Vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics: what do they mean

Vegan and cruelty-free are not the same thing: "vegan" means that the product does not contain ingredients of animal origin, such as beeswax, lanolin or carmine; "cruelty-free" means that the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals. A product can be one, the other, or both.

Animal testing

In the European Union, animal testing for cosmetics is banned, as is the sale of animal-tested cosmetics in Europe. "Cruelty-free" also takes into account markets outside Europe and ingredient suppliers: this is why some brands state it explicitly.

How to identify them

• The manufacturer's claims on the packaging or product sheet.
• Certification symbols, where available.
• For vegan products, the INCI: see how to read the INCI.

Brands that state it

• Jane Iredale states that many of its products are cruelty-free and vegan: we talk about it in Jane Iredale.
• Insium states that many of its products are vegan: see Insium.
• Darling, for sunscreens, and Fugazzi, for shower gels, state that their formulas are vegan.
• Among perfumes, LaSerra states that Compulsive Musk is cruelty-free.

The claims are those listed on each product sheet: if it is important to you, check them there, or ask us in the boutique.

Frequently asked questions

Does vegan also mean cruelty-free?

No. Vegan refers to ingredients, cruelty-free to animal testing. They are two different claims.

Do perfumes contain animal ingredients?

Today, almost always no: animal notes are recreated in the laboratory. See animal notes.