Vegan Beauty vs. Clean Beauty: What’s the Difference?

Navigating the beauty industry can be quite overwhelming due to the plethora of buzzwords that often lack clear definitions or verifiability. Social media platforms are saturated with terms such as “natural” and “naturally-derived,” but what do these really mean? Unfortunately, there is no standardized definition available. The range of these buzzwords can be quite broad, spanning from vague terms like “wildcrafted,” “clean,” and “green” to trend-driven phrases like “glass hair” and “cloudless skin.” Additionally, many products fall into broader ingredient categories, including adaptogens and CBD.

Understanding the Difference: Is Vegan Beauty Equivalent to Clean or Green Beauty?

Among the various terms in the beauty realm, vegan stands out with a straightforward definition. It simply refers to products that do not contain or utilize animal products. However, this clarity doesn’t end the confusion surrounding the term. Unfortunately, the vegan label is often used misleadingly, leading consumers to misunderstand what it signifies in the beauty world.

Recently, I’ve observed a growing trend on platforms like Instagram, where users equate “vegan” with terms like “nontoxic” or “green” concerning beauty products and cosmetics. This is a misconception. While labeling a skincare product as vegan provides useful information, it does not automatically imply that the product is safer or more environmentally friendly than others. For instance, both petroleum and cigarettes are technically vegan, yet they are not suitable for our bodies. Thus, being vegan does not guarantee safety, non-toxicity, naturalness, organicity, or greenness; thorough research is necessary to understand what you’re applying to your skin.

Can Beauty Products Be Clean Yet Non-Vegan?

To clarify the misconception that a vegan label indicates a healthier product, it’s essential to acknowledge and respect individuals who adhere strictly to a vegan lifestyle or skincare regimen. However, for those who choose to incorporate select, consciously-sourced animal-derived ingredients, there are excellent non-vegan products that also prioritize wholesomeness and health.

Many beauty brands, including ours, utilize certain animal-derived ingredients that are not classified as vegan. Here are some of the most common ingredients found in green beauty products:

For instance, at Osmia, we recognize the value of specific animal-derived ingredients in a select few of our products, provided they are sourced with care and intention. While all our products are cruelty-free, we’ve discovered that ingredients like honey, beeswax, certain milks, and lanolin can deliver substantial benefits for various skin types and conditions. We are committed to sourcing these ingredients responsibly, partnering only with suppliers who treat their animals with kindness and transparency, as we understand that the health of bee communities is vital for the planet. To help our customers, we use a bunny logo on each product page of our website, indicating which items are both ‘cruelty-free and vegan’ and which are just ‘cruelty-free’. This information is also clearly marked on every product’s packaging, and full ingredient lists are available on our website. Whether your primary concern is finding vegan products or ensuring your selections are non-toxic, learning how to read labels should be your top priority—after all, knowledge is power.

As we continue to clarify the terminology used in the beauty industry, let’s consider how we can accurately describe safe, healthy, and conscious beauty brands like Osmia. To gain insight, I consulted with my favorite expert, Osmia founder, Dr. Sarah Villafranco, for her perspective!

“I prefer the term green beauty, although it is starting to feel a bit outdated. It conveys a positive message, yet there aren’t many brands that genuinely embody the green ethos. The term clean beauty is often misapplied, but it certainly applies to Osmia, as we adhere to high standards for cleanliness. The term non-toxic isn’t entirely accurate because even common ingredients can be toxic if used improperly. I believe we haven’t yet found the perfect term to encapsulate a brand like ours.”

The prevailing thought within the industry suggests that green beauty reflects a brand’s conscious decision-making regarding every aspect of the product, from packaging and sourcing to production and marketing. Given that no governing body exists to regulate what qualifies as green or not, it’s ultimately up to the consumer to educate themselves and determine what matters most when purchasing products. In fact, identifying trustworthy brands may be the most crucial step in your journey toward green beauty.

Top Recommendations for Clean and Green Beauty Brands

Now that we have clarified our terminology, let’s explore some products we highly recommend from a selection of fellow green beauty brands. We’ve chosen one vegan and one non-vegan product from each brand to showcase their offerings.

W3LL PEOPLE

We absolutely adore this brand, and it seems we’re not alone in our admiration. Their vegan Nudist Multi-Use Color Duo offers two beautiful colors perfect for enhancing your face and achieving subtle contouring. Packaged in a stylish design, this product is also very budget-friendly. Additionally, their award-winning mascara is considered green, though it is not vegan due to the inclusion of beeswax.

JOSH ROSEBROOK

The Balance Shampoo and Conditioner represent vegan hair care at its finest. These products not only smell divine but also leave your hair feeling soft and shiny, effectively addressing most scalp conditions. While we are huge fans of Josh’s Vital Balm Cream, it is important to note that it contains nourishing honey, making it unsuitable for vegans.

HAN SKINCARE

HAN, which stands for Healthy And Natural, truly embodies its name. Their concealer is free from silicone and dimethicone and comes in five versatile shades. This product not only brightens the under-eye area but also covers blemishes while soothing the skin with nourishing ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and Vitamin E. We also love HAN’s lip gloss, although it is only vegetarian, not vegan, as it contains beeswax.

Essential Takeaways for Conscious Consumers

Below is a list of Osmia’s cruelty-free, non-vegan products along with the purpose of each non-vegan ingredient:

• Detox Exfoliating Mask contains honey, which nourishes the skin while counteracting the drying effects of charcoal powder in the mask.
• Lip Doctor includes beeswax, providing a mild barrier and helping the product adhere to your lips for prolonged moisture retention.
• Lip Repair features lanolin, honey, and beeswax. Both lanolin and beeswax act as a robust barrier against moisture loss, while manuka honey offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, drawing moisture to the skin.
• Pumpkin Facial Soap incorporates honey for moisture, complemented by organic pumpkin puree and tomato paste for gentle brightening.
• Oh So Soap contains buttermilk powder, which can be soothing for conditions like eczema and other dry, flaky skin issues.

Final Thoughts on Navigating Beauty Choices

While it seems unlikely that we will see industry-wide regulations defining what constitutes “green” or “natural” products in the near future, the distinction of whether a product is vegan is already quite clear. However, you may need to learn how to identify these products yourself, and it’s equally important to educate yourself on what else is contained in your favorite beauty products and the reasons behind each ingredient. Don’t hesitate to ask questions! If you find yourself unable to locate the ingredient list on a product’s packaging or brand’s website, that’s often a red flag. Additionally, if a brand is unresponsive to inquiries on social media or online, that’s not a good sign either.

Transparency is crucial for empowering consumers. If a brand is not willing to provide this sense of empowerment, remember that there are plenty of other options available online! Seek out brands that are open about their ingredients, explaining why they choose each one and, ideally, providing information on the precise origins of these ingredients. If you value both your health and the planet enough to seek out vegan products, you’ll want to know everything that goes into your skincare.

At Osmia, we commit to transparency regarding our ingredient choices and their purposes. By holding brands accountable for such information, we can collectively ensure safer products, a cleaner environment, and healthier skin for all!

Are you ready to dive into the world of green beauty?

With love and transparency from us to you, 

ABOUT OUR WRITER, EMILY BARTH ISLER 

Emily Barth Isler is a talented writer, a Young Adult Fiction author, and a dedicated natural beauty editor. A former child actress, she has performed globally in theatre, film, and television. She spent several years in New York working on episodic web television with Emmy-award winning PhoebeTV, alongside a lifetime of crafting YA short stories and plays.

She holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University, where she eagerly participated in every creative writing class available, including one taught by the renowned Lemony Snicket himself! Emily’s expertise as a Beauty Editor and Writer is featured in numerous online publications. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.