The Hidden Animal Ingredients in Your “Clean” Beauty Products

We’ve all been there—standing in the beauty aisle, scrutinizing that “clean beauty” label and feeling pretty good about our choices. I certainly have! But my journey into truly vegan beauty left me shocked at how many animal-derived ingredients are hiding in products marketed as natural or clean.

Today, I’m sharing my eye-opening discoveries so you can make truly informed choices about what goes on your skin. If you’re new to vegan beauty, you might also enjoy reading about my personal journey to vegan skincare and the valuable lessons I learned along the way.

Beyond the Obvious Culprits

Most of us know to look out for honey, beeswax, and lanolin (that waxy substance from sheep’s wool). But did you know about these sneaky animal-derived ingredients?

• Carmine: That gorgeous red in your “natural” lipstick? It might be crushed cochineal beetles. I was horrified when I found this in a lipstick I had been using for years!
• Squalene: Often derived from shark liver oil, this moisturizing ingredient is in countless serums and face oils.
• Guanine: The shimmery effect in many highlighters and eyeshadows often comes from fish scales. Yes, fish scales on your face!
• Keratin: This protein that strengthens hair products often comes from ground animal horns, hooves, and feathers.
• Collagen: While beneficial for skin, this protein is typically derived from animal connective tissues and bones.

The vegan alternative I’ve fallen in love with is Milk Makeup’s line. Their Flex Highlighter uses synthetic mica for that glow, and their Lip Color range uses plant-based pigments for stunning color that lasts all day.

“Natural” Doesn’t Mean Cruelty-Free

Here’s another truth bomb: just because something is marketed as “natural” doesn’t mean it’s vegan or cruelty-free. I learned this the hard way after discovering my favorite “natural” brand was testing on animals in certain markets.

Now I exclusively use brands with clear vegan and cruelty-free certifications. Elf Cosmetics has been a game-changer with their transparent practices and third-party certifications clearly displayed on every product.

The Clean Beauty Misconception

The term “clean beauty” itself can be misleading. While it typically refers to products made without certain synthetic chemicals like parabens or phthalates, it says nothing about whether animals were harmed in the process. Many clean beauty brands still use ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, or milk proteins, marketing them as “natural” alternatives to synthetic ingredients.

I was particularly disappointed when I discovered my expensive “clean” moisturizer contained snail mucin—yes, actual secretions from snails—marketed as a natural hydrating ingredient. I promptly replaced it with Youth To The People’s Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream, which delivers even better hydration using plant-based ingredients like kale, spinach, and green tea.

How to Spot Truly Vegan Products

After much trial and error, here’s my quick checklist for identifying truly vegan beauty products:

1. Look for official certifications (Leaping Bunny, Vegan Society, PETA)
2. Check for parent company practices (some brands are vegan but owned by companies that test on animals)
3. Scan ingredients lists for hidden animal derivatives
4. Research the source of vitamins (many are animal-derived)

Cover FX’s Natural Finish Foundation checks all these boxes and has transformed my makeup routine. It provides medium-to-full coverage without any animal ingredients, and their shade range is impressively inclusive with 40 options to match virtually any skin

Decoding Ingredient Labels

Reading ingredient labels like a pro takes practice, but here are some quick tips:

• Latin names often signal animal ingredients: Ingredients like Mel (honey), Cera Alba (beeswax), or Lac (milk) are easy to miss if you’re not familiar with their Latin names.
• Watch for “hydrolyzed” proteins: Unless specifically stated as plant-derived, hydrolyzed proteins often come from animal sources.
• Glycerin confusion: This common ingredient can be derived from plants or animals, so look for “vegetable glycerin” specifically.
• Color additives: Besides carmine (CI 75470), watch for shellac (from lac beetles) in nail products and makeup.

For a reliable clean and truly vegan skincare line, I’ve fallen in love with Biossance. Their Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum uses plant-derived squalane (from sugarcane) instead of shark-derived squalane, delivering remarkable hydration and plumping benefits without harming marine life.

My Top Recommendation

IIf you’re feeling overwhelmed (I certainly was!), start with just one category of products. I began with lipstick, replacing my collection with Honest Beauty Moisturizing Vegan Tinted Lip Balm. The quality is outstanding—creamy, long-lasting, and in gorgeous colors that work for every occasion. Their Summer Melon shade is my everyday go-to!

What hidden animal ingredients have you discovered in your beauty routine? Share your findings below, and let’s help each other navigate this complicated beauty world together!