Meeting the demand for vegan beauty
What does vegan beauty mean?
Over recent years, veganism has gone from being niche to mainstream and when we think about what veganism actually means, although the first thing that springs to mind is animal welfare and diet, it actually goes much deeper than this. Compassion and avoiding the exploitation of animals in any capacity are most likely the main reasons behind many people opting for a vegan lifestyle, but there are also other issues such as personal health and environmental benefits that are a driving force.
It is worth bearing in mind that products that animal-derived products are more common than you might think, and range from accessories to clothing, and household cleaning items to makeup and beauty care.

As we are becoming increasingly aware of the effect of our actions and choices on the environment, planet-friendly beauty is on the rise, and vegan beauty is a great step to being more eco-conscious. In the past, finding vegan beauty options was no easy task, but in recent years the demand for vegan products has soared. According to The Economist, the year 2019 was ‘the year of the vegan’ and largely due to millennials and Gen Z-ers who have an increased awareness and interest in choosing a vegan lifestyle. i
The world of celebrity has also embraced veganism with many global superstars including the likes of singer Billie Eilish, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and actress Natalie Portman publicly declaring veganism as their lifestyle choice. Some celebrities have capitalised on this by for example, opening vegan restaurants, publishing vegan cookbooks, creating vegan fashion lines and in the world of personal care and beauty, both Kylie and Kim Kardashian have recently launched vegan makeup and skin care lines, Lady Gaga has relaunched her Haus Labs vegan beauty line, and tattoo artist, model, entrepreneur and recording artist Kat Von D has a highly successful vegan makeup range.
Choosing compassionate beauty - presentation


Influencer spotlight: Kat Von D
Kat Von D launched her eponymous, tattoo inspired 100% cruelty-free beauty brand in 2008 as part of a deal with Sephora. It was originally created as a limited-edition makeup collection, but then became a permanent line.
This line was reformulated in 2016 to become 100% vegan, reflecting the founder’s vegan lifestyle and beliefs. Bestselling products from the brand include the Go Bir or Go Home plant-based mascara, the matte Liquid Lipstick, that redefined the modern use of lipsticks by bringing a matte finish that lasts, and the award-winning Tattoo Liner, that promises long-wear, water and smudge resistance . Kat sold her brand in 2020 and it has since been rebranded as KVD Vegan Beauty with the KVD standing for kindness, vegan beauty and discovery. ii
Consequently, the demand for vegan products whether they be for diet, the clothes we wear or home and personal care products we use, is dramatically on the increase. An article published by Forbes suggests that although many consumers may not necessarily stick with a strict vegan diet, they are leaning more towards vegan choices in other aspects of their lives. The global market for vegan beauty in 2020 was estimated to be valued at approximately US$15.1 billion and this is expected to rise dramatically to a projected US$21.4 billion by 2027. ii
UK-based The Vegan Society has published figures that show that vegan skin care ranges have almost tripled over the past seven years, whilst vegan cosmetic sales have seen a 175% increase. Vegan beauty is the fastest moving vegan sector and of all new vegan items launched in the UK in 2020, 82% of them belonged to the beauty category. In Germany this figure was 62% and in North America, 40%. iii
Mintel statistics demonstrate that over the five-year period between 2017 and 2021, globally there were almost 119,000 personal care product launches with a vegan suitable claim, and a steady increase year on year. Europe accounts for 58.3% of these launches with North America following on 20.3%, and with more launches in skin care than any other category. iv
The quest for vegan ingredients in personal care
Whilst it appears that veganism has exploded into the mainstream over the past couple of years, for decades now there have been small brands that have offered vegan products to what was a relatively small market. The quest to find vegan suitable ingredients in the beauty industry has not been an easy one and as recently as ten or even five years ago, finding vegan beauty options was nowhere near as easy as it appears to be becoming now. i
Established beauty brands have had years of history, cosmetic science, and research that all support claims for traditional beauty formulation ingredients, many of which are not vegan. As such, vegan ingredients may have been considered to not have the same efficacy as their traditional non-vegan counterparts. However, with veganism taking the world by storm alongside advances in cosmetic science innovation, technology, and testing, more and more plant-based and synthetic alternative ingredients becoming increasingly available with proven science backed claims.
Whilst it can still be challenging to easily locate alternatives to animal-derived technologies, here at Croda, we can offer a comprehensive portfolio of all of our vegan suitable* products. Here are just a few of our most popular vegan suitable* ingredients:
Vegan suitable* ingredients
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View Croda's vegan suitable* ingredientsFormulating for vegan beauty
As well as being able to provide a portfolio of vegan suitable* ingredients that can be used to create vegan beauty products, our global team of formulation experts have been working hard towards providing solutions for formulators, in providing inspiration for vegan formulations.
We have chosen five of our favourite vegan suitable formulations that provide the very best in vegan self-care, right from head to toe!

Naturally Nourishing Facial Cream
Give your skin a glowing experience with our Naturally Nourishing Facial Cream, a vegan suitable* moisturiser that provides optimum skin hydration with a surprisingly light sensory. Suitable for all skin types, this formulation with a natural content of more than 98%*** helps to achieve a smooth, hydrated and healthy glowing skin.
Crodamol™ ISIS brings optimal skin hydration and light emollient, Crodamol GTCC provides good lubricity. Crodamol SSA is an easily spreadable emollient that quickly absorbs to give a soft and velvety skin feel. Water-in-oil emulsifier Cithrol™ PGTL ensures a robust system which provides a light sensory. The inclusion of Hydronesis® from Sederma acts against keratosis pilaris and leaves the skin feeling incredibly soft, and Crodarom® Amethyst helps to achieve a healthy glowing skin thanks to its composition in silicon.

Naturally Hydrating Sun Protect Lotion SPF30
Love and protect your skin with our vegan suitable* Naturally Hydrating Sun Protect Lotion SPF30. Suitable for even the most delicate young skin, this sunscreen allows for fun in the sun whilst helping to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, with broad spectrum inorganic UV protection. Containing hydrating active ingredients, this sun lotion also helps to soothe and hydrate sun-kissed skin.
Broad spectrum UV protection is provided by Croda’s Solaveil™ XT-300 and Crodarom’s Avocadin™ HU25 helps to soothe and hydrate the skin. Moisture levels in the skin are improved with NG Shea Unsaponifiable™ from Sederma which helps to ensure that skin is nourished by restoring the barrier function, and Croda's 100% bio-based Cithrol™ PGTL ensures a robust, stable system.

Smooth as Silk Body Milk
Make the most of you with our Smooth as Silk Body Milk, a vegan suitable*, light, milky lotion that envelops the skin in hydration, leaving it feeling velvety soft and silky-smooth. For an al-over feel-good factor, this formulation contains ingredients that help to give the skin a healthy glow and a warm and comforting fragrance that uplifts the senses.
Crodamol™ ISIS helps to reduce water loss and naturally maintain optimum levels of hydration whilst Crodamol™ EO helps to provide an exceptionally light feel on the skin. Crodamol™ SSA is an easily spreadable emollient which is absorbed quickly to provide a soft, velvety skin feel, whilst optimal skin moisturisation is provided by Sederma's Aqualance™ PH. The inclusion of Crodarom® Amethyst GL helps to achieve healthy glowing skin thanks to its composition in silicon and the warm and comforting scent in this silky-smooth formulation comes from Iberchem’s Natural Luminosity.

Scalp Soothing Strand Smoothing Serum
Healthy scalp, happy hair! Treat your locks right from root to tip with our Scalp Soothing Strand Smoothing Serum, a lightweight, all-in-one rescue remedy for hair. This multipurpose vegan suitable* formula contains ingredients that treat both the scalp as well as strands to help promote hair that is smooth and hydrated.
Croda’s KeraMatch™ V is a plant-based alternative to animal keratin that hydrates, smooths and strengthens hair, whilst Crodabond™ CSA with its the film forming and conditioning properties seals down hair cuticles, helps to fight against frizz and reduces the appearance of split ends. Apiscalp® from Sederma helps to rebalance scalp microbiota whilst also helping to keep dandruff at bay by targeting itchiness and dryness on the scalp. The inclusion Crodarom® Cider Vinegar EC helps to bring softness and shine to the hair whilst also purifying the scalp. To complete the experience, the sumptuous fragrance of Nectar and Honey from Iberchem helps uplifts the senses with its natural, warm and sweet tones.

Hydration Boost Body Balm
A true beauty companion for all-over body moisturisation, our vegan suitable* Hydration Boost Body Balm not only provides optimum hydration to skin, it also has the added benefit of providing an extra boost of hydration for those parts of the body that are prone to dryness. Less is more, and just a small amount of waterless and sumptuous balm is perfect for treating hands, elbows, knees and feet!
Crodamol™ SS, SP Crodamol™ ML and also Syncrowax™ HRC provide the structure of this formulation, allowing for a smooth application and a pleasant after-feel. Reducing water loss and naturally maintaining optimum levels of hydration is made possible through the inclusion of Crodamol ISIS working in synergy with the skin’s lipid bilayers. DuraQuench™ IQ SA also helps to reduce water loss by reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier whilst Hydroavena™ HpO, a hydrating peptide mixture, moisturises the skin from within. Sederma’s active ingredient Pacifeel® improves skin resilience offering reinforced protection in the long term. This waterless, hydrating formulation is 96.8% natural origin content according to IS016128.
**can be considered to be generally suitable for vegan; however, as there is no single agreed definition nor a standard, global certification, if you are interested in making a vegan claim, please request our Vegan Suitability statement for specifics on this product, and compare to the certification(s) you are seeking to meet.
i. www.bangstyle.com/posts/vegan-beauty-proudct-guide-3923
ii. www.forbes.com, https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinlarson/2021/04/30/vegan-beauty--brands-like-typology-the-ordinary-luneaster-lead-the-way/?sh=5b4ffc802e0a)
iii. www.vegansociety.com/news/media/statistics/beauty-and-household
iv. www.mintel.com