Being vegan and cruelty-free is no longer limited to just what we eat. The vegan philosophy extends to everything we consume, use, or wear, includes vegan toothpaste as well.
Contents
- 1 Is Toothpaste Vegan?
- 2 5 Best Vegan Toothpaste Brands
Is Toothpaste Vegan?
Many of us may not be aware that traditional toothpaste may not be cruelty-free and vegan. Some conventional toothpaste brands contain animal-derived glycerin or propolis sourced from bees.
However, glycerin can now be derived synthetically or from plant sources. Unless it’s explicitly stated that glycerin comes from a plant or synthetic source, we cannot be sure if it’s vegan. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully check ingredient lists.
In addition to animal ingredients in toothpaste, most mainstream toothpaste brands still engage in animal testing.
Before delving deeper into vegan and cruelty-free toothpaste options, there are a few things to consider when looking for an ethical toothpaste.
So, what makes a toothpaste vegan, and which is the best cruelty-free toothpaste? Read on to learn more.
For a toothpaste to be considered vegan, it needs to meet the following criteria:
- Absence of Animal Ingredients: Vegan toothpaste contains no animal-derived components. This means it excludes dairy products, bee products (such as honey or propolis), and other animal-sourced ingredients.
- Synthetic or Plant-Based Glycerin: The glycerin used in traditional toothpaste can sometimes be of animal origin. Vegan toothpaste must derive glycerin synthetically or from plant-based sources. This information should be indicated on the product label.
- Non-Animal Testing: Vegan toothpaste ensures that neither the product nor its ingredients have been tested on animals. This implies being cruelty-free.
- Vegan Certification: The most reliable way to confirm that a toothpaste is vegan is to look for an official vegan certification on the product or its packaging. These certifications demonstrate that the product adheres to specific vegan standards.
- Natural and Effective Cleaning: Vegan toothpaste should effectively clean teeth and support oral health. Toothpaste containing fluoride is recommended for preventing tooth decay.
Vegan toothpaste becomes a suitable choice for both vegans and those who prefer cruelty-free products when it adheres to these criteria. It’s essential to check the packaging and read product descriptions before making a purchase to ensure you select a toothpaste that aligns with ethical values.
5 Best Vegan Toothpaste Brands
We understand that there are other important factors to consider when searching for toothpaste besides being vegan. Our top recommendations take these factors into account.
However, our biggest recommendation is to use your toothpaste more sparingly to extend its lifespan and reduce waste.
In this guide, we share some of the most highly recommended and best cruelty-free and vegan toothpaste options, knowing that no animals suffered for your pearly whites to shine brighter and bigger.
1. Jason Coconut Mint Strengthening Fluoride Free Vegan Toothpaste
Microbead free and vegan, this soothing toothpaste combines virgin coconut oil with invigorating magnesium, calcium and peppermint oil giving your teeth a healthy sparkle. Plus, the energizing Coconut Mint taste leaves your breath fully fresh and exhilarated. Made with only the most essential ingredients from the earth and without palm oil, harmoniously combining Virgin Coconut Oil with brightening, invigorating, freshening and calming minerals and extracts to give your teeth a healthy sparkle and leave your breath super fresh.
Cruelty free and free from flouride, gluten, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, propylene glycol, parabens, harsh sulfates, petrolatum, artificial colours, and phthalates.
User Review
- I love that it’s made with natural ingredients that naturally whiten my teeth, reduce plaque and fight cavities, without essential oils, sweeteners, paraabens, propylene glycol or “bubbles” that leave my mouth stripped/dry. My 6-months check-ups are pretty smile worthy, as well. I would recommend without reservation.
- I’ve tried a few toothpastes and by far this is the best natural flavoured vegan toothpaste. I have been using it for nearly 6 months.
2. Hello Activated Charcoal Vegan Toothpaste
Say hello to naturally friendly whitening fluoride toothpaste that tastes awesome and works brilliantly. This paste is thoughtfully formulated with a calcium mineral blend that gently and naturally whitens teeth. Its farm grown, super-peppy peppermint and tea tree oil tames bad breath, and coconut oil moisturizes for extra friendliness. It also prevents cavities, strengthens enamel, and provides mind-blowing freshness. But buckle-up, there’s more goodness: this toothpaste is peroxide free, dye free, SLS free, paraben free, triclosan free, preservative free and gluten free. Hello toothpastes also contain no artificial sweeteners and no artificial flavors. As if that weren’t enough magic for one tube, hello is vegan, cruelty free, never tested on animals (Leaping Bunny Certified and PETA recognized), and made in the USA.
User Review
- This has been one of the best toothpastes I have ever used. I get asked often if I have professionally whitened my teeth. And every time people are surprised it’s just using this vegan toothpaste. Have used just charcoal and this with whitening. I am a huge coffee and red wine drinker. And I smoked decades ago. Can’t tell by my teeth. I will not use anything else. Wish they offered a travel size.
- I have been using tooth paste 50+ years I guess and I am blown away when I used this vegan toothpaste for the first time! This is the best toothpaste I have EVER used! For years I always have a bade taste in my mouth perhaps from meds. perhaps diet? but for the first time ever I get a clean, fresh feeling in my mouth I have never had before! The clean breath last a long time. I love this stuff! Best ever!
3. Dr. Bronner’s All-One Vegan Toothpaste
No synthetic preservatives, no detergents and no foaming agents—they use only the purest organic ingredients, most of them are also fair trade ingredients! They work with fair trade suppliers to implement regenerative organic farming practices that enrich soil, increase biodiversity and help combat climate change. Farm to shelf to shower, Dr. Bronner’s is building trust, health, community, wealth! Fair prices-wages-conditions for farmers, suppliers—healthy ingredients and sustainable ingredients for you!
User Review
- Using this vegan toothpaste has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, and it’s evident how it’s been thoughtfully designed to cater to users like me. Its functionality is intuitive, its performance consistent, and the benefits have been palpable. My life has been undeniably enhanced, and I find myself wondering how I ever managed without it. To anyone considering this vegan toothpaste, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny. A superb purchase that I wholeheartedly recommend!
- After reading everything I did on Fluoride I tried this toothpaste. I was reluctant because I have sensitive teeth and had been using Sensodyne toothpaste for years. This was surprisingly effective, and it actually tastes okay. I highly recommend this vegan toothpaste!
4. T-brush Whitening Travel Vegan Toothpaste Tablets
Natural and Vegan Toothpaste Tablets
T-brush toothpaste tablets are free from SLS, and Gluten. Packaging and reusable glass bottle. If you travel often and love camping, keeping your teeth clean and breathing fresh can be difficult and sometimes impossible to carry toothpaste.
User Review
- These vegan toothpaste tablets are fabulous. I love toothpaste tablets in general, for environmental reasons, no need for harmful ingredients, no mess, easy for travel, and this one comes in a glass jar with a tin lid, so great for repurposing to hold small items or makes candles! I like them for dips/dressings in my lunchbox. 😃 The tabs are also smaller than other brands I’ve tried so it’s easy to bite and break it down quickly rather than feeling like you bit into a piece of chalk.
- Wow!!! I’ll be honest, I wanted to try this vegan toothpaste just out of curiosity but as soon as I started chewing, I had an awesome taste and bubbles covered all my teeth! It feels much better than the classic one and it’s great to know that you have the right amount everytime! I’m never going back to old toothpaste again!
5. Canary Vegan Toothpaste Tablets
Canary was born out of a desire to make the purge of plastics fun, accessible & unexpected with conscious personal & home care products that work. The reusable glass jar is meant to be refilled over and over again in an effort to help rid our landfills of additional plastic waste. Kids love these toothpaste tablet flavors and want to brush all the time.
They don’t use any ingredients derived from animals in any of their products. Also they don’t ever test any of their products on animals.
User Review
- I didn’t know how much i would like using these. But man! These are great! you just chew on the tablet like it’s a mint and then start brushing! no GOOOPY toothpaste, no messy toothpaste to deal with, no plastic tubes that don’t fully empty so it’s wasteful. Highly recommended. I feel like my teeth are nice and clean. We will find out at my next appt how well this is going! 🙂
- These toothpaste tabs are like my new unicorn of toothpaste. I had been looking long and hard to make my bathroom zero waste, and I wanted to try toothpaste tabs, but so many contained baking soda (which I have a mild topical allergy too). Not only are these zero-waste, vegan, cruelty free, and baking-soda free (everything I have ever wanted!), but they offer this refillable size where the bag is also compostable. I love this vegan toothpaste! Thank you for making such a great product that checks all my boxes and more!