What Does Vegan Skincare Actually Mean?

"Vegan" and "cruelty-free" are two of the most common labels in skincare today. They're often used interchangeably — sometimes even by the brands themselves. But they mean different things, and understanding the distinction helps you make choices that actually align with your values.

If you've ever wondered what makes a skincare product truly vegan, what's lurking in non-vegan formulas, or how to tell the difference between genuine commitment and marketing language, this is a good place to start.

Vegan vs Cruelty-Free: They're Not the Same Thing

This is the most important distinction to understand, and it's simpler than most people think:

Cruelty-free means a product (and its ingredients) were not tested on animals. This applies to the testing process — how the product's safety was verified.

Vegan means a product contains no animal-derived ingredients. This applies to the formula itself — what's actually in the bottle.

A product can be cruelty-free but not vegan. For example, a moisturizer that contains beeswax or lanolin wasn't tested on animals, but it does contain ingredients that come from animals. Conversely, a product could theoretically be vegan in formula but tested on animals (though this combination is increasingly rare as brands that go vegan typically also commit to cruelty-free practices).

The products that align most fully with animal welfare are those that are both vegan and cruelty-free. That means no animal-derived ingredients in the formula and no animal testing at any stage of development.

Common Animal-Derived Ingredients in Skincare

You might be surprised by how many conventional skincare ingredients come from animals. Some are obvious, others are hidden behind technical names. Here are some of the most common:

Beeswax (Cera Alba): Used as an emollient and thickener in creams and balms. Comes from honeybee hives.

Lanolin: A waxy substance extracted from sheep's wool. Common in lip balms and heavy moisturizers for its occlusive properties.

Carmine (CI 75470): A red pigment made from crushed cochineal insects. Found in tinted products, lip colors, and some blushes.

Collagen: Often sourced from bovine (cow) or marine (fish) sources. Used in serums and creams marketed for firmness.

Squalane: Traditionally sourced from shark liver oil, though plant-derived squalane (from olives or sugarcane) is now widely available and equally effective.

Keratin: A protein typically derived from animal hooves, horns, or feathers. Used in hair and nail products, sometimes in skin treatments.

Guanine: Derived from fish scales. Creates a shimmery, pearlescent effect in cosmetics.

The challenge is that ingredient lists don't always make the source obvious. "Squalane" on a label could be shark-derived or plant-derived — you often need to check with the brand directly or look for vegan certification to be sure.

What Vegan Skincare Formulations Use Instead

The good news is that plant-based and synthetic alternatives exist for virtually every animal-derived ingredient, often performing just as well or better:

Plant waxes (candelilla, carnauba, rice bran) replace beeswax with similar texture and protective properties.

Plant-derived squalane from olives or sugarcane is chemically identical to shark-derived squalane and works exactly the same way on skin.

Plant oils and butters (shea, cocoa, jojoba, argan) provide the rich emollient properties that lanolin offers.

Plant-based peptides and proteins offer support for skin that looks firmer and smoother without relying on animal collagen.

Mineral and plant-based pigments replace carmine and guanine in colored products.

Modern formulation science has reached a point where choosing vegan skincare doesn't mean compromising on performance. The plant-based alternatives are well-researched, widely available, and increasingly preferred by formulators regardless of whether they're targeting the vegan market.

Certifications to Look For in Vegan Beauty Products

Because "vegan" isn't a legally regulated term in cosmetics (anyone can put it on a label), certifications from independent organizations carry real weight. Here are the most recognized:

The Vegan Society Trademark: One of the oldest and most rigorous vegan certifications. Requires that no animal products, by-products, or derivatives are used in the product or its manufacturing.

PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies: Certifies both vegan and cruelty-free status. Companies must sign a statement of assurance and are subject to verification.

Leaping Bunny: Primarily a cruelty-free certification, but many Leaping Bunny-certified brands are also vegan. Requires a supply chain audit.

COSMOS certification: While COSMOS (administered by ECOCERT and other bodies) focuses on natural and organic standards, its requirements inherently exclude many animal-derived ingredients. COSMOS-certified products must meet strict standards for natural origin ingredients, environmental impact, and prohibited substances. You can read more about what COSMOS Natural certification means and the rigorous standards behind it.

When a product carries multiple certifications — say, COSMOS Natural certified and vegan — you can be reasonably confident that the claims are genuine and independently verified.

Glaciara's Approach to Vegan Skincare

Every Glaciara product is both vegan and cruelty-free. This wasn't an afterthought or a marketing decision — it was a foundational principle from the beginning of the formulation process.

All five products in the range — from the Cleansing Foam through to the Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser — are formulated entirely without animal-derived ingredients. They're also COSMOS Natural certified, which means every ingredient meets strict standards for natural origin, and the formulations are free from parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrances, and other substances that don't meet the COSMOS benchmark.

Being manufactured in Latvia means the products are also subject to the EU Cosmetics Regulation, which maintains its own ban on animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients — a legal requirement, not just a brand choice.

We believe that effective skincare and ethical skincare aren't competing priorities. They're the same thing, done well.

Making Informed Choices

Switching to vegan skincare doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing overhaul. A practical approach is to replace products as you finish them, choosing vegan alternatives one at a time. Start with the products you use most — like your cleanser and moisturizer — and build from there.

Look for certifications rather than relying on front-of-pack claims. Check ingredient lists when you can, and don't hesitate to contact brands directly if something isn't clear. The brands worth supporting are the ones that are happy to answer those questions transparently.

If you're looking for a routine that's vegan from the first step to the last, our complete routine guide shows how five simple products can cover everything your skin needs — morning and evening — without compromise.