Global Vegan Beauty Market Expected to Reach $20 Billion in Next Five Years

Similar to the booming plant-based food market, the vegan beauty industry is also experiencing rapid growth: Consumers worldwide have shifted towards plant-based and cruelty-free products as concerns regarding animal welfare and sustainability have entered the spotlight. A new study entitled Vegan Cosmetics – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics from Global Industry Analysts found that the vegan cosmetics market is expected to reach $20.6 billion by 2026.

The market research found that the vegan cosmetics market surpassed $15 billion in 2020, meaning that the market will experience a growth CAGR of 5.1 percent over the next 6 years. The study details how the rise in plant-based consumer demand is driving the popularity of vegan products across all categories.

Vegan cosmetics will experience a significant rise, especially within the world’s two largest economies: The US and China. Currently, the US vegan cosmetics market is estimated at $4.3 billion in 2021. Trailing immediately behind, China’s vegan cosmetic market is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2026 with a CAGR of 7.9 percent. The market report found that the Chinese vegan cosmetics market will be growing at an accelerated rate within the analysis period.

Among the US and China, the report found that several other major economies would experience similar growth within the vegan cosmetics sector. The report details that Japan and Canada are projected to grow at 2.8 percent and 4.6 percent respectively by 2026. Alongside these major economies, Germany is also forecasted to grow at 3.2 percent CAGR over the analysis period.

The report found that the US, Japan, Canada, Europe, and China will lead the growth of vegan makeup products over the next five years. The estimated CAGR is valued a 4.2 percent. The current collective valuation of the makeup market is $2.2 billion, but the report predicts that it will reach $3 billion by 2026. Within the top economies, China remains the fastest growing for this category.

Although cruelty-free and vegan may be used to mean the same thing colloquially, some cosmetic products that avoid animal testing still contain animal-derived ingredients in the manufacturing process. The vegan cosmetics market surveyed in the study includes products that exclude both animal testing and animal-derived materials.

The global cosmetic industry is rapidly moving away from animal testing. Several countries have already passed bans on the sale and manufacturing of cosmetic products that involved animal testing. Consumer demand is driving the movement away from animal involvement when creating new products. Recently, Mexico became the first North American country to ban animal testing completely within the cosmetics industry. The bill will extend to the domestic sales and imports of animal-tested cosmetics.

Although Mexico is the first country in North America to ban cosmetic animal testing, it joins an already extensive list of countries that have abandoned animal testing over recent years. 40 other countries have passed legislation to ban the sale and manufacturing of animal-tested beauty products.

“For Mexico to become the 41st country to ban animal testing for cosmetics is a great advance for the entire region,” Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at ONG Te Protejo Nicole Valdebenito said. “Cosmetic consumers are increasingly convinced that their products should not involve animal suffering and brands. They are meeting these requirements by changing their analysis processes to ones that are kind to animals and better for human beings.”

Cosmetics companies across the global market have begun adopting new methods of producing signature beauty products. While consumer demand rapidly abandons animal-tested products, cosmetic giants have redesigned their product lines. The bill to abandon cosmetic testing is supported by cosmetic giants P&G, Unilever, L’Oreal, LUSH, Avon, and more. The support signifies a remarkable change in the global cosmetic market as vegan cosmetics rapidly become the standard.

Califia Farms Almond Creamer is made with real almonds and coconut cream to give a rich, full-flavored texture and has 2 grams of added sugar. The consistency is so thick it’s more like a heavy cream rather than a creamer substitute. Regardless, it froths up well and is very creamy. The almond taste is noticeable but the creamer isn’t bitter or grainy. You don’t need to use a lot of it; a little goes a long way!

Silk Original Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer has only 1 gram of added sugar, but sadly it does not froth up well when I heated it due to a thinner, more watery consistency. It didn't combine well with coffee, no matter how much was added. Because of the underwhelming flavor, this was my least favorite.

This Natural Bliss Coconut Milk Creamer/Sweet Cream is the best one I’ve found for both frothing and taste, especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half-and-half. It’s creamy and has a hint of coconut, but no overwhelming coconut flavor. Note: it is made with pea protein, unlike the other ones, which is probably why it’s thicker. Always check ingredients if you have food allergies because unexpected ingredients such as peas can be hiding in the product, and you would never know by the taste.

So Delicious has been marketing dairy-free frozen desserts, yogurt alternatives, and smooth plant-based beverages for over 30 years. Besides the coconut milk, they also have “Original,” “Snickerdoodle.” “Caramel” and “Creamy Vanilla” flavors. I only sampled the coconut milk flavor. This is the only one in this taste test with 0 grams of added sugar. It has a very rich coconut taste and froths up nicely in coffee like milk. It’s not as thick as some of the others but is a good alternative to ultra-sweet creamers if you want to be careful about your sugar intake. The coconut flavor is powerful but not overwhelming.

Natural Bliss Oat Milk Creamer, Vanilla Natural Flavor, with 4 grams added sugar is similar to Coffee Mate’s Coconut creamer but without the coconut flavor. It’s super-rich and creamy with a hint of oat flavor but not bitter at all. My new favorite! This is the best one I’ve found for frothing and taste especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half and half. It’s like the real thing as it’s creamy, fluffy and not grainy. Remember to shake it up before putting in your frother. Use a little and be happy with your non-dairy latte!

The Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition contains 4 grams of sugar but its full-flavored taste makes it a rich choice. It doesn’t market itself as a creamer but it does advertise as the choice for the barista community. It’s slightly less frothy than real milk when mixed but the flavor is pleasant, not bitter, and I would choose it again.

Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer, the Vanilla One has 4 grams of added sugar and is also at the top of my list. While it’s sweet, it’s also incredibly rich which means you can use less of it in your coffee. It was thick and creamy when frothed and it adds a fluffy cap to your coffee as lattes make with real cream. Note that pea protein is an added ingredient in this creamer as well. This can rival the real thing but choose this one only if you like a strong vanilla aftertaste!

The Silk Almond Creamer Vanilla boasts that it’s “America’s #1 Almond Creamer. But with 4 grams added sugar you may want to use it sparingly. It did taste sweet and was nice and thick, so someone who likes rich creamers will love it. The vanilla aftertaste was pretty strong. And it's a little too syrupy sweet for my taste.

Nutpods is the closest you'll get to the real thing! Tasters immediately gave this dairy-free creamer a 5 out 5. The texture is smooth and mixes with coffee instantly. Unlike soy creamers, this almond and coconut-based creamer doesn't separate once your done stirring. Nut Pods is the most comparable to half and half in the whole list of creamers!

Forager is cashew milk and coconut cream based that mixes for a unique and flavorful taste. The consistency was on the thinner side, and if you're a heavy cream or half-and-half devotee this is probably not the creamer for you, although those who like a lighter flavor will enjoy it.

This creamer is rich, round and doesn't taste too overtly of coconut. You only need a splash to achieve a nice, creamy effect in your coffee, and there's no watered-down consistency, so if you swear by heavy cream or half & half, give this Trader Joe's option a try! At only $1.69 per carton, this product is a steal.

The thickest consistency of the bunch, resembling a heavy cream rather than half and half. Malk has only 5 ingredients, making it super clean and healthy! The almond flavor might be overpowering to those who like less flavor in their creamer. Add the Maple Pecan flavor to your coffee for an even sweeter taste.