Updated: September 24, 2026 · Rowe Cosmetics R&D and Manufacturing Team
Vegan cosmetics manufacturing is no longer a niche request. Retailers ask for it, consumers look for it on pack, and many export markets treat it as a baseline. This article explains why Rowe Cosmetics prioritises vegan raw materials, how vegan differs from cruelty-free, and what brand owners should know before putting a vegan claim on their products.
A vegan cosmetic product contains no ingredients of animal origin and no ingredients made using animal-derived processing aids. That sounds simple, but a typical cream or shampoo can contain 15 to 30 raw materials, and several of the classic ones in cosmetic chemistry have traditionally come from animals. Moving to a vegan formula means checking every ingredient, not only the obvious ones such as honey or milk.
For a manufacturer, being vegan is therefore a matter of raw material selection and documentation. The formula, the supplier declarations for each raw material and the production controls all need to support the claim.
Brand owners often use the two terms interchangeably, but they describe different things:
A product can be cruelty-free but not vegan (for example a lip balm with beeswax that was never animal tested), or contain only plant and synthetic ingredients yet be sold in a market where animal testing rules raise questions. In the EU and the UK, animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients is banned for cosmetic purposes, so products placed on those markets start from that basis. Vegan remains a separate, ingredient-level claim that needs its own verification.
| Animal-derived ingredient | Typical use | Vegan alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Beeswax (Cera Alba) | Structure in balms, sticks and creams | Candelilla wax, carnauba wax, sunflower or rice bran wax |
| Lanolin | Emollient in lip care and rich creams | Plant butters such as shea and cocoa, plant-derived esters |
| Collagen (animal) | Film-forming and conditioning | Plant proteins, vegan collagen-mimicking peptides, hyaluronic acid |
| Keratin (animal) | Hair conditioning and repair claims | Hydrolysed plant proteins (wheat, soy, rice), amino acid blends |
| Carmine (CI 75470) | Red pigment in colour cosmetics | Iron oxides and other mineral or synthetic pigments |
| Squalane from shark liver | Lightweight emollient | Olive- or sugarcane-derived squalane |
| Honey and royal jelly | Humectant and marketing ingredient | Glycerin, plant sugars, aloe vera |
| Animal-derived glycerin or stearic acid | Humectant, emulsifier building block | Vegetable-sourced glycerin and fatty acids |
Several names on this list, such as glycerin, stearic acid or squalane, can come from either plant or animal sources. The INCI name alone does not tell you the origin, which is why supplier documentation matters. When a customer asks for a “keratin shampoo” or “collagen mask”, we discuss whether a vegan-compatible alternative can deliver the product concept, or whether the brand accepts a non-vegan version.
A formula built on vegan raw materials can be sold as vegan and also to customers who do not care about the claim. The reverse is not true. Starting vegan gives a brand more options later: a vegan certification, a retailer listing that requires it, or entry into markets where vegan consumers are a significant share of buyers.
About 95% of our raw materials come from European suppliers. Working with established suppliers makes it easier to obtain origin statements and vegan declarations for each ingredient, and keeps documentation consistent across repeat orders.
Modern plant-based and biotechnology-derived ingredients cover almost every function in a formula: emollients, emulsifiers, thickeners, conditioning agents and actives. Many of the products we make, such as niacinamide and zinc PCA anti-acne creams, ceramide and hyaluronic acid moisturisers or argan and jojoba hair serums, are built on ingredients that are vegan by nature.
Brands that choose vegan formulas often also want recycled or eco-conscious packaging. Treating both as part of the same brief from the start saves redesign work later.
Rowe Cosmetics holds certification with The Vegan Society, the organisation behind the well-known Vegan trademark with the sunflower logo. For brand owners this has practical value:
Self-declared “vegan” wording without certification is used in the market, but it relies entirely on your own documentation and can be challenged by retailers or authorities. A recognised trademark reduces that risk and saves explanation in B2B sales.
We agree whether the product should be vegan only, vegan and registered with The Vegan Society, or neither.
Our R&D chemists choose or replace ingredients using supplier documentation on origin and processing.
You test samples for texture, fragrance and performance; we fine-tune the formula without leaving vegan-compatible options.
We provide the formula and INCI information needed for trademark registration and your regulatory file.
The approved product is produced, filled and labelled with your artwork and, where registered, the Vegan trademark.
In the EU and UK, cosmetic claims must be truthful and supported by evidence, in line with the common criteria for claims under the cosmetics rules. A vegan claim is therefore something your Responsible Person may ask you to substantiate. Our formulas are developed in line with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, and we supply the formula and INCI information your regulatory partner needs. If you are planning a new range, our guide on how to start a skincare brand covers the regulatory steps in more detail.
Whether you want to launch a fully vegan line or convert a few best-sellers, you can start from our private label formulas or ask our team to adapt your own formula through cosmetic formulation services.
No. Vegan refers to ingredients; cruelty-free refers to animal testing. The Vegan Society trademark criteria cover both.
Most skin, hair and body care products can. Some concepts built around animal ingredients, such as beeswax balms, need an alternative ingredient and may change slightly in texture.
We prioritise vegan raw materials, and vegan-certified products are possible. Whether a specific product is vegan depends on its final formula.
Often yes. Our chemists review each ingredient and suggest vegan alternatives where needed, then produce samples for your approval.
Tell us which products you want to launch and whether you need the Vegan trademark. We will suggest formulas and packaging to match.
Tell us the product type, estimated quantity, packaging preference and target market — our manufacturing team will get back to you.
ISO 22716 (GMP) · ISO 9001 · The Vegan Society · Halal