68% of consumers seek clean beauty products. So, vegan and cruelty-free products have moved from niche offerings to standard expectations. In cosmetic manufacturing, more skincare brands shift toward formulations that meet ethical and regulatory standards.
While many consumers use “vegan” and “cruelty-free” interchangeably, they represent two separate commitments. Vegan refers to ingredient sourcing, while cruelty-free concerns animal testing.
Certification plays a key role in ensuring manufacturers meet clearly defined criteria for each. So, brands looking to meet this demand need to understand the manufacturing requirements behind those labels.
Defining Vegan and Cruelty-Free in Cosmetic Manufacturing
Before developing a certified product line, brands must understand what qualifies as vegan and cruelty-free in a manufacturing context.
What Makes a Product Vegan?
To be classified as vegan, a cosmetic product must not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This includes both obvious sources, such as beeswax or lanolin, and lesser-known additives like carmine (a red pigment from crushed beetles) or keratin (from horns or wool). Manufacturers must replace these with plant-based or synthetic equivalents.
For example:
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- Beeswax alternatives: candelilla wax or sunflower wax
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- Lanolin alternatives: plant-based emollients such as shea butter or olive squalane
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- Carmine alternatives: synthetic dyes or plant pigments from beetroot or hibiscus
The challenge lies not only in identifying alternatives but also in preserving the functional properties of the original ingredients. So, manufacturers work closely with R&D and formulation teams to validate stability, texture, and performance without sacrificing quality.
What Cruelty-Free Really Means?
Cruelty-free refers to the assurance that neither the product nor any of its ingredients were tested on animals at any point during development or production. This includes third-party testing or ingredient suppliers.
To meet certification standards, manufacturers:
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- Maintain a zero-animal testing policy
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- Vet ingredient suppliers for compliance
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- Submit documentation proving adherence to cruelty-free procedures
This usually includes legally binding declarations from suppliers and routine supply chain audits. Brands should note that cruelty-free status does not automatically imply a product is vegan, and vice versa.
Certification Bodies and Standards
Certification helps consumers trust marketing claims and gives skincare brands credibility with distributors and retailers.
Major Certifications Explained
Each certifying body has its own process and criteria. Here are the most recognized:
- Leaping Bunny: Internationally recognized cruelty-free certification requiring supplier monitoring, fixed cut-off dates, and third-party audits.
- PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies: Certifies brands that sign a statement of assurance declaring their cruelty-free status. Offers both vegan and non-vegan cruelty-free labels.
- Vegan Society: Certifies that no animal products or byproducts are used and no animal testing is involved. Requires clear ingredient documentation.
- Certified Vegan (by Vegan Action): Requires verification that products are free from animal products and testing. Includes strict policies on shared equipment and contamination risks.
What Manufacturers Must Prove
To qualify for these certifications, manufacturers need to provide:
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- Detailed documentation of the entire supply chain
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- Ingredient origin records and proof of vegan status
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- Formal declarations banning animal testing at any stage
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- Willingness to undergo audits and periodic compliance checks
Some certifiers conduct unannounced inspections or require third-party lab verification, which means manufacturers must maintain consistent procedures across all production runs.
Ingredient Sourcing and Formulation Challenges
Creating a vegan and cruelty-free product involves more than choosing the right ingredients. It requires a disciplined approach to sourcing, documentation, and formulation design.
Avoiding Animal-Derived Ingredients
Manufacturers must identify non-vegan ingredients that are commonly used in skincare. These include:
- Collagen (from animal connective tissue)
- Shellac (from lac bugs)
- Elastin (from animal ligaments)
Alternatives can include:
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- Plant collagen boosters like peptides and amino acids
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- Fruit waxes or biodegradable polymers in place of shellac
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- Marine-derived or fermented elastin analogs
Each substitute must meet texture, safety, and compatibility requirements, which may require reformulation or changes to emulsifier systems.
Ensuring Ingredient Integrity
Relying on ingredient suppliers with third-party vegan certification can reduce risk. However, manufacturers still need traceability at the INCI level. That means verifying:
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- Source of raw materials
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- Manufacturing methods (e.g., fermentation, extraction)
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- Absence of animal-based carriers or preservatives
This transparency protects brands from compliance issues and builds consumer trust.
Maintaining Performance Without Animal Byproducts
Animal byproducts are often used to improve spreadability, absorbency, or shelf life. Replacing them requires precise formulation adjustments. For instance:
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- Replacing lanolin with shea butter may change the product’s melting point
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- Substituting collagen may affect product viscosity
Performance testing must be repeated to verify that the final product delivers the same skin feel, efficacy, and stability as its non-vegan counterpart.
Cosmetic Manufacturing Process Considerations
Certifying a product isn’tjust about the formula—it extends to how and where the product is manufactured.
- Clean Equipment & Cross-Contamination Prevention: Use of dedicated vegan production lines or validated cleaning protocols between batches. Avoid any risk of residue from non-vegan products.
- Staff Training & SOPs: Train production teams on vegan standards. Document all steps in GMP-compliant SOPs, including changeover, ingredient handling, and quality checks.
Why Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products Matter to Consumers
Skincare consumers are reading labels, asking questions, and using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to hold brands accountable. They want transparency, not just marketing slogans.
This shift is largely driven by:
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- Increased awareness of animal testing practices
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- Environmental concerns linked to animal agriculture
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- Influence of plant-based lifestyles and clean beauty movements
Products that carry certified vegan and cruelty-free labels are seen as more ethical, clean, and socially conscious. Over time, this builds brand trust and repeat purchases.
For skincare brands looking to scale, these certifications can also open up distribution with major retailers who require or prefer certified claims.
Partner with the Right Cosmetic Manufacturing Company
Skincare brands that want to launch certified vegan and cruelty-free lines need a manufacturer who understands the process from formulation to final audit. It’s not just about removing animal ingredients—it’s about validating every step of production.
Medpak Solutions specializes in cosmetic manufacturing that supports certification requirements. From vegan formulation support to compliant production protocols. Contact Medpak Solutions to learn how they can support vegan and cruelty-free cosmetic manufacturing.
