Is Derma E Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

Has Derma E kept up with the times? We're curious to know whether this OG in clean skincare is cruelty-free and vegan in 2022 ­– especially considering it's been around since the 80s when cruelty-free living wasn't in demand.

We know the brand takes pride in creating natural formulas rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, but it needs to bring more to the table to keep with the modern consumer.

Derma E is cruelty-free. It doesn't conduct animal testing on its products, nor does it distribute its cosmetics where animal testing is required by law. Derma E is also 100% vegan – it doesn't use any animal-derived ingredients.

Derma E had a humble beginning back in 1984 when co-founders Dr. Linda Miles and David Stearn decided to release a single product line in a small health shop in Southern California.

This jar of vitamin E moisturizing cream rapidly grew in popularity, and it didn't take long for Derma E to expand.

Each product is appreciated for its efficacy, and Derma E attributes it to their founding principle: striving to see visible improvement through the right combination of clean vitamins, nutrients, and ingredients.

Today Derma E has an estimated revenue of $42 million and is owned by Topix Pharmaceuticals.

Before deciding on what to buy, here's what you need to know about Derma E's current animal testing policies, vegan ranges, formulation, and sustainability.

Is Derma E Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

Derma E is 100% Cruelty-Free

Derma E Cruelty-Free and Vegan Product range

It does not:

  • Test any of its products or ingredients on animals;
  • Purchase any ingredients tested on animals within its supply chain; or
  • Distribute its products to any countries that require animal testing by law.

Derma E has a solid cruelty-free message, and it shows!

It is both PETA and Leaping Bunny certified. Talk about overachieving (which we love)!

Leaping Bunny is the only internationally recognized certification that can guarantee a brand is cruelty-free, so it's a must-have in our eyes.

The brand is also owned by Topix Pharmaceuticals, a medical-grade skincare and cosmetics holding company that isn’t associated with animal testing.

This brings us to our next point (drum roll, please):

Derma E is Vegan

Let's all raise a glass to Derma E! America's largest natural facial care brand is entirely vegan. Derma E does not use any animal-derived ingredients in any of its products.

Veganism is more than just a term used to describe products free of animal-derived ingredients. Veganism is a lifestyle that refuses all forms of animal exploitation or cruelty.

This means that even if a product is free of animal-derived ingredients – it's only considered vegan if it's cruelty-free.

It's a challenging requirement, but Derma E passes with flying colors.

It's worth knowing that Derma E is the exception and not the rule. Most mainstream skincare brands are not 100% vegan.

These are certain animal-derived ingredients to look out for in general:

  • Honey & beeswax these ingredients pose many health benefits to your skin and wellbeing. They have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and are loaded with essential vitamins.

    Just because beeswax isn't vegan, it doesn't mean it can't be cruelty-free. Find out more here: Can Beeswax Be Cruelty-Free?
  • Carmine – this ingredient is the red pigment made from the crushed female cochineal insect. A little gross, no? But it is completely harmless and is used in makeup to get those rouge tones.
  • Lanolin – this ingredient, like honey and beeswax, is used in skincare and cosmetics because it is incredibly hydrating. It is basically the waxy oil that comes from sheep wool. Lanolin can be cruelty-free – follow this link for more details.
  • Collagen – this essential protein plays an integral role in strengthening your skin and potentially help slow down the effects of aging when taken as a supplement. It does this by minimizing wrinkles and dryness.

If you're interested in which products are vegan or finding vegan brand alternatives – keep reading or click on this link: Derma E vegan products

Animal Testing Policy and History

Derma E has been going strong for over 45 years, and they state that the brand's animal testing policy has been cruelty-free since launching. Can you believe it?

The brand's passion for health, wellness, and the environment has grown stronger and improved with modern advances.

Cruelty-Free Status in 2022

Here is a screenshot of Derma E's official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products, taken from their website:

Derma E Cruelty-Free and Vegan website claim

Certification

Derma E is both Leaping Bunny, and PETA certified.

While you might know PETA very well – it surprisingly doesn't hold the strictest cruelty-free regulations. It seems to only require a brand's written consent that abides by the PETA code of conduct.

Certification from Leaping Bunny is ideal because it holds rigorous standards and does regular audits to ensure they are upheld.

Leaping Bunny certification proves that:

  • No animal testing is conducted on the ingredients, formulas, or final products it sells.
  • No animal testing is conducted by the brand suppliers or on their ingredients or formulas.
  • No animal testing is done by someone else that the company itself paid for.
  • Any other form of testing (beyond ingredient and consumer safety), such as worker safety and environmental health, are considered and evaluated.

If you see a bunny stamp on the back of your product bottle – that's an excellent sign. But don't be fooled by the image itself. A lot of brands are using fake logos to mislead consumers.

Do your homework and see which products are genuinely cruelty-free first. This article will help you: Which Cruelty-Free Logos Can You Trust?

Is Derma E Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law? 

Derma E does not distribute any of its products to China or any country that requires animal testing on any cosmetics by law.

China has a shocking track record. It is the country with the most amount of animal testing globally, with over 20 million animals used per year.

However, if you live in China or are concerned about its cruel beauty policies, there are a couple of loopholes to be aware of. Here's how to find cruelty-free cosmetics in China: Are Cosmetics Made in China Cruelty-Free?

The Best Vegan Derma E Products

Now let's get down to business! Derma E has expanded its range significantly since launching its single Vitamin E moisturizer in '84.

In the last 37 years, all they've done is update their products to be cleaner, more holistic, and more effective.

If we were to shop the Derma E range, here's where we'd spend our money.

  • Concentrated Formula
  • Microdermabrasion Scrub
  • Scar Gel
  • Advanced Peptides and Flora-Collagen Moisturizer
  • Hydrating Night Cream

For a complete list of Derma E vegan products, you can find everything on their website.  

Vegan Alternatives to Derma E 

Derma E is an excellent option for vegans and provides product options that other brands can't quite get right.

They strive to be transparent with their consumers and are 100% cruelty-free, vegan, clean, and effective. We love what they stand for.

But if the brand is not easily accessible to you, here are some alternatives for you to try:

Is Derma E Natural and Organic? 

Derma E claims to use a high percentage of natural ingredients in each product. Most importantly, they market themselves as a clean beauty brand.

While Derma E might use some organic ingredients, it is not certified organic, nor does it advertise itself as an organic cosmetics brand.

The company's website states that their "products are designed to be completely effective, completely vegan and completely delightful."

Clean vs. Natural Ingredients

The term "natural" is not regulated for cosmetics and skincare. In other words, it doesn't hold one specific meaning.

Usually, it means a product is free of certain more toxic synthetic ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and more. But people also interpret "natural" to mean ingredients of immediate plant origin.

Here's the thing: "natural" is not always good. Just because an ingredient is natural doesn't mean you should rub it on your skin. Poison ivy is natural – but we wouldn't recommend rolling in a field of that stuff!

Almost all products use a certain amount of synthetic ingredients in their formulas, and Derma E is no exception – but it can choose to use better or clean synthetics.

If a synthetic ingredient is "clean," it is safe and non-toxic. Its purpose is to preserve the stability of a beauty formulation.

Derma E is stringent regarding the ingredients they choose to use.

Here are a few naturally-derived ingredients that Derma E uses to enhance its cosmetics include:

  • Alpha Lipoic Acid is a highly versatile antioxidant. It's capable of protecting all of the skin's cellular structure, even the mitochondria (that's the powerhouse of the cell for those of you who took biology in school) and our DNA.

    As we get older, mitochondrial function slows – making it a potent ingredient to reverse aging.
  • Kimarine Wakame is extracted from brown seaweed called Undaria Pinnatifidia. It contains all nine amino acids and high amounts of magnesium and potassium, protecting skin again pollutants and irritants, free radical damage, and UV damage.
  • Vitamin B3, also known as Niacinamide, has fantastic anti-aging properties. It protects and supports your skin's barrier while stimulating the skin's collagen production.

Does Derma E Use Safe Ingredients?

According to Skin Safe, most Derma E products receive a 91%-100% allergen-free ranking. That's very high, but we expected nothing less from this beauty brand.

Derma E has cut out over 2700 potentially harmful ingredients commonly used in cosmetics, including parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, mineral oils, soy, sodium laurel sulfates, and more.

Reading the ingredient list is crucial because Derma E is not 100% hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic, and they do not claim to be.

However, certain products are specifically for these concerns, so make sure you buy what your skin needs.

The EU/UK Have Stricter Ingredient Regulations

As a conscientious shopper, you must read up on any brand's ingredient list before you make a purchase – especially if you live within the United States.

This is because the FDA has only banned or restricted 11 harmful chemicals from cosmetics within the country. Europe and the UK, on the other hand, has banned 1,328!

Even though it's doubtful you'll find a harmful ingredient in any Derma E products since it goes against the brand's ethos – you can never be too careful.

For good measure, here are some of the ingredients you want to avoid with skincare:

  • DEA, MEA, and TEA
  • DMDM Hydantoin and urea (that often release formaldehyde)
  • PEG (Polyethylene glycol)
  • Phthalates
  • Propylene glycol (pg) & butylene glycol
  • Triclosan

Are Cruelty-Free Ingredients Safe?

If you're worried about how safe it is to use cosmetics not tested on animals – please relax and take a sigh of relief.

There is no reason why cruelty-free products shouldn't be just as safe as anything tested on an animal.

Not only is it easy to test ingredients without using animals altogether, but there are so many pre-approved ingredients you can use to make cosmetics that there is no need.

If you're interested, here's more on the subject: Are Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Safe?

Is Derma E Sustainable and Ethical? 

Everything Derma E does considers people, purpose, and the planet. The brand is aware that every one of their products eventually ends up in waterways and ecosystems, so they're doing their bit for the environment.

As it stands, the brand:

  • Helps create ethically developed products (environment).
  • Focuses on lessening the impact it has on the planet (recycle).
  • Strives to do more to help people (giving back).

It's no secret that the world has a huge waste problem, and cosmetic brands are only making it worse by using unsustainable packaging and harmful ingredients.

As it stands, the brand is taking strong environmental accountability is by:

  • Using more natural ingredients and biodegradable formulas that are kinder to the environment.
  • Developing 100% recyclable product packaging and shipping boxes.
  • Producing 100% biodegradable facial wipes and foil packs.
  • Manufacturing with wind power to reduce their carbon footprint to offset CO2 emissions.
  • Purchasing renewable energy certificates to help create a market for renewable power – reducing dependency on foreign energy sources and supporting domestic economies.
  • Protecting the Australian coral reefs by developing save SPF formulas.
  • Encouraging customers to recycle their products.
  • Using non-GMO ingredients as their harmful properties are leading to controversial concerns.
  • Supports philanthropic organizations such as Special Olympics (Ventura County), Keep America Beautiful, and Vitamin Angels.

Final Thoughts

We know many brands that are either cruelty-free and vegan OR sustainable – but not many organizations tie everything together as Derma E does.

Beyond their founding commitment to developing cruelty-free cosmetics, Derma E strives to be a green brand that supports a variety of ethical causes too.  

Derma E has been a reliable facial care brand for decades now. The fact that they are Leaping Bunny certified and vegan is a step towards a more sustainable future in cosmetics.

The only thing we'd like is a more transparent palm oil supply chain since it is still an ingredient they choose to use.

At Cruelty-Free Soul, we're elated when a brand hits these standards and still gets rave reviews. We can't wait to see what Derma E does next.

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