Here is a quick list of some animal
products that are commonly found in
make up and beauty products on the high
street, plus a few suggestions on how
you can easily source cruelty-free, vegan
alternatives:
- Animal Hair
Used for false eyelashes and cosmetics
brushes. Often made from mink, fox, sable,
horse, goat and even squirrel.
VEGAN ALTERNATIVES: Many high quality
synthetic options are available. - Carmine (aka Cochineal,
Crimson lake, Natural Red 4, C.I.
75470, or E120).
This red dye is commonly found in lipsticks,
blushers and nail polish. Sourced from
crushed cochineal insects by extracting the
colour from its body and eggs. Reportedly
over 70,000 insects are killed to produce
just 500g of dye. - Collagen and Elastin
Found in creams, lotions and lipstick for
its plumping effect, collagen and elastin
are proteins extracted from dead animals.
Collagen is made by cooking their bones,
connective tissue and skin. Elastin is found
in the muscles, neck ligaments and aortas
of cows.
VEGAN ALTERNATIVES: Hyaluronic
acid and MSM are naturally derived skin
plumpers. - Glycerine
One of the most commonly used
ingredients in cosmetics. Found in
moisturisers, cleansing products, hair care,
cosmetics and soaps. Often from animal
fats it is a by-product of soap manufacture.
VEGAN ALTERNATIVES: Vegetable
glycerin. Find a palm oil free alternative.
PHB uses vegetable glycerin derived from
organic coconut oil or soya. - Guanine
Used in eyeshadow, nail polish and blusher
to create sparkles. Guanine is made by
scraping the scales off dead fish. - Lanolin
Found in moisturisers, lotions and lip
balms. Especially prevalent in dry skin and
eczema products. Lanolin is fat derived
from the grease in sheep hair. Can be
obtained from both living and slaughtered
sheep and is a by-product of the horrific
wool industry.
7. Keratin
A current favourite in many hair and nail
care products. It comes from the hair, nails
and horns of animals.
VEGAN ALTERNATIVES: Almond oil and
soy protein.
8. Squaline
Found in many cosmetics including
deodorants, lip balm, lipstick, moisturisers
and sun tan lotions. Often used for its
anti-oxidant rich emollient properties.
Obtained by squeezing the oil from the
liver of a shark often via the cruel practice
of ‘liver-ing’. This is a process fishermen
use to expedite collection by removing the
liver and throwing the injured shark back
to the waters still alive and suffering.
Some sharks that produce squalene are
at risk of extinction in only a few years
time due to the high consumer demand
for this product.
VEGAN ALTERNATIVES: Vegetable
derived sources of squalene from olive oil,
rice bran and wheat germ.- Shellac
Used for nails and in hair lacquers. A
resinous excretion obtained from the lac
bug of India and Thailand. It’s estimated
that anywhere between 50,000-300,000
lac bugs are required to make just 1kg
of shellac. - Stearic Acid
A very common ingredient found
in cosmetics, soaps, hair products,
deodorants and creams. It most often
refers to fats taken from the stomach of
pigs. Can also be obtained from cows and
sheep. It can be quite harsh and irritating
to the skin.
VEGAN ALTERNATIVES: Stearic acid can
be derived from vegetable fats. Find a palm
oil free alternative such as organic coconut
oil or soya.
Rose Brown is the founder
of PHB Ethical Beauty, which
is on a mission to change
the way people think about
their beauty product choices.
The company’s range is the
largest collection of natural,
100% vegan and cruelty free
beauty products available
anywhere in the world. Visit:
phbethicalbeauty.co.uk