Vegan & Cruelty Free
Our founder, Lisa and her rescue cat Jarrow
All companies whose products are sold on The Ethical Shopper are 100% vegan and cruelty free. This means that none of their products or brands contain anything that is derived from an animal, insect, bird, or fish. It also means that none of their products or brands are tested on any animal (except voluntary humans), insect, bird or fish.
Some animal-based ingredients typically found in beauty, personal care, or home care products that do not meet our definition of "vegan" and that are not found in the products we sell are listed below. Instead, the products we sell use plant-based alternatives. These plant-based alternatives provide the same benefits without harming any animal, insect, bird, or fish.
Animal based collagen: Protein taken from bones, cartilage, tendons and other connective tissues, generally from cows or fish. Can be used in skin products to reduce wrinkles and make skin firmer and in hair products for strength and growth.
Animal based elastin: A protein extracted from the aorta or vertebrae of cows. Can be used to hydrate skin.
Animal based glycerin: A type of sugar alcohol compound made from animal fats. Can be used in soaps, toothpaste, shaving cream, skin, and hair care products to provide smoothness and hydration and to increase product shelf life.
Animal based keratin: Often comes from ground up animal parts including fur, feathers, hooves, wool, and horns. It also exists in human hair, nails and skin. Can be used in skin and hair care products to increase strength, elasticity, and growth.
Animal based lactic acid: An organic acid in muscle tissue and derived from milk. Can be used in skin care as an exfoliant and to reduce wrinkles and in haircare to hydrate, cleanse and promote growth.
Animal based oleic acid: Mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in various animal fats. Can be used in skincare and cosmetics for moisturizing and anti-aging, in cleaning products to remove stains, and in hair care products to moisturize, strength and reduce hair loss.
Animal based retinol: Derived from vitamin A found in beef, chicken liver, eggs, and fish. Can be used in skin creams, lotions and serums to address aging and acne issues.
Animal based Squalene: An oil compound found in most plants, fungi, and animals. It is often obtained from sharks. Can be used in moisturizing creams, foundations and other cosmetics for hydration and anti-aging.
Animal Based Stearic Acid: A saturated fatty acid found in animal fat. Can be used in cosmetics, detergents, and soaps and as an emulsifier and thickener.
Bees wax: A natural wax produced by honey bees. Can be used in skincare and cosmetics for hydration, softening, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Carmine: A dye from the shells of the female Coccus Cacti insect. Can be used in cosmetics to add color to lipstick, blush, eye shadow and nail polish.
Casein: A protein found in milk that makes it white. Can be used in cosmetics as an emulsifier and conditioner and in hair care products to reduce static and as a conditioner.
Egg whites: Mainly from chickens, formed from the hen's oviduct during the passage of the egg. Can be used in cosmetics and skincare as an astringent to firm skin and reduce pores and in haircare to reduce oil.
Guanine: A crystalline material from fish scales. Can be used to provide shine to cosmetics, hair care and skin care products.
Honey: Produced by bees by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of plants or other insects. Can be used in cosmetics, hair care, and skin care as a moisturizer and to add shine.
Lanolin: A wax from the sebaceous glands of sheep. Can be used in cosmetics, personal care and skin care products as a moisturizer and emulsifier for skin, hair and nails.
Shellac: A refined resin from lac insects. Can be used to add shine, as an emulsifier and/or as a binding agent in nail polish, cosmetics, and hair care products.
Silk powder: A processed powder from the cocoons of silkworms. Can be used as a moisturizer and to reduce fine lines in cosmetics, hair care and skincare.
Squalene: An oil compound found in most plants, fungi, and animals. It is often obtained from sharks.
Stearic acid: A saturated monobasic acid with 18 carbon-chain lengths. It is synthesized by the hydrolysis of animal fat.
Tallow: Fat from animals. Can be used in cosmetics, skincare and hair care as a moisturizer and anti-inflammatory aid.
The information provided herein was obtained through our own research using various publicly available sources as well as communications with manufacturers. While we believe it to be correct, we are animal lovers and not scientists or medical professionals and cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. If customers have medical or other conditions that can be adversely impacted by the products sold on this site or other concerns, please consult with medical professionals or other sources prior to using them and do not rely on the information on this site.
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Cruelty Free
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Vegan
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Sulfate Free
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Formaldehyde Free
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Paraben Free