Quick answer: a vegan shampoo contains no animal-derived ingredients. "Cruelty-free" means neither the product nor its ingredients were tested on animals. They are not the same thing, and a word on the bottle is not proof of either. The most reliable sign is an independent certification that audits the formula, the supply chain and the packaging. Every Insight product, packaging included, is certified vegan by VeganOK, which covers all three.
Vegan vs cruelty-free: what's the difference?
Vegan is about what goes into the bottle. A vegan product contains no ingredients from animals. In haircare, the usual ones to look out for are keratin, collagen, silk protein, honey, beeswax, lanolin and some forms of glycerin and stearic acid, which can come from animal fats.
Cruelty-free is about how the product was developed. A cruelty-free product, and every ingredient in it, has not been tested on animals.
A product can be one without the other. A shampoo with honey can be cruelty-free but not vegan. A shampoo with no animal ingredients could still contain an ingredient that was animal-tested somewhere in the supply chain. That's why it's worth looking for both.
Isn't animal testing for cosmetics already banned in the UK?
Mostly, yes, but the history explains why "cruelty-free" still means something.
The UK stopped animal testing of cosmetic products and their ingredients in 1998. Across the EU, testing bans were phased in from 2004, and since 2013 it has been illegal to sell cosmetics in the EU if they or their ingredients were tested on animals for cosmetic purposes.
The gap was chemical safety law. Many ingredients used in cosmetics are also used in other industries, and chemical regulations could still require animal tests for those ingredients. In May 2023, the UK government confirmed it would no longer issue licences to test ingredients used exclusively in cosmetics.
So the law now covers a lot, but not every ingredient in every supply chain. An independent certification checks the parts the law doesn't reach, including what the brand's suppliers do.
What do the certifications actually check?
VeganOK is a European ethical vegan certification that started in Italy. Brands go through a documented, audited process covering three things: no animal-derived ingredients (including hidden ones such as shellac or albumin), no animal testing by the manufacturer or its suppliers, and packaging made without animal-based materials. Because it includes the no-testing requirement, VeganOK covers cruelty-free as well as vegan.
COSMOS Natural is an international standard set up by Europe's leading natural and organic cosmetics bodies. It certifies that a product's ingredients are of natural origin and that it meets strict rules on processing, environmental impact and packaging. Its sister standard, COSMOS Organic, adds minimum organic content requirements.
Other marks you'll see include Leaping Bunny and PETA's cruelty-free logo, which focus on animal testing, and the Vegan Society trademark, which focuses on ingredients. Each checks something slightly different, so it's worth knowing which question a logo actually answers.
Choosing a vegan, cruelty-free shampoo and conditioner
Vegan doesn't mean basic. A good vegan shampoo is chosen the same way as any other: by your hair and scalp. Hydrating formulas suit dry or curly hair, lighter volumising formulas suit fine hair, and gentle low-irritation formulas suit sensitive or itchy scalps. Pair it with a conditioner from the same range, as they're designed to work together.
Where vegan haircare differs is in how it gets results. Instead of keratin or silk protein, look for plant proteins and amino acids for strength; instead of lanolin or beeswax, plant oils and butters for softness and shine.
Browse our vegan shampoos and vegan conditioners by hair type.
How to check a brand's claim yourself
Look for a named certification, not just the words "vegan" or "cruelty-free". Anyone can print those; a certification means someone else has checked.
Check that the certification covers the product you're buying. Some brands certify part of their range, not all of it.
Read the ingredients list for the animal-derived ingredients above. Keratin and silk protein are common in repair and smoothing products.
Look for detail. Brands with nothing to hide usually explain what's certified, by whom, and what it covers.
Where Insight stands
Every Insight product is certified vegan by VeganOK, covering the formula, the absence of animal testing by Insight and its suppliers, and the packaging, right down to our gift boxes.
The Sensitive and Lenitive scalp ranges, along with selected Hydro-Grown body care, are also COSMOS Natural certified.
Insight is also a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and uses only certified sustainable palm oil, and the company that makes the products holds ISO certifications for quality, good manufacturing practice and environmental management. You can read more on our certifications page.
Frequently asked questions
Is vegan haircare the same as cruelty-free?
No. Vegan means no animal-derived ingredients; cruelty-free means no animal testing. A certification such as VeganOK covers both.
Is animal testing banned in the UK?
Testing of cosmetic products and their ingredients stopped in the UK in 1998, and in 2023 the government confirmed it would no longer issue licences to test ingredients used only in cosmetics. Ingredients that are also used in other industries can still fall under chemical safety rules.
Which hair ingredients are not vegan?
Common ones include keratin, collagen, silk protein, honey, beeswax and lanolin. Glycerin and stearic acid can be plant- or animal-derived, so check for a vegan certification.
Is all cruelty-free shampoo vegan?
No. A cruelty-free shampoo can still contain animal-derived ingredients such as honey, keratin or silk protein. If you want both, look for a vegan certification that also covers animal testing, such as VeganOK.
Is vegan shampoo as good as regular shampoo?
Yes. Plant-based alternatives can do the same jobs: plant proteins and amino acids instead of keratin, and plant oils and butters instead of animal fats. How well a shampoo works depends on the formula, not on whether it's vegan.
Are all Insight products vegan?
Yes. Every Insight product is certified vegan by VeganOK.
About the author
Charlotte Read has spent six years in the hair industry with Insight Professional and holds a First Class BSc in Business Management and Marketing. She writes with reference to real salons across social media and the wider Insight community, and draws on the Insight office team, who between them bring over 100 years of combined experience on salon floors.
Where technical expertise is needed, Charlotte consults Lorraine Matic, Head of Insight UK Education, who brings over 38 years of global experience in colour, technique and hair science.