The beauty industry, with its glamorous appearance, conceals many inhuman truths, especially regarding the production processes of cosmetics based on animal-derived ingredients. Beeswax, lanolin, shark liver oil, collagen from fish skin, and ferret fur are familiar ingredients in this industry. Before becoming beauty products in your hands, animals have to endure physical and mental torture. Although you may not have witnessed it, we believe you have the right to know the dark side of these products that are meant to "enhance human beauty.”
Lanoli: Since ancient times, the Egyptian and Western nobility have known how to extract lanolin while shearing sheep for skin care. However, do you know what a flock of sheep goes through during its short lifespan? Sheep on farms endure two painful procedures: mulesing and tail docking. To prevent the animal's waste from affecting the quality of the wool—what matters most to farm owners—they hang the sheep upside down and cut away the skin near the anus, doing so without any anesthesia. Many sheep have died from unbearable pain or lack of nutrition during confinement.
Shark Liver: Shark liver contains a special oil called squalene. A report by the animal conservation group BLOOM in Paris states that the cosmetics industry consumes up to 90% of the squalene derived from shark liver. To source this so-called nutrient-rich resource, countless sharks are illegally harvested, their organs stripped away, and their oil extracted. Afterward, their bodies are callously discarded back into nature as waste.
Beeswax: Beeswax is a part of the beehive, which is considered their “home." To extract beeswax, humans employ various methods to drive bees from their hives, including smoking, using scents that bees find repugnant (like cherry), or even directly feeding the hive into a wax extractor—disregarding the fate of these innocent creatures as they face imminent destruction in their own home.
Collagen from Fish Skin: Similar to the method of extracting oil from shark liver, the collagen found in the skin of various fish species is also harvested after the animals are killed. This undoubtedly subjects them to pain and suffering before their lives are taken away.
Ferret Fur: Makeup brushes and eyelashes are among the many familiar beauty tools made from ferret fur. However, not many of us are aware of what the truth of those soft fur coats has to endure. In reality, ferrets are not animals that can be domesticated. They need to live freely in their natural environment because they have an inherent instinct to protect their territory, fear humans, and become extremely aggressive when frightened. While many fur farms that source ferret fur claim that the hair they offer is simply brushed off, we cannot accept this practice as morally justifiable. The animal rights organization PETA states that ferrets do not feel comfortable during the brushing process. Ferrets raised on farms are often deprived of proper nutrition and healthcare, enduring horrific treatments like being skinned alive for their fur, electrocution, neck-breaking, and gas chamber deaths—all in the name of fur extraction.
Cochineal: The Mexican species of cactus nurtures a special red insect called cochineal. Cochineal is harvested to produce a dye known for its distinctive red color, used as an ingredient in lipstick production. After harvesting, the cochineal bugs are soaked in boiling water, dried, and then ground into a fine powder, resulting in a deep red pigment.
Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of PETA, once stated: 'Shoppers must recognize that behind the products they buy, like fur coats and collars, lies a dirty cage and the haunting cries of innocent animals suffering and facing brutal death.' Due to all of these factors, using cosmetics made from animal-derived ingredients is considered a cruel and inhumane act. Animals not only lose their lives but also suffer a lifetime of confinement, violent coercion, and horrific torture. So why do we continue to support such cruel actions when everything humans need from animals can be replaced through cultivation and farming?
Like Cocoon has been doing, we never use animal-derived ingredients in our cosmetics formulas. By exploring the rich flora of Vietnam, Cocoon has uncovered a treasure trove of nutrients, which it has infused into our gentle yet highly effective products. Some familiar ingredients include coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, synthetic beeswax (derived from palm oil), and more. We believe in nurturing your skin without taking from innocent animals. That's why we are dedicated to providing you with meticulous skincare through Cocoon's innovative products.
