Vegan soap
{{short description|Soaps made from vegetable fats or oils}}
Vegan soaps (or vegetable soaps) are soaps made from fats or oils of vegetable origin rather than from saponified animal fats. The Vegan Society's definition of veganism encourages consumers to avoid all products containing ingredients derived from animals,{{Cite web|title=Definition of veganism|url=https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/definition-veganism|access-date=2021-03-28|website=The Vegan Society|language=en-GB}} so vegan soaps might include aloe vera, castor oil, cornstarch, corn syrup, pectin, or essential oils, while excluding animal products such as lanolin, gelatin, lard, and tallow.{{Cite web |title=A Beginners Guide to Vegan Products |url=https://www.soapguild.org/tools-and-resources/resource-center/80/vegan-products-for-beginners/ |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild}} Examples of traditional vegan soaps include: Aleppo soap, Castile soap, Marseille soap, Nabulsi soap, and some glycerin soaps.
Vegans may boycott soaps tested on animals.{{Cite web|title=Why Vegans Oppose Animal Testing|url=https://www.veganrabbit.com/why-vegan/vivisection-why-vegans-oppose-animal-testing/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Vegan Rabbit|language=en-US}} The Vegan Society defines veganism as excluding "—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals". According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), there are "plenty" of animal-testing free vegan bar soaps to choose from, "no matter your skin type or budget."{{Cite web|date=2005-01-28|title=Vegan Bar Soaps That Weren't Tested on Animals|url=https://www.peta.org/living/personal-care-fashion/great-cruelty-free-vegan-bar-soaps/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=PETA|language=en-US}}
See also
- Shower gel, often synthetic liquid soaps or detergents
- Soap substitute