Don't fall into the "vegan" trap

Vegan in skincare = chemicals

(yes not all vegan products are substituting animal by products for chemicals BUT a lot are and you need to be mindful)

The "Vegan" Trap: Why Vegan Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

The beauty and skincare industry loves buzzwords. “Clean,” “green,” “natural,” and “vegan” are plastered all over labels, drawing in customers who want to make healthier, more ethical choices. But here’s the catch—just because something is vegan doesn’t mean it’s good for you. If a label says "Vegan" they have now got two groups of people 1. people who want clean, safe products, because vegan must mean that and 2, Vegans and vegetarians, a growing group of people. And no they aren't laying by putting vegan on their label. its just misleading heres why.

What Does “Vegan” Actually Mean?

The term “vegan” simply means that a product contains no animal-derived ingredients. That’s it. It doesn’t tell you anything about the quality of the ingredients, how they’re sourced, or whether they’re safe for your skin. A product can be loaded with synthetic chemicals, harsh preservatives, and artificial fragrances—and still be 100% vegan.

The Chemical Swap

When companies remove animal byproducts from their formulas, they often replace them with synthetic alternatives. Here’s an example:

• Traditional lip balms use beeswax, a natural and nourishing ingredient.

• A vegan alternative might use petroleum-derived waxes, which are far from natural.

Similarly, collagen (which is animal-derived) is often replaced with lab-made polymers. Silicones, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances can all be present in vegan products. So while “vegan” sounds like a healthier option, it often just means a swap of one ingredient for another—without any guarantee that the replacement is better.

How to Avoid the Vegan Trap

If you want truly clean and ethical beauty products, look beyond the vegan label. Instead, check for:

1. Natural – Ensures ingredients come from nature, not a lab.

2. Organic – Means the ingredients are grown without pesticides, GMOs, or synthetic fertilizers.

3. Vegan – Confirms no animal byproducts are used.

When a product is all three—natural, organic, and vegan—you know you’re getting something that’s both ethical and free from harmful chemicals.

The Bottom Line

Don’t fall for the marketing trick that “vegan” equals “healthy.” Always read ingredient lists and look for brands that are transparent about what goes into their products.

We do not claim to be a vegan brand. While our palettes are free from animal byproducts and could be considered vegan, some of our other products are not. However, we are deeply committed to ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. That’s why we use only ethically sourced animal-derived ingredients—specifically honey and beeswax—partnering with local beekeepers to ensure sustainability and care for pollinators.

Our commitment to clean beauty goes beyond labels. We choose natural, non-toxic ingredients over synthetic chemicals, as many lab-made alternatives can be just as harmful—if not worse—for both the environment and the people using them. While "vegan" is often marketed as a sign of safety and purity, we believe true clean beauty comes from transparency, ethical practices, and carefully chosen ingredients that nurture both skin and nature. 

If you see a “vegan” stamp and no other stamp stating “natural” “organic” “made safe” etc then there is a very high chance their substitute for animal by products is chemicals.      

What to look for

Natural Non Vegan = Beeswax

Vegan = Candelilla wax

Listed in ingredients = Kahlwax 7304 its light colored, paraffin, it is often used in stick preparations to influence their demolding hardness and texture. Kahlwax 7304 can be used in the personal care and cosmetics industry.

Natural Non Vegan = Beeswax

Vegan = Coconut oil, Shea butter, other plant based oils

Synthetic Ingredients = Polyisobutylene, sometimes called butyl rubber, and other times PIB, is a vinyl polymer. It's very similar to polyethylene and polypropylene in structure, except that every other carbon is substituted with two methyl groups. It is made from the monomer isobutylene, by cationic vinyl polymerization. Side effects are rashes, burns, coughing, irritation, nausea.

Natural Non Vegan = Pectin

Vegan + xanthan gum

Synthetic Ingredients Cellulose gum, also known as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), is essentially a thickening agent used in all kinds of food products. potential risks, such as stomach discomfort, reduced nutrient absorption, the possibility of overindulgence in processed foods, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Natural Non Vegan = Honey

Vegan = Agave Nectar

Synthetic Ingredients = Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling, flammable chemical that is produced industrially and used in building materials such as particleboard, plywood, and other pressed-wood products as well as in cosmetics under different names. Sometimes hidden in "fragrance" in the ingredients.

Bottom line, whatever ingredient you do not know, or can not read. Look it up for skip it. You should be able to read or pronounce every thing you put on your skin and in your body.