies to most shoppers and what it technically guarantees. Many certification schemes, such as The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark, already include a no-animal-testing requirement alongside the ingredient standard, effectively combining both commitments in a single mark.
From a consumer trust perspective, holding both certifications is increasingly expected in the natural and ethical beauty space. Brands that carry only one of the two labels may find that informed shoppers ask questions about the other.
We specialize in developing and manufacturing 100% natural cosmetic formulas, and vegan formulation is a core part of what we do. Whether you are launching a new vegan beauty brand or reformulating an existing product to remove animal-derived ingredients, we can support you at every stage.
Here is how we help:
Ready to develop a vegan formula you can be proud of? Get in touch with our team and let us help you bring your natural, vegan beauty product to life. You can also learn more about how we work or explore our full range of services.
The most reliable approach is to cross-reference the ingredient against a dedicated vegan ingredient database, such as the one maintained by The Vegan Society, or to request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and supplier declaration directly from your raw material supplier. Many ingredients can be sourced from both animal and plant origins depending on the manufacturer, so confirming the specific source of each ingredient in your supply chain is essential, not just the ingredient name itself.
No — if there is any uncertainty or confirmed animal origin for even a single ingredient, the formula cannot be legitimately claimed as vegan. When an ingredient can be derived from both animal and plant sources, you must obtain written confirmation from your supplier that the version you are using is exclusively plant- or mineral-derived. Vegan certification bodies will require this level of documentation during their ingredient review process, so resolving these ambiguities early is critical.
One of the most frequent mistakes is focusing only on the obvious animal-derived ingredients, like beeswax or honey, while overlooking less obvious ones such as stearic acid (which can be animal-derived), certain glycerins, or casein used in some formulations. Another common oversight is failing to verify the vegan status throughout the entire supply chain — an ingredient may be plant-based at source but processed using animal-derived materials. Working with an experienced natural cosmetic manufacturer and requesting full ingredient traceability from suppliers helps avoid these pitfalls.
Not necessarily — many plant-based alternatives, such as candelilla wax, shea butter, and plant-derived squalane, are competitively priced and widely available. Costs can vary depending on the specific ingredient and its source, but as demand for vegan cosmetics has grown, the supply of high-quality plant-based raw materials has expanded significantly, helping to stabilise prices. In some cases, plant-based alternatives even offer additional functional benefits that reduce the need for supplementary ingredients, which can offset any marginal cost difference.
The right choice depends on your target market and the standards your customers are most familiar with. The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark is widely recognised internationally and includes a no-animal-testing requirement, making it a strong all-in-one option. PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies programme is particularly well-known in the US market, while Leaping Bunny focuses specifically on cruelty-free standards. If your brand operates across multiple markets, it may be worth pursuing more than one certification to maximise consumer recognition and trust.
Be specific and transparent — clearly state whether your product is certified vegan (and by which body) or whether it is self-declared vegan, as these carry different levels of consumer trust. Avoid implying cruelty-free status through your vegan claim unless you hold a separate cruelty-free certification, since informed shoppers understand these are distinct standards. Including the certifying body’s logo where applicable, and providing easy access to full ingredient information, are both best practices that reinforce credibility and reduce the risk of greenwashing allegations.
Yes, in most cases a non-vegan formula can be successfully reformulated using plant-based alternatives without sacrificing texture, efficacy, or stability — though it does require careful ingredient selection and testing. The key is identifying every non-vegan ingredient in the existing formula and finding a plant-based equivalent that matches its functional role, whether that is emollience, thickening, pigmentation, or conditioning. Working with a specialist natural cosmetic manufacturer who has experience in vegan formulation will significantly streamline this process and help you achieve a finished product that meets both your performance and ethical standards.
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