- 05/03/2026
- Rohit Mishra
Using cosmetic products is one thing, and knowing all the related labels on the packaging is another. Also, these labels are equally important for both customers and brands.
If you are starting a new cosmetics or beauty brand, you must gain a deep understanding of these labels. Labels such as vegan, halal, or cruelty-free are the most confusing ones, even for the brands. In this blog, we have tried to clear the confusion between cruelty-free, vegan, and halal labels.
Vegan Cosmetics Meaning
Vegan cosmetics meaning is simple and straightforward. Any cosmetic product that does not contain any animal-based ingredients is labelled as vegan. This does not mean that the product is not tested on animals. Only the ingredients used in the product aren’t derived from animals in any form.
Why Do Brands Choose Vegan Claims?
Brands choose vegan claims because they help attract buyers who are concerned about the type of ingredients used in cosmetic products. It also helps them target vegans and those who prefer plant-based and ethical ingredients. It also helps brands advocate themselves as clean and ethical beauty brands.
Does Vegan Makeup Mean Cruelty-Free?
Brands, especially the startups, may use vegan and cruelty-free interchangeably. However, these two are completely different claims. Cruelty-free products are those that are not tested on animals.
Brands must get them separately to claim that their products do not contain animal-based ingredients and that they are not tested on animals.
Halal Cosmetics Meaning
Halal cosmetics refer to the products that do not contain anything that is prohibited in Islam. Things such as alcohol, pork, and other forbidden items in Islam are not present in halal-certified products. Brands operating in Muslim countries must get halal certification for their beauty and cosmetic products.
Why Launch Halal-Certified Beauty Products?
Islam is one of the most widespread religions across the globe. Followers of this religion do not use the things or engage in activities that are considered to be haram or forbidden.
Halal-certified beauty products create a sense of trust among these people. So, this certification or label is quite essential in regions that have a considerable percentage of the Muslim population.
Where Halal Fits vs Vegan & Cruelty Free?
Claiming a beauty product as halal doesn’t mean it is vegan or cruelty-free. Vegan products do not contain any animal-based ingredients, but halal products can contain them.
For example, gelatin obtained through a halal manner can be present in a halal-certified product. However, as it is animal-derived, brands cannot claim the same product is vegan.
Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Meaning
Cruelty-free cosmetics’ meaning is also simple. Cruelty-free products do not contain any ingredients that are tested on animals. Neither is the product tested on animals in any way.
Brands claiming that their products are not tested on animals may contain ingredients that were tested on animals by the vendors or suppliers. So, though the terms ‘not tested on animals’ and ‘cruelty-free’ feel similar, there might be some fundamental differences when brands use them in different contexts.
Certified Cruelty-Free & Ethical Beauty Brands
Ethical beauty brands do require cruelty-free labels for their products. It helps them demonstrate their ethical ways of manufacturing and testing the products. The cruelty-free certification requires it to be taken from a third-party organisation that is authorised for labelling products as cruelty-free.
Cruelty-Free vs Vegan
Like we said earlier, every cruelty-free product cannot be vegan and vice versa. The products tested on animals but do not contain any animal-based ingredients are vegan but not cruelty-free. Also, the products containing animal-based ingredients but not tested on animals can be cruelty-free.
Vegan vs Halal vs Cruelty Free: Cosmetics Brand Impact
Now, let’s study the impact of vegan vs halal vs cruelty-free labels from the branding point of view:
Target Markets & Sales Channels
- Vegan/Cruelty-free: The demand for vegan and cruelty-free products is strong in Western countries. It is also critical in D2C segments and urban areas.
- Halal: Halal-certified products are in demand in regions where the Muslim population is significant. Retail markets in these regions also require their products to be halal-certified.
Formulation, Sourcing & Compliance Complexity
- Vegan: For your products to be vegan, you must review all the ingredients that you are planning to use in the product formula. The ingredients that do not meet the vegan cosmetics standard should be removed or replaced with vegan ingredients.
- Halal: The ingredients and their procurement should be verified for the products to meet the halal standards. Religious audits may play a crucial role in this process.
- Cruelty-free: The ingredients that are not tested on animals should be used in cruelty-free products. So, the testing procedures must also align with what the cruelty-free meaning signifies in a particular region.
Certification, Logos & Communication
Brands must communicate their offerings clearly to avoid any confusion and prevent consumers from harbouring doubts regarding their legitimacy. Using recognisable symbols instead of words can help them distinguish their product labels easily.
Which Claim Should Your Cosmetics Brand Prioritise First? Vegan vs Halal vs Cruelty-Free
Now, let’s check the scenarios where these specific cosmetic labels play a crucial role:
When To Prioritise Vegan?
If your target audience mostly comprises vegans who search for vegan-friendly cosmetics, you should prioritise the vegan certification. The transparency of ingredients plays a crucial role in products that are sold online. Here also, labels like vegan can have a major impact on a product’s sales.
When To Prioritise Halal?
Halal certification is crucial when retailers sell only halal-certified products. It is also important for regions dominated by Muslim consumers. For that, you must ensure that your manufacturing processes and ingredient-selection process adhere to halal compliance and audits.
When To Prioritise Cruelty-Free?
Cosmetics labels such as cruelty-free are crucial when you promote your brand as ethical and want to project it on a global scale. Once the products get cruelty-free labels, you can think of procuring vegan and halal labels as per your audience and target market.
How Bo International Helps You Build Vegan, Halal and Cruelty-Free Lines?
At Bo International, we save our clients from the hectic and confusing process of acquiring different types of cosmetic labels. We have all the experience in adhering to the vegan, halal‑compliant, and cruelty‑free compliance.
We support our clients by providing them with ingredient selection, documentation, third-party certification, and formulation. Moreover, we also customise the product formula as per their requirements.
Our ability to build product ranges according to your budget, markets, and claims sets us apart from our competitors. Contact us today to know more about our manufacturing process and services.
Vegan vs Halal vs Cruelty Free – FAQs For Beauty Brand Owners
Q1: Is Cruelty-free The Same As Vegan?
A1: No. Vegan means those products that don’t contain animal-derived ingredients. Cruelty-free means that products/ingredients are not tested on animals.
Q2: Can One Brand Be Vegan, Halal And Cruelty-free?
A2: Yes, one brand can be vegan, halal, and cruelty-free at the same time by adhering to all the processes, formulas, and certification requirements.
