Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Clean… What Do These Beauty Terms Really Mean?

May 22, 2025•Eco beauty

Beauty product labels can be full of buzzwords

vegan, cruelty-free, organic, clean, dermatologist-tested, and more. These terms hint at a product’s ethics or ingredients, but not all are regulated or consistent. To shop smart, it’s important to know what each term truly signifies and what it doesn’t.

Cruelty-Free

This means no animal testing was done on the product or its ingredients. However, “cruelty-free” isn’t a regulated term, so any brand can claim it without proof. In practice, cruelty-free products avoid animal tests at every stage (ingredients, final formula) and even won’t sell in countries that require animal testing (e.g. formerly China). Reputable certifications (Leaping Bunny or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies) audit companies. A key point: cruelty-free only addresses animal testing. A cruelty-free product can still contain animal-derived ingredients (like honey or glycerin) – it just wasn’t tested on animals. It also doesn’t guarantee natural or safe ingredients, so look beyond.

Vegan

Vegan cosmetics contain no animal-derived ingredients at all. That means no beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen, keratin (from animal sources), silk, dairy by-products, etc. The Vegan Society’s trademark criteria explicitly forbid “any animal product, by-product or derivative” in formulations. Importantly, some vegan certifications (such as the Vegan Society trademark) also require no animal testing – making them inherently cruelty-free as well. But a product labeled “vegan” might only be referring to ingredients and not testing, so check if it’s also certified cruelty-free.

Organic

As discussed earlier, “organic” (particularly USDA or ECOCERT-certified) means most ingredients were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Organic products often avoid most petrochemicals.

However, note that “organic” on a beauty label usually applies only to the agricultural portion of ingredients (like plant extracts), not necessarily every ingredient. Also, not all “natural” products are certified organic.

Natural

There is no legal definition for “natural cosmetics” in most regions. Some companies follow the ISO 16128 guidelines (specifying % of natural origin ingredients), but outside of specific certifications you can’t be sure. Generally, “natural” implies ingredients sourced from plants or minerals, with minimal processing.

But beware

natural ingredients can still be synthetically altered or have additives. Clean: “Clean beauty” has become trendy, but like “natural,” it’s not officially defined by regulators. Brands often use it to mean free from a long list of controversial chemicals (parabens, sulfates, silicones, etc.). However, what each company considers “clean” varies. The Healthline guide notes there’s no regulation of “clean”. It is essentially marketing – companies exploit consumer concerns about “toxic chemicals” to sell products. Sometimes they even omit proven safe ingredients in favor of untested “alternatives”. In short, “clean” means whatever a brand says it means. Always check the ingredient list or see if the brand specifies its definition.

Dermatologist-Tested / Hypoallergenic

These claims are largely unregulated in cosmetics. “Dermatologist-tested” usually means a company had some product form looked at by a skin specialist (often for approval to market it). It does not guarantee it’s gentle or safe for everyone. “Hypoallergenic” suggests a product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction, but there’s no standard for what qualifies.

Even natural ingredients can trigger allergies in some people. Always patch-test products, regardless of these labels. Cruelty-Free vs. Organic vs. Natural: None of these terms on their own covers all concerns. A product can be cruelty-free but full of parabens (so not “clean”). It can be vegan and chemical-laden. Or it can be organic and still irritate your skin due to essential oils. An ethically conscious consumer should look for multiple cues: certified cruelty-free logos, vegan/organic seals, and ingredient transparency. As Jouer Cosmetics explains, a cruelty-free label only informs about testing, not environmental impact or ingredients. Likewise, the Vegan Society recommends checking both ingredient and testing criteria if animal issues are your priority. Regulation Snapshot: - In the EU, any animal testing for cosmetics is banned, so all products sold there are cruelty-free by law. The U.S. recently passed the "Humane Cosmetics Act" (2022) to phase out animal testing too. Meanwhile, many private certifications remain the gold standard for cruelty-free and vegan claims. -Terms like “chemical-free” or “all-natural” are essentially meaningless marketing phrases. For example, “chemical-free” is scientifically impossible (everything is a chemical), and “green” or “non-toxic” have no legal weight. Key Takeaways: Focus on substance over buzzwords. If you care about animals, look for trusted logos: Leaping Bunny or PETA for cruelty-free, and The Vegan Society’s trademark for vegan. If you want organic ingredients, seek USDA Organic or COSMOS certification. Otherwise, read the label! A fully transparent company will list all ingredients (often on its website) and explain its values. Apps like Skin Deep can also indicate if a product’s formula is free of certain groups of ingredients. Ultimately, pick products that align with your priorities: animal welfare, health concerns, environmental footprint, or a combination. There is overlap – many sustainable brands cover all those bases – but always confirm what each claim actually means.