DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VEGAN AND CRUELTY FREE COSMETICS

We open melon, vegan cosmetics and cruelty-free cosmetics do not mean the same. There is a bit of confusion between the two labels, as one might think that if a product is Vegan, it is automatically cruelty-free and vice versa, and this is not exactly the case.

A Vegan cosmetic could have been tested on animals, and a cruelty-free cosmetic could contain ingredients of animal origin.

To help you choose products that will be part of your routine and daily life with information, in this article we will explain the difference between vegan cosmetics and cruelty-free.

What is Cruelty Free Cosmetics?

We refer to cosmetics cruelty-free when neither the products nor the ingredients they contain have been tested on animals.

If you were unaware of this practice, we tell you that many cosmetic brands use rabbits, mice, and monkeys to test their products and determine their results or effectiveness. This is considered an act of animal cruelty.

Therefore, cruelty-free cosmetics are based on the principle that no animal should be tortured in the manufacturing process of any product.

What is Vegan Cosmetics?

A cosmetic is considered Vegan when it does not contain any ingredients of animal origin or derivatives.

An example of an ingredient not considered Vegan could be collagen or gelatin, a protein that is usually obtained from the bones and cartilages of animals. Other animal-origin ingredients used in cosmetics are milk, honey, or lactic acid.

How to know if a product is Vegan and Cruelty Free?

In the European Union, since 2013 there is a community law that prohibits the sale of products and the use of ingredients tested on animals.

Therefore, if a cosmetic has been manufactured in Europe, we know that it is unlikely to have been tested on animals, although it is not a 100% guarantee, as many laboratories outsource this practice to avoid responsibilities.

In countries like the United States, animal testing is not mandatory but allowed. In others like China, it is mandatory to test on animals to market the products in the country.

A piece of good news is that since May 1, 2021, the so-called "general cosmetics" like soaps, toothpaste, or gels imported to China are exempt from animal testing. Brands must provide GMP certificates and a safety assessment of the products.


Documentary “Save Ralph - Human Society International”

To be clearer if a product is cruelty-free and Vegan, there are certifications that guarantee that companies do not test on animals and do not use animal-derived ingredients.

But sometimes it can be a bit difficult to find the labeling, so we recommend applications like INCI Beauty where you can scan the products you are going to use and the application rates them based on whether their components are acceptable or not.

Certifications and guarantee seals Cruelty Free

PETA Cruelty-free

This certificate is the least demanding for companies. To be able to use this certificate on their products, companies pay a fixed amount and sign a declaration in which they agree not to conduct animal testing.

Companies are not subject to independent audits, so even if they pay and sign this document, there is no guarantee that they will comply with what they promise.

Leaping Bunny 

Internationally recognized program. To obtain this certificate, companies commit not to test on animals, but unlike the PETA Certificate cruelty-free, these companies have to renew their seal annually and be subjected to independent audits that verify that everything is carried out honestly.

Choose Cruelty free (CCF)

This seal is not as well known in Europe, but it is in Australia and is as demanding as Leaping Bunny. Among its requirements to obtain the certificate, it stands out that both the company applying for the certificate and the rest of the subsidiaries must be certified as cruelty-free.

The accreditation is regularly verified to ensure that the requirements are met.

Vegan Guarantee Certifications

V-Label

It is the most used certification in Europe and the most well-known. It guarantees that the product is Vegan and not tested on animals.


This certificate applies to cosmetics and food.

The Vegan Society

Just like the previous one certifies that both cosmetic and food products do not contain ingredients of animal origin.

Vegan and Cruelty Free Certified Cosmetics

To ensure that practices such as testing products on animals or using animal-derived ingredients cease, it is important not to collaborate with companies that carry out these actions.

There is an increasing variety of vegan and cruelty-free products available, giving us as consumers a wide range to choose from and be respectful towards animals.

Every small action brings us closer to a lifestyle where the care of our planet and all the beings that are essential for life is prioritized.

The brands found in the store of All Yours are characterized by being natural, cruelty-free and vegan.

We could talk about all of them but to get you started on your research, we recommend 3 that are benchmarks:

Baiobay: clean beauty cosmetics, vegan, cruelty-free and certified by Cosmos and Ecocert. Their product range revolves around Coconut, moisturizing and 100% natural.

On the Wild Side: vegan, cruelty-free and 100% natural. They are characterized by using wild plants in their formulations.

Merme Berlin: vegan and cruelty-free, this brand uses 100% products, without chemicals or synthetics. Their philosophy is based on "minimalism in a bottle".