You might think all fragrances are vegan—it’s just a mix of oils and alcohol, right? Not exactly. Many traditional perfumes use animal-derived ingredients, and it's more common than you might think.
For instance, musk was once sourced from deer glands, and civet came from a small wild cat. Then there’s ambergris, a substance found in the intestines of sperm whales, and beeswax used in some rich, honey-like scents. These ingredients are often tied to luxury fragrances, but clearly, they're not vegan-friendly.
The good news is that many companies are swapping these animal ingredients for synthetic alternatives. Advances in chemistry have made it possible to replicate the scent profiles of musk, civet, and ambergris in the lab. These vegan versions don’t just imitate the real thing; they’re often more sustainable and longer-lasting.
But there’s more to being a vegan fragrance than just replacing animal ingredients. A truly vegan perfume also needs to be cruelty-free—meaning no animal testing at any point in production.
When shopping for a vegan fragrance, make sure to check labels or research the brand’s practices. A perfume can be vegan and cruelty-free without sacrificing the complexity and richness we love in traditional perfumes. And now, when you spray on your scent, you can feel good knowing it aligns with what matters most to you.