A Guide To Cruelty Free & Vegan Toothpaste Brands
When being kind to the planet, also helps to be kind to animals too. Reaching for cruelty-free and vegan toothpaste is a great way of doing so and there are many responsible brands to help with that! From toothpaste tabs to the classic paste formulations and even powders, there is very likely something here to suit different preferences, including plastic-free low waste options.
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Why consider switching to Cruelty-Free & Vegan Toothpaste?
Cruelty-free toothpaste alternatives are a good idea if you want to avoid any animal testing. I am a firm believer that skincare products of any kind should never be tested on animals. It's also important to understand that cruelty-free and vegan are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are notable differences.
- Cruelty-free products mean that there is no testing on animals but in some instances, certain products might still contain animal ingredients (like beeswax) or animal by-products.
- Vegan products mean that there are no animal ingredients or animal by-products. BUT they may still test on animals.
It can be quite confusing to the consumer. So best to ask lots of questions if you are not sure.
How we choose Cruelty-Free & Vegan Toothpaste Brands
When looking for cruelty-free vegan toothpaste or any green beauty products at all, we always consider the following criteria to ensure that whatever we choose is as best for our bodies and for the planet as possible.
1. Is it Canadian or local to you?
Is it produced nearest you or made locally like these amazing green beauty brands are to me?
2. Is it made of natural ingredients?
The ingredients used in our beauty products can enter our bloodstream through our skin, or in the case of toothpaste, go right into our mouths. For those reasons, we look for products that are as safe as possible; favoring natural or naturally-derived ingredients above all.
Some products are very likely to contain certain harmful ingredients. When it comes to toothpaste, Earth 911 recommends we avoid: fluoride, artificial sweeteners and colors, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), carrageenan, propylene glycol, and triclosan.
3. Is it certified organic?
Organic ingredients are also favorable where ingredients can otherwise be made using unsustainable production practices involving undesirable chemicals like conventional pesticides. In some cases, brands are certified organic, or ingredients used may be certified organic.
4. Is it vegan?
Here we want to make sure that none of the ingredients used in the product are derived from animals or insects.
5. Is it cruelty-free?
The cruelty-free certification means that products are not tested on animals which is great even when we aren’t vegan.
6. Palm oil-free?
We look to avoid palm oil or any of its derivatives wherever possible since it is largely produced unsustainably — threatening wildlife and ecosystems in the regions where it is produced.
7. Are ingredients sustainably sourced?
We also want to know where the ingredients used are coming from and how they are made. Safe production methods and ethical working conditions are important at every stage of the supply chain. Brands that disclose the origin of their ingredients get a major plus in our book.
8. Does the company use environmentally-conscious packaging?
Recyclable and/or compostable/zero-waste packaging is crucial to reducing our waste and makes for better, more eco-friendly products all around.
7. Is it inclusive?
Inclusivity plays a major role in sustainability because more eco-friendly products must be available for all who need them — no matter their abilities, size, sexual orientation, or skin color.
We also like to see what more brands do to promote sustainability within and beyond their organization. This usually looks like carbon offset programs, charitable works, or environmental conservation efforts, to name a few. We want to stand by brands who stand by us and our values.
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Toothpaste Brands We Recommend
To learn more about The Eco Hub’s green beauty criteria, check out What is Green Beauty, and keep an eye out for blue beauty brands too!
1. Good Organics
Good Organics is on a mission to remove all harmful ingredients from everyday products while helping us to reduce our environmental footprint. Their great-tasting toothpaste tablets are made of a mixture of naturally-derived ingredients that come together to effectively clean, whiten, remineralize, repair, protect from tooth decay and freshen breath. They are dentist-approved and my go-to, especially when traveling.
Not only are their toothpaste tablets vegan, cruelty-free and travel-friendly but they are also packaged in glass jars offering a plastic-free take on ethical cruelty-free toothpaste. You will also find a refill option that comes in compostable packaging making them a great fit for zero waste toothpaste and for a zero waste bathroom! For easy refills be sure to consider their subscriptions. Safe for kids but not pets.
Super easy to use as well. You simply pop one in your mouth, bite down and brush away. You will be left with the freshest breath and cleanest teeth too! I love them so much that I included them in the zero waste toothpaste roundup as well!
2. Etee
Another great option for zero waste toothpaste, etee offers a plastic-free solution to toothpaste in its natural chewpaste. Ingredients include Canadian glacial clay which is high in key minerals, neutralizes bacteria, whitens, and polishes teeth. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, the brand is committed to offering plastic-free solutions all around the home like zero waste lip balm and zero waste floss. Etee also carries a wide range of plastic-free home goods, including one of my top picks for zero waste dish soap.
3. Green Beaver
Though it is packaged in a plastic tube, Green Beaver offers a fluoride-free toothpaste designed to freshen breath and clean teeth without any harmful chemicals and additives. Their toothpaste is also available in lots of different flavors like green apple, zesty orange, cinnamon, and spearmint. Whatever flavor you choose you can be sure that their toothpaste will be cruelty-free and free of sodium Laureth sulfate, triclosan, gluten, and nuts. I use and LOVE the forested mint. It's got a fantastic taste and leaves my teeth feeling clean and healthy.
4. Noice
Noicecare’s all-natural anti-plaque charcoal toothpaste is a great option as well. If you’re a little frightened by the charcoal, have no fear. The toothpaste is described as fresh-tasting and contains other lovely ingredients like licorice root extract, mentha Piperita (or peppermint) oil, and organic citrus oil.
All of its ingredients come together to remove stains, whiten teeth, fight plaque and freshen breath. They also offer a subscription program that makes a good low-waste toothpaste solution for anyone looking for zero waste vegan activated charcoal toothpaste.
5. Davids
Davids offers vegan, cruelty-free premium toothpaste made using high-quality, naturally-derived ingredients. Sourced largely from the US, you can also be sure that their ingredients list will not contain any artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, or sweeteners. Packaged in FSC verified recyclable metal tubes, you will find their products to include options in several flavors and for whitening + sensitive teeth. They are also EWG verified.
6. Hey Humans
Hey Humans offers vegan, cruelty-free toothpaste packaged in recyclable aluminum tubes. The brand is committed to offering safe personal care products, using only naturally-derived ingredients like coconut oil and tea tree leaf oil. Their toothpaste prevents bacteria build-up and tooth decay, helps control plaque, freshens breath, eases tooth pain, and whitens teeth. If you love that minty fresh feel, this is a great option.
7. Green People
Green People is a beauty brand offering a wide range of natural and ethically made products. Their selection of toothpaste is SLS-free, gluten-free, and vegan, and all of the products they carry are cruelty-free. Made using lots of organic ingredients too, their toothpaste is available in several flavors, including options for kids. Ingredients used include extracts from organic Aloe Vera, Olive Leaf, and Myrrh Resin.
8. Georganics
At Georganics you will find vegan, cruelty-free toothpaste, toothpaste tablets, and natural tooth powder. Ingredients used are all-natural including fractionated coconut oil, essential oils, and activated charcoal. No SLS, fluoride, or glycerin.
Georganics also shares some information on where their ingredients are sourced which is a big plus. Packaging materials used include cardboard boxes (recyclable & compostable), glass jars (reusable & recyclable) and aluminum lids (recyclable). You will also find zero waste floss and oil-pulling mouthwash.
9. Weleda
Weleda’s Calendula, Plant Gel, and Ratanhia toothpaste are vegan and free from fluoride, detergents, synthetic fragrances, colors, and preservatives. All of their products are cruelty-free so you can trust there is no animal testing. Though they are packaged in plastic. Choose from these options based on their properties including strengthening teeth and gums, soothing teeth and gums, and natural oral protections. This is one of my favorite brands, they offer a lovely range of skincare and body care, including our top pick for natural and organic body wash.
10. Dr. Bronner
The iconic soap-maker, Dr. Bronner also offers toothpaste that is vegan and cruelty-free and made with 70% organic ingredients like organic coconut flour, fair trade organic coconut oil, and organic aloe. No fluoride, SLS, carrageenan, preservatives, detergents, or artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners here either.
Choose from several flavors here including cinnamon, anise, peppermint, and spearmint. These are packaged in a plastic tube as well so weigh your options and your needs, and choose what works best for you.
A final word on vegan cruelty-free toothpaste
All of these brands are making it so much easier to access vegan cruelty-free toothpaste and I hope this list will help you find the right fit for your oral needs. Best of all, you can even go low waste and plastic-free on the hunt for ethical cruelty-free toothpaste! Helping to protect the planet and all its inhabitants.
For more essentials, consider vegan shampoo bars, zero waste deodorant, zero waste online stores, or the brand directory for all of the sustainable living essentials one might need.
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