Vegan Versus Cruelty-Free Beauty: What's The Difference On Your Labels?

While decoding your ingredient labels, you might zero in on the more unfamiliar players (what is cetearyl alcohol, again?). But sometimes the more common phrases warrant some attention, as even the buzziest of catchwords can cause some confusion. The FDA doesn't regulate many commonly used terms (like natural and hypoallergenic), so it only makes sense there would be some unclear definitions among the clean beauty community. 

Vegan beauty products don't contain any animal-derived ingredients. You may find many vegan brands are marketed as "cruelty-free" as well, but the stand-alone "vegan" refers only to the product's actual makeup. That said, just because it doesn't contain any animal ingredients doesn't mean the formula isn't tested on animals themselves. 

Let's talk ingredients for a moment: Sure, you may know that a collagen-infused product includes animal proteins, but there are a few common players you might not realize are animal-derived. Take honey, for example: This superstar ingredient is great for easing inflammation and controlling breakouts, but those committing to a vegan lifestyle may want to steer clear of the bee sap.

Cruelty-free, on the other hand, refers to products that do not undergo animal testing. Those products may have animal-derived ingredients (like honey, beeswax, and the like), but the testing process itself doesn't include animals. 

But it's still important to mind the details, here: A product labeled "cruelty-free" might refer only to the finished product itself, not the accompanying ingredients. (Again, labels can be tricky.)

While browsing for beauty, keep in mind that "vegan" and "cruelty-free" are not interchangeable, even if they are often seen side-by-side. That's not to say you can't have products free of animal testing and animal-derived ingredients—just make sure to seek both phrases on the label.