Prior to the 1980s, very few companies made vegan make-up. And even today, most makeup brands contain animal ingredients. On top of that, many companies still rely on animal testing. Fortunately, that’s quickly changing. Sometime around 2010, cosmetics companies began taking the vegan market seriously.

If you’re a label-reader, then you’ll know how overwhelming the labels on cosmetic products can be. One of the most sought-after terms these days is vegan make-up. Sales of vegan make-up are up 100 percent this year alone, with the prime market being 16- to 34-year-olds who are very concerned about animal welfare.

But what does vegan make-up actually mean? And how does vegan make-up differ from ‘cruelty-free,’ another commonly seen phrase? The two terms tend to be used interchangeably, but they mean different things.

How to choose vegan make-up and the best brands

vegan make-up

Do you know the difference between vegan make-up and cruelty-free beauty products? There is a lot of confusion in the beauty world around the terms ‘cruelty-free’ and ‘vegan’. Many assume that these are the same thing and use them interchangeably, but there is a difference. Basically, cruelty-free means that the product was developed without any tests on animals, while vegan means that the product does not include any animal-derived ingredients.

What is vegan make-up and how it differs from cruelty-free products

Cruelty-free, organic, vegan-these are some of the consumer-conscious buzzwords you’ll find on makeup packaging today. Some of these labels might be more self-explanatory than others. While we all know what a vegan diet consists of, what does vegan make-up really entail? Labelling a product as “vegan” means that said product does not contain any animal products or animal-derived ingredients. It describes the ingredients, rather than the production process. Therefore, items that are tested on animals can claim to be vegan.

Cruelty-Free means that the ingredients/components and final product have not been tested on animals. It refers to the testing process, not the ingredients, which means it is possible for a cruelty-free product to contain non-vegan ingredients, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, or gelatin.

So, to sum it up, where vegan products are free from animal ingredients and haven’t been tested on animals, cruelty-free simply means that the product and ingredients have not been tested on animals. If a product or company is cruelty-free it will feature a cruelty-free logo.

Vegan and cruelty-free do not necessarily mean that an ingredient list is clean, safe, green, or all-natural. You still need to read the list carefully to be sure you’re not putting dangerous chemicals on your skin.

Some tips to choose wisely

The best option is to seek out both vegan and cruelty-free descriptions on a product. It is harder to find, but not impossible, especially as demand grows and companies respond.

To save time and avoid hassle, it makes sense to purchase your makeup and beauty supplies online. That’s because the vast majority of the brands sold at drugstores still aren’t vegan. In many stores, the vegan selection will be poor or nonexistent.

Remember that a company can claim anything on a label, so look for accreditation by known and respected organizations such as Choose Cruelty-Free, The Vegan Society, PETA, or Leaping Bunny in order to know that the claim is backed up.

The best brands of vegan make-up

There are many brands that don’t test on animals and their products are also labelled vegan on their websites. Here is a selection of the best ones:

Tarte – it has a great selection of must-have products (primer and gloss, for instance), plus a wide variety of brushes and beauty blenders. The vegan makeup from Tarte will make your vegan heart skip a beat.

Wet n wild – Wet n wild’s vegan selection is one of the most widely available and affordable cosmetics lines and is great for the newly converted beauty buff. The response to its vegan brush line was so positive, the company is planning to use even more vegan ingredients in its products.

Lush – Lush, on the forefront of the fight against animal testing, is probably one of the most famous vegan brands of all. All products free of animal ingredients are clearly labeled, and the company’s compassionate team members are always happy to help you find the perfect vegan bath bomb, balm, or lotion.

Milani – Whether you’re looking for eyeliner, lipstick, or blush, Milani’s vegan products have got you covered for a flawlessly vegan face.

Derma-E – Derma-E is a vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic skincare brand with a proven track record and is one of the best around. Their products tend to focus on everything from acne-prone skin to anti-aging creams.

Pacifica beauty – Pacifica is one of the most versatile vegan beauty brands out there. You can find all your skincare, nailcare, body care, makeup and through the popular brand. Pacifica is also one of the most accessible beauty companies with their products often found in major supermarkets.