Allantoin
Uric acid from cows, most mammals. Also in many plants (especially comfrey).
In cosmetics (especially creams and lotions) and used in treatment of wounds and ulcers. Derivatives: Alcloxa, Aldioxa.
Alternatives: extract of comfrey root, synthetics.
Beeswax
This is wax obtained from melting honeycomb with boiling water, straining it, and cooling it. It is very cheap and widely used. used in lipsticks and many other cosmetics, especially face creams, lotions, mascara, eye creams and shadows, face makeup, nail whiteners, lip balms, etc.
Cholesterol
A steroid alcohol in all animal fats and oils, nervous tissue, egg yolk, and blood. Used in cosmetics, eye creams, shampoos, etc.
Alternatives: solid complex alcohols (sterols) from plant sources.
Down
Down is referred to insulating feathers from geese or ducks. Used as an insulator in jackets, quilts, parkas, sleeping bags, pillows, etc.
Alternatives: polyester and synthetic substitutes, kapok (silky fibers from the seeds of some tropical trees) and milkweed seed pod fibers.
Gelatin/Gel
Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones in water. From cows and pigs. Used in shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics. Used as a thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings (e.g., Jell-O). In candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, yogurts.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a slippery substance that comes from fats and oils. Glycerin can be derived from both animals and plants, and it’s almost impossible to know the source unless the product is clearly labeled as “vegan.” It is used in cosmetics, foods, mouthwashes, chewing gum, toothpastes, soaps, ointments, medicines, lubricants, transmission and brake fluid, and plastics.
Alternatives: glycerin derived from plants in products labeled as “vegan”.
Silk
Silk is the shiny fiber made by silkworms to form their cocoons. Worms are boiled in their cocoons to get the silk. Used in cloth.
Alternatives: milkweed seed-pod fibers, nylon, silk-cotton tree and ceiba tree filaments (kapok), rayon, and synthetic silks.
Stearic acid
When animal-derived, a fat from cows, pigs, and sheep, etc. May also be of plant origin, including from cocoa butter and shea butter. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairspray, conditioners, deodorants, creams, chewing gum, food flavoring.
Alternatives: stearic acid derived from plants in products labeled as “vegan”.