Is Keratin Vegan?
No — from animal hooves, horns, feathers.
Contains or is derived from animal products.
Keratin profile
Keratin
- Also known as
- Hydrolyzed keratin, Keratin amino acids, Keratin protein, Animal keratin
- Typical source
- Feathers, hooves, horns, hair, wool, and animal skin
- Source type
- Animal
- Common function
- Hair strengthening, conditioning, nail treatment, film-forming agent
- Vegan status
- Salon keratin smoothing treatments often use animal-derived protein or animal-linked ingredients. 'Vegan keratin' products use plant proteins instead.
Detailed answer
No. Keratin is not vegan. It is a fibrous structural protein from animal hooves, horns, feathers, hair, and skin, used mainly in hair treatments, nail products, and some cosmetics.
Keratin overview
- Vegan status
- Not vegan
- Primary sources
- Feathers, hooves, horns, hair
- Main product category
- Hair care, nail care, cosmetics
- Common form
- Hydrolyzed keratin
- Vegan substitute
- Plant proteins (wheat, soy, quinoa) in 'vegan keratin' products
What keratin is
Keratin is a tough, fibrous protein that forms the structure of hair, nails, horns, hooves, feathers, and the outer layer of skin. Unlike softer proteins such as albumin or casein, keratin is rich in sulfur cross-links that make it insoluble and durable. In cosmetics, keratin is usually hydrolyzed — broken into smaller fragments — so it can coat and penetrate hair shafts in conditioners and salon treatments.
Typical animal sources
- Poultry feathers (a major commercial source of hydrolyzed keratin)
- Hooves and horns from cattle and other livestock
- Wool and animal hair
- Reptile scales and similar keratin-rich tissues
Why keratin is not vegan
Commercial keratin is extracted from animal tissues, not synthesized from plants. Even when heavily processed into amino acids, the origin is animal. Vegan hair care brands replace keratin with hydrolyzed plant proteins from wheat, soy, or quinoa that perform a similar conditioning role without using animal material.
Products that may contain keratin
- Salon keratin smoothing and straightening treatments
- Shampoos and conditioners labeled keratin or anti-frizz
- Leave-in treatments and hair masks
- Nail strengtheners and cuticle treatments
- Some mascaras and lash treatments (film-forming proteins)
Label and marketing terms
- Keratin
- Hydrolyzed keratin
- Keratin amino acids
- Keratin protein
- Keratin complex
- Brazilian keratin treatment (salon service — ask about formula)
Keratin vs plant protein conditioners
| Hydrolyzed keratin | Hydrolyzed plant protein | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Animal feathers, hooves, hair | Wheat, soy, quinoa, etc. |
| Vegan? | No | Yes |
| Function | Coat and strengthen hair | Similar conditioning effect |
| Label clue | Keratin, hydrolyzed keratin | Hydrolyzed wheat/soy/quinoa protein |
Finding vegan hair care
- Read the INCI ingredient list for keratin or hydrolyzed keratin.
- Look for products explicitly labeled vegan rather than just 'natural' or 'cruelty-free'.
- Ask salons about the exact formula in keratin treatments — many are not vegan.
- Choose conditioners with hydrolyzed plant proteins as the functional alternative.
Reading a hair product INCI list? Check for keratin and other animal ingredients
Frequently asked questions
- Are keratin hair treatments vegan?
- Most conventional salon keratin treatments use animal-derived protein or related non-vegan ingredients. Ask the salon for the product INCI list or choose a vegan-certified treatment.
- Is hydrolyzed keratin vegan?
- No. Hydrolyzed keratin is keratin broken into smaller peptides. It still comes from animal sources.
- What is vegan keratin?
- Vegan keratin products use plant-based hydrolyzed proteins to mimic the conditioning effect of keratin. They do not contain actual keratin protein.
- Is keratin in shampoo vegan?
- If the label lists keratin or hydrolyzed keratin, no. Check for vegan certification or plant protein alternatives instead.
- Is keratin the same as collagen?
- No. Both are animal structural proteins, but keratin forms hair, nails, and horns while collagen forms connective tissue and skin. Neither is vegan.
- Does cruelty-free mean keratin-free?
- No. Cruelty-free refers to animal testing, not ingredients. A cruelty-free product can still contain keratin from animal sources.
Evidence
Last verified August 2026
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Checked by Is This Vegan? · August 2026