You’ve probably seen the words vegan, cruelty-free, and clean beauty on skincare labels, but what do they really mean? At J.Essentials, we believe in being transparent about what goes into our products (and what doesn’t), so let’s break it down.
Vegan Skincare:
When we say a product is vegan, it means it contains no animal-derived ingredients or by-products, ever. That includes things like beeswax, honey, lanolin (from sheep’s wool), or collagen (often from fish or animal tissue). Instead, vegan skincare relies on plant-based or synthetic alternatives that are gentle, effective, and sustainable.
Every J.Essentials product, from our liquid hand soaps to our moisturizing sanitizers, is 100% vegan. That means everything you’re putting on your skin aligns with a kinder, more conscious approach to beauty.
Cruelty-Free vs. Vegan:
While “vegan” focuses on ingredients, “cruelty-free” is all about testing. Cruelty-free means the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals at any point in the production process.
Here’s the key difference: a product can be cruelty-free but not vegan, and vice versa. For example, a lotion might not be tested on animals (cruelty-free) but still contain beeswax (not vegan). At J.Essentials, our products are both. We never test on animals and we never include animal-derived ingredients.
Clean Beauty:
“Clean beauty” is about avoiding potentially harmful or irritating ingredients, like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes. It’s focused on ingredient safety and transparency rather than something comes from animals.
At J.Essentials our approach to clean beauty is simple: if it’s not good for your skin or doesn’t serve a purpose, it doesn’t make the cut.
Common Vegan Ingredients We Love (and Why)
Every ingredient in our formulas is chosen with intention. Here are a few of our favorite plant-based essentials:
🌿 Kosher Vegetable Glycerin:
A natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin, keeping your hands hydrated and silky smooth. Ours is plant-derived (not animal-based like some glycerin) and perfect for maintaining soft, healthy skin.
🌼 Chamomile Extract:
Known for its soothing and calming properties, chamomile help to soothe the skin, making it ideal for everyday use.
💧 Vitamin B5 (Panthenol):
This skin conditioning vitamin locks in moisture and promotes healing. It’s the secret to that healthy, hydrated glow and what makes our products stand out from the others.
🍃 Aloe Vera:
A classic skin product favorite ingredient. Aloe hydrates, cools, and nourishes the skin naturally. We include it to help balance and protect your skin’s barrier after each use.
The J.Essentials Promise
When you choose J.Essentials, you’re choosing skincare thaat you can be proud of. We believe your everyday skin products should feel good, smell good, and be good for you, your skin, and the planet.
