In this series of articles, I thought that it might be useful to explain some of the terms commonly used around the cruelty free model to denote a product’s status. Vegan makeup and vegan beauty are two such terms employed to communicate the nature of a particular beauty product to concerned consumers. So, what exactly is ‘veganism’ and how does it relate to the skin care and beauty business? Veganism appeared on the scene around the 1940s and differs from vegetarianism via its much more encompassing scope. It was defined by Leslie J Cross in 1949, as, “the principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man.” Veganism is more broadly concerned with the adverse impact upon animals by humanity, whereas vegetarians just avoid eating them. Understanding veganism in the context of cruelty free cosmetics, thus makes a whole lot of sense upon this basis.

Vegan Makeup Means No Animal Testing & No Animal Products

The vegan makeup labelling means no animal testing and no animal products are involved in any way with the production of a particular beauty product. The new definition of veganism by The Vegan Society states, “A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose, and by extension promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.” Remember that the original meaning of the Greek word ‘diet’ meant lifestyle, rather than just what one eats.

Vegan Products in the Marketplace

Vegan beauty products cannot contain: beeswax, lanolin, carmine, honey, and gelatine, to name a few of the more commonly found ingredients in beauty and skin care products. There is a growing number of cosmetic manufacturers who make vegan beauty products globally. The push for cruelty free beauty is only gaining momentum in the industry as a whole. Veganism is, also, growing in popularity around the world, with greater recognition occurring via regulatory bodies. The European Parliament defined the meaning for food labelling in the EU in 2010 and began enforcing it in 2015. The, widely held, assumption that animals should suffer for our pleasure and employment as a food source, is no longer an unchallenged premise. Understanding veganism in the context of cruelty free cosmetics is another step in the right direction, when it comes to making this world a better place for all its inhabitants.