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
A chemically modified version of lanolin used to form water-resistant films on the skin.
Adrenal Extract
An extract from the adrenal glands of slaughtered animals.
Albumen
The protein found in egg whites, used as a binder in baking and processed foods.
Ambergris
A solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, historically used as a fixative in luxury perfumes.
Ambergris
A substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales.
Ambergris Tincture
An alcoholic extract of ambergris (sperm whale digestive secretion).
Anchovies
Small, saltwater forage fish that are commonly salt-cured and used to add a distinct salty, umami flavor to sauces and dishes.
Animal Charcoal
Carbon produced from burning animal parts, used as a filter.
Arachidonic Acid
An omega-6 fatty acid that is essential for inflammatory responses and muscle growth.
Bee Pollen
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
A dairy-free protein powder made from boiled beef parts.
Beeswax
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
Extract from the nests of swiftlet birds, made of their solidified saliva. Used in luxury Asian skincare for anti-aging.
Bone Ash
The white, porous residue left after burning bones, used in fine china and fertilizer.
Bone Broth Powder
A supplement rich in collagen and minerals.
Bone Oil
An oil obtained by the destructive distillation of animal bones.
Bovine Collagen
The most common form of collagen supplement for joint and skin health.
Bovine Colostrum
The first milk produced by cows after giving birth, heavily supplemented for immune health.
Brain Extract
An extract obtained from the brains of cattle or pigs.
Butter
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
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
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
A milk rich in lactic acid, used in Middle Eastern and luxury skincare.
Carmine
A bright red dye used extensively in the food and cosmetics industry to achieve a vibrant, long-lasting crimson hue.
Carmine (CI 75470)
A red pigment made from crushed bugs. (Listed under CI 75470 in cosmetics).
Carmine (Coloring)
A bright red pigment obtained from the aluminium salt of carminic acid, which is produced by some scale insects.
Carminic Acid
The pure red dye molecule extracted from the cochineal bug.
Casein
The main protein found in milk and cheese, often used as a binder in processed foods and as a slow-digesting protein supplement.
Castoreum
A yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of mature beavers.
Castoreum
An anal secretion from beavers used in the past as a vanilla flavoring.
Chitin
A fibrous substance consisting of polysaccharides, used in agriculture, winemaking, and dietary supplements (for weight loss).
Chitosan
A linear polysaccharide derived from chitin, heavily marketed in supplements as a 'fat binder' for weight loss.
Chondroitin Sulfate
A chemical normally found in cartilage around joints, heavily marketed alongside glucosamine as a joint health supplement.
Chymotrypsin
A digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins.
Civet Absolute
A highly concentrated extraction of the anal gland secretion of the civet cat.
Civet Musk
A musk secretion from the African civet cat.
Civet Oil
An intensely pungent glandular secretion that, when highly diluted, adds a floral, musky warmth to high-end perfumes.
Collagen
A structural protein used in supplements, cosmetics, and food.
Confectioner's Glaze
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
A supplement used in traditional medicine and sports nutrition to boost IGF-1 and testosterone.
Dihydrogenated Tallowamidoethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
A widely used conditioning agent in commercial fabric softeners.
Donkey Milk
A milk historically used by Cleopatra, now popular in K-Beauty for its high Vitamin C content.
Duodenal Substance
A substance derived from the small intestine of pigs.
E1105 (Lysozyme)
A preservative often used to prevent bacterial growth in cheeses.
E542 (Bone phosphate)
Used as an anti-caking agent, emulsifier, and source of phosphorus in supplements.
E901 (Beeswax)
A glazing agent used to make candies and fruits shiny.
E904 (Shellac)
Used as a glazing agent on pills, candies (like jelly beans), and fresh fruits.
E913 (Lanolin)
A waxy substance used in cosmetics and as a source of Vitamin D3.
Egg Oil
Oil extracted from the yolks of chicken eggs.
Egg White Protein
A highly bioavailable protein powder.
Elastin
A highly elastic protein used in high-end anti-aging skincare products to promote skin flexibility.
Emu Oil
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
A gelling agent often used by pescatarians or as a kosher/halal alternative to pig gelatin.
Fish Sauce
A liquid condiment commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
A popular prebiotic fiber used to feed beneficial gut bacteria.
Gelatin
A translucent, colorless, and flavorless food ingredient commonly used as a gelling agent in food, medications, and cosmetics.
Gelatine (Beef)
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
Clarified butter commonly used in Indian cooking.
Goat Milk Extract
Used in cosmetics for its gentle exfoliating properties (lactic acid).
Guanine
A crystalline material used in the cosmetics industry to give makeup a shimmery, pearlescent, or light-diffusing effect.
Honey
A sweet, viscous food substance made by bees and some related insects.
Hoof Oil
An oil produced from the hooves of cattle.
Horse Fat
Rendered fat from horses, traditionally used in Asian skincare for intense moisture and barrier repair.
Hydrolyzed Silk
Silk proteins broken down into smaller molecules to penetrate hair.
Hyraceum
A petrified, rock-like substance used in niche perfumery for its complex musky/animalic scent.
Isinglass
A gelatinous substance used primarily as a fining agent to clarify beverages, making them clear rather than cloudy.
Isopropyl Lanolate
An ester of isopropyl alcohol and lanolin fatty acids, acting as an excellent binder for pigmented makeup.
Keratin
A structural protein used extensively in hair care products (shampoos, treatments) to smooth frizz and repair damage.
Krill Oil
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
A sugar alcohol used as a bulk sweetener and laxative.
Lactose
A sugar naturally found in milk, often extracted and used as a cheap filler, sweetener, or carrier in pills and foods.
Lactose Monohydrate
A common milk sugar used as a filler or carrier in pills and inhalers.
Laneth-10
A polyethylene glycol ether of lanolin alcohol used as an emulsifier.
Lanolin
A waxy substance used heavily in cosmetics and lip care for its moisturizing properties, and also as a source for Vitamin D3.
Lanolin Acid
A mixture of fatty acids derived from lanolin.
Lanolin Alcohol
A complex mixture of alcohols derived from the hydrolysis of lanolin (wool grease).
Lanolin Alcohol
A mixture of organic alcohols obtained from the hydrolysis of lanolin.
Lanolin Cera
A wax derived from lanolin (sheep's wool grease).
Lanolin Linoleate
An ester of lanolin and linoleic acid used as a skin conditioning agent.
Lard
A semi-solid white fat product used in baking and frying.
Lumbrokinase
A group of highly stable fibrinolytic enzymes used to support cardiovascular health and blood flow.
Marine Collagen
Collagen peptides used for anti-aging, marketed as 'cleaner' than bovine collagen.
Micellar Casein
A slow-digesting milk protein often taken before bed.
Mink Oil
An oil extracted from the fat of minks, traditionally used to condition and waterproof leather, and sometimes in cosmetics.
Neatsfoot Oil
A yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet (but not the hooves) of cattle.
Oleo Tallowate
A mixture of oleic acid and tallow.
Omega-3 EPA/DHA (Fish Oil)
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
An oil rich in omegas used for its deep skin penetration and healing properties.
Ox Bile
A supplement used to aid in the digestion of fats.
Pancreatin
A mixture of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease) used to treat malabsorption.
Pancrelipase
A mixture of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, protease) used to treat malabsorption syndrome.
PEG-15 Tallow Polyamine
An animal-derived emulsifier and surfactant.
PEG-75 Lanolin
A water-soluble derivative of lanolin used in shampoos and body washes.
Pepsin
A digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins, commercially used as a processing aid in cheesemaking and to modify proteins in foods.
Pepsin
An enzyme that breaks down proteins, often used in digestive supplements.
Pepsinogen
The inactive precursor to pepsin, used to aid protein digestion.
Placenta Extract
An extract derived from animal placentas, often from sheep or cows.
Placental Protein
An extract used in anti-aging creams and hair repair treatments.
Porcine Gelatin
A gelling agent.
Potassium Tallowate
A saponified form of animal fat used in liquid soaps and shaving creams.
Propolis
A resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax.
Rennet
A complex set of enzymes used to curdle milk for cheese making.
Royal Jelly
A gelatinous secretion produced by honey bees to feed queen bees.
Salmon DNA (PDRN)
A highly regenerative skincare ingredient used in premium K-Beauty serums and clinic injectables.
Shellac
A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used as a shiny coating for pills.
Shellac
A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used to make foods and pills shiny.
Shellac
A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used to create a hard, shiny glaze on food, pills, and even wood.
Shellac Wax
A wax obtained from shellac, the secretion of the lac bug.
Silk Amino Acids
Protein particles extracted from raw silk, highly prized in high-end cosmetics and hair care for their moisture-retaining properties.
Snail Mucin
A viscous secretion heavily popularized by Korean skincare (K-Beauty) for its hydrating and healing properties.
Sodium Caseinate
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
A surfactant derived from animal fat.
Sodium Tallowate
A primary ingredient in many traditional bar soaps.
Spleen Extract
An extract taken from the spleens of slaughtered animals.
Suet
The hard, raw fat from beef or mutton found around the kidneys, prized in traditional British baking for its high melting point.
Tallow
A rendered form of beef or mutton fat used in cooking and soap making.
Tallow Acid
A mixture of fatty acids derived from tallow (animal fat).
Tallow Amine
A surfactant and emulsifier used in industrial cleaners and agricultural products.
Tallow Amine
A surfactant derived from animal fat, common in industrial applications.
Tallowate
The sodium salt of tallow, the rendered fat of cows or sheep. It is the core ingredient in traditional bar soaps.
Talloweth-6
A polyethylene glycol ether of tallow alcohol used as an emulsifier.
Thrombin
An enzyme used to bind meat pieces together (meat glue).
Thymus Extract
An extract derived from the thymus gland of calves.
Trypsin
An enzyme that helps us digest protein. In the commercial world, it is used in food processing, medical treatments, and cell culture.
Whey Powder
A common protein source and filler found in protein bars, chips, and baked goods.
Whey Protein
A high-quality protein powder derived from milk, widely used by bodybuilders and athletes for muscle recovery.
Whey Protein Isolate
A highly refined milk protein used for muscle building.
Whey Protein Isolate
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
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.