According to a report by Grand View Research, the global market for vegan cosmetics is expected to reach $20.8 billion by 2025. This market is increasing year on year and shows no signs of slowing down.
WHY VEGAN COSMETICS?
Cruelty-free cosmetics have become a major trend in the last couple of years and this is due to increased animal rights awareness and the impact of a new generation’s beliefs.
More and more people are dedicated to choosing a vegan diet, however there is also a portion of the population who may not follow a vegan diet but would describe themselves as “lifestyle vegans”. This portion of the population are committed to only using or buying cosmetics and clothes free from animal by-products.
Millennials account for two-thirds of global buying power. The perceptions and values of this generation are influencing their decision-making on what products they want to buy.
This generation are primarily concerned about:
- Animal cruelty;
- Carbon emissions; and;
- The strain on the planet’s depleting natural resources.
Ethical consumerism is pushing the demand for vegan cosmetics.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEGAN AND CRUELTY FREE?
It can be hard to differentiate between the terms vegan and cruelty-free and a lot of companies appear to use them interchangeably but it is important to understand that they are not the same.
A product can be vegan BUT NOT cruelty-free – how, you ask?
Ethical Elephant explains; “Cruelty-Free” generally implies no animal testing occurred whereas “Vegan” generally implies the products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.
This means that a product can have no animal-derived ingredients i.e. Vegan but still be tested on animals.
A product which is BOTH Vegan and Cruelty-Free means it contains no animal-derived ingredients or by-products and also they do not test on animals.
If you want to be sure that the products you are using are both cruelty-free and vegan you can check their certification:
WHAT PRODUCTS ARE VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE?
If you want to make your beauty routine fit into your vegan lifestyle, it can be a struggle to make the right choice as many cosmetics contain animal by-products like honey, lanolin and gelatin.
Fragrance might not be the first cosmetic you think of when trying to convert to a vegan lifestyle and it can be harder than you think to try and find vegan-friendly fragrances. The scent isn’t the only thing you need to check you like when on the search for your vegan fragrance, you also need to check whether your chosen scent contains animal-derivatives – including musk, honey, milk, ambergris or civet.
Some major brands that we have come across are already following this trend and can offer vegan and cruelty-free products on their whole product line or on particular ranges.
Here is a selection of companies that offer vegan products and their stance on this trend:
Urban Decay
Urban Decay are committed to being a cruelty-free brand and strive to offer more and more vegan products; their website reads:
We have an ongoing initiative with our laboratories to not only create shades (and entire product lines) that are vegan from the start, but also to identify which of our non-vegan products can be converted. In many situations, plant-derived or synthetic alternatives to animal-derived ingredients become available. As long as we can deliver the same high-quality products with rich color and texture, we will convert that product to 100% vegan ingredients, so be on the lookout for new offerings.
Some of the vegan products they currently offer:
Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation – Up To 24-Hour Wear $39
50 SHADES. UP TO 24-HOUR WEAR. REAL-SKIN MATTE FINISH. BUILDABLE MEDIUM COVERAGE. BREATHABLE & FLEXIBLE. VEGAN.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Naked Heat Capsule Collection – $19 on sale $9.50
Turn up the heat with these three limited-edition, sultry shades of Vice Lipstick.
Kat Von D Beauty
The brand boasts long-lasting, cruelty-free products with a range of illuminating highlighters, waterproof liners, makeup brushes and more.
Kat Von D Beauty says;
As a vegan and animal activist, Kat Von D is committed to creating hyper-performance beauty products that are completely free of animal-derived ingredients, and never tested on animals. That means you can conceal, contour, and create with confidence—knowing your products aren’t harming animals.
Now this was no easy feat, but Kat was up to the challenge. She nixed common cosmetic ingredients such as beeswax and carmine (a red dye made from beetles) and opted for kinder alternatives without ever compromising color. Now beauty junkies and animal lovers can make compassionate choices without sacrificing bold, beautiful pigment and everlasting wear.
Kat Von D Lock-It Edge Foundation Brush #10 – $34.00
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner – $20.00
Arbonne
Arbonne’s website says;
Arbonne Products Are Certified by The Vegan Society
The Vegan Society (vegansociety.com) is a registered charity and oldest vegan society in the world, founded in the UK in 1944. It works toward making veganism an easily adopted and widely recognized approach to reducing animal and human suffering. Veganism is defined as a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose. Arbonne products are formulated vegan and submitted for certification.
Arbonne Deep Pore Acne Cleanser Clear Future – $35.00
Start fresh with this gentle cleanser that removes excess oil and reduces shine without stripping skin of natural moisture, leaving it feeling soft. Salicylic acid reduces the number of acne blemishes by exfoliating dead skin cells and penetrating pores. Over time pores can appear minimized, creating a more even-toned complexion. Sage extract also soothes and conditions
Clean Beauty Collective
Clean Beauty Collective are a vegan and cruelty-free brand, their website states that their products are: Sustainable, Eco-Conscious, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Phthalate-Free, Gluten-Free, Recyclable and Non-Toxic.
Clean Reserve Rain – $98
I hope this gives you a bit more information on vegan cosmetics and what to look for when trying to purchase vegan beauty products.
SmileNV xx