The Vegan Database
Is soap vegan?
Soap can be vegan, but not all soaps are. Vegan status depends on the fats used to make the soap and whether any animal-derived additives or testing practices are involved.
Quick answer
Some soaps are vegan, while others are not. Soaps made with plant oils are typically vegan, while soaps made with animal fats are not.
Why soap may not be vegan
Traditional soap is made by reacting fats with an alkali. Those fats can come from plants or animals. Animal-derived fats such as tallow are commonly used in some soaps, especially bar soaps.
Ingredients to check
Ingredients that often affect vegan status in soap include stearic acid, glycerin, and animal fats such as tallow. These ingredients can be plant-based or animal-derived depending on sourcing.
How to tell if a soap is vegan
Check the ingredient list for animal fats or unclear fatty acids. Clear vegan labeling or certification is the most reliable signal. When labels are vague, brand websites often provide clarification.
This guide explains the general evaluation process: how to tell if a product is vegan.
Some example products are shown below. These links may lead to Amazon.
- EWG VERIFIED: The certification guarantees that this body soap bar is free from silicone, SLS, and SLES, and meets the E…
- 99% NATURAL ORIGIN: This bar cleanser is formulated with 99% ingredients of natural origin derived from plants and/or mi…
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: This women and men body soap is enriched with olive oil to help maintain the skin’s barrier moiture an…
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