2019 is the year of the vegan. Once attributed to the flower power era, and more recently labelled simply as a trend for millennials, veganism is here to stay. In fact, all indications show it’s growing... and fast!

Popularity in vegan skincare is at an all-time high. But it’s not just about checking the ingredients list. Or the label for a recognised ‘vegan’ or ‘not tested on animals’ logo. It’s time to go one step further. Because what's not widely known is that not all vegan skincare products are natural.

The basic requirements for a product to be vegan are that it must not contain any animal extracts or animal by-products - both in the ingredients and the manufacturing process. 

But this doesn’t account for things such as palm oil (which was responsible for about 8% of the world’s deforestation between 1990 and 2008), hormone disruptive chemicals and synthetic fragrances and colours, which can be found in vegan skincare products. 

Although these aren’t animal ingredients, they are still extremely harmful to the environment, animals and our skin. So when shopping for vegan skincare, it’s important to check the products you buy show an internationally recognised natural or organic certification logo too.

Not tested on animals

According to the Vegan Society, 'not tested on animals' is the most important packaging claim for 57% people. 

Between 2013 and 2018 vegan facial skincare products almost tripled, with 20% of women's facial skincare brands now cruelty-free certified. But what does this really mean?

China has a 1.35 billion-plus market, and is the only nation that reserves the right to test products imported from overseas on animals. So even if the brands in your bathroom claim to be cruelty-free, this may not be entirely true. 

44% of people cite the word 'secretive' as the first thing on their mind associated with animal experimentation, and they’re not wrong! 

As more and more people become aware, brands are trying to cover up their sales in China to avoid losing customers looking for entirely animal friendly products. So our advice to anyone wanting to shop ethically and naturally is to do your research!

Botanicals natural vegan promise

Botanicals founder, Wendy Stirling, says: “I believe Botanicals is unusual in having an entire range that is natural, certified organic, cruelty-free, not tested on animals and vegan-friendly.”

Botanicals was one of the first UK brands to have its entire range certified by the Soil Association. Every product carries the ‘Not Tested On Animals’ bunny logo and ‘Suitable For Vegans’ V logo - to confirm their cruelty-free and vegan-friendly credentials - alongside the Soil Association's 'Certified Organic' logo. 

We are also proud to be endorsed by the Naturewatch Foundation, which has one of the strictest endorsement criteria for cruelty-free products in the world.