Animal-derived ingredients hide in plain sight in skincare products, often buried under scientific names that give nothing away.
When shopping for vegan skincare, look for certificates like The Vegan Society, Vegan Action, the Vegetarian Society, PETA Vegan, or BeVeg Certified.
At Pai, we've always taken a different approach. Our entire range is certified vegan by the Vegan Society and cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. No compromises, no small print, no questions. But we know your bathroom cabinet probably contains other brands too. Here's what to watch for on those other bottles.
Beeswax
All Pai creams are beeswax-free. Unusual in the natural beauty world, essential for our vegan customers, but there's another reason we skip it: beeswax simply isn't that great for skin.
Yes, beeswax creates an effective barrier. Yes, it thickens formulas nicely. But it sits on top of your skin rather than absorbing. For sensitive types, that barrier effect can trap heat and bacteria, leading to blocked pores and irritation.
We use plant waxes instead. They deliver the same stabilising benefits without the occlusive heaviness. Your skin can actually breathe.
Lanolin
Lanolin is the oily excretion on the skin of wool-based animals. It's what gives those woolly animals a semi-waterproof soft coat. Extracted from sheep's wool during processing, it's a common moisturising ingredient in mainstream skincare.
Beyond the obvious vegan concerns, lanolin is a known allergen for sensitive skin. Our research found it was one of the top triggers for contact dermatitis in our community. That's before you even get to the greasy residue it leaves behind.
We've written more about lanolin and sensitive skin here.
Retinol
Vitamin A sourcing is more complex than it appears. Retinol, also known as Vitamin A, is great for the skin but it's important to note that it exists in two forms – and it can be animal-derived, though this is usually only in food. Most retinol and retinoids used in skincare are synthetic, but if in doubt check with the brand you're buying from.
At Pai, we take a different route entirely. Our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil naturally contains trans-retinoic acid, a plant-based retinoid that delivers vitamin A benefits without any animal involvement or synthetic processing. Nature already solved this one.
Lactic Acid
This can be found in animal tissue and can be derived from milk. It's a popular exfoliant that can brighten skin and reduce the appearance of lines. The problem? Most brands don't specify their source.
Pai only uses plant-derived lactic acid extracted from sugar beet. You'll find it in products like our Middlemist Seven cleanser, where it gently resurfaces without compromising your values or your skin barrier.
Reading Between the Lines
Vegan skincare gets tricky when ingredients like glycerin can be sourced from either animal fat or plants. Always verify the source with suppliers. Without clear labelling, you're left guessing.
Some other ingredients to question:
- Squalane: This antioxidant was historically extracted from shark liver oil, but thankfully there are now plenty of vegan alternatives, such as olives.
- Collagen: Always animal-derived, usually from "slaughterhouse waste" such as animal tissue, bone, skin, and ligaments. Plant collagen doesn't exist, despite what some brands claim.
- Carmine: This red pigment, often listed as "CI 75470," is made from crushed cochineal insects. Check your lipsticks and blushers.
- Keratin: Structural protein derived from ground horns, hooves, claws, nails, hair, scales and feathers of vertebrates. Plant alternatives exist but aren't always used.
Why Pai Went Fully Vegan (And Stayed That Way)
We didn't become vegan for the marketing angle. Sarah made the decision back when "vegan beauty" wasn't even a category most people recognised. The thinking was simple: if an ingredient might cause a reaction, might involve animal harm, or might work just as well from a plant source, why use it?
Fifteen years later, that philosophy has taken us to some interesting places. Our British Summer Time SPF 30 uses mineral filters and plant oils instead of common animal-derived emulsifiers. Our C-2 Believe vitamin C serum achieves stability through plant chemistry, not animal-derived additives.
Every Pai product carries both Vegan Society and Leaping Bunny certification. Not because we need the badges, but because third-party verification matters when trust is everything.
The Bottom Line
Choosing vegan skincare shouldn't require a chemistry degree. But until the industry catches up with clearer labelling, knowledge is your best defence.
If you're ready to simplify your routine with products that are certified vegan from the start, explore our full range. For more on our approach to formulation and why we make the choices we do, read about why we're vegan and cruelty-free.
Because your values shouldn't stop at your skincare shelf.
