In the world of cosmetics, there’s one major debate that seems to cause confusion more than any other: what is the difference between vegan and organic makeup?
It’s hardly surprising that many people are confused – these are two terms that are often used interchangeably.
However, these two types of cosmetics have some major differences in terms of their composition, meaning it’s time for us to find out what exactly sets them apart!
Difference Between Vegan and Organic Makeup
The two terms are often confused even though they have different meanings.
Vegan means that the makeup does not contain animal ingredients.
The term “vegan” itself is a regulated term and manufacturers may not use it for their products if they do not meet the requirements for vegan.
Vegan makeup brands must ensure that all of the ingredients in their products do not come from animals, so no animal-derived dyes, oils, or other ingredients are used to make vegan makeup.
Also, a manufacturer making vegan makeup must ensure that all of its ingredients are also sourced from suppliers who do not test on animals.
Organic makeup has nothing to do with being free of animal testing or free of animal byproducts.
Organic refers to how the ingredients in the products were grown and processed, using only permitted methods.
It is important to note here that organic is not a regulated term, which means any manufacturer can make an organic claim without getting certified by any third-party organization or without following certain standards set out by a regulatory body like USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).
Vegan makeup doesn’t contain ingredients that come from animals
In addition to being cruelty-free, vegan products do not contain ingredients that are derived from animals. Vegan makeup doesn’t contain lanolin (an oil in sheep’s wool), keratin (a protein from the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair of different animals), or gelatin (derived from boiling animal skin, connective tissue, and bones).
And finally, vegan makeup does not contain beeswax.
But vegan cosmetics can also mean more than just a lack of animal products: some vegans choose to avoid using synthetically produced ingredients such as petroleum byproducts and artificial dyes.
Organic makeup doesn’t contain pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals
If you’re looking for safer makeup, organic is the way to go. Organic makeup ingredients are free from synthetic and artificial substances and contains no pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and other chemicals.
While “natural” products sound like a good idea, remember that any time you see this label on cosmetics, it does not guarantee that the product is free from harmful chemicals.
The term “natural” is often used as a marketing ploy to attract consumers looking for safe beauty products (without any real proof), so pay close attention to the actual ingredient list to make sure your makeup isn’t loaded with additives or preservatives.
Organic products are more eco-friendly
There are many natural products out there, but organic goes a step further.
Organic makeup is grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
These chemicals all seep into the soil and can cause water contamination and end up in drinking water. They can also harm local wildlife, pollinators, groundwater, and soil.
By using organic makeup, you’re making a conscious decision to not use toxic chemicals that hurt the environment around you.
Organic products are generally gentler on skin
Organically derived ingredients are generally gentler on our skin, so it’s easier to avoid irritants and harsh chemicals. The fewer unnecessary ingredients in a formula, the less likely you will be to react to them.
In general, a good organic product is one that is pH balanced and made of natural ingredients that have not been tested on animals or genetically modified.
These products are often labeled as “organic” with additional labels from specific countries or institutions, such as the USDA Organic label that guarantees the product is at least 95% organic.
What about vegan cosmetics? Companies making vegan cosmetics must adhere to strict guidelines before they can proudly display their products with a PETA “cruelty-free” logo and/or Vegan Action logo.
For example, companies must guarantee that no animal testing was used during any stage of product development by their company.
They are also required to certify that neither the final product nor its ingredients were tested on animals by any other company or individual within the past five years.
Organic makeup is not necessarily cruelty-free, while vegan makeup is cruelty-free
If you’re learning about vegan and organic makeup for the first time, it can be confusing to differentiate the two. It’s easy to see why they might seem similar: after all, they both exclude questionable ingredients in beauty products.
But the truth is that there are some major differences between vegan and organic makeup, so it’s important to know what exactly these terms mean before you go on a shopping spree.
The biggest difference between vegan and organic makeup is this: while organic makeup doesn’t contain animal products, it may have been tested on animals.
Organic and cruelty-free aren’t synonymous; crueltly-free makeup by definition cannot have caused any harm to an animal during its production process (this includes testing).
However, that doesn’t mean that all vegan products are also cruelty-free; it just means that all cruelty-free products are vegan.
That said, you can find vegan makeup that is also organic—you just have to look a little closer at the labels (and maybe dig around online).
Vegan makeup is 100% natural
In order to be completely vegan, makeup must be 100% natural. Natural makeup is made with ingredients that are minimally processed or unprocessed.
This means that there are no added preservatives and fragrances that may cause irritation to the skin.
With fewer additives, vegan makeup tends to flatter a wider range of skin types and can be very beneficial to sensitive skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
Vegan makeup excludes any animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, carmine (red pigment from crushed insects), gelatin (animal bones & cartilage), lanolin (from sheep’s wool) and more.
Vegan makeup is better for you and the environment
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, vegan refers to products that are made without any animal products or by-products (basically anything derived from animals, like carmine).
Some common ingredients found in makeup are beeswax, honey, gelatin, lanolin, and collagen—all of which come from animals.
Vegan makeup is also cruelty-free—meaning it has not been tested on animals.
Veganism is a lifestyle choice that aims to eliminate all animal suffering and cruelty as much as possible.
While organic beauty products are formulated without toxic chemicals like parabens and phthalates, they can still include some animal ingredients.
What Products Are Considered Vegan Cosmetics?
There are more and more vegan cosmetic products on the market today. If you have been confused about which products are considered vegan, this section should be able to help clarify the issue for you.
But first, let’s talk about what “vegan” means.
Basically, it means that a product does not contain any animal by-products. Some examples of animal by-products commonly used in cosmetics include bee pollen, beeswax, and carmine (a red colorant made from crushed cochineal beetles).
Vegan cosmetics are also cruelty-free (i.e., they weren’t tested on animals). And they’re made with 100% natural ingredients—no synthetic materials or petroleum derivatives here!
Are Vegan Makeup Brands Always Organic Too?
It’s important to note that vegan and organic are not synonymous terms.
In fact, just because a beauty product is labeled as “organic” doesn’t mean that it’s also vegan.
And most of the time, when a company makes an organic product, they will also make it vegan (although there are some exceptions).
Vegan makeup products can be made with synthetic ingredients or sourced from animal-derived substances, but organic makeup (which has been made without using any chemicals or preservatives) must be derived from natural ingredients—and therefore can be considered vegan.
However, even when a product is both vegan and organic, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should go out and buy it right away.
You should also read the ingredient list to make sure that you’re not allergic to any of them.
What Are Some Non-vegan Ingredients to Look Out for in Makeup?
- Beeswax
- Carmines
- Lanolin
- Collagen
- Gelatin
- Retinol (vitamin A)
- Honey
- Shellac
- Keratin
- Whey
Is Vegan Makeup More Expensive Than Organic Makeup?
The truth is, there is no standard price difference between vegan makeup and organic makeup. The price of makeup products varies from brand to brand, so you will have to compare prices yourself.
However, you can be sure that both types of makeup will cost more than non-organic or non-vegan brands.
This is because the materials used in non-organic and non-vegan products are cheaper to manufacture.
In addition, the manufacturing process for these products is less labor-intensive, which means they are cheaper to produce overall.
However, once you factor in the benefits that wearing vegan and/or organic makeup provides—including a smaller carbon footprint, less animal cruelty, and better health—the extra costs may be worth it in your opinion.
Should You Choose Organic or Vegan Makeup?
The question of whether vegan or organic makeup is more important to you is a personal choice.
Vegan makeup does not use any animal ingredients, whereas organic makeup does not use any chemical elements.
The choice will depend on your skin type and the problems you are trying to solve by using cosmetics.
Benefits of choosing vegan makeup
- No animal testing involved during product development
- No animal products are used in the production process
- Better for sensitive skin as no harsh chemicals are involved in the production process
Benefits of choosing organic makeup
- Contains minerals that are naturally good for your skin such as zinc and sulfur which fight bacteria and help keep the skin clean and clear.
- These minerals also help to balance your body’s pH levels which can be disrupted due to stress, illness, or diet changes (this is why it’s so important that if you do choose both vegan & organic makeup, you make sure your products don’t also have too much of these beneficial but potentially harmful ingredients).
Final Thoughts
It’s important to be informed about what goes into the makeup you use—and if you’re vegan, using organic ingredients can be particularly advantageous.
Organic makeup is more environmentally friendly because it creates less waste, and it contains fewer harmful chemicals than other types of makeup.
