When checking for Vegan suitability, which common ingredients are animal-derived and require caution?

There are many common animal-derived ingredients, for example: gelatin, collagen, casein, whey, lactose, beeswax, honey, propolis, shellac, carmine/cochineal, keratin, lanolin, lard, tallow, fish liver oil, fish scales, isinglass, musk/civet/castoreum/ambergris, silk, wool, angora, cashmere, and so on.

Some ingredient names do not reveal their source - how can you tell whether they are animal-derived?

Some ingredients (such as glycerin, stearic acid, fatty acids, lecithin, vitamins, mono-/diglycerides, etc.) may come from animals, but may also come from plants, synthetics or minerals - the name alone does not tell you. For such questionable "natural source" ingredients, consult the manufacturer directly, or look for a Vegan certification mark to ensure the product truly contains no animal-derived ingredients.

Common Animal-Derived Ingredients

Most of the ingredients listed below are animal-derived, but some may be plant, synthetic or mineral. If you are unsure, consult the manufacturer or look for a Vegan certification mark!

Adrenaline

Albumen

Alcloxa (aluminum chlorohydroxy allantoinate)

Allantoin

Ambergris

Angora (commonly used in textiles, face masks, etc.)

Animal-Derived GMOs

Animal Excretions

Animal Fats and Oils

Animal Flesh

Animal Hair

Animal Milk

Animal Shells

Animal Skin

Arachidonic Acid

Aspartic Acid

Bee Pollen

Beeswax (Honeycomb)

Biotin (Vitamin H, Vitamin B Factor)

Blood, Blood Products

Boar Bristles

Bone

Bone Carbon

Bone Gelatin

Bone Powder

Calciferol

Caprylic Acid

Carbamide (Urea)

Carmine

Carminic Acid

Casein

Cashmere

Castoreum

Catgut

Cerebrosides

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Palmitate

Chinese Wax

Chitosan

Cholesterin / Cholesterol

Choline Bitartrate

Chondroitin

Civet

Cochineal

Collagen

Coral

Cortisone, Corticosteroid

Cystine

Dexpanthenol

Diglycerides

Egg

Elastin

Emu Oil

Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2)

Estrogen, Estradiol

Fatty Acids

Feathers

Fish

Fish Liver Oil

Fish Scales

Fur

Gelatin

Glycerin, Glycerol

Guanine, Pearl Essence

Hide Glue

Honey

Horn

Horsehair

Hyaluronic Acid

Insects

Isinglass

Isopropyl Myristate

Keratin

Lac

Lactic Acid

Lactose

Lanolin, Lanosterols

Lard

Leather

Lecithin

Linoleic Acid

Lipase

Lipids, Lipoids

Marine Oil

Methionine

Mink Oil

Mohair

Monoglycerides

Musk (Oil)

Nacre (Mother of Pearl)

Natural Sources: (may be animal, plant, mineral, or synthetic)

Non-Dairy Creamer

Nucleic Acids

Octopus Ink

Oleic Acid

Oleyl Alcohol, Ocenol, Oleths

Palmitic Acid

Panthenol, Dexpanthenol, Vitamin B-Complex Factor, Provitamin B-5

Pearls

Pepsin

Placenta, Placenta Polypeptides Protein, Afterbirth

Polyglycerol

Polysorbates

Pristane

Progesterone

Propolis

Rennet, Rennin

Resinous Glaze

Retinol

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

Royal Jelly

Sable

Seashell

Sea Silk

Sea Sponge

Sepia Ink

Sheepskin

Shellac

Silk

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

Spermaceti, Cetyl Palmitate, Sperm Oil

Squalane

Stearates

Stearic Acid

Sterol

Suede

Tallow

Triterpene Alcohols

Tyrosine

Urea

Vitamins (may be animal, plant, mineral, or synthetic)

Whey

Wool

Wool Fat, Wool Wax

FAQ

When checking for Vegan suitability, which common ingredients are animal-derived and require caution?: There are many common animal-derived ingredients, for example: gelatin, collagen, casein, whey, lactose, beeswax, honey, propolis, shellac, carmine/cochineal, keratin, lanolin, lard, tallow, fish liver oil, fish scales, isinglass, musk/civet/castoreum/ambergris, silk, wool, angora, cashmere, and so on.
Some ingredient names do not reveal their source - how can you tell whether they are animal-derived?: Some ingredients (such as glycerin, stearic acid, fatty acids, lecithin, vitamins, mono-/diglycerides, etc.) may come from animals, but may also come from plants, synthetics or minerals - the name alone does not tell you. For such questionable "natural source" ingredients, consult the manufacturer directly, or look for a Vegan certification mark to ensure the product truly contains no animal-derived ingredients.

FAQ

Related