7 Common Animal Ingredients Used in Cosmetics

Everybody wants to look great. Both men and women these days are taking extra care of their appearance. This obsession with looking perfect has given a rise to the cosmetic industry. The consumption of cosmetic products has risen significantly. Because of this boost, companies have begun developing the best-in-class cosmetic products for their customers.

But all these advancements in the cosmetic industry have impacted the lives of those who follow a vegan lifestyle. You might be wondering how this is. The simple answer is that animal ingredients are used in making these cosmetics. 

It is easy to identify all animal-based food products. But when it comes to cosmetics and all of its ingredients, you are never sure about its source. For a vegan consumer, natural skincare products are important. Even those who are against animal violence but aren’t vegan, it is still important information. 

The following is the list of commonly used animal ingredients present in cosmetics that you want to know along with some vegan skincare alternatives.

• Bee Products

Bee products have been used for centuries. At first, the bee’s honeycomb was destroyed for its honey. But now the researchers have found several uses of bee products in the field of cosmetics. The most commonly used bee products in cosmetics are beeswax, honey, royal jelly, and propolis. These products are used extensively as an ingredient in making face creams, shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants, lotions and mascara. 

There are several options for vegan alternatives. For example, vegetable glycerin for honey and candelilla wax for beeswax are great choices.  

• Animal Fats and Oils

Animal fats and oils are extensively used in almost all moisturisers, night creams, and lotions. The oils present in them nourish and condition the skin. Also, the skin of both animals and humans are protected by naturally produced oils. But to obtain animal oils and fat, their vital organs and skin are harvested. Here are some animal fats and oils used in cosmetic products. 

• Squalene, a widely used ingredient in hair dyes, cosmetics, and moisturisers; is derived from shark liver. Its alternatives can be olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, etc.
• Lanolin is extracted from sheep’s wool and is used in many medicines and skincare products. Its alternatives are plant and vegetable oils.
• Ambergris, a fixative agent for perfumes is extracted from whale’s intestines, and its alternatives are vegetable or synthetic fixatives.

• Keratin

Many types of minerals and protein are present in our hair and skin. Keratin is one of them.. This protein is responsible for providing strength to our hair and glow to our skin. Thus, this protein is widely found in shampoos and conditioners for replenishing hair’s natural reserves. Keratin treatment is one of the most recommended treatments for brittle and weak hair. But the keratin is extracted from the hair, quills, and horns of animals. The best vegan alternatives for keratin are almond oil, soy protein and amla oil.

• Gelatin 

Gelatin is a protein that is extracted by boiling the skin, ligaments, tendons and bones of animals. This protein, when added to any mixture, provides thickness and consistency. It’s widely used in cosmetic creams and different types of nail treatments. They are extensively used in edible items such as cakes and ice creams. Now, as a vegan, you might not like your cream to have gelatin made of animal in it. So, instead, you can go for cosmetic products, which have carrageen, seaweeds or pectin present in them.

• Albumen

An albumen is a form of protein that is found in eggs, milk, blood, and vegetable tissues. When it comes to cosmetics, albumen is mainly extracted from egg whites. For any cosmetic product, albumen acts as a thickening agent, which maintains consistency and adds protein into the mix. Veganism doesn’t allow animal products of any sort and the closest alternative to replace albumen from the cosmetic product is soya bean. 

• Tallow

It is one of the most common ingredients present in a cosmetic product. It is one of the key ingredients in lipstick, eye makeup, shaving creams, soaps and foundations. One might not be aware of it as its common name is rendered animal fat. This fat is extracted by boiling the animal body to the extent of getting the fatty substance in the process. The vegan alternatives for tallow are vegetable tallow, paraffin, palm kernel oil and ceresin.

• Cochineal Dye

This ingredient is used in cosmetic products for its natural red colour. Its consistency and red colour make it one of the main ingredients of lipsticks and blush products. But people are unaware that it contains cochineal dye. This dye is extracted by crushing cochineal beetles found in Central and South America. These beetles get their red colour by devouring red cactus berries found in that region. The best alternatives to replace cochineal dye are beet juice and alkanet root.

Final Thoughts:

A vegan or someone who doesn’t support animal abuse for making products has to be careful while buying products in the market. The above-mentioned list is just the tip of the iceberg, but it will provide you a much-needed head start when it comes to buying cosmetics.