Vegan vs. "Cruelty-Free": Two Terms People Often Confuse

What Each Term Actually Means

• Vegan: the product or food contains no animal-derived ingredients at all
• Cruelty-free: the product wasn't tested on animals during development, but its formula may still contain animal-derived ingredients (like lanolin or beeswax)

Why the Confusion Happens

Many cosmetics carry both certifications on the label, which leads people to assume they're the same thing. In reality, a product can easily be "cruelty-free but not vegan," or "vegan but still animal-tested" (for example, if it's exported to a market that legally requires animal testing).

How to Shop by These Labels

If what matters to you is the ingredients, look for the "Vegan" label. If what matters to you is whether animal testing was involved, look for "Cruelty-Free" or the Leaping Bunny logo. A product can meet both standards, or just one.

A Note for Beginners

This distinction comes up more often in beauty and personal care than in food, but understanding it helps you express exactly what you're looking for as a consumer. When shopping for beauty and personal care products, if both standards matter to you, you can check for both certifications directly on the product page or by asking customer service — many brand websites list them separately, so finding the answer usually doesn't take much time.