Cosmetics & Bodycare

Vegan beauty news are more relevant than ever as the global market for beauty & personal care products is valued at $511B, and is expected to exceed $716B by 2025. Being one of the market categories with the highest profit margins, many new startups and companies are establishing, or expanding their product ranges, within the flourishing beauty industry.

According to a market report by The Common Thread Collective, the best-performing beauty products are natural, organic, or clean. The demand for ethically sourced beauty and skincare products is on the rise, with a large amount of consumers prefering products that were not tested on animals, or involve animal-derived ingredients in the manufacturing process.

©Myroslava/adobe.stock.com

Vegan cosmetics market on the rise

The vegan cosmetics market is projected to reach $ 20.8B by 2025, according to a report by Grand View Research, Inc. Progressing at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period, the vegan cosmetics category is on a path to outperform conventional beauty products, as the beauty industry as a whole is projected to grow at a CAGR of only 4.75%.

Vegan and cruelty free beauty products

Many consumers think that the terms vegan and cruelty free can be used simultaneously. However, while vegan beauty products are characterised by the absence of animal ingredients, cruelty free products describe a beauty product that is free from animal-testing. Therefore, it is possible that a product labeled as vegan was tested on animals, and that a product labeled as cruelty free does contain animal ingredients.

Among animal-derived ingredients that are commonly found in beauty products, the top 3 are honey, beeswax, and lanolin. There is no proof that beauty products containing animal components are in any way better for consumers.

However, vegan cosmetics were found to be better for people with sensitive skin. As vegan cosmetics are mostly composed of fewer ingredients than conventional products, vegan beauty products are less irritating for the skin.

How to identify vegan products?

Overall, it is much harder for a consumer to identify vegan beauty products than vegan food products in stores. According to a survey conducted by Flawless Lashes by Loreta in 2019, 34% of non-meat eaters are still knowlingly using animal by-products within their cosmetics.

As a result, it is important for vegan cosmetics brands to label their products as vegan and cruelty free. As of 2022, the Vegan Society has registered thousands of brands that have proven to be both, vegan and cruelty free. Moreover, PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies Program lists all registered companies that are committed towards vegan cosmetics.

Vegan cosmetics brands

The majority of vegan cosmetics brands support the vegan society by developing innovative recipes for their plant based shampoos, skin-care, or cosmetic products without harmful or toxic ingredients.

As the demand for natural products is growing, the perception of any brand whose products are not in line with ethical values, or in support of animal-testing, is likely to decrease. Nowadays, vegan products sold on the market are expected by customers to contribute towards a better world for humans and animals.

An example for a vegan brand that is 100% commited towards clean beauty is e.l.f cosmetics. At e.l.f cosmetics, every final product, cosmetics and skincare, meet the highest standards of clean. Moreover, Israeli brand AHAVA is developing natural products that benefit health and moisture of the skin, as all products are made with natural resources extracted from Dead Sea mud, salt, and water.

©PRNewsfoto/GoodJanes Beauty Company

Celebrities love vegan cosmetics

In the past, many known cosmetic brands have collaborated with international celebrities and influencers. What started as a clever move in terms of marketing and profits, developed into a space, where an increasing number of celebrities start their own vegan cosmetics companies.

For instance, Ariana Grande became the founder of ethical cosmetics brand R.E.M. in 2021. In line with her own vegan lifestyle, the singer- and songwriter, the brand celebrated huge success since it first launched. Other celebrities who founded vegan cosmetics brand include Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Scarlett Johansson.

Vegconomist is reporting on vegan business news and targets decision-makers from the vegan business space, as well as supports of the vegan movement. If you want to get the most relevant vegan business news directly into your inbox, you can subscribe to the vegconomist newsletter here.

Avant’s Zellulin Cell-Cultured Peptide Becomes First Non-Food Product to Earn C-Label Certification

June 20, 2025June 20, 2025

Avant’s Zellulin® ZelluGEN™ has achieved a milestone in the growing field of cellular agriculture by becoming the first non-food product to receive the C-Label certification. The C-Label, created by V-Label, is a standard that aims to ensure transparency and ethical practices in products derived from cellular agriculture. Zellulin® ZelluGEN™, a multi-peptide complex derived from fish cells, is produced through cell cultivation rather than traditional animal sourcing, positioning it as a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to conventional peptides. Renato Pichler, founder of V-Label, commented on the certification, saying, “With Zellulin®, we are witnessing the transformative potential of cellular agriculture beyond the food sector. This certification exemplifies our dedication to advancing sustainable and humane alternatives across various industries.” The product, developed using Avant’s patented Zellulin® BioPlatform, marks …

Organisations and brands:

Avant

Zellulin

Image: zhugewala from Pexels

Te Protejo Launches Certification Contest for Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Latin America

May 8, 2025

Te Protejo, an organization working to end the use of animal testing in the Latin American cosmetics industry, has launched a competition aiming to increase the presence of cruelty-free products in the region. The contest is taking place for the second consecutive year and will allow four cosmetic brands to access Te Protejo’s certification process completely free of charge, along with other benefits. The call is open to brands from 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special focus on Chile, Brazil, and Mexico. All companies in the cosmetics, household cleaning, and pet care industries are invited to apply. If successful, they could join the more than 180 brands that have been certified by Te Protejo. “True commitment to animal welfare” The …

Organisations and brands:

Te Protejo

Clean Food Group to Create “Revolutionary” New Raw Materials for Cosmetics Through Transformed Food Waste

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

UK biotech company Clean Food Group has announced a strategic partnership with cosmetics product developer and manufacturer THG LABS to create groundbreaking raw materials, starting with a low-impact, high-performance oil for use in beauty and personal care products. The collaboration aims to provide the cosmetics industry with more sustainable, effective, and responsible bio-equivalent alternatives to agriculturally intensive ingredients. By transforming food waste into valuable resources, the collaboration aims to reduce the environmental footprint of cosmetics production. The newly announced partnership stems from eight years of pioneering research led by Professor Chris Chuck, Technical Lead at Clean Food Group. The company’s proprietary technology platform uses scalable, non-GMO yeast strains and fermentation processes, utilizing bread waste as a food source to produce sustainable alternatives to conventional oils …

Organisations and brands:

Clean Food Group

Pamela Anderson Joins Vegan Skincare Brand Sonsie Skin as Owner & Co-Founder

February 15, 2024

Actress Pamela Anderson has acquired vegan skincare brand Sonsie Skin, and will now join the company as co-founder. Anderson is a longtime vegan, known for her animal rights activism and partnerships with vegan brands. Last year, she attracted attention by attending a fashion show without makeup, and has continued to make appearances barefaced ever since. She is now taking a new approach to beauty, focusing on skin health and self-acceptance rather than perfection. The aim is to inspire consumers who feel pressured by social norms to “embrace their most vulnerable self”. “To me, true beauty is about celebrating authenticity. I want to look like myself, feel like myself, and that means taking care of myself — inside and out,” said Anderson. Minimalist skincare Sonsie Skin …

Organisations and brands:

Sonsie Skin

The Body Shop Becomes First Global Beauty Brand with 100% Vegan Portfolio Certified by The Vegan Society

January 3, 2024

The Body Shop announces that it has become the world’s first global beauty brand to offer a fully vegan portfolio certified by The Vegan Society — a milestone in cruelty-free cosmetics and body care. Now, hundreds of the brand’s products, encompassing skincare, body care, hair care, makeup, and fragrance, have 100% vegan formulations and carry the Vegan Trademark (products with old and discontinued formulations will be available for sale until depleted). To obtain the global gold standard certification on the entire portfolio, over 4000 raw materials, including their suppliers and manufacturers, had to undergo The Vegan Society’s meticulous assessment, explains the vegan beauty retailer. “We did it! Every single product formulation from The Body Shop is now certified by The Vegan Society. We know that vegan …

Organisations and brands:

The Body Shop

The Vegan Society

©e.l.f

e.l.f. Beauty Announces Earnings Release Date for Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

October 19, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) (the “Company”) today announced that it will hold a webcast to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2024 results on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A press release detailing the Company’s results will be issued prior to the webcast, which will be hosted by Tarang Amin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mandy Fields, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The webcast will be broadcasted live at https://investor.elfbeauty.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archived version will be available at the same location. Learn more by visiting https://investor.elfbeauty.com. About e.l.f. Beauty e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. builds brands designed to disrupt norms, shape culture and connect communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. A …

Image courtesy Freshly Cosmetics

Freshly Cosmetics Continues Expansion in Spain With Palma Location, Plans Two More Stores

June 14, 2023

Freshly Cosmetics, a brand specializing in sustainable cosmetics and operating several stores across Spain as well as one London location, opened a new store in Palma, Mallorca, last Friday. The company has also announced two new Freshly Stores in Spain: one in Madrid, becoming the second store in the capital, and the first store in Galicia, in the city of A Coruña, stating that “with the next confirmed openings, we will be very close to our 2023 target: to have around twenty outlets.” In April of this year, the cosmetics retailer launched a sustainable refilling system for its products called the Freshly Refill, with new cardboard packaging containing more than 75% vegetable fibers. “There are some very intense weeks ahead” In the words of the …

Organisations and brands:

Freshly Cosmetics

H&M Beauty launches OHH! everyday cruelty-free essentials

H&M Beauty Launches Range of Cruelty-Free Everyday Essentials

April 25, 2023

H&M Beauty has launched a collection of ten cruelty-free daily care products called OHH! (OH HEY HERO), available at more than 2000 stores and online across selected markets. The new collection celebrates individuality, body acceptance, and freedom of expression, aiming to inspire young people to be their own hero, says H&M. “We don’t believe in complicated routines, layer upon layer of product and overpriced formulas – this collection is about inclusivity and accessibility while also being innovative and dependable,” commented Sabina Odqvist, Head of Private Label at H&M Beauty. Everyday cruelty-free essentials The beauty line includes ten vegan products: Little Champ Functional Moisturising Stick: Contains shea butter to help prevent skin friction while locking in moisture. Smells Like Rainbows Anti-Odor Spray: An aluminum-free deodorizing spray …

Organisations and brands:

H&M Beauty

Korean Vegan Beauty Brand Heimish Expands US Presence With Amazon Launch

April 14, 2023

Oneand, the parent company of Korean vegan beauty brand heimish, has announced it will expand its presence in the US market by launching on Amazon. Heimish’s portfolio includes skin cleansers, hydrogel eye patches, hydrating toners, moisturizers, and cosmetics, all made without animal-derived ingredients. The products use plant-based ingredients such as matcha, moringa, and algae, aiming to respect the skin’s natural pH. Heimish products have previously obtained France’s EVE VEGAN certification, renowned globally for its rigorous inspections and distinctive factory audits. “After the success of our All Clean Balm and All Clean Green Foam products at Walmart in the United States, we are now expanding our market presence through the Amazon channel. We anticipate that because heimish offers vegan beauty products certified by France’s EVE VEGAN, our …

Organisations and brands:

heimish

Spain’s Freshly Cosmetics Launches Refill System With 100% Recyclable Packaging

June 14, 2023April 3, 2023

Freshly Cosmetics, a Spanish company specialising in vegan cosmetics, has launched a new refilling system for its products: the Freshly Refill. Freshly states this new cardboard packaging contains more than 75% vegetable fibres and that it now offers a refill service to “Freshly Fans”. The company’s objective is to take a firm step towards a more sustainable future. This new initiative will reduce the carbon footprint by 92% with respect to glass containers, reveals the company in a statement. Since 2020, the digitally native and sustainable company has provided a product refill service in its ten Freshly Stores and says that it has already eliminated more than 7,000 containers, saving about 2 tons of CO₂. Six of Freshly’s favourite products can be refilled: the Golden …

Organisations and brands:

Freshly Cosmetics

Siita - one of the world's first zero-waste companies

Korean Vegan Skincare Brand Siita Named One of the World’s First Zero-Waste Companies

March 13, 2023

UN-hosted online platform The Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network has recognised South Korea’s Siita as one of the only zero-waste companies in the world. In particular, the brand has been hailed for developing a method that rapidly decomposes plastic product containers. Siita’s empty containers are collected by the company and transformed into organic compost, which is then supplied to nearby farms. The process is said to be quicker and cheaper than other methods of breaking down plastics, taking just three months. In comparison, plastics can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. “Siita is the only company in the world that decomposes products made of plastic. All Siita products are fully decomposed and return to nature,” said The Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network. …

Organisations and brands:

Siita

Vegan Trademark Certifies 30,000th Cosmetics Product as Market Projected to Reach $21.4Bn

March 8, 2023

The Vegan Society‘s Vegan Trademark has reached a new milestone with the certification of its 30,000th animal-free cosmetics product. The trademark began as a certification scheme for the food sector in 1990, expanding to include cosmetics in 2005. Of the more than 65,000 products carrying the trademark, cosmetics and toiletries now account for 45%. The 30,000th cosmetics product to be registered was LUSH’s “After” Magnesium Massage Bar. The Vegan Society said it was “wonderful” that the milestone had been reached with LUSH, as the brand has been a client since 2006. LUSH also campaigns extensively against animal testing, and 95% of its range is fully vegan. Fast-growing market The vegan beauty market is growing rapidly, with a market report predicting that it will be worth …

Organisations and brands:

The Vegan Society

Welsh Brand Mallows Beauty Expands to US With Urban Outfitters Launch

February 20, 2023

Mallows Beauty, a vegan beauty brand based in the Welsh city of Cardiff, has announced it will be launching at 177 Urban Outfitters stores in the US. The collaboration comes after Mallows’ brightly coloured products attracted significant interest on TikTok, with consumers worldwide asking where they could buy them. The brand is now in the process of partnering with a US-wide distributor. Exports already make up about a third of Mallows’ sales, after it previously expanded to Ireland, mainland Europe, and Australia. The brand has seen a 30% increase in turnover since exports began in late 2021. Support from the Welsh government — in the form of market research, advice on regulations, and setting up meetings with potential partners — has helped to boost Mallows’ …

Organisations and brands:

Mallows Beauty

Urban Outfitters

Almost a Quarter of US Skincare Launches Now Feature Microalgae

March 17, 2023February 17, 2023

Data from Mintel‘s Global New Product Database has revealed that 22.2% of skincare launches in the US last year contained either chlorella or spirulina — up from 13.2% in 2018. The microalgae ingredients are increasingly popular with consumers due to their perceived naturalness, sustainability, and health benefits. They are also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. One of the trending products described by Mintel is Sensityl™, a microalgae-based cosmetics ingredient developed by Givaudan. After a month of use, Sensityl is claimed to not just benefit skin but also improve mood. According to Mintel, this is in line with the growing trend towards more holistic beauty, providing emotional well-being along with functionality. Research regarding the health benefits of microalgae is still limited, but studies have indicated that the ingredients …

Organisations and brands:

Mintel

Luxury Skincare For the Discerning Doggo: Vegan Brand DOG by Dr Lisa Arrives in USA

February 9, 2023

Australian luxury pet skincare brand DOG by Dr Lisa today makes its entrance into the US with a range of natural products to help with a variety of pet skincare needs. Founded in 2020, the brand’s entry into the US this week comes after a year of “momentous” growth for the startup which states it has raised $AUD3.25M to date with an increase of 124% in annual sales. DOG by Dr Lisa, the rate of success in its home country signalled that international expansion was a natural next step. The products were created by Dr. Lisa Chimes, a veterinarian who works in the emergency and critical care department at a Small Animal Specialist Hospital. Dr Lisa has starred in popular TV shows Bondi Vet and …

Organisations and brands:

DOG by Dr Lisa

Vegan Society USA market port cosmeticsre

Vegan Society’s First US Market Report: 90% Consider Vegan-Verified Cosmetics Important

January 20, 2023January 18, 2023

More than half of US consumers want more vegan-verified labelling on beauty products, according to the Vegan Society‘s first US market report. As the Vegan Society continues to expand its global reach, the organisation is keen to understand perceptions of veganism and vegan products around the world. For this reason, the UK’s Vegan Society has produced a report entitled “The Vegan Beauty Takeover: US Edition” in collaboration with its American offshoot, the American Vegan Society. The results of a survey conducted as part of the report mirror earlier findings from a UK survey that looked at consumer demand for vegan cosmetics and analysed whether shoppers understand the differences between vegan and cruelty-free labelling. In the cosmetics industry, the term “cruelty-free” refers either to products that …

Organisations and brands:

American Vegan Society

The Vegan Society

Global Vegan Cosmetics Market Report 2023-2027: Market is Poised to Grow by $5.87 Billion – Increase in Strategic Acquisitions and Investments Driving Growth

January 10, 2023

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The “Global Vegan Cosmetics Market 2023-2027” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The vegan cosmetics market is poised to grow by $5872.81 mn during 2023-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 6.5% The market is driven by the increasing preference for cruelty-free cosmetics from consumers, the growth of cosmetic industry, and promotional and marketing strategies employed by cruelty free cosmetics vendors. This study identifies the increase in strategic acquisitions and investments as one of the prime reasons driving the vegan cosmetics market growth during the next few years. Also, the introduction of new cruelty free cosmetic products and the growth of e-commerce market will lead to sizable demand in the market. The report on the vegan cosmetics market provides a holistic analysis, market size …

VeCollal Launches Vegan Collagen With Same Amino Acid Profile as Human Collagen

November 30, 2022

Belgian startup VeCollal has developed a “revolutionary” vegan alternative to animal collagen supplements for use in nutraceuticals, beauty products, and functional foods. Collagen is normally animal-derived, but this makes it unsuitable for vegans and can sometimes cause allergies — particularly when it comes to marine collagen. Animal collagen also has a different amino acid profile to that found in humans, whereas VeCollal exactly matches the human collagen profile. The collagen alternative has already been used by UK supplement brand Feel, which is endorsed by former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl. Another brand, Revive Collagen, has used VeCollal to produce what is claimed to be the world’s first liquid vegan collagen. Despite having been launched less than 12 months ago, VeCollal has already seen significant growth and …

Krush Launches “World’s Most Sustainable” Vegan Toothpaste Tablets

November 23, 2022

UK startup Krush has set out to “revolutionise oral care” with its new sustainable, vegan-friendly toothpaste tablets. Called Whitening & Remineralising Toothpaste Tabs with Blue Spirulina, the tablets are plastic-free, waterless, and free of palm oil. Claiming to be the world’s most sustainable toothpaste brand, Krush says that up to 240 gallons of water could be saved per person per month if consumers switch to the tablets. Unlike many toothpaste brands, Krush’s tablets are vegan-friendly, since they have not been tested on animals and are free of animal ingredients. Many toothpastes contain glycerin, an ingredient sometimes derived from animal fat, along with animal-tested colours and preservatives. Since Krush tablets are waterless, they do not require any preservatives. The toothpaste tablets are sold in recyclable and …

Supermodel Kate Moss Launches Vegan Wellness Brand

September 5, 2022

British supermodel Kate Moss has launched a vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainably-sourced wellness brand called Cosmoss. The range currently features face cream, face cleanser, herbal teas, eau de parfum, and pro-collagen oil drops containing CBD. Moss says the products are designed to be used as part of three “rituals” — Dawn, Day, and Dusk — which “balance body and soul with the natural environment and the circadian cycles”. The supermodel created the brand — which took two and a half years to develop — after the pandemic inspired her to focus on spirituality and self-care. Celebrity beauty brands Kate Moss is one of several celebrities to launch vegan beauty and wellness brands in recent years. Fashion designer Stella McCartney has just partnered with the LVMH beauty …

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The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers