If you’ve ever stood in front of a cosmetics shelf wondering “Isn’t vegan the same as cruelty-free?” — you’re definitely not alone.
It’s one of the most common questions I hear at markets, pop-ups, and shared shops.
Why two labels? Why two logos? Why two different claims?
The short answer is simple: they’re connected, but they’re not the same.
And once you understand the difference, reading beauty labels becomes a lot clearer ✨
Let’s break it down.
What does “vegan” mean in cosmetics? 🌿
When a cosmetic product is vegan, it means that no animal ingredients or animal by-products are used — at any stage of formulation.
In practice, that means:
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No animal-derived ingredients
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No animal by-products
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Every ingredient is plant-based, mineral-based, or synthetically produced
Some ingredients people are often surprised to learn are not vegan include:
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Beeswax
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Honey
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Lanolin
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Carmine (a red pigment derived from insects)
All of these are commonly used in cosmetics — and none of them are vegan.
So when a product is labelled vegan, it’s telling you that nothing in the formula comes from an animal.
What does “cruelty-free” actually mean? 🐇
This is where things become a little more complex.
Legally speaking, cruelty-free means only one thing:
👉 The final cosmetic product was not tested on animals.
That’s it.
It does not automatically mean:
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No animals were harmed to obtain ingredients
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No animal-derived ingredients were used
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No animal testing occurred earlier in the supply chain
This creates what many people refer to as a moral gap ⚖️
The moral gap: legal vs ethical
A product can be legally labelled cruelty-free while still containing ingredients that required animal harm to exist.
For example, a brand may use an ingredient like carmine, which is derived from insects. If the final product itself isn’t tested on animals, it can still carry a cruelty-free label.
From a regulatory point of view, that’s acceptable.
From an ethical point of view, many consumers feel uncomfortable — and understandably so.
This doesn’t necessarily mean brands are lying. It means the definition itself is limited.
Cruelty-free in Europe: context matters 🇪🇺
Here’s something that often surprises people:
In the European Union, animal testing for cosmetics is already banned.
So when a European brand advertises itself as cruelty-free, it’s worth knowing that this is often a legal requirement rather than an extra ethical step. The label can still be reassuring, but it’s not always as meaningful as it sounds.
Why global markets complicate things 🌍
Once brands sell internationally, things get more complex.
In some markets (historically and depending on product category), animal testing requirements have existed. This has led to situations where:
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Brands don’t test on animals themselves
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Testing may be outsourced to third parties
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Parent companies operate differently from individual brands
Whether or not to support these brands is a personal decision. What matters most is having enough information to choose consciously.
Why indie brands often take a different approach 🤍
Independent brands don’t have parent companies, global testing obligations, or corporate loopholes to navigate.
For most small formulators, ethical choices aren’t a marketing strategy —They’re the ethos of the business.
Speaking from experience, indie brands tend to value:
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Transparency in ingredient sourcing
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Honest formulation
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Clear communication
If a product is vegan, it’s vegan.
If it’s cruelty-free, it’s cruelty-free — in practice, not just on paper.
The future of beauty ✨
From what we see, the future of cosmetics is clear:
🌱 Vegan
🐰 Cruelty-free
🔍 Transparent
When both labels appear together — and are backed by genuine practices — you can be far more confident that no animal harm occurred at any stage of the product’s life cycle.
That’s not a trend.
That’s progress 💚
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