Chat, what’s going on? Your personal care products and toiletries, like soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste, will now have a green or red/brown sticker on them to indicate whether they’re ‘vegetarian’ or ‘non-vegetarian’.
Does that mean people are eating their soaps now? Well, I hope not. The stickers are meant to make it easier for consumers to identify the ingredients while stocking on their toiletries and check whether they are plant-based (veg) or animal-derived (non-veg).
Wait, you mean my shampoo is made of chicken? Sorry to burst your bubble, but the majority of the stuff on your beauty shelf probably relies on ingredients that come from animals. That thick keratin hair mask and super-hydrating moisturiser made with glycerin that makes you look like a glazed donut owes its magic to animal hooves, feathers, and fat.
Does that mean I’m hitting my protein goals while doing my makeup? No, because you shouldn’t be ingesting your blush. But whether it’s PDRN serum, collagen cream, or tallow balm, I don’t need a sticker to tell you that all of it is derived from animal or marine sources.
But like, why should we care? Pick your player: Religious reasons, morals and ethics, sustainability or just for the plot.
Does that also mean vegetarian cosmetics are cruelty-free? Well, not exactly. A soap made with completely plant-based ingredients could still have been tested on animals at any stage of production ☹ Instead, look for a leaping bunny on the packaging—the official PETA-approved logo—that is a guarantee of cruelty-free certification.
Does this include makeup or online purchases? Our guess is as good as yours, but don’t be surprised if your Nykaa packages now look like a Yayoi Kusama art piece.
But I can’t live without my snail mucin serum: Okay, but maybe skip it on Tuesdays...
Does this green-dot, red-dot system exist anywhere else in the world? No, this is an India special.
And the nominees for best comments are:
“Gluten-free shampoo when”
“Kya aapke toothpaste main beef hain”
“Is someone eating their shampoo?”
When is this going to be in effect? It’s already in motion.
