Is Verb Cruelty-Free and Vegan?


Verb is a hair care brand that is focused on providing real products for real people to achieve great hair without any filters. The company was founded in Austin, TX, in 2011 and offers multi-purpose, high-quality hair care products for all hair types and genders at an affordable price. The brand is clean, cruelty-free, and color-safe, and its products are free from gluten, parabens, and harmful sulfates.


Why Verb is 100% Cruelty-Free But Not Vegan:



While Verb is proud of its cruelty-free ethos and is accredited by PETA, it is not considered a vegan brand. The company does not test any of its products or ingredients on animals, purchase any ingredients that have been tested on animals within its supply chain, or distribute its products to countries where animal testing is required by law. However, Verb does have a range of vegan products available, and only nine of its products contain animal-derived ingredients.



Customers can easily check whether a product is vegan by looking for a vegan stamp on the dedicated product page. Despite its commitment to being cruelty-free, some customers may feel that Verb could be doing more to support its vegan policies.



Overall, Verb is a brand that is committed to offering accessible, high-quality hair care products that are cruelty-free and free from harmful ingredients. While it may not be considered a fully vegan brand, it does offer a range of vegan products for customers who prioritize this aspect of their purchasing decisions. Ultimately, it is up to individual consumers to decide which factors are most important to them when choosing hair care products.



The hair care brand, Verb, uses several animal-derived ingredients such as honey and beeswax, hydrolyzed silk, and lanolin in its products. These ingredients offer various benefits, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, moisture retention, and hydration. Despite these ingredients not being vegan, they can still be cruelty-free. To learn more about cruelty-free beeswax and lanolin, click on the provided links.



Hydrolyzed silk is commonly used in hair care as it adds elasticity to the hair and helps it retain moisture, which prevents breakage and adds shine. Lanolin is used in skincare and cosmetics for its hydrating properties.



If you’re interested in finding vegan products or alternatives to Verb’s non-vegan products, you can click on the link provided or continue reading.



Verb has had a strict no animal testing policy since it was established in 2011. In 2022, the brand’s official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products confirmed its commitment to not testing on animals, not purchasing ingredients tested on animals, and not distributing its products to countries that require animal testing by law.



Is Verb’s Ingredients Natural and Organic?



Verb uses active, natural ingredients in its formulas and prioritizes making products free from harsh ingredients that are safe for everyone to use. However, Verb is not considered an organic brand and does not advertise itself as one. The term “natural” is not regulated for cosmetics and skincare, and it does not necessarily mean good or safe. While Verb uses synthetic ingredients in its products, it chooses better or clean synthetics that are safe and non-toxic for users. The brand uses naturally-derived ingredients such as Moringa oil, Aloe vera, and Sunflower seed extract to enhance its cosmetics.


According to Skin Safe, Verb products have an 82-91% allergen-free ranking, and they are free of parabens, gluten, and harmful sulfates. However, Verb is not 100% hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic, and it does not claim to be, so it is crucial to read the ingredient list before using their products.



Does Verb Use Safe Ingredients?



The EU/UK Have Stricter Ingredient Regulations



The EU and UK have more stringent regulations for cosmetics ingredients than the US, so it’s essential to read the ingredient list before purchasing any product, particularly if you live in the US. While the FDA has only restricted or banned 11 harmful chemicals, the EU and UK have banned 1,328. Even though Verb uses safe ingredients, it’s still necessary to be cautious. When it comes to hair care, it’s best to avoid ingredients such as Benzophenone, oxybenzone, Butylated compounds (BHA, BHT), DMDM Hydantoin, Coal tar, Resorcinol, Ethanolamine compounds (DEA, MEA, and TEA), Ethoxylated ingredients (PEG, PPG, polysorbate), Formaldehyde, and formaldehyde-releasing agents.



Are Cruelty-Free Ingredients Safe?



If you have concerns about the safety of using cosmetics that haven’t been tested on animals, there’s no need to worry. Cruelty-free products can be just as safe as those tested on animals. It’s possible to test ingredients without using animals, and there are many pre-approved ingredients that can be used to make cosmetics, making animal testing unnecessary. If you’d like to learn more about this topic, you can check out “Are Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Safe?” for further information.



Does Verb prioritize sustainability and ethical practices?



While Verb takes some steps towards ethical and sustainable initiatives, there is still much room for improvement in 2022.



Although Verb is cruelty-free and mostly vegan, they acknowledge that this is not enough and are taking steps to become more eco-friendly.



One area where Verb excels is in being an inclusive brand. However, cosmetic brands contribute to the world’s waste problem by using unsustainable packaging and harmful ingredients.



Verb encourages customers to be more water and product savvy and to reuse their bottles for other purposes. Verb also takes some measures to promote environmental accountability, such as using natural ingredients and biodegradable formulas, 100% recyclable packaging, and offering shampoo and conditioner in 1-liter bottles that reduce the need for smaller containers.



Furthermore, Verb partners with and donates to eco-friendly initiatives. Nevertheless, Verb still has significant room for improvement in terms of ethical and sustainable practices.



Here are some ways that Verb can take more significant responsibility for the environment:



Offering refillable products, so consumers can reuse their bottles.
Implementing eco-friendly practices such as a net-zero greenhouse gas emission policy, carbon-neutral shipping, or utilizing renewable energy in their manufacturing process.
Getting involved in more ethical initiatives that support communities.
Enhancing the sustainability of their packaging by using FSC-certified papers and boards.



Final Thoughts



In the years since its launch in 2011, Verb has garnered a loyal following due to its inclusive, cruelty-free, and clean hair care products. Furthermore, the brand is making an effort to provide a salon-grade experience at an affordable price, which is a rare find in the market.



Nevertheless, two things that may give pause are that Verb is not entirely vegan, and they lack robust sustainable initiatives. This may cause some environmentalists and vegans to feel hesitant about supporting the brand. However, it is important not to dismiss Verb too quickly.



Verb is taking steps to address its shortcomings and is willing to make changes based on customer feedback. The question now is whether they will follow through on their promises. If you are a fan of the brand but want to see more progress, we suggest sharing your thoughts with them. By speaking out, we can increase the likelihood of seeing improvements.

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