In cosmetics, veganism extends beyond the mere prohibition of animal testing, which is already forbidden. It also opposes animal exploitation and the consumption of any animal-derived products. However, these ingredients are not labelled in a specific way that allows you to recognise them. As advocates for animal welfare, we decipher for you in this article the raw materials derived from animals and why we have decided to exclude them from our formulas.
Why doesn't Typology use ingredients of animal origin?
Published on January 10, 2025, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 11 min of reading
What animal-derived ingredients can we find in cosmetics?
We distinguish two categories: those that are extracted from an animal's body, meaning the ingredients that require the animal to be killed for their extraction and production, and those that are naturally produced by animals without causing them harm, meaning they include all ingredients that require the exploitation of an animal.
A component of snail slime (mucus) or other gastropods, it is used for its restorative powers in numerous cosmetics: toothpastes, sun creams, lipsticks, shampoos...
INCI Name: Allantoin.
A red dye made from cochineal insects and crushed cochineal eggs, predominantly used in the formulation of lipsticks. It is the only ingredient extracted from an animal that is used in organic cosmetics. For your information, to produce 1 kg of pigment, 150,000 cochineals are required.
INCI Designation: Carmin, Carmine, CI 75470.
Chitosan/Chitin/Chondroitin
Extracted from the shell of certain crustaceans or the cartilage/scales of fish. It is primarily used as a hair fixative in gels or hairsprays.
INCI Nomenclature: Chitosan, Chondroitin, Chicol.
Animal Collagen and Animal Elastin
A fibrous protein that is either manufactured from beef or pork carcasses, or extracted from the skin, bones and scales of fish, used for their moisturising properties. Elastin is produced in a similar way to collagen and for the same properties. They are primarily found in anti-wrinkle creams.
In our serum for wrinkles & loss of firmness, the collagen used (INCI name: Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen) is of plant origin. It consists of synthetic fragments of type I collagen that mimic human collagen and have been cloned and transcribed in vitro transiently through wild plants (Nicotiana benthamiana).
INCI Nomenclature: Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Connective Tissue Extract, Scillii Pellis Extract, Sus (Skin) Extract / Elastin, Elastinate, Hydrolyzed Elastin.
A substance derived from the skin and bones of animals, often pigs, which is found among other things in toothpastes.
INCI Nomenclature: Gelatin, Gelatine, Gelatina.
Animal-derived Glycosaminoglycans:
Saccharide polymers derived from the organs and tissues of mammals or molluscs. They are hydrating and can be found in various skincare products: face creams, lotions, serums, cleansers... Hyaluronic acid is the most well-known of the glycosaminoglycans.
Hydrating serum, moisturising cleansing milk, nourishing face cream, sunscreen... thehyaluronic acid (INCI name: Sodium Hyaluronate) used in our products is derived from the fermentation of wheat.
INCI Nomenclature: Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronan, Glycosaminoglycan, anything containing "Hyaluronate" and "Chondroitin".
A derivative of pig or bovine fats, it is present in most cosmetics (toothpastes, moisturising creams, hair products, soaps...) as a hydrating agent, lubricant or solvent.
As a solvent or humectant, the glycerine used in our products is exclusively of plant origin. It is derived from vegetable oils such as rapeseed, corn, sunflower, palm, soy, coconut, olive, flax, and so on.
INCI Name: Glycerin, Glycerol.
Derived from the melting of fat from pigs, sheep, or cattle, they are widely used in soap manufacturing as an emulsifier.
INCI Nomenclature: Tallow Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, anything containing the term "Palmitate", anything containing "Stear-" such as Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Stearone, Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Stearate, Quaternium-18.
Guanine:
A dye derived from the scales of certain fish or snakes. Found in eyeshadows, nail polishes, shampoos, lacquers, and illuminators, it is particularly used to provide a shiny, "pearlescent" effect to cosmetics.
INCI Name: Guanine, CI 75170.
Valued for their nourishing properties, they are extracted from mink fat.
INCI Nomenclature: Mink Oil, Mustela Oil, Mustele Oil, Mustela Sera.
There are numerous vegetable oils with similar properties.
Rich in omega-3, they are found in certain facial and hand care products for their softening and anti-inflammatory properties.
INCI Nomenclature: Fish Oil, Fish Glycerides, Piscum Lecur Oil, Pisces Extract, Piscum.
Protein, which makes up hair, nails, and even body hair, extracted from poultry feathers as well as animal horns and hooves, is primarily used in hair care products to strengthen the hair fibre.
Whether it's in hair care, eye care or nail care, the keratin (INCI name: Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein) used are in fact wheat or almond proteins hydrolysed by an enzymatic process. To differentiate it from the animal-derived version, the term "phytokeratin" is often used to refer to the plant-based version.
INCI Nomenclature: Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin.
Milks and animal-derived products
Cow's milk, donkey's milk, mare's milk, goat's milk... used as a moisturiser and pH corrector, it forms the basis of many soaps and facial treatments. Milk derivatives, such as casein, lactoferrin, lactic acid, lactose or butter, can be used in cosmetic products as a preservative, antistatic agent or humectant.
Whether as a preservative or an exfoliating active ingredient, thelactic acidwe use in some of our treatments is derived from the fermentation of sugar present in corn seeds using specific bacteria, such as Lactobacillus.
INCI Nomenclature: Whey/lactis Protein (milk protein), Lactis Lipida (milk fat), Milk Protein, Lactose, Sodium Caseinate, Lactose, Fucose, Galactose, Galactosyl, Kefiran, Succinoglycan, Butter, Butyrum, Lac, Lactabulmin, Lactis, Lactoferrin.
A component with emollient, moisturising, and repairing virtues that protects the wool of sheep and ewes, notably used in lip glosses, lip balms, lipsticks, hair care products, and for the treatment of nipple cracks related to breastfeeding.
INCI Nomenclature: Lanolin, -lanolate, Lanolinamide, Acetylated Lanolin, -laneth, Soalkil Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraundecylenate.
Musk:
Used for its scent in perfumery, it is extracted from glands located in the abdomen of civets, beavers, roe deer, deer, muskrats or sperm whales, which emit fragrant secretions.
INCI Nomenclature: Ambergris, Musk.
This ingredient harbours intriguing benefits for the skin and hair: egg yolk, rich in fatty acids and vitamins, has nourishing, regenerative and antioxidant properties, while egg white, a source of proteins and minerals, possesses antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It is notably used in certain shampoos to hydrate and impart shine.
INCI Nomenclature: Ovum, Ovum Powder, Egg, Egg Powder, Albumin, Ovotransferrin, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Roe.
Pearl:
Mother of pearl, derived from certain molluscs (oysters, pearl mussels...) used in the production of makeup powders.
INCI Name: Conchiolin Powder, Margarita Powder, Nacre Powder, anything containing "Pearl".
Renowned for their numerous antioxidant, hydrating, and antibacterial properties, the products produced by bees through their wax glands are extensively used in cosmetics in various forms. These can include honey, but also beeswax, royal jelly, or propolis.
INCI Nomenclature: Honey, Honey, Albumen, Beeswax, Cera Alba, Cera Flava, Propolis, Royal Jelly.
Found in a vast number of hair care products to coat and smooth the hair fibre. To produce this, silk worms are ground in their cocoon in order to retrieve it without causing any damage.
INCI Nomenclature: Hydrolyzed Silk, Sericin, Glyoxyloyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Bombyx, Fibroin, Serica.
A moisturising, regenerating ingredient derived from squalene obtained from the shark's liver. It is often used in moisturising creams and in conditioners.
INCI Nomenclature: Squalane, Squalene, Pentahydroxysqualene, Squali Lecur Oil.
The squalane also exists in a plant-based form. The one we use in our products is extracted from olives.
Typology, a brand with vegan values.
Typology sets itself apart through its commitment to provide consumers with skincare products containing at least 80% of ingredients of natural origin. We have pledged to eliminate all materials directly or indirectly derived from animals in our formulations. Consequently, we consistently seek alternatives to animal-derived ingredients. Indeed, most ingredients derived from animals have their plant-based or synthetic substitutes.
Today, there is no regulation that requires the origin of the ingredient to be mentioned on skincare products. Whether it is of animal, plant or synthetic origin, there is no difference on the skincare labels. The goal is not only to rigorously select the ingredients, but we also take into account the manufacturing conditions. All of our skincare products carry the PETA label, which guarantees that our products are 100% vegan, and they do not contain any ingredients extracted from animals. We have made this choice because we are concerned about animal welfare.
A cosmetic product can be cruelty-free and carry an organic label (COSMOS, Ecocert), without necessarily being vegan. Therefore, an organic product does not mean it is free from all animal-derived ingredients.
