The Best Alternative Ingredient for Vegan Cosmetics

Looking for alternative ingredient for vegan makeup? You've come to the right place!

Vegan Makeup is a booming industry. The demand for vegan cosmetics is increasing as more people are becoming aware of the cruelty that animals are suffering all in the name of beauty.

Although generally skincare products do not penetrate deep into our skin epidermis layers, we must still be extra careful about what we choose to put on our skin. 

Many consumers don't know that animal-derived ingredients can be substituted with rich plant oils such as Prickly Pear Oil, Jojoba oil, and Olive Squalane. These oils can be used to make many types of products including hair conditioner and facial masque!

In this blog post, I will share some of the alternative ingredients that can replace animal-derived ingredients in vegan cosmetics. 

Some branded companies are looking at alternatives to animal-derived ingredients in order to make their products more sustainable and ethical.

Not only are the ingredients plant-based but also more ethical, renewable and sometimes biodegradable.

As cosmetic crafters, we can also play a part in saving Earth!

Alternative ingredient for vegan cosmetics is not the same

You must be aware that not all alternative ingredients for vegan cosmetics work the same way as the original ones.

Differences such as:

  • color
  • texture
  • state of matter
  • melting point
  • boiling point
  • pH
  • solubility
  • ionic or electrolyte compatibility
  • and more

List of alternative ingredient for vegan cosmetics

  • Animal milk: Almond milk, Oat milk, Coconut milk, Soy milk

  • Beeswax: Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax and fruit wax

  • Carmine: Red Iron Oxide, Beetroot, Pink Sweet Potato, Red Radish, Pomegranate, Any Mica powder that has the same hue

  • Collagen: Marine algae

  • Eggs/Egg Lecithin: Sunflower Lecithin

  • Gelatine (as thickener): Xanthan Gum and other plant-based gums or Plant-based emulsifiers

  • Glycerin: Corn syrup, Rice syrup (This works only if you are looking for that thick, sticky texture)

  • Honey: Maple syrup, Corn Syrup, Rice Syrup (This works only if you are looking for that thick, sticky texture)

  • Keratin: Vegan Keratin, Plant Keratin 

  • Lanolin: Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 (also known as Softlanae 649), Hectorite Gel, Cupuacu Butter, Dimer Dilinoleyl (Dimer Dilinoleate)

  • Lard or Tallow: Plant butters, Plant oils

  • Mica powder: Mica is a mineral and not animal-derived. Fruit powders can replace mica but needs more tests on color stability 

  • Any form of nut oil (for allergy and sensitivity issues): Any plant-based oils like Grapeseed Oil, Olive Squalane or Jojoba Oil

  • Pearl Powder, Silk Powder: Calcium Carbonate

  • Retinol: Bakuchiol

  • Silicones: refer to this page

  • Snail Slime: Centella Asiatica (also known as Gotu Kola) + Aloe Vera

Need help?

Do you need help in finding vegan alternatives? Contact me and I'll be glad to help you!

❤️ Share with your friends! ❤️