- Fact Checked
Last Updated: November 24, 2020
It’s not just food that needs to be vegan and cruelty free. We believe everything that we consume, use, or wear should uphold the same ethics.
Many are surprised to learn that not all toothpaste is cruelty free and vegan. But before we delve any deeper, there are a few things to consider when looking for cruelty free toothpaste.
So what makes a vegan toothpaste, and which is the best cruelty free toothpaste of them all? Read on to find out more.
We understand that as well as being vegan, there are other important factors to consider when looking for toothpaste, and we’ve separated our top toothpastes into the most popular categories.
Our biggest recommendation, though, is that you can make your toothpaste last a lot longer by using less. Most people use way too much, which is wasteful.
“It would be recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush.”
– Dr. David Okano, DDS, MS.
Whether you’re looking for whitening, sensitive, fluoride, or no-fluoride vegan toothpaste, we’ve got the best cruelty free option for you.
Tom’s Of Maine feels like the classic toothpaste you grew up using, like Aim or Crest. It has a great minty flavor, and you can run your tongue over your teeth and feel the cleanliness after use.
They are a company that has held their ethics on their sleeve since its inception in 1970. The majority of their products are all cruelty free vegan toothpastes and derived from the best natural ingredients.
They have many different exciting flavors to try. I use cinnamon and clove, which was a surprise favorite.
The Hello Oral Care range is a fantastic option for either fluoride-based or fluoride-free vegan and cruelty free toothpaste.
Many vegan toothpaste brands stake their flag firmly in one camp of the argument and don’t allow their customers to choose for themselves.
Their signature fluoride toothpaste is flavored with farm-grown mint for flavor and uses tea tree oil for its antiseptic cleansing properties.
Popular enough to be found in drug and health food stores across the country and online, Kiss My Face is recognized as one of the best vegan cruelty free toothpaste brands.
It is free of SLS and triclosan as well, for any of you worried about those ingredients.
They also offer fluoride and fluoride-free options, with fluoride toothpaste promising more robust protection and enamel support.
If you’re looking for a vegan cruelty free toothpaste that is as natural as it gets while still providing all the oral health benefits you need to keep your teeth in good shape, this is the one
It shies away from all the usual harsh chemicals and uses organic ingredients instead.
A quick look through the customer reviews will tell a brilliantly fresh, clean story while also being SLS free and not relying on fluoride.
Who is Jason, and how has he harnessed the sea’s power to provide such cruelty free and vegan fluoride-free toothpaste?
It’s SLS free and gluten-free and has an impressive amount of reviews testifying to its effect without being tested on animals or relying on animal byproducts.
The sea salt that lends the vegan toothpaste it’s nautical theme is said to help remineralize weakened enamel and protect teeth from acid attacks.
While a lot of cruelty free vegan toothpaste talks a big game, Redmond Earthpaste walks the walks.
It is so natural that it looks like mud, and the ingredients list is so clean it is safe to swallow. Have you ever wanted to eat your toothpaste?
Well, now you can, you weirdo.
This natural toothpaste has a dedicated and loyal following. A quick browse of the customer reviews will show just how passionate people can get about a natural cruelty free toothpaste that works.
If you struggle with sensitive teeth, you’ll know that switching out toothpaste brands can be challenging, even harder if you’re looking for cruelty free vegan toothpaste that uses natural ingredients.
Hello Oral Care has got you covered with a toothpaste that performs just as well as the mainstream but with a cruelty free vegan twist.
Although Colgate owns the company, the product itself is more vegan-friendly, and by voting with your wallet, you can help affect the change you want to see while keeping your teeth in good condition.
Tom’s Of Maine is a company that genuinely believes in their ethics.
They donate 10% of profits to charitable organizations, and their employees spend 5% of their work time working with outreach programs in their local communities.
On top of this, the brand is certified vegan and never tests on animals. If you’re looking for a natural toothpaste that still looks after your sensitive teeth, few do it better.
If you’re committed to being all-natural and eco-friendly, you should commit down to the packaging.
That’s what One Living Earth does with its tooth powder that comes in a completely recyclable glass container. The powder is free from artificial colors, flavors, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
It might take some getting used to if you haven’t used tooth powder before, but the activated charcoal will work wonders to whiten your teeth and has never been tested on animals.
It’s a fine line to walk to find a toothpaste that whitens as well as it protects. What Cali White has done to counter that is to produce an AM and PM toothpaste set that laser focus on their specific jobs.
The whitening toothpaste is best used in the morning and eliminates bad breath and will whiten teeth.
Simultaneously, the activated charcoal toothpaste used in the evening will also whiten teeth but provides more protection to teeth and gums.
The first and most obvious reason your toothpaste might not be cruelty free is that it contains actual animal products.
The main offender being glycerin, and while it is possible to have synthetic or plant-based glycerin, historically, they often used tallow, which is rendered animal fat. [1] Unless your toothpaste states explicitly where the glycerin is sourced, it’s a bit of a question mark.
Another problem ingredient is propolis, which is essentially bee glue, used to seal together small holes in the hive. It’s used in toothpaste for its antimicrobial healing properties. [2] There is no synthetic alternative to this ingredient, and so if it’s on the ingredient list, it’s not a vegan toothpaste.
The hidden truth behind a lot of beauty products is animal testing.
While it might not be as clearly stated on our ingredients labels, if you don’t see a statement telling you that they don’t test on animals, they most likely do. This is even more infuriating as more and more research shows that animal testing isn’t even fit for purpose. [3]
Another problem is that there are a lot of monopolies in makeup, cosmetics, and toothpaste. While you might not be buying Colgate directly, you’re still buying a Colgate product under a different name, and the whole umbrella technically supports animal testing.
You’ll notice many of these cruelty free vegan toothpastes will advertise themselves as SLS free instead of using base ingredients like coconut oil and baking soda.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is most often used in toothpaste as a foaming agent, and it can be strange to adjust to brushing without it.
The reason for the trend in cosmetics, soaps, and toothpaste avoiding the ingredient is because the surfactant irritates an alarmingly large number of people. Research shows that it is safe for use at low levels, mainly when naturally derived [4], but a growing majority would rather avoid it altogether.
The fluoride debate is a hot one with research on both sides as to whether it causes more harm than it prevents. [5]
If you ask any dentist, they will tell you that fluoride is essential in preventing cavities and the remineralization that it enacts on your teeth.
Its introduction to municipal water sources is considered by many to be one of the most significant advancements in public health.
But you can have too much of a good thing.
Suppose you are already getting fluoride from other sources. In that case, the need for topical application in toothpaste is lessened as we do more research into the field and find alternative substances that have much the same effect.
However, the choice is ours, whether we need it in our toothpaste. That said, I’m pretty sure it isn’t being used for brain control, although maybe I’m fluoride brain-controlled to say that.
It is found abundantly throughout the natural world, so I am not judgemental (judgedental?) about it being used in vegan toothpaste.
When choosing the right vegan toothpaste, you need to know what you want. No animal testing or animal by-products are the top of the list, but how natural and eco-friendly do you want your paste and packaging to be?
Think about the company’s ethics as a whole and whether you’re okay with a vegan offering from a non-vegan company like Colgate. When trying a new toothpaste, make sure to consult with a professional and discuss the toothpaste and its effect on your dental hygiene with a dentist before committing to it long term.
Tom’s Of Maine is a brand that I have been using since I first made the switch, and I have a lot of loyalty to the company because I respect their ethics, outreach, and green directive.
It also helps that the toothpaste itself is every bit as good as the Crest or Colgate alternatives we’re used to.
I switch back and forth between fluoride and fluoride-free mostly because I live in an area of the country that is already abundant in water. If it’s sourced naturally, I have little issue with the substance.
What’s your favorite vegan toothpaste? Do you have a game-changing recommendation or brand that you will never switch back from? Let us know in the comments below.
Tom’s Of Maine Whole Care Fluoride Toothpaste
Our #1 Recommendation
Address: 1300 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92673, United States | Phone Number: +1 (949) 248-0131 | Email: contact@veganliftz.com