Vegan beauty is big news; and for good reason. More people than ever before are standing up and saying that they don't just want cruelty-free cosmetics, but that the ingredients shouldn't be derived from animals, full stop.
While things like soap and make-up are well on their way to being conquered by the vegan gang, there are lots of products that people aren't aware could contain animal ingredients - like perfume.
Why aren't some perfumes vegan?
Although many companies don't use harmful practices to obtain animal-derived ingredients any more or use synthetic variants, for those wanting to live a vegan lifestyle, it's important to know what's in a perfume. This is something that brands don't always advertise clearly.
For example, did you know that the 'musky smell' we all know so well traditionally comes from a male deer? The gland secretion is collected, dried, powdered and treated to create the pleasant smell we all enjoy - not ideal if you're vegan.
In fact, there are lots of secretions that can be used in perfumes, including that of sperm whales and beavers, which doesn't sound all that attractive, does it?
As mentioned before, lots of brands use synthetic alternatives in their scents these days, but some brands still undertake cruel animal practices for the sake of selling in other countries or for testing purposes, which doesn't fly with believers in a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle.
How do you know if the perfume is cruelty-free?
Make sure it says that it is vegan and that it is cruelty free, either certified by PETA or via a cruelty free guarantee.
The best vegan perfume brands 2022:
Vegan perfumes UK
1 of 8Lush Perfumes
Lush is well known for its fight against animal testing and for championing sustainability, so its perfumes tick all the right boxes. Many lush perfumes are vegan and smell amazing, but a couple of standouts for us are Sappho and 29 High Street.
2 of 8Lush Solid Perfumes
If you prefer a solid cream perfume to a spray, we would highly recommend this solid perfumes from Lush. Not to mention they are all £10. Perfect for keeping in your handbag for a bit of a top-up or weekend city breaks. We would recommend Goddess, a flirty jasmine and Oudh oil-based fragrance.
3 of 8Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney is passionate about its ethical standards, meaning that none of the products are tested on animals, nor do they use fur, skins, feathers or leather in production. All its fragrances are vegan-friendly and the iconic Stella smells utterly divine. Top notes: rose essence, peony flower, mandarin essence. Heart note: rose. Base note: amber.
4 of 8Pacifica® Roll On Perfume
Pacifica is a truly vegan and cruelty-free brand, and its perfumes have long been hailed for their interesting fragrances. Their roll-ons are a perfect way to sample the scent. We love their Sandalwood fragrance - it is warm and musky - great for those who look for a more gender-neutral fragrance. Top notes: tangerine, sweet orange and mandarin. Heart note: sandalwood. Base note: sandalwood.
5 of 8The Perfume Edit
The Perfume Edit is The Perfume Shop's first fragrance collection and each scent is vegan and cruelty-free certified. Not only that, but the packaging is 100% recyclable. The collection is currently sold out but you can buy each scent individually. Find floral joy with Lime & Basil, woody florals with Peppered Earthand a fresh, fruity blend withCitrus Fresco.
6 of 8Eden Perfumes
If your favourite perfume isn't vegan, you can rely on Eden Perfumes to find you the perfect match. The company creates dupes of popular perfumes, from Marc Jacobs to Paco Rabanne and more - you'll find your fave.
7 of 8Floral Street
Floral Street products contain no animal-derived ingredients and can boast creating the first totally recyclable and biodegradable box in the world of fragrance. London Poppy is a popular scent for the brand, featuring citrus notes, cedarwood and black amber.
8 of 8White Musk Eau De Parfum
Vegan since 1981, this cruelty-free perfume is an absolute classic. With notes of clean aldehydes, comforting jasmine and sensual musk, this perfume is a lighter, clean fragrance that can be built up for a stronger scent.
What to read next:
Which perfume brands are cruelty-free?
Brands such as The Body Shop, Lush, Floral Street, Eden, Elementary, Dolma, Gallivant, Flaya, Ravenscourt Apothecary, Dedcool, Superdrug(own brand). However, all of these brands have vegan products, but not all products are guaranteed to be vegan so it is best to double-check yourself.