The question isn't whether a vegan moisturiser can work as well as a conventional one — it can. The question is understanding what changes in the formula and what stays the same. And identifying the plant-derived substitutes that have equivalent evidence to the animal-derived ingredients they replace.

What Changes: Substituted Ingredients

• Animal collagen → plant-derived hydrolysed collagen or stimulating peptides: topical collagen from either origin doesn't penetrate skin. Humectant function is similar; to stimulate collagen, you need actives like vitamin C, peptides and bakuchiol.
• Lanolin (sheep wool wax) → shea butter, candelilla wax: equally effective emollients. Shea has additional anti-inflammatory properties.
• Shark liver squalane → olive/sugarcane squalane: identical in chemical structure and efficacy.
• Animal hyaluronic acid → bacterial fermentation HA: chemically identical. Equivalent clinical evidence.

What Doesn't Change: The Core Actives

Niacinamide, lactic acid, vitamin C, plant ceramides, prebiotics, bakuchiol — all available in non-animal origin with comparable efficacy. The most effective treatment actives in dermatology have no relevant animal counterpart.

How to Verify It's Genuinely Vegan

1. Look for Vegan Society or PETA certification on the label — not just the word vegan without certification
2. Ingredients to check in INCI list: carmine (E120), beeswax (Cera Alba), honey (Mel), lactose/whey, cholesterol (verify origin)
3. Cruelty-free is different from vegan — a product can be untested on animals but contain animal ingredients