What is the Difference Between

The terms "cruelty-free" and "vegan" are often used interchangeably, but there are distinct differences between the two. Understanding the difference between the two terms is important for the ethical consumer who is looking to make informed decisions about their purchases.

Cruelty-free is a term used to describe a product that has not been tested on animals. This means that the product has not been tested on animals at any stage of production and has not been tested by a third party.

This term is sometimes referred to as "not tested on animals" and "no animal testing". However, the term "cruelty-free" is more commonly used because of its connotations of ethical and compassionate business practices.

Vegan is a term used to describe a product that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This means that the product does not contain any ingredients derived from animals, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, and dairy products.

The term "vegan" is more commonly used when referring to food products, as it is more difficult to ensure that non-food products do not contain animal-derived ingredients.

Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, it is important to note that a product can be cruelty-free without being vegan. For example, a product can be cruelty-free if it is not tested on animals during production, but it can still contain animal-derived ingredients.

Similarly, a product can be vegan if it does not contain animal-derived ingredients, but it can still have been tested on animals. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between the two terms before making a purchase.

It is important to understand the difference between the two terms before making an ethical purchase.