Introduction
The vegan vs cruelty free skincare differences is a question many people have, while some think that the two are inter changeable. It is true the two can go hand in hand and it is always best to use products that are both, there are definite differences between vegan and cruelty free.
What are vegan skin care products?
The definition of vegan products is those that do not contain any animal derived ingredients or any animal by-products. With vegan products the focus is on the ingredients rather than the production process. Technically products that are tested on animals can still be vegan as long as their ingredients do not contain any animal products. For instance a products such as a lip balm or lipstick may following vegan requirements by not including honey beeswax, but the product might still be tested on animals, which means it is not cruelty free.
What are the benefits of vegan skin care products?
Vegan cosmetic products contain mostly natural plant based ingredients with next to no questionable ingredients. It is better for our skin because our bodies tend to process natural ingredients better which is why people who do not follow a vegan lifestyle still choose vegan cosmetics as a safer and better option. Especially if you have sensitive skin, vegan beauty products are a wonderful alternative to products that contain harmful chemicals. You will find that generally vegan products come in environmentally friendly packaging, which makes it good for you, good for animals and good for the planet.
What are cruelty free skin care products?
A product labelled as cruelty free indicates that it has not been tested on lab animals. It means the manufacturers have made a conscious decision not to test their products on animals, despite it being a requirement in certain global markets such as China. Some cruelty free brands even take the extra precaution to ensure that their products do not use ingredients that have undergone animal testing, yet sometimes their ingredients can contain animal by-products.
Thousands of animals globally are used daily for testing and kept in tiny cages. Many animals are maimed, blinded and even killed due to testing.
What are the benefits of cruelty free skin care products?
The benefits to cruelty free beauty are many and is why more consumers are making the switch. As said it is more humane, and conscious consumers of today take pride in knowing they are not contributing to the harm of animals. Thanks to the leaps and bounds make in our modern knowledge animal testing is no longer really necessary with many successfully alternatives available such as the in vitro testing that tests on tissues or human cells in a dish. This is constantly being developed and is proving to be cheaper, quicker and accurate.
Cruelty free products also use more natural and organic ingredients which are toxin free and overall better for your skin and you. There are next to no adverse side effects when using cruelty free cosmetic products, which is why they are suitable for all skin types.
Benefits include the fact that products that are not tested on animals are eco-friendly as they do not contribute to the carbon emissions from testing labs and are sustainable with no harsh chemicals. Best of all cruelty free products are affordable which makes it even easier to make the ethical switch to clean beauty.
Are the terms vegan and cruelty free interchangeable?
The two terms are not interchangeable for the reasons described above. Though many still assume that the two terms mean the same thing, unfortunately there are no regulations in the beauty industry to ensure that one necessarily goes with the other. A product can be cruelty free but have animal products in their ingredients list and similarly some vegan products can undergo animal testing.
Yet both types of cosmetic products are doing their part towards more ethical and sustainable products and many companies today are striving to be both vegan and cruelty free.
Vegan vs Cruelty free skin care
Actually while there are basic differences vegan and cruelty are both ultimately better options than other normal cosmetic brands that are neither. Both strive to be ethical and do their part to lessen their impact on the planet.
Vegan products will contain absolutely no ingredients derived from animals or any animal products and instead mostly contained natural and plant based ingredients. Cruelty free products can contain even small amounts of animal products or by products, though not tested on animals.
Both are beneficial for the skin as they contain more natural ingredients than chemicals, toxins and other nasties.
Some cosmetics with vegan ingredients can undergo animal testing if that brand is sold in a market where animal testing is mandatory. More and more brands though are moving to alternative means of testing cosmetics which do not harm animals at all.
Conclusion
If you are thinking of making the switch but are not sure how to start there are many reliable resources you can consult to make sure you are making the right choice. Leaping Bunny, the Vegan Society and PETA all have stringent regulations a brand has to pass in order to be endorsed by them, so you can be assured a brand with their logo or logos is safe option. Now that you know the difference between vegan and cruelty free you can make an informed choice when selecting new cosmetic products and preferably make the choice towards brands that are both.
