Jump into veganuary with our a- z of animal-derived ingredients

You may have heard about people opting for a vegan diet this January but have you thought about the products you're using or selling in your salon? Offering vegan-friendly hair and beauty products is an opportunity to attract custom to your salon all year long – not just for Veganuary. But if you're confused about what animal-derived ingredients are in what products or simply curious to find out more, don't worry. We've made it easy for you to identify which ingredients are derived from animals with our A-Z of ingredients below.

 A is for... 

Albumen/Albumin: In cosmetics and hair products this can come from various sources including eggs, milk, muscles, blood, and tissue. It can cause allergic reactions in some people. Amino Acids: This ingredient is sometimes found in supplements and shampoos. It's the building block of protein in all living things. There are plant-based sources of Amino acids available. Arachidonic Acid: A liquid fat found in animals and used in soothing creams and lotions. Look for plant-based alternatives such as aloe vera, tea tree oil or calendula ointment.

B is for...

Bee Pollen: Used in shampoos and other toiletries, it can cause allergic reactions so alternatively such as synthetic versions like plant amino acids or pollen directly from plants. Biotin, Vitamin H, Vitamin B Factor: In cosmetics, shampoos and creams and found in every living cell.

C is for... 

Casein, Caseinate, Sodium Caseinate: Commonly found in mammalian milk (milk from mammals) and used in hair products and masks. Alternatives include soy protein, soy milk and other vegetable milks. Cholesterol: Found in shampoos, cream and other cosmetics, it's an alcohol found in animal products such as egg yolk, nervous tissue and blood. Alternatives are solid complex alcohols from plant sources. Colours, Dyes: Pigments can be sourced from animal, plant and synthetic sources. Alternatives include dyes from fruits and vegetables.

D is for... 

Dexpanthenol: Can come from animal or plant sources or be totally synthetic. Used in shampoos and can also come under the names of Panthenol, Vitamin B- Complex Factor or even Provitamin B-5.

E is for...

Emu Oil: Used in cosmetics and creams. From the rate Australian bird the emu, viable alternatives are vegetable and plant oils.

F is for...

Fatty Acids: Often found in cosmetics and soap they ordinarily come from plant oils such as flaxseed, soybean, and  canola oils, but can be sourced from seafood. Fish Liver Oil: A common supplement. Alternatively find similar nutrients in yeast extract or sunshine.

G is for...

Gelatin: Also found under the name of Gel. this protein is sourced from skin, tendons, ligaments or bones. It's frequently used in shampoos, face masks and other cosmetics as well as in vitamin capsules. Alternatively use plants or fruit sources. Glycerin: Also known as Glycerol, Glyceryls or Glycreth- 26. This is normally from animal fats and is in cosmetics, soaps and other health and beauty products. Instead, look out for vegetable glycerin, petroleum or derivatives of seaweed. Guanine, Pearl essence: Found in shampoo and other cosmetics and taken from fish scales. Synthetic pearl, particles of aluminum and bronze or leguminous plants are good alternatives.

H is for...

Hide Glue: A more impure form of Gelatin. Honey: Used in various food and beauty products, this ingredient is food for bees and can cause a reaction. Try to use vegetable colours and oils. Hydrolysed Animal Protein: This type of protein can be found in shampoo and hair treatments. Opt for alma oil, soy protein, vegetable proteins instead.

K is for...

Keratin: Commonly found in hair products, this is a protein sourced from ground-up horns, hooves, feathers and other hairs of various animals. Alternatives include fruit and nut oils, human hair or soy protein.

L is for...

Lactic Acid: Used as a preservative, this ingredient typically comes from plants but when taken from animals, it is found in blood and muscle tissue. Also found in food and drink. Alternatives are plant milk sugars or synthetic versions. Lanonin, Wool Fat,Wool wax: Used in cosmetics, lanolin is produced from oil glands of sheep. You can use plant and vegetable oils. Lecithin, Choline Bitarate: Sometimes found in shampoos, soaps and cosmetics. It is a waxy matter found in all living organisms. Soybean lecithin or synthetics will have the same effect.

M is for...

Musk (Oil): This ingredient is (often painfully) taken from a variety of animals. It is used in perfumes and some foods. Switch with plant extracts that have a similar scent. Myristic Acid: Organic acid which is sometimes of animal origin. This ingredient is used in shampoos, creams and other cosmetics. Nut oils are another option.

N is for...

"Natural Sources": Don't be caught out by this as it is used for both plant or animal sources.

O is for...

Oleic Acid: Obtained from a range of animals and plants and used in foods, soaps, permanent wave solutions and a variety of cosmetics. Alternatively try coconut oil.

P is for...

Palmitic Acid: A fatty acid that, although most commonly sourced from palm oil, is sometimes taken from animals. Used in shampoos, shaving soaps and creams. Alternatives are vegetable sources. Pepsin: Found in hogs' stomachs and used in shampoos masks and creams. You can however, use kelp instead. Propolis: This is a tree sap gathered by bees. Found in toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and a range of other products. Alternatively, use synthetics or more ethically sourced tree sap.

R is for...

RNA: Ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells, is often listed in protein shampoos and cosmetics. Alternatively use plant cells. Royal jelly: From worker bees, this ingredient is food for larvae. Alternatively use aloe vera, comfrey or other plant products.

S is for...

Silk powder: Taken from the secretion of silk worms and used in face powders, soaps and other products. Alternatively use tree filaments. Shark liver oil: This ingredient is in oils and creams and can be swapped for vegetable oils.

T is for...

Tallow, Tallow fatty acid: Beef fat used in the making of shaving creams, soaps etc. Use vegetable tallow instead or even paraffin. Tyrosine: An amino acid often taken from plants or synthetics but can come from milk. Look out for it in cosmetics and creams.

U is for...

Urea: Also under the name of Caramide, this ingredient comes from urine and other body fluids. You might fond this in hair colours, lotions, shampoos and other products. Alternatively use a synthetic.

V is for...

Vitamin A: Sometimes taken from fish liver oil, egg yolk and various plant sources this ingredient comes in two forms, Carotene and Retinol. It is common-place in hair dyes. Alternatively extract it from vegetables. Vitamin B12: Can come from animal or bacteria cultures. There's an array of alternatives including vegetarian vitamins. Vitamin D: Can come from fish liver oil, milk, egg yolks and other animal products. Alternatively use plant sources or sunshine.

W is for...

Wax: Taken from both animals and plants and found in lipsticks and hair straighteners. Alternatively use vegetable waxes. Wondering about an ingredient that's not on this list? Take a look at PETA's list of animal derived ingredients.