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What’s the Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

Posted on Tuesday - May 28, 2019 by Tashina Combs & Last updated on Tuesday - May 28, 2019 5 Comments

What's the Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

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.

This is the most recent update of a post I originally published on March 15, 2015.

What does cruelty-free mean?

Cruelty-free means that the products have not been tested on animals.

Where it gets tricky is that there is no legal definition of what cruelty-free means, so brands can use it as they please. This is how a lot of brands that do test on animals are able to claim that they are cruelty-free.

It’s common for companies to not test the final product on animals, but to test it along the way or to use ingredients that have been tested on animals by a third-party.

Many brands also hire a 3rd party to conduct animal testing on their behalf. This way, when they say that they aren’t testing on animals they technically are telling the truth. It’s not employees of the brand conducting the animal testing.

Required by law animal testing is also common. This means that the products are tested on animals by a third-party to comply with various regional laws around the world. These products, no matter what the packaging says, are not cruelty-free.

Here at Logical Harmony, cruelty-free means that the brand is not taking part in any animal testing at any point. This means that none of the products or ingredients have been tested on animals, at any point, by any party. This extends from the core ingredients to production to the finished products to the products once they are out on the market.

What does vegan mean?

Vegan means that there are no animal or animal-derived ingredients in the products. This includes beeswax, honey, silk, lanolin, carmine, and many others.

There are lots of beauty companies that are cruelty-free and offer some vegan products. More and more, companies are labeling these options on product packaging or company websites.

Here on Logical Harmony there are lots of vegan product guides from cruelty-free brands and is always adding new ones.

Can a product be vegan but a brand not be cruelty-free? Yes.

Yes. A brand can make vegan products but not be cruelty-free and test on animals.

A lot of people assume that “vegan” on a label means that there is also no animal testing, but that is not necessarily the case. It’s very common to see products from brands that are not cruelty-free with “vegan” on the label because they do not contain animal ingredients.

Can a cruelty-free brand make products that aren’t vegan? Yes.

Yes. A brand can be cruelty-free and make products that are not vegan.

Because cruelty-free refers only to animal testing and not the use of animal ingredients, lots of brands that use animal ingredients are cruelty-free.

So what’s the difference between cruelty-free and vegan?

Cruelty-free means that the product is not tested on animals, but does not have to be vegan.

Vegan means that the product does not contain any animal or animal-derived ingredients, but it can be tested on animals.

Logical Harmony focuses on vegan products from cruelty-free brands.

Any products you see featured here on the website, on Instagram, or on YouTube are not only from a cruelty-free brand, but the products are free of animal ingredients.

This means no animal testing and no animal ingredients.

I think that it’s really important to let people know that there is a difference between cruelty-free and vegan so that you can each decide which products are the best for you.

I urge you to take your own cruelty-free pledge. If you can do your part to help by buying all cruelty-free products, then it’s definitely a step in the right direction and worth supporting. For some people, buying vegan products is going to be an easy transition. For others, going cruelty-free is all that they can do. Even just swapping a handful of your products for cruelty-free or vegan versions is great! What each person is able to do is going to be different, and it’s important to take whatever steps you are comfortable with taking.

Last updated on Tuesday - May 28, 2019 Filed Under: Beauty & Cosmetics, Hair Care, Lifestyle, Nail Care, Skincare

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Tashina Combs of Logical Harmony

Hi! I’m Tashina! I created Logical Harmony with the goal to make cruelty-free beauty easy. Here you’ll find all sorts of shopping guides, vegan product lists, reviews, tips, and tricks to make it simple for you to pick the best cruelty-free options out there.

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Please welcome @glowbyauric by @ssssamanthaa to th Please welcome @glowbyauric by @ssssamanthaa to the Logical Harmony Cruelty-Free Brands List! Who's excited? I know I am!
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While this line doesn't launch until January 26th, I am thrilled to have them be a Logical Harmony Approved Cruelty-Free Brand! Find full details and a list of vegan-friendly options on my website (link in bio @logicalharmony and in stories).
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#LogicalHarmonyApproved #CrueltyFree #CrueltyFreeMakeup #CrueltyFreeBrands #CrueltyFreeBeauty #Auric #GlowByAuric #LogicalHarmony
I wanted to take a quick minute to say hi and intr I wanted to take a quick minute to say hi and introduce myself or re-introduce myself, as I haven't in a long time. So hi! I'm Tashina. I create content mostly about cruelty-free makeup, skincare, and haircare. I also love sharing outfits and have been having a lot of fun with my style in the past year. You can find me here, on my blog (logicalharmony.net), and on YouTube.
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My goal is to make finding products made without testing on animals as easy as possible so I share lots of product reviews, shopping guides, vegan product lists, and more. I also use only vegan-friendly products so anything you see me using anywhere doesn't contain any animal ingredients. We don't need to harm our furry friends for beauty products and I want to help you find the best options out there.
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Makeup details:
@colourpopcosmetics Aura & Out Palette
@colourpopcosmetics x @rawbeautykristi gloss+
@rootpretty Highlight in White Gold
@elfcosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer in Light Ivory+
@dermablendpro Illuminating Banana Powder+*
@elfcosmetics Primer Infused Blush in Always Cheeky
@cloveandhallow Bronzer in Cabo+
@lhcosmetics Infinity Power Brows in Clear+
@lhcosmetics Infinity Brows Sketch & Sculp in Dark Brown+
@bitebeauty Upswing Mascara+
@kvdveganbeauty Lashes in Dramatic+
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+ This product was sent to me for consideration
* This brand is cruelty-free but their parent company is not
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#logicalharmonyapproved #crueltyfreemakeup #crueltyfreebeauty #veganbeauty #crueltyfree #veganmakeup #crueltyfreebrands #grungemakeup #greenmakeup #vegangirls #grungeaesthetic #logicalharmony #veganbeautyaddict #elfingamazing #colourpopme #bitebeauty #bitebeautyambassador
This is the way. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Makeu This is the way.
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Makeup details:
@colourpopcosmetics Shadows in Wait For It, Blowfish, Tiny Tangerines, Paradiso, Tiki, Sandbar, Bratty
@blackmooncosmetics Lashes in Pices+
@necromancycosmetica Lipstick in Healing Stone
@elfcosmetics Poreless Putty Primer+
@uomabeauty Stay Woke Concealer in T1
@elfcosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer in Light Ivory
@dermablendpro Illuminating Banana Powder+*
@elfcosmetics Primer Infused Blush in Always Cheeky
@cloveandhallow Bronzer in Cabo+
@lhcosmetics Infinity Power Brows in Clear+
@lhcosmetics Infinity Brows Sketch & Sculp in Dark Brown+
@imaylabeauty Unifeye Mascara+
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+ This product was sent to me for consideration
* This brand is cruelty-free but their parent company is not
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#logicalharmonyapproved #crueltyfreemakeup #crueltyfreebeauty #veganbeauty #crueltyfree #veganmakeup #crueltyfreebrands #grungemakeup #vegangirl #vegangirls #grungeaesthetic #logicalharmony #uomabeauty #colorfulmakeup #thisistheway #veganbeautyaddict #elfcosmetics #elfingamazing #colourpopme #colourpop #necromancycosmetica #blackmooncosmetics
It’s not a tauntaun, but this little cave in the It’s not a tauntaun, but this little cave in the ice was great as a shelter from the wind.
I've been busy with a lot of behind-the-scenes wor I've been busy with a lot of behind-the-scenes work on the blog and content prepping for 2021. In case you don't realize it, in addition to here on IG I also have a blog and YouTube channel too. What kinds of content do you most want to see? Comment and share what would be helpful to you and what you'd most want to see!
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@uomabeauty Stay Woke Concealer in T1
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@coverfx Blush Duo in Soft Peach+
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+ This product was sent to me for consideration
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#logicalharmonyapproved #crueltyfreemakeup #crueltyfreebeauty #veganbeauty #crueltyfree #veganmakeup #crueltyfreebrands #grungemakeup #vegangirl #vegangirls #grungeaesthetic #logicalharmony #uomabeauty #limecrime #easybakecoven #veganbeautyaddict #elfcosmetics #limecrimemakeup #lcxme #rootpretty #elfingamazing
#ad Going into the new year with staying hydrated #ad Going into the new year with staying hydrated as one of my goals. My collection of @mybkr studded water bottles are so cute and they will definitely help. The colors from left to right are Spiked Heather, Spiked Lulu, and Spiked BTS. I have been a fan of their reusable glass water bottles for years, and I love the cute colors they offer.

BKR is having a really good end of year sale! I'll put a swipe up in stories. 

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