The beauty world loves a buzzword, and vegan is one that's popping up on more and more makeup products.
But what is vegan makeup, exactly?
There's a lot of confusion around the term, and for good reason. It's not as regulated as it should be, which is why it's important to learn how to decode labels. That's where the experts at INIKA Organic come in. Here, we explain the benefits of using vegan makeup, and how to choose the best possible products for your skin.
What makes makeup vegan?
Vegan makeup does not contain any animal products, by-products or derivatives.
To dive deeper, this category excludes common ingredients like:
- Beeswax
- Honey
- Lanolin
- Carmine
- Shellac
- Keratin
- Squalene
- Hydrolysed Silk
These ingredients are sourced from living animals and don't necessarily harm them, they're still animal-derived ingredients at the end of the day. And the reason why many commercial brands use animal products is because they're cheaper and easier to source.
That's why vegan brands stand out in the saturated makeup market. Sourcing and manufacturing vegan products is a much more complicated process, and it really represents a brand's ethos. Read more about our ingredient promise and ingredient glossary.
Is vegan makeup cruelty-free?
When a product is labelled as vegan, this describes its ingredients - not its manufacturing process. If a brand doesn't test on animals, that means it's cruelty-free. At INIKA Organic, we don't use any ingredients sourced from animals or test our products on animals, so we're both vegan and cruelty-free.
What's the difference between vegan and vegetarian makeup?
Like vegan makeup, vegetarian cosmetics avoid all ingredients that were once part of an animal - but they might contain ingredients that were made by an animal. This includes beeswax, honey and albumen (eg. egg whites).
The major benefits of using vegan makeup
Thinking of making the switch to vegan makeup? Here are some of the many reasons to use vegan makeup:
It's gentle on your skin
Vegan makeup contains natural ingredients that work with your skin, not against it - making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or irritating skin conditions, like rosacea.
It's eco-friendly
This one's obvious, but vegan makeup is a much better choice for the environment. When you apply your makeup, you can rest easy knowing you're doing your bit to support animal welfare.
It's usually gluten-free, too
Many vegan makeup products are also gluten-free, which is a huge perk for people who suffer from celiac disease and other inflammatory skin conditions.
It makes you a more conscious consumer
Vegan makeup and recyclable, biodegradable and non-toxic packaging tend to go hand-in-hand. By choosing a vegan brand, you're not only striving to live a more sustainable lifestyle, but you're also taking steps to become a more conscious consumer.
It's just as effective as its conventional counterparts
The cosmetics industry is incredibly innovative, and the best brands source ingredients that are just as high-performing. For example, at INIKA Organic, we use vegan makeup ingredients like Shea Butter to make our Certified Organic Vegan Lipstick. Traditional brands tend to use Lanolin, an ingredient that's derived from sheep wool, to get that creamy, moisturising texture.
Why vegan certifications are so important
This is where it gets tricky. Cosmetics companies can claim they're vegan on the label - but these labels aren't regulated. To make sure you're buying an authentic product, look for brands that back up their claim with accreditations from respected organisations, like The Vegan Society. If a brand has an accreditation, they'll slap the official vegan logo on the packaging.
At INIKA Organic, we're proud to carry these certifications on our product line:
Vegan Society UK
INIKA holds one of the world's most prestigious vegan certifications from the Vegan Society UK. It's a guarantee that our products don't include any animal products, by-products or derivatives.
Choose Cruelty-Free Australia
This accreditation confirms that our products have not - and will not - ever be tested on animals, or contain ingredients sourced as a result of animal cruelty.
Organic Food Chain Australia
INIKA is certified by the Organic Food Chain (OFC), which means all our products are made up of more than 70% organic ingredients.
Organic Cosmetic Italy
Our eye, brow and lip pencils meet strict manufacturing guidelines set by Italy's main certifying organic cosmetic body.
AFIC Halal Authority
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) has validated our products as vegan and alcohol-free, and therefore certified Halal.
Why it's essential to choose organic products, too
Vegan products don't always have clean, green or all-natural ingredients lists. For instance, some vegan cosmetics companies add synthetic chemicals to their products. It's similar to vegan food. While it has healthy' connotations, a lot of vegan food is highly processed and very difficult for the body to break down.
For healthy skin, go for brands that are both vegan and organic. By doing this, you'll know that you're only applying safe, toxin-free and plant-based products to your skin.
Stock up on the best vegan makeup. By now, you should be ready to make the switch to vegan makeup - for the sake of your skin and the environment. For a much cleaner' makeup collection, shop our range of vegan and organic makeup.