October 4, 2025, 5:58 am | Read time: 11 minutes

In January, you often hear the term “Veganuary”—a trend that has caught on in recent years, encouraging people to avoid animal products in January. It’s a great initiative—and not just for one month a year! However, many don’t consider that our cosmetics are often not vegan. Whether it’s beeswax being used or animal testing being conducted, the list of non-vegan beauty products is long. If you’re wondering, “But I don’t eat cosmetics, so why are they considered non-vegan?” you’ll find an overview below of what veganism is and why many components of our beauty routine don’t fall under it.

Definition of “Vegan”

A question that may seem very obvious, but is not always easy to answer. Or did you know that figs are not inherently vegan?

Veganism is a lifestyle that aims to exclude animal products and their derivatives from one’s consumption. People who choose the vegan lifestyle avoid not only meat but also products like milk, eggs, and honey.

The main motivation behind veganism is often animal protection as well as ecological and ethical considerations. Vegans typically consume plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and nuts.

This diet primarily aims to minimize animal suffering and/or contribute to reducing the ecological footprint. However, the term “vegan” extends beyond diet and also includes avoiding other animal products in clothing, cosmetics, and other areas of life. Accordingly, vegan cosmetics also avoid animal testing. More on that later. First, let’s take a look at some things in our bathrooms and cream jars that are surprisingly not vegan.

These Ingredients in Cosmetics Are Often Not Vegan

Adapting skincare products for skin and hair to one’s lifestyle is thus a given for vegetarians and vegans. Additionally, one should always be informed about which companies certain brands belong to, where they are produced, and their stance on animal testing. Nevertheless, it is surprising how many ingredients are not vegan. These include:

Glycerin

Glycerin was first discovered several hundred years ago in soap making. Especially in the production of plant-based soap, glycerin is considered a vegan ingredient. However, this alcohol is also produced in the making of soaps that use animal components like bones, making it non-vegan.

The use of glycerin in both plant oils and animal fats makes it difficult to definitively answer the question of its vegan status. It depends on whether the glycerin comes from plant or animal sources. If in doubt, it’s advisable to avoid glycerin.

L-Cysteine

A versatile ingredient found not only in food but also in beauty products. The amino acid L-cysteine, if not chemically produced, is derived from pig bristles, claws, and feathers. In bread, it makes the dough smoother and more pliable; in cosmetics, it is supposed to promote fuller hair, better skin, and nails.

L-cysteine is not inherently harmful; quite the opposite. The human liver also produces the amino acid. The chemical company Wacker, for example, states that it produces L-cysteine through bacterial fermentation, making the amino acid vegetarian. The dietary supplement brand “Sunday” produces it from corn fermentation. The abbreviation, also known as the E-number, for L-cysteine is E 920.

Bananas Not Always Vegan

Bananas are often sprayed with the pesticide chitosan. It is derived from the chitinous shells of shrimp or insects to slow down the ripening of bananas. Why? It prevents them from becoming brown and mushy. The vegan solution: opt for organic bananas, as the use of chitosan is prohibited there.

Nail Polish

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan who loves shimmering metallic nail polishes, you might want to reconsider. These polishes can contain guanine, which provides the glittering pigments on the nails, but is made from fish scales. However, more and more vegan nail polishes are being produced.

Also interesting: Lewis Hamilton Feeds His Dog Vegan: “I Care About His Health”

Shellac

Shellac, also known as “lac resin” or “E904,” is a resinous substance obtained from the secretions of the lac bug. The production process of shellac begins when female lac bugs produce resin to create protective cocoons for their eggs. Shellac is harvested by carefully collecting the resin once the female lac bugs leave their nests. It takes 50,000 to 300,000 insects to produce one kilogram of shellac. Approximately 20,000 tons of shellac are produced worldwide.

Like honey, beeswax, and silk, shellac is not considered vegan due to its origin from the natural secretions of the lac bug. However, not everything labeled as shellac in the cosmetics industry is genuine shellac. “CND Shellac,” the top provider in almost all nail salons worldwide, does not contain real shellac in its formula. It seems the brand uses the term mainly for marketing reasons, as it is associated with high gloss and protective properties. Here too: always check the labels!

Figs Are Never Vegan

The so-called common fig has only female flowers, which can only reproduce with the caprifig, the male counterpart. This is facilitated by a specific species of wasp, whose male representatives grow in the male flowers. The female wasps then carry the pollen to both types of figs, passing through a narrow opening in the flower and losing their wings in the process. They usually die in the flower, which is now fertilized and becomes a fig. Although the wasp is digested by the fruit, it is technically still present in the fig. Whether vegans or vegetarians eat figs or use products containing them is thus a personal ethical decision.

Collagen

Collagen is the anti-aging ingredient par excellence, but its image suffered a severe blow in the 1990s when the deadly brain disease BSE broke out in cattle. “No one wanted cosmetics containing ingredients from cattle anymore,” Dr. Andrea Weber, Director of Science, Consultation & Innovation at the Babor Beauty Group, told PETBOOK. Today, collagen is still frequently used in cosmetics, mostly derived from cattle hides. The scientist explains why: “Humans are animals, and animal collagen is therefore closer to them. Collagen’s effectiveness is unmatched so far. No plant-based collagen can compete, even though many consumers wish it could.”

Toothpaste

Even this everyday item is not free from animal traces. In addition to beeswax and pollen, bone meal—also known as calcium phosphate—is often found in the paste, which was used for brushing teeth as far back as antiquity. It provides the abrasive effect that cleans the teeth. Vegans certainly won’t like that. There are already toothpastes in drugstores that are vegan or made by brands that oppose animal testing and animal ingredients.

Keratin

Keratin, a fibrous protein, is an essential component of hair, nails, feathers, claws, hooves, and talons. It contributes to the smoothness, shine, and flexibility of our hair. Keratin plays a significant role in many hair care products. The keratin layer can be damaged by straightening, blow-drying, styling, or external environmental influences. Unfortunately, many of these products use a keratin source from animal products, which could come from ground horns, hooves, or feathers.

However, there are also vegan alternatives like soy-based keratin, nettle juice, or rosemary. Additionally, you can support your body’s keratin production through a protein-rich diet with iron and B vitamins. This includes foods like walnuts, spinach, and legumes.

More on the topic

"Bio" and "Natural" Can Be Misleading Cosmetics Without Animal Cruelty? Why Animal Testing Remains a Reality Despite the Ban

Advantages, Disadvantages, and Risks Expert Explains What Cosmetics with Beeswax Are Suitable For

Are Animal Tests Still Allowed in Germany?

Even if you pay attention to all these ingredients, your personal care routine may still cause animal suffering. While animal testing for cosmetics is banned, it is not for ingredients used in other products (PETBOOK reported).

In Germany, animal testing is legally regulated and subject to strict guidelines. The Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG) governs the treatment of animals and stipulates that animal testing may only be conducted under certain conditions and for the protection of humans and animals. Alternative methods that do not involve animals or involve fewer animals must be preferred.

Animal testing is only permitted if it is scientifically justified and makes a valid contribution to the development of medicines, vaccines, or other products. The approval and monitoring of animal testing are carried out by the responsible state authorities.

There are efforts and discussions at both national and international levels to reduce animal testing and promote alternative methods to improve animal welfare. Among others, the animal rights organization PETA collected over 1.4 million signatures from EU citizens in 2022 with the European Citizens’ Initiative against Animal Testing, advocating for an end to animal testing.

Animals Are Also Tortured in German Labs

Dogs and cats are used for legally required tests and applied research. In 2023, the number of cats used in animal testing was 544, and the number of dogs was 2,550. Significantly more animal tests are conducted on monkeys, sheep, and small animals like rabbits and mice.

Are There Animal Tests for Cosmetics in Germany?

In Germany, there is a ban on animal testing for cosmetic products. This ban has been in effect since 2013 within the European Union (EU) and prohibits companies from conducting animal tests for cosmetic products or their ingredients. The sale of cosmetics tested on animals outside the EU is also prohibited in the EU. However, this legal framework does not seem as consistent as it might appear at first glance.

The EU ban on animal testing applies only to newly developed products and ingredients. Existing products that were on the market before 2013 are still available without restrictions. This creates a gray area where “old” cosmetic products continue to circulate.

There Are Loopholes for Companies

Another loophole in EU law is that cosmetic companies are allowed to use substances that are used in other products, like cleaning agents, wall paints, or medicines. These everyday substances were often tested on animals before the products containing them hit the market—this is legally required. Thus, a significant portion of the ingredients in cosmetics may be affected by animal testing.

Even for substances used solely for cosmetic purposes, EU law allows animal testing if laboratories need to check whether the ingredients are safe for occupational and environmental safety. This regulation means that many cosmetics still contain ingredients that have been tested on animals.

Helpful Labels That Identify Vegan Products

Several organizations are dedicated to awarding labels and certifications that make it easier for consumers to recognize vegan products at first glance. If you’re still unsure, you can use websites and apps like “Codecheck,” where you can scan or manually search for products. They explain all the ingredients and rate the product based on “hazardousness.”

The Vegan Society

“The Vegan Society” is internationally recognized as a leader in certifying vegan products across various industries. The label features a flower. The certification process is extremely comprehensive and involves a thorough evaluation of all suppliers and manufacturers of raw materials in the product catalog. For “The Body Shop,” this meant that more than 4,000 ingredients from over 1,000 products had to be reviewed to receive the coveted label.

V-Label

The V-Label is awarded by the European Vegetarian Union (EVU) and is internationally recognized. It not only certifies vegan products but also vegetarian ones.

Organic Label

The Organic Label does not automatically guarantee that a product is vegan, but organic-certified products are often vegan, and there are specific organic labels that focus on vegan products.

It’s important to note that not all vegan products carry a special label. Some companies simply label their vegan products on the packaging as “vegan” or “free from animal ingredients.”

EcoVeg Label

EcoVeg is an independently verified quality label for plant-based foods of organic quality. The term EcoVeg creates a clear connection between the terms “Eco” for ecological/organic and “Veggie” for plant-based.

The EcoVeg quality label represents the combination of “Eco” and “Veg” and is usually placed alongside the EU organic logo on the packaging of plant-based foods and informational materials. It provides consumers with clear information and independently verified statements based on scientifically developed standards. The EcoVeg guidelines define the term “vegan,” and independent institutes monitor compliance with these guidelines. Introduced in 2015, the EcoVeg quality label helps to create clarity and expertise regarding terms and advertising claims.