Best Vegan Makeup

Is all makeup vegan?

No, not all makeup is vegan. Most makeup brands contain animal ingredients whether due to ease of sourcing, price, and functionality some animal-derived ingredients can provide. On top of that, many companies still rely on animal testing, which is a separate but related issue to vegan status (more on that soon).

What is vegan makeup made of?

Vegan cosmetics are made without ingredients of animal origin. This can include--but is not limited to--beeswax, lanolin, honey, collagen, and more. Such ingredients in vegan cosmetics are substituted with materials derived from plants or minerals that meet similar goals within the formula. For example, if beeswax was used as an emulsifier and binding agent, a vegan replacement needs to fulfill that role in the formula. In the natural and mineral makeup world, we observe that arguably the most typical non-vegan ingredient seen in natural and organic cosmetics is beeswax. Carmine still pops up in many mineral formulas, but Heal Yes! is always carmine-free!

The actual composition of a vegan cosmetic formula can vary greatly from one formula to another and from one company to another. Avoiding animal-derived ingredients is a choice vegans make, but that does not mean every formula that is 'vegan' is inherently good; such formulas can still have genetically modified ingredients; contain controversial nanoparticles and heavy metals; have stability issues; and much, much more. Just because something is vegan does not make it inherently a clean formula. Much depends on the ingredients used, their sources, manufacturing process, the company producing the product, and so forth. Which leads us to the next common question:

Is vegan makeup good for skin?

As per above, just because something is 'vegan' doesn't ascertain that it's a pure, clean formula; from a reputable company; that it functional well, and so forth. Thoughtfully formulated products with carefully sourced ingredients supported by research backing, put forth by a reputable company, help enhance the likeliness that a specific vegan formula is also 'good' for your skin and that it will perform well.

Note: Sensitivities and allergies are another issue ...

... Just because a formula appears good and clean does not mean everyone will react well to it; we can all have very specific, sometimes surprising allergies and sensitivities. In other words, anyone can react to nearly anything, and not every credible vegan formula is going to be automatically good for every person's skin. We are all individual cases.

What makes the best vegan mascara or vegan cosmetic product?

The product still needs to do what it says and perform.

Additionally, the product ingredients must be fully disclosed.

The product itself, from the source to the finished formula, should be certified cruelty-free. This leads to our next important fact:

Vegan does not necessarily mean cruelty-free, and cruelty-free certainly does not inherently mean vegan.

What’s the Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan Cosmetics?

First, let's be sure both definitions are clear!

Vegan cosmetics are those that do not utilize animal products, animal-derived ingredients, or any such traces thereof.

What are cruelty-free cosmetics?
For a product to be cruelty-free, absolutely no form of animal testing can occur at any point in the creation of the products, from sourcing to final production.

A product can be cruelty-free and not be vegan.

Careful with cruelty-free claims: Are the raw ingredients without animal-testing?

Companies might claim 'no animal testing' and are referring to their finished products. However, what about the individual ingredients comprising those formulas? Had those raw ingredients been tested on animals by a third-party? Many companies simply do not know or dig that deep into their ingredient sourcing. It's germane they get some written validation if not certification from each supplier of raw ingredients, not just manufactured, completed formulas, that no animal-testing occurs.

Products that are not tested on animals are not necessarily vegan. Commonly used ingredients include honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, gelatin, etc. If you wish to avoid these ingredients, then buying vegan products would be a good course of action for you to take.

So very many of Heal Yes! formulas (and all our makeup brushes!) are vegan AND all are cruelty-free! Consider these top-sellers to start: