Vegan vs Cruelty-Free: What's the Difference?
Vegan and cruelty-free sound interchangeable but cover different things. Here's exactly what each guarantees and how to find products that are both.
Two different claims
Cruelty-free = no animal testing of the finished product or its ingredients. Vegan = no animal-derived ingredients in the formula or supply chain.
A product can be one without the other. Many drugstore lipsticks are technically cruelty-free but contain beeswax or carmine. Many "vegan" beauty brands sold in markets that require animal testing are not cruelty-free.
Trusted certifications
For cruelty-free: Leaping Bunny is the strictest standard, with supplier audits and ongoing monitoring. PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies is broader.
For vegan: The Vegan Society trademark, Vegan Action's Certified Vegan logo and PETA's Vegan mark are the recognized standards.
Look for both seals together. VeggieOS Compare's product pages list every verified certification per product so you can filter by either or both.
The China question
Historically, brands selling general cosmetics in mainland China had to allow post-market animal testing. Reforms since 2021 have created cruelty-free pathways for many general cosmetics, but special-use products (sunscreen, anti-acne, hair dyes, etc.) and imports still face testing in some cases. Always verify per-brand rather than assuming.