Everything you need to know about vegan fragrances

WHAT ARE VEGAN PERFUMES? 

If you’re thinking, ‘aren’t all perfumes vegan?’ you’re not alone. But, similar to the skincare world, many of our favourite scents feature animal-derived extracts, like honey, milk and beeswax, making vegan fragrances a little hard to find. Basically, when a fragrance is marked as ‘vegan’, it means that the formula doesn’t contain any animal products.  

Vegan perfumes are also not tested on animals, meaning they’re 100% cruelty-free. This is important. While many perfumes contain only vegan-friendly ingredients, they can’t be considered a truly vegan fragrance if they’re tested on animals. Similarly, some perfumes – like those containing beeswax and honey – can be vegetarian. But even though they’re not obtained through cruelty, they’re not the same as vegan perfumes.  

Vegan fragrances tend to be sustainable and eco-friendly, too, and often shout about how their formula is made and tested to keep things super transparent. Plus, many of the bottles used can be taken into store and recycled at the end of their life, boosting their sustainability credentials.

1. PEPPERED EARTH BY THE PERFUME EDIT  

Available exclusively at The Perfume Shop, this warm and fruity scent is vegan, certified cruelty-free and made from a 100% recyclable bottle and box. This fragrance doesn’t just smell good – it’s good for the planet too! 

2. PHANTOM BY PACO RABANNE  

Phantom by Paco Rabanne is more than just a perfume. A bold vegan fragrance invigorated by fresh lemon, floral lavender and rich vanilla; you can connect the futuristic bottle to your phone to unlock exclusive content. When you’re done with it, there’s no need to throw your bottle away. Thanks to the innovative, user-friendly refill, you can refuel it over and over again, making it the perfect sustainable gift! 

3. TO BE GREEN BY POLICE 

‘Green’ by name, green by nature. This invigorating perfume by Police is dedicated to all those who care about the world around them. Not only is the glass, aluminium and box fully recyclable, but it’s Eco Design Fragrance certified, which means this fresh, energetic fragrance has been made with as little impact on the environment as possible. 

4. D BY DIESEL  

Refillable, eco-designed and made without cellophane to reduce plastic waste, D by Diesel is made from two sustainably-sourced ingredients exclusively crafted for Diesel, including a vanilla bourbon infusion from Madagascar and a diva lavender heart from Provence. It doesn’t just smell divinely comforting and spicy – this vegan formula contains absolutely no animal-derived ingredients. Here’s to a more responsible future! 

5. EROS BY VERSACE  

Eros by Versace embodies four key concepts: desire, beauty, love and passion. Fresh, woody and oriental, it’s not afraid to flaunt itself, revealing a stark contrast between the extremely citrusy and extremely delicate notes. But best of all? This vegan fragrance is made without any animal-derived products, including eggs, bees, dairy and animal enzymes. 

6. A DROP D’ISSEY FRAICHE 

A Drop D’Issey is a refreshing floral fragrance that captures the smell of raindrops in spring. Containing 85% natural origin ingredients, this vegan perfume is made in France using carefully-selected raw materials that have minimal impact on the environment. The lilac accord is created using green chemistry to reproduce the flower’s natural fragrance. The result? Nature’s protected, not harvested.  

7. GOD IS A WOMAN BY ARIANA GRANDE  

Airy, fresh and on the mature side of sweet, Ariana Grande has hit it out of the park with her amber-floral creation God is a Woman. Made from 91% naturally-derived ingredients and completely vegan-friendly, this bright and beautiful scent opens with a burst of vibrant pear before settling down into creamy, warm undertones.  Get this on your wish list for ‘everyday wear’. Trust us; you won’t be disappointed! 

8. GOOD FORTUNE BY VIKTOR&ROLF  

The embodiment of a new positive lifestyle, Good Fortune by Viktor&Rolf is bewitching, powerful and 100% vegan. It opens with lively fennel and gentian flower before blooming into a heart of jasmine and a creamy, captivating bourbon vanilla base. And good news for eco-conscious perfume fans – the lid can be unscrewed and refilled as much as you like. 

9. ROSE NATURELLE BY CHLOE  

There’s a lot to love about Chloe Rose Naturelle! Not only is it vegan-friendly, but it’s also made from 100% natural origin and ethically-sourced ingredients, making it a no-brainer addition to the fragrance wardrobe of any eco-conscious shopper. The beautiful bottle’s refillable, but it’s also pretty enough to be upcycled into a vase, diffuser or candle holder, too.  

10. FAME BY PACO RABANNE  

Bursting with precious ingredients, FAME is unique, playful and as covetable as the 1969 bag. Made from exceptionally pure jasmine, succulent mango and sensual creamy incense, this unapologetically addictive fragrance is fame in a bottle. The ingredients are 90% natural origin, 100% sustainable. It’s everything you could want from a vegan fragrance – and more.  

About Lorna
Copywriter

Lorna is a Freelance Copywriter with a passion for fragrance, beauty and skincare, sustainability and outdoor adventure sports. She famously quit her office job to spend more time with her cat and counts her favourite perfumes as Mugler Alien and Ralph by Ralph Lauren.