Non-Vegan Ingredients

Derived from animals, insects, or animal by-products. Avoid these on labels — vegan alternatives are linked on each entry.

129 ingredients indexed across 25 categories.

Non-Vegan Ingredients by category

All non-vegan ingredients

Acetylated Lanolin

Not Vegan

A chemically modified version of lanolin used to form water-resistant films on the skin.

Adrenal Extract

Not Vegan

An extract from the adrenal glands of slaughtered animals.

Albumen

Not Vegan

The protein found in egg whites, used as a binder in baking and processed foods.

Ambergris

Not Vegan

A solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, historically used as a fixative in luxury perfumes.

Ambergris

Not Vegan

A substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales.

Ambergris Tincture

Not Vegan

An alcoholic extract of ambergris (sperm whale digestive secretion).

Anchovies

Not Vegan

Small, saltwater forage fish that are commonly salt-cured and used to add a distinct salty, umami flavor to sauces and dishes.

Animal Charcoal

Not Vegan

Carbon produced from burning animal parts, used as a filter.

Arachidonic Acid

Not Vegan

An omega-6 fatty acid that is essential for inflammatory responses and muscle growth.

Bee Pollen

Not Vegan

A mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, and wax collected by foraging honeybees. It is sold as a dietary supplement and often added to health foods.

Beef Protein Isolate

Not Vegan

A dairy-free protein powder made from boiled beef parts.

Beeswax

Not Vegan

A natural wax produced by honey bees, widely used as a glazing agent in food and a structural base in cosmetics.

Bird's Nest Extract

Not Vegan

Extract from the nests of swiftlet birds, made of their solidified saliva. Used in luxury Asian skincare for anti-aging.

Bone Ash

Not Vegan

The white, porous residue left after burning bones, used in fine china and fertilizer.

Bone Broth Powder

Not Vegan

A supplement rich in collagen and minerals.

Bone Oil

Not Vegan

An oil obtained by the destructive distillation of animal bones.

Bovine Collagen

Not Vegan

The most common form of collagen supplement for joint and skin health.

Bovine Colostrum

Not Vegan

The first milk produced by cows after giving birth, heavily supplemented for immune health.

Brain Extract

Not Vegan

An extract obtained from the brains of cattle or pigs.

Butter

Not Vegan

A dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk to separate the butterfat from the buttermilk. It is a solid fat used as a spread, condiment, and in baking.

Buttermilk

Not Vegan

A dairy liquid, which is either the fluid left after churning butter or, more commonly, cultured milk with a characteristically sour taste. It's used extensively in baking for its tenderizing effects.

Caesar Dressing

Not Vegan

A creamy, tangy salad dressing traditionally served with romaine lettuce and croutons. Its distinct flavor comes from a blend of oil, egg, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and anchovies.

Camel Milk

Not Vegan

A milk rich in lactic acid, used in Middle Eastern and luxury skincare.

Carmine

Not Vegan

A bright red dye used extensively in the food and cosmetics industry to achieve a vibrant, long-lasting crimson hue.

Carmine (CI 75470)

Not Vegan

A red pigment made from crushed bugs. (Listed under CI 75470 in cosmetics).

Carmine (Coloring)

Not Vegan

A bright red pigment obtained from the aluminium salt of carminic acid, which is produced by some scale insects.

Carminic Acid

Not Vegan

The pure red dye molecule extracted from the cochineal bug.

Casein

Not Vegan

The main protein found in milk and cheese, often used as a binder in processed foods and as a slow-digesting protein supplement.

Castoreum

Not Vegan

A yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of mature beavers.

Castoreum

Not Vegan

An anal secretion from beavers used in the past as a vanilla flavoring.

Chitin

Not Vegan

A fibrous substance consisting of polysaccharides, used in agriculture, winemaking, and dietary supplements (for weight loss).

Chitosan

Not Vegan

A linear polysaccharide derived from chitin, heavily marketed in supplements as a 'fat binder' for weight loss.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Not Vegan

A chemical normally found in cartilage around joints, heavily marketed alongside glucosamine as a joint health supplement.

Chymotrypsin

Not Vegan

A digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins.

Civet Absolute

Not Vegan

A highly concentrated extraction of the anal gland secretion of the civet cat.

Civet Musk

Not Vegan

A musk secretion from the African civet cat.

Civet Oil

Not Vegan

An intensely pungent glandular secretion that, when highly diluted, adds a floral, musky warmth to high-end perfumes.

Collagen

Not Vegan

A structural protein used in supplements, cosmetics, and food.

Confectioner's Glaze

Not Vegan

A food-grade glaze or coating used to provide a shiny, protective layer on candies, baked goods, and pills. It is made from the resinous secretion of the lac bug.

Deer Antler Velvet

Not Vegan

A supplement used in traditional medicine and sports nutrition to boost IGF-1 and testosterone.

Dihydrogenated Tallowamidoethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate

Not Vegan

A widely used conditioning agent in commercial fabric softeners.

Donkey Milk

Not Vegan

A milk historically used by Cleopatra, now popular in K-Beauty for its high Vitamin C content.

Duodenal Substance

Not Vegan

A substance derived from the small intestine of pigs.

E1105 (Lysozyme)

Not Vegan

A preservative often used to prevent bacterial growth in cheeses.

E542 (Bone phosphate)

Not Vegan

Used as an anti-caking agent, emulsifier, and source of phosphorus in supplements.

E901 (Beeswax)

Not Vegan

A glazing agent used to make candies and fruits shiny.

E904 (Shellac)

Not Vegan

Used as a glazing agent on pills, candies (like jelly beans), and fresh fruits.

E913 (Lanolin)

Not Vegan

A waxy substance used in cosmetics and as a source of Vitamin D3.

Egg Oil

Not Vegan

Oil extracted from the yolks of chicken eggs.

Egg White Protein

Not Vegan

A highly bioavailable protein powder.

Elastin

Not Vegan

A highly elastic protein used in high-end anti-aging skincare products to promote skin flexibility.

Emu Oil

Not Vegan

An oil extracted from the fat of the emu, a flightless bird native to Australia. It is marketed for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Fish Gelatin

Not Vegan

A gelling agent often used by pescatarians or as a kosher/halal alternative to pig gelatin.

Fish Sauce

Not Vegan

A liquid condiment commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)

Not Vegan

A popular prebiotic fiber used to feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Gelatin

Not Vegan

A translucent, colorless, and flavorless food ingredient commonly used as a gelling agent in food, medications, and cosmetics.

Gelatine (Beef)

Not Vegan

A protein derived from boiling the skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of cattle. It is used as a gelling agent, thickener, and stabilizer in a wide range of food products.

Ghee

Not Vegan

Clarified butter commonly used in Indian cooking.

Goat Milk Extract

Not Vegan

Used in cosmetics for its gentle exfoliating properties (lactic acid).

Guanine

Not Vegan

A crystalline material used in the cosmetics industry to give makeup a shimmery, pearlescent, or light-diffusing effect.

Honey

Not Vegan

A sweet, viscous food substance made by bees and some related insects.

Hoof Oil

Not Vegan

An oil produced from the hooves of cattle.

Horse Fat

Not Vegan

Rendered fat from horses, traditionally used in Asian skincare for intense moisture and barrier repair.

Hydrolyzed Silk

Not Vegan

Silk proteins broken down into smaller molecules to penetrate hair.

Hyraceum

Not Vegan

A petrified, rock-like substance used in niche perfumery for its complex musky/animalic scent.

Isinglass

Not Vegan

A gelatinous substance used primarily as a fining agent to clarify beverages, making them clear rather than cloudy.

Isopropyl Lanolate

Not Vegan

An ester of isopropyl alcohol and lanolin fatty acids, acting as an excellent binder for pigmented makeup.

Keratin

Not Vegan

A structural protein used extensively in hair care products (shampoos, treatments) to smooth frizz and repair damage.

Krill Oil

Not Vegan

An oil extracted from krill, which are small shrimp-like crustaceans. It's sold as a dietary supplement for its omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, and astaxanthin content.

Lactitol

Not Vegan

A sugar alcohol used as a bulk sweetener and laxative.

Lactose

Not Vegan

A sugar naturally found in milk, often extracted and used as a cheap filler, sweetener, or carrier in pills and foods.

Lactose Monohydrate

Not Vegan

A common milk sugar used as a filler or carrier in pills and inhalers.

Laneth-10

Not Vegan

A polyethylene glycol ether of lanolin alcohol used as an emulsifier.

Lanolin

Not Vegan

A waxy substance used heavily in cosmetics and lip care for its moisturizing properties, and also as a source for Vitamin D3.

Lanolin Acid

Not Vegan

A mixture of fatty acids derived from lanolin.

Lanolin Alcohol

Not Vegan

A complex mixture of alcohols derived from the hydrolysis of lanolin (wool grease).

Lanolin Alcohol

Not Vegan

A mixture of organic alcohols obtained from the hydrolysis of lanolin.

Lanolin Cera

Not Vegan

A wax derived from lanolin (sheep's wool grease).

Lanolin Linoleate

Not Vegan

An ester of lanolin and linoleic acid used as a skin conditioning agent.

Lard

Not Vegan

A semi-solid white fat product used in baking and frying.

Lumbrokinase

Not Vegan

A group of highly stable fibrinolytic enzymes used to support cardiovascular health and blood flow.

Marine Collagen

Not Vegan

Collagen peptides used for anti-aging, marketed as 'cleaner' than bovine collagen.

Micellar Casein

Not Vegan

A slow-digesting milk protein often taken before bed.

Mink Oil

Not Vegan

An oil extracted from the fat of minks, traditionally used to condition and waterproof leather, and sometimes in cosmetics.

Neatsfoot Oil

Not Vegan

A yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet (but not the hooves) of cattle.

Oleo Tallowate

Not Vegan

A mixture of oleic acid and tallow.

Omega-3 EPA/DHA (Fish Oil)

Not Vegan

A dietary supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is sourced from the tissues of oily fish and used for its purported health benefits.

Ostrich Oil

Not Vegan

An oil rich in omegas used for its deep skin penetration and healing properties.

Ox Bile

Not Vegan

A supplement used to aid in the digestion of fats.

Pancreatin

Not Vegan

A mixture of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease) used to treat malabsorption.

Pancrelipase

Not Vegan

A mixture of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, protease) used to treat malabsorption syndrome.

PEG-15 Tallow Polyamine

Not Vegan

An animal-derived emulsifier and surfactant.

PEG-75 Lanolin

Not Vegan

A water-soluble derivative of lanolin used in shampoos and body washes.

Pepsin

Not Vegan

A digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins, commercially used as a processing aid in cheesemaking and to modify proteins in foods.

Pepsin

Not Vegan

An enzyme that breaks down proteins, often used in digestive supplements.

Pepsinogen

Not Vegan

The inactive precursor to pepsin, used to aid protein digestion.

Placenta Extract

Not Vegan

An extract derived from animal placentas, often from sheep or cows.

Placental Protein

Not Vegan

An extract used in anti-aging creams and hair repair treatments.

Porcine Gelatin

Not Vegan

A gelling agent.

Potassium Tallowate

Not Vegan

A saponified form of animal fat used in liquid soaps and shaving creams.

Propolis

Not Vegan

A resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax.

Rennet

Not Vegan

A complex set of enzymes used to curdle milk for cheese making.

Royal Jelly

Not Vegan

A gelatinous secretion produced by honey bees to feed queen bees.

Salmon DNA (PDRN)

Not Vegan

A highly regenerative skincare ingredient used in premium K-Beauty serums and clinic injectables.

Shellac

Not Vegan

A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used as a shiny coating for pills.

Shellac

Not Vegan

A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used to make foods and pills shiny.

Shellac

Not Vegan

A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used to create a hard, shiny glaze on food, pills, and even wood.

Shellac Wax

Not Vegan

A wax obtained from shellac, the secretion of the lac bug.

Silk Amino Acids

Not Vegan

Protein particles extracted from raw silk, highly prized in high-end cosmetics and hair care for their moisture-retaining properties.

Snail Mucin

Not Vegan

A viscous secretion heavily popularized by Korean skincare (K-Beauty) for its hydrating and healing properties.

Sodium Caseinate

Not Vegan

A food additive derived from casein, the main protein found in milk. It is used in processed foods as an emulsifier, thickener, and texturizer to improve mouthfeel and stability.

Sodium Tallow Sulfate

Not Vegan

A surfactant derived from animal fat.

Sodium Tallowate

Not Vegan

A primary ingredient in many traditional bar soaps.

Spleen Extract

Not Vegan

An extract taken from the spleens of slaughtered animals.

Suet

Not Vegan

The hard, raw fat from beef or mutton found around the kidneys, prized in traditional British baking for its high melting point.

Tallow

Not Vegan

A rendered form of beef or mutton fat used in cooking and soap making.

Tallow Acid

Not Vegan

A mixture of fatty acids derived from tallow (animal fat).

Tallow Amine

Not Vegan

A surfactant and emulsifier used in industrial cleaners and agricultural products.

Tallow Amine

Not Vegan

A surfactant derived from animal fat, common in industrial applications.

Tallowate

Not Vegan

The sodium salt of tallow, the rendered fat of cows or sheep. It is the core ingredient in traditional bar soaps.

Talloweth-6

Not Vegan

A polyethylene glycol ether of tallow alcohol used as an emulsifier.

Thrombin

Not Vegan

An enzyme used to bind meat pieces together (meat glue).

Thymus Extract

Not Vegan

An extract derived from the thymus gland of calves.

Trypsin

Not Vegan

An enzyme that helps us digest protein. In the commercial world, it is used in food processing, medical treatments, and cell culture.

Whey Powder

Not Vegan

A common protein source and filler found in protein bars, chips, and baked goods.

Whey Protein

Not Vegan

A high-quality protein powder derived from milk, widely used by bodybuilders and athletes for muscle recovery.

Whey Protein Isolate

Not Vegan

A highly refined milk protein used for muscle building.

Whey Protein Isolate

Not Vegan

A dietary supplement and food ingredient created by filtering milk protein. Whey protein isolate is a highly processed form that contains over 90% protein and minimal lactose or fat.

Worcestershire Sauce

Not Vegan

A dark, fermented liquid condiment with a complex, savory, and tangy flavor profile. It is a key ingredient in many marinades, sauces, and cocktails.

Common questions

What makes an ingredient non-vegan?

Any ingredient derived from an animal — including insects (e.g. carmine), milk, eggs, honey, gelatin, or animal fats — is classified as non-vegan. Even trace by-products like bone char in sugar refining count.

Are there vegan alternatives to every non-vegan ingredient?

For most functional roles (emulsification, gelling, sweetening, coloring), yes. Each entry below lists the best plant-based alternatives suited to that ingredient's purpose.

Why list non-vegan ingredients at all?

Because reading labels is hard. Many animal-derived additives hide behind E-numbers or chemical names. This index helps you spot them at a glance.