Why all toothpaste isn't vegan and why it matters for you
Have you ever been brushing your teeth and wondered about whether toothpaste is vegan? Spoiler alert: it’s not!
Not all toothpaste is vegan! While there are no traditional animal products, like dairy or meat, in toothpaste (duh), many common toothpaste brands include ingredients which are derived from animal products.
Toothpaste is one of those things we use every day without even thinking about it. It’s so common, in fact, it can be easy not to think about what ingredients are used. And after all, veganism is typically associated with food rather than cosmetics or personal hygiene products.
If you’re following a vegan lifestyle, have dietary restrictions, follow kosher or Halal practices, or just looking for more holistic options to use in your daily life, you might not even have thought to switch to a vegan toothpaste. You’ve probably thought of the things you consume, like eggs and cheese. But the products you use to keep your mouth clean should reflect your lifestyle just as much as your diet!
What is vegan toothpaste?
Vegan toothpaste is any toothpaste that doesn’t include animal byproducts in its ingredients. Instead, non-vegan alternative ingredients are used. Most common toothpaste companies include ingredients that are derived from animal products, despite the fact that they’re not using an actual animal protein.
What non-vegan ingredients do other toothpaste companies use?
Common drugstore toothpaste brands a few non-vegan ingredients, like:
Glycerin - Glycerin is typically used as a dual-purpose ingredient because it both sweetens and acts as a preservative. However, the kind of glycerin traditionally used is actually a pork by-product. Vegan toothpaste often replaces glycerin with a plant-based glycerin, which carries all the same benefits and helps avoid the use of toxic parabens.
Propolis - Honey Bees create a natural substance that the bees leave on their hives or plants around the hive. While it is an organic ingredient, it is not vegan because it is created by bees!
Calcium Phosphate - Calcium phosphate is another very commonly used ingredient in non-vegan toothpaste. Fun fact - your saliva actually naturally contains phosphates! Calcium phosphate is added to toothpaste to help strengthen your teeth. However, it is usually made by grinding up animal bones, so it is not vegan.
Does vegan toothpaste work?
Vegan toothpaste is just as effective as toothpaste from mainstream brands. Vegan toothpaste brands go through rigorous research and testing to ensure that the product is very effective.
Vegan toothpaste often uses more non-toxic, wholesome ingredients like zinc and black seed oil, to provide holistic oral hygiene benefits. This way, you receive the same antibacterial properties that help fight cavities, bad breath, and other oral diseases. These more natural ingredients are typically also of organic origin, so most vegan toothpaste is also cruelty-free!
At the end of the day, vegan toothpaste is just as effective as non-vegan toothpaste while providing an alternative option for those following a vegan lifestyle, kosher or Halal practices, or looking for a more holistic approach to oral care. Our product is a great vegan and cruelty-free, USDA-certified biobased option to fit your lifestyle.
