One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “What’s the Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan?”

A lot of people have different definitions of what cruelty-free and vegan mean, and a different understanding of the difference between cruelty-free and vegan. It can be especially difficult when you first go cruelty-free. Personal definitions, however, do not always match up with terms that brands often use.

I get a lot of emails and comments from people who are upset and confused because they were told all cruelty-free brands are also vegan, or because they didn’t realize that a brand can say they are vegan but still test on animals.

As a consumer, it’s really important to understand how brands use these terms so that you can make the best purchasing decision to align with what you want to support.

In this post, I explain the difference between cruelty-free and vegan. I also explain and how they may be used by brands. It’s important to understand how brands use them because it can help you navigate the cruelty-free beauty industry better.

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