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Clean beauty, a stricter question

Mammal-Free vs Vegan: What Matters for Alpha-Gal

Vegan and mammal-free answer different questions, and neither one means natural. Here is how to tell them apart on a label.

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The short answer

Is vegan skincare the same as alpha-gal safe?

No. Vegan and mammal-free answer different questions. Vegan means no animal ingredients of any kind, including beeswax, honey and emu oil. Mammal-free means no ingredients from mammals, which is what matters for alpha-gal. A vegan product can still contain carrageenan, which some people with alpha-gal react to, so read the full label either way.

Side by side

Which ingredients are vegan, mammal-free, both or neither?

A quick reference for label reading. Mammal-free is the column that matters for alpha-gal.

Ingredient	Vegan?	Mammal-free?
Plant glycerin	Yes	Yes
Squalane from olives	Yes	Yes
Carrageenan (red seaweed)	Yes	Not from a mammal, but some people with alpha-gal report reacting to it
Beeswax	No, from bees	Yes
Honey	No, from bees	Yes
Carmine	No, from insects	Yes
Emu oil	No, from emus	Yes
Lanolin	No, from sheep	No
Tallow	No, from cows or sheep	No
Collagen and gelatin	No, usually cows, pigs or fish	No, unless a marine or plant source is named
Milk, whey and casein	No	No

Carrageenan is a thickener made from red seaweed. Researchers have reported that it carries the alpha-gal sugar structure, and some people with alpha-gal report reacting to it. Ask your allergist whether you need to avoid it.

Vegan

What does vegan mean on a skincare label?

Vegan means a product is made without animal ingredients. On its own it is not a regulated term, so the label is the brand’s word. Vegan seals add a check on ingredients. Leaping Bunny is different: it covers animal testing, not ingredients, so a cruelty-free product can still contain lanolin. Vegan also does not mean natural: a vegan formula can still be built on synthetic ingredients, fragrance and fillers.

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Mammal-free

What does mammal-free mean?

Mammal-free means no ingredients from mammals such as cows, pigs, sheep or deer. The alpha-gal sugar is found in mammals, not in birds, fish or plants, which is why mammal-free is the question that matters for alpha‑gal.

Mammal ingredients to watch for

Lanolin
Tallow
Collagen
Gelatin
Milk, whey and casein
Beef-derived glycerin

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An honest note

Why isn’t Amaroo Naturals vegan?

Amaroo Naturals emu oil is not vegan. It is Mammal-Free and AG-FREE®: emus are birds, and the alpha-gal sugar is found in mammals.

Vegan is not the same as natural, either. We wanted skincare that is pure without compromise: one natural oil, fully refined, with Vitamin E to keep it fresh. No fragrance, no fillers.

We built AG-FREE® for the alpha-gal community, so we check every step, not just the label: refined and bottled in mammal-free environments, then verified by independent third-party testing.

Not vegan. Mammal-Free. AG-FREE®.

Read our safety process

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Shopping tip

If you shop vegan, how do you add an alpha-gal check?

Keep your vegan habits and add one more look at the label. Scan for carrageenan, and remember that vegan collagen and plant collagen are plant-made. If an ingredient’s source is unclear, ask the brand. Your allergist can tell you how strict you need to be.

Quick label check

Scan for carrageenan
Confirm glycerin and stearic acid are plant-derived
Patch test anything new

Ingredients to avoid with alpha-gal

Who verified it?

AG-FREE® is our promise, and we back it with independent checks.

AG-FREE®

Made completely without mammal ingredients and verified by independent third-party testing.
AEA Certified Fully Refined

Refined to the American Emu Association standard. Colorless, odorless and shelf-stable.
Third-Party Tested

Tested by an independent AOCS-certified lab.
Made in the USA

Sourced, refined and bottled only in the USA.

Vegan and mammal-free questions

Is Amaroo Naturals emu oil vegan?

No. Emu oil comes from emus, so it is not vegan. It is mammal-free: emus are birds, and the alpha-gal sugar is found in mammals. That is why it is AG-FREE® without being vegan.

Do I need to go vegan if I have alpha-gal?

Not necessarily. Alpha-gal is about mammal ingredients, so vegan is stricter than you may need. Your allergist can tell you how strict to be with skincare.

Is carrageenan vegan?

Yes. Carrageenan is a thickener made from red seaweed. Researchers have reported that it carries the alpha-gal sugar structure, and some people with alpha-gal report reacting to it. Ask your allergist whether you need to avoid it.

Does Leaping Bunny mean vegan?

No. Leaping Bunny covers animal testing, not ingredients. A cruelty-free product can still contain lanolin or other animal ingredients.

How should I patch test?

Apply a small amount to a quarter-sized spot on the inside of your arm. Repeat twice a day for 7 to 10 days, as the American Academy of Dermatology suggests. Watch for any redness, itching, or other reaction. If you see no reaction, proceed with regular use. If you have severe AGS or are unsure, talk to your allergist before trying anything new.