Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Sustainable: What Do They Really Mean?

Understanding the Green Labels in Modern Beauty

Today’s beauty consumers are more informed than ever—and more values-driven. Walk through any skincare aisle or scroll social media, and you’ll see brands proudly labeling themselves as vegan, cruelty-free, or sustainable. But what do these terms really mean? Are they regulated? And how can you tell if a brand is truly ethical or just following a trend?

In this article, we break down these three powerful beauty buzzwords in simple, clear terms—so you can shop (or create your own products) with confidence.

🌱 What Does “Vegan” Mean in Cosmetics?

When a beauty product is labeled vegan, it means that none of the ingredients are derived from animals. This includes not only obvious items like beeswax or lanolin, but also less visible animal-based ingredients like collagen, keratin, or carmine (a red pigment from crushed beetles).

✅ Vegan Means:

• No animal ingredients

• No animal by-products

• 100% plant-based or synthetic alternatives

❌ Vegan Doesn’t Always Mean:

• Cruelty-free

• Natural or organic

• Sustainable

🧴 Example: A vegan moisturizer might still be tested on animals unless it is also labeled cruelty-free.

Common Animal-Derived Ingredients to Watch For:

🐇 What Does “Cruelty-Free” Mean?

“Cruelty-free” means the final product and its ingredients were not tested on animals at any stage of development.

But here’s the catch: the term “cruelty-free” is not legally defined in many countries, and brands often interpret it differently.

✅ Cruelty-Free Means:

• No animal testing on ingredients

• No animal testing on final product

• No outsourcing testing to third parties

• Not sold in countries where animal testing is required by law

🛑 It Might Still Mean:

• The product contains animal ingredients (so it’s not vegan)

• The parent company tests on animals (some consumers avoid this)

• The product isn’t certified by a third party

🐰 Look for certifications like Leaping Bunny, PETA Cruelty-Free, or Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) for more trust.

🌍 What Does “Sustainable” Mean in Beauty?

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept. In cosmetics, a sustainable product typically:

• Minimizes environmental impact during production

• Uses renewable, biodegradable, or recyclable materials

• Reduces carbon footprint across the supply chain

• Has ethical sourcing of raw materials

• Promotes packaging with low waste

✅ Sustainable Beauty Products Might Feature:

• Glass or aluminum packaging

• Refill systems or low-waste formats (e.g., shampoo bars)

• Upcycled or locally sourced ingredients

• Carbon-neutral shipping

• Waterless or concentrated formulas

♻️ Look for logos like FSC-certified paper, ECOCERT, or “Made in Green” certifications.

A Truly Sustainable Brand Also Considers:

• Energy use in the factory

• Working conditions of ingredient farmers

• Overproduction and end-of-life disposal

🤔 Vegan ≠ Cruelty-Free ≠ Sustainable

These three terms are often grouped together—but they are not the same.

💡 A product can be vegan but tested on animals.
💡 A product can be cruelty-free but use non-sustainable plastic.

That’s why savvy consumers read beyond the front label.

🔍 How Can You Tell if a Product is Truly Ethical?

1. Check the certification labels – Are they official or just brand claims?

2. Read the ingredient list – Watch for animal-derived components.

3. Look at the packaging – Is it recyclable, minimal, refillable?

4. Check the company’s supply chain – Do they disclose sourcing?

5. Research the brand’s parent company – Some consumers want 100% clean records.

✨ Why It Matters to Consumers—and Brands

Today’s beauty shoppers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, want to align purchases with their values. In fact:

• 77% of consumers prefer brands that are environmentally responsible

• 62% would switch to a cruelty-free brand

• 45% are willing to pay more for vegan products

If you’re building a skincare or grooming brand, using ethical labeling isn’t just good—it’s good business.

🌿 At BUNJOIN Cosmetics

We’re proud to support beauty brands worldwide with:

• Vegan-certified formulas

• Cruelty-free production (no animal testing)

• Sustainable packaging options like refill systems and FSC paper

• Custom labeling and documentation support for certifications

📦 Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling up, we’ll help you meet your brand values and customer expectations.