Probably. The vast majority of cosmetic ingredients are not derived from animal sources. If the vegan-ness of the cosmetics you use is important to you, it is essential that you research ingredients and know what is vegan and what isn’t. The Humblebee & Me DIY Encyclopedia is a good place to start!
These are the most commonly used non-vegan cosmetic ingredients:
- Beeswax and other bee products (royal jelly, propolis, pollen, honey)
- Tallow & lard (usually only used in soap)
- Hydrolyzed silk and other forms of silk, like Tussah silk
- Pearl powder, hydrolyzed or not
- Carmine
- Lanolin
- Animal milks and milk powders (not terribly common outside soap)
- N-Acetyl Glucosamine (can be made from shells; check with your supplier)
- Snail mucin
If you have doubts or further curiosities, please do your own research. I’ve written two massive articles to get you started: Part 1 & Part 2. A simple “is X vegan?” Google search will usually answer your question, though.
Looking for substitutions? Click the links above to view the Humblebee & Me DIY Encyclopedia entries for each ingredient; those entries always include substitution information! Also, read this.
Posted in: Ingredients
