Animal-Derived Ingredients

Animal-derived ingredients are cosmetic raw materials obtained from animals or their by-products. Common examples include lanolin from wool, beeswax and honey, carmine (a red pigment from cochineal insects), silk proteins, keratin, collagen, snail secretion filtrate and some forms of squalene.

Whether an ingredient is animal-derived is not always obvious from its name. Squalane, for instance, can be produced from shark liver oil, from olives or by sugarcane fermentation, and the INCI name is identical in each case — only the brand’s documentation tells you the source. Glycerin and stearic acid can likewise be plant- or animal-sourced.

“Vegan” describes the absence of these materials; “cruelty-free” refers to animal testing policy. The two claims are independent, and neither predicts how a product will behave on your skin. If you avoid these ingredients for ethical, religious or allergy reasons, read the full INCI list and ask the brand where the source is ambiguous. Lanolin and carmine in particular are recognised contact allergens for some people.