A

Acetate:  Retinol; vitamin A; palmitate (see Palmetic Acid).  An aliphatic alcohol that can come from fish liver oil (shark liver oil), egg yolks, butter, lemongrass, wheat germ oil, carotene in carrots, etc.  Often found in cosmetics, creams, perfumes, hair dyes, vitamins, and supplements.

Adrenaline:  Hormone from the adrenal glands of hogs, cattle, and sheep.  Often found in medicine.

Afterbirth: Placenta; placenta polypeptides protein.  Contains waste matter eliminated by the fetus.  Derived from the uterus of slaughtered animals.  Animal placenta is widely used in skin creams, shampoos, beauty masks.  Does not remove wrinkles contrary to beauty industry claims.  Alternatives:  kelp, vegetable oils.

Alanine: (see Amino Acids)

Albumen: In eggs, milk, muscles, blood, and many vegetable tissues and fluids.  In cosmetics, albumen is most often derived from egg whites and used as a coagulent.  Found in cakes, cookies, candies, etc.  Egg whites are sometimes also used to filter wine.  May cause allergic reactions.

Albumin: (see Albumen)

Alcloxa: (see Allantoin)

Aldioxa: (see Allantoin)

Aliphatic Alcohol: (see Lanolin, Vitamin A, and Acetate)

Allantoin:  Uric acid from cows, most mammals.  Also in many plants (especially comfrey).  In cosmetics (especially creams and lotions) and used in the treatment of wounds and ulcers.  Derivatives:  alcloxa, aldioxa.  Alternatives: extract of comfrey root, synthetics.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids:  Any one of several acids used as an exfoliant and in anti-wrinkle products.  Lactic acid many be animal-derived (see Lactic Acid).  Alternatives:  glycolic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid and plant- or fruit-derived.

Ambergris: From sperm whale intestines.  Used as a fixative in making perfumes and as a flavoring in foods and beverages.  Alternatives:  synthetic or vegetable fixatives.  U.S. regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.

Amino Acids:  The building blocks of protein in all animals and plants.  In cosmetics, vitamins, supplements, shampoos, etc.  Alternatives:  synthetics, plant sources.

Aminosuccinate Acid:  (see also Aspartic Acid); DL an L forms.  Can be animal or plant derived (molasses is a source).  A nonessential amino acid.  In creams and ointments.  Sometimes synthesized for commercial purposes.

Amylase: An enzyme prepared from the pancreas of hogs.  In cosmetics and medicines.

Animal Bones: Bone Meal.  In some fertilizers, some vitamins and supplements as a source of calcium. Also found in toothpastes.  Alternatives:  plant mulch, vegetable compost, dolomite, clay, vegetarian vitamins.

Animal Fats and Oils:  In foods, cosmetics, etc.  Highly allergenic.  Plant derivatives are superior. Alternatives:  olive oil, wheat germ oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, almond oil, safflower oil, etc.

Animal Hair: In some blankets, mattresses, brushes, furniture, etc.  Alternatives:  vegetable and synthetic fibers.

Arachidonic Acid:  A liquid unsaturated fatty acid that is found in liver, brain, glands, and fat of animals and humans.  Generally isolated from animal liver.  Used in companion animal food for nutrition and in skin creams and lotions to soothe eczema and rashes.  Alternatives:  synthetics, aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula ointment.

Arachidyl Proprionate: A wax that can be from animal fat.  Alternatives:  peanut or vegetable oil.

Aspartic Acid:  Aminosuccinate Acid. Can be animal or plant derived.  Sometimes synthesized for commercial use.

Aspic:  An industry alternative for gelatin made from clarified meat, fish, or vegetable stocks and gelatin.

B

Bee Products: Produced by bees for their own use.  Bees are selectively bred.  Culled bees are killed.  A cheap sugar is substituted for their stolen honey.  Millions die as a result.  Their legs are often torn off by pollen-collecting trapdoors.

• Bee  Pollen: Microsporic grains in seed plants gathered by bees then collected from the legs of bees.  Causes allergic reactions in some people.  In nutritional supplements, shampoos, toothpastes, deodorants.  Alternatives:  synthetics, plant amino acids, pollen collected from plants.

• Beeswax: Honeycomb.  Wax obtained from melting honeycomb with boiling water, straining it, and cooling it.  From virgin bees.  Very cheap and widely used, but harmful to the skin.  In lipsticks and many other cosmetics (especially face creams, lotions, mascara, eye cream, eye shadow, foundation, nail whiteners, lip balms, etc.) Derivatives:  Cera Flava.  Alternatives:  paraffin, vegetable oils and fats.

Alternatives to Bee Products:

1. Ceresin aka ceresine aka earth wax (made from the mineral ozokerite) replaces beeswax in cosmetics.  Also used to wax paper, to make polishing cloths, in dentistry for taking wax impressions, and in candle making)
2. Carnuba wax (from the Brazilian palm tree) is used in many cosmetics, including lipstick; rarely causes allergic reactions.
3. Cadelilla wax (from candelilla plants) is used in many cosmetics, including lipstick; also used in the manufacture of rubber, vinyl records, in waterproofing, and writing inks.  No known toxicity.
4. Japan wax (aka vegetable wax or Japan tallow; fat from the fruit of a tree grown in Japan and China).

Beer: Most domestic beers use animal charcoal in their filtering process.  Drink organic beer or make your own.

Benzoic Acid: In almost all invertebrates and in berries.  Used as a preservative in mouthwashes, deodorant, creams, aftershave lotions, perfumes, foods, beverages, etc.  Alternatives:  cranberries, gum benzoin (tincture) from the aromatic balsamic resin from trees grown in China, Sumatra, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Beta Carotene: (see also Carotene) Provitamin A; carotene.  Found in many animal tissues and in all plants.  Used as a coloring in cosmetics and in the manufacture of Vitamin A.

Biotin (Vitamin H; Vitamin B Factor):  In every living cell and in larger amounts in milk and yeast.  Used as a texturizer in cosmetics, shampoos, and creams.  Alternatives:  plant sources.

Blood: From any slaughtered animal.  Used as an adhesive in plywood, also found in cheese making, foam rubber, intravenous feedings, and medicines.  Possibly in foods such as lethicin (see choline bitratate).  Alternatives:  synthetics and plant sources.

Boar Bristles: Hair from wild or captive hogs.  In “natural” toothbrushes, hairbrushes, bath brushes, cometic brushes, shaving brushes and artist brushes.  Alternatives:  vegetable fibers, nylon, the peelu branch or peelu gum (Asian, available in the U.S.; it’s juice replaces toothpaste)

Bone Ash: Bone earth.  The ash of burned bones, used as fertilizer, in making ceramics, and in cleaning and polishing compounds. (see also Boneblack, Bone Char, and Bone Earth)

Boneblack: Bone charcoal.  A black pigment containing about 10% charcoal made by roasting bones in an airtight container.  Used in aquarium filter and in refining cane sugar.  Also found in some eye shadows and polishes.  (see also Bone Ash, Bone Char, and Bone Earth)

Bone Char: Animal bone charcoal.  Used in bone china and often to make sugar white.  Serves as the charcoal used in aquarium filters.  Alternatives:  synthetic tribasic calcium phosphate. (See also Bone Ash, Boneblack, and Bone Earth)

Bone Earth: see Bone Ash, Boneblack, and Bone Char.

Bone Meal: see Animal Bones

C

Calciferol: Vitamin D; Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2, Ergosterol, provitamin D2, Calciferol); Vitamin D3. Vitamin D can come from fish-liver oil, eggs, milk, and butter.  Vitamin D2 is made by irradiating ergosterol, a provitamin from plants or yeast.  Vitamin D3 is from fish-liver oil. Found in creams, lotions, other cosmetics, vitamins.  Alternatives:  sunshine, plant sources, synthetics.

Calcium Carbonate: Calcite; aragonite.  A white powder or colorless, crystalline compound found mainly in limestone, marble and chalk, bones, teeth, shells, and plant ash.

Calcium Hydroxide: Slaked lime, a white crystalline compound prepared by the action of water on Calcium Oxide (see Calcium Oxide).  Often used in making alkalis, bleaching powder, etc.

Calcium Oxide: a white soft, caustic solid, prepared by heating Calcium Carbonate (see Calcium Carbonate); lime:  used in making mortar and plaster, and in ceramics.

Calcium Phosphate:  Any number of  phosphates of calcium found in bones, teeth, and other animal tissues and used in medicine and in the manufacture of enamels, glass, cleaning agents, etc.

Caprylic Acid: Can come from cow or goat milk.  Also from palm and coconut oil, other plant oils.  Found in perfumes and soaps.

Carbamide:  Urea; Imidazolidinyl Urea; Uric Acid.  Found in urine and in other body fluids.  Also produced synthetically.  In deodorants, ammoniated dentifrices, mouthwashes, hair colorings, hand creams, lotions, shampoos, etc.  Sometimes used to “brown” baked goods such as pretzels.

Carmine: Cochineal; Carminic Acid; E120.  A red pigment from the crushed female cochineal beetle.  Reportedly 70,00 beetles may be killed to produce one pound of this red dye.  Often used in cosmetics, shampoos, red applesauce, and other foods.  May cause allergic reactions.  Alternatives:  beet juice (no known toxicity) (used in shampoos, powders, and blush); alkanet root (from the root of an herblike tree) (no known toxicity) (used as red dye for inks, wines, lip balms, etc. and can be combined to make copper and blue colorings)

Carminic Acid: See Carmine.

Carotene: See Beta Carotene.

Casein:  Caseinogen; milk protein.  Found in “non-dairy” creamers,  some “non-dairy” cheeses, hair preparations, many cosmetics and beauty masks.  Alternatives:  soy protein, vegetable milk, nut milks.

Caseinogen: See Casein.

Castor:  Castoreum.  Derived from muskrat and beaver genitals.  Used in perfumes and incense.  Castor oil comes from the castor bean and is used in many cosmetics.  Alternatives:  synthetics, plant sources.

Castoreum: See Castor.

Catgut: Tough cord or thread made from the intestines of sheep, horses, etc.  Used for surgical sutures and for stringing tennis rackets and musical instruments, etc.  Alternatives:  nylon and other man-made fibers.

Cetyl Alcohol: Cetyl Lactate; cetyl myristrate; cetyl palmitate; ceteth-1; ceteth-2, etc.  A wax found in spermaceti (see Spermaceti) from sperm whales or dolphins.  Used in lipsticks, mascaras, nail polish, nail polish removers, hand lotions, cream, blush, and many other cosmetics, shampoos, hairspray and other styling products, deodorants and antiperspirants.  US regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from sea mammals.  Alternatives:  vegetable cetyl alcohol (derived from coconuts), synthetic spermaceti.

Cetyl Lactate: See Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Myristrate/Ceteth-(#):  See Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Palmitate: See Spermaceti and Cetyl Alcohol

Cholesterin:  Cholesterol.  A steroid alcohol, especially in all animal fats and oils, nerve tissue, egg yolk, and blood.  Can be derived from lanolin (see Lanolin).  In cosmetics, eye creams, shampoos, etc.  Alternatives:  plant sources, synthetics.

Cholesterol: See Cholesterin.

Choline Bitartrate: Lecithin.  In all living organisms.  Frequently obtained for commercial purposes from eggs and soybeans (when stated soy lecithin).  Also from nerve tissue, blood, milk, corn.  Choline bitartrate, the basic constituent of lecithin, is in many animal and plant tissues or prepared synthetically.  Lecithin can be in eye creams, lipsticks, liquid powders, hand creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, other cosmetics, candies, other foods, and medicines.

Civet: Obtained from the civet, a small mammal, by stimulating it, usually through torture.  Civets are kept captive in cages in horrible conditions.  Used in perfumes as a fixative.

Cochineal (E120): See Carmine

Cod Liver Oil: Fish Liver Oil; Fish Livers.  Used in lubricating creams and lotions, vitamins and supplements.  In milk fortified with vitamin D.  Alternatives:  vegetable oils, yeast extract ergosterol, sunshine.

Collagen: A fibrous protein in vertebrates.  Usually derived from animal tissue.  In cosmetics.  Can’t affect the skin’s own collagen. Alternatives:  soy protein, almond oil, amla oil (from Indian tree’s fruit).

Cortico Steroid: Cortisone.  Hormone from cattle liver.  Widely used in medicine.  Alternatives:  synthetics.

Cortisone: See Cortico Steroid.

Cysteine, L-Form: Cystine. Two amino acids that can come from animals.  Used in hair products and creams, in some bakery products and wound healing formulas.  Alternatives:  plant sources.

Cystine:  see Cystine, L-Form

D

DNA/RNA:  Deoxyribonucleic Acid; Ribonucleic Acid; Polypeptides.  Obtained from slaughterhouse wastes.  In all living cells.  Used in many protein shampoos and cosmetics.  Alternatives:  plant cells.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid:  See DNA/RNA.

Depathenol: Panthenol; Vitamin B Complex Factor; Provitamin B5.  Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics.  In shampoos, foods, supplements, emollients, etc.

Diglycerides:  Monoglycerides; Glycerides.  From animal fat.  In margarines, cake mixes, confectionaries, foods, peanut butter, non-dairy coffee creamer, cosmetics, etc.  Glycerin (see glycerin).  Alternatives:  vegetable monoglycerides and diglycerides, synthetics.

Down: Goose or duck insulating feathers.  Often from slaughterhouse or cruelly exploited geese.  Used in pillows and as in insulator in quilts, parkas, and sleeping bags.  Bad in cold, wet weather as it packs down.  Alternatives:  many polyester and man-made substitutes, superior in many ways; Kapok (silky fibers from the seeds of some tropical trees); milkweed seedpod fibers.

Duodenum Substances: from the digestive tracts of cattle and swine.  In some vitamins and medicines.  Alternatives:  vegetarian vitamins, synthetics.

E

E120: See Carmine.

Egg Albumen/Albumin: See Albumen.

Egg Protein:  In shampoos, skin preparations, etc.  Alternatives:  plant proteins.

Elastin: Found in the neck ligaments and aorta of bovine.  Similar to collagen.  Can’t affect the skin’s own elasticity. Alternatives:  synthetics, proteins from plant tissues.

Ergosterol: See Calciferol.

Ergocalciferol: See Calciferol.

Estradiol: Estrone.  Estrogen.  From cow ovaries and pregnant mare’s urine.  Considered a drug.  Can have harmful systemic effects if used by children.  Used for reproductive problems and in birth control pills.  In creams and lotions.  Has no effect in the creams as a “nourishing” factor and simple vegetable sources are considered better.  Alternatives:  oral contraceptives marketed today are mostly based on synthetic steroids.  Phytoestrogen (from plants) are being researched currently.

Estrogen:  See Estradiol.

Estrone: See Estradiol.

F

Fatty Acids:  Can be one or any mixture of liquid or solid acids, caprylic, myristic, oleic, palmitic, stearic, or behenic.  Used in bubble baths, lipsticks, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, shampoos, foods.  Alternatives:  vegetable-derived acids, soy lecithin, safflower oil, bitter almond oil, sunflower oil, etc.

Feathers:  Down (see Down); Keratin (see Keratin).  Generally from exploited and/or slaughtered birds.  Can be used as ornaments in whole or can be ground up in shampoos, etc.

Fish Liver : See Cod Liver Oil.

Fish Liver Oil: See Cod Liver Oil.

Fish Scales:  Used in shimmery make-up, predominately eye shadows.  Scales are sold to manufacturers in garbage cans.  Alternative sources:  mica, rayon.

Fletan Oil: Rare ingredient derived from fish liver that includes lecithin, vitamin A, and vitamin D.

Fur: self explanatory, hopefully.  Check out the video from PETA in our Reference materials for more info.

G

Gelatin: Gel.  Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments or bones from cattle or hogs with water.  Used in shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics.  Used as a thickener for fruit gels and puddings (Jell-O brand desserts).  In candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice creams, yogurts.  On photographic film a a coating and in vitamins, supplements, and medicines as capsules.  Sometimes used to assist in the clearing of wines.  Alternatives:  algae and seaweed (carrageen/Irish moss, algin, agar-agar, kelp); Gelozone, used in jellies, plastics, medicines; pectin from fruit, dextrins, locust bean gum, and cotton gum.  Marshmallows were originally made from the root of the marshmallow plant.

Gel: See Gelatin.

Glutamic Acid: An amino acid found widely in plant and animal tissue.  Used as food seasoning and as antioxidant in cosmetics.

Glycerides: See Diglycerides.

Glycerin: Glycerine; Glycerol; Polygycerol; Polyethylene Glycol (PEG).  A byproduct of soap manufacture (normally using animal fat).  In cosmetics, foods, mouthwashes, toothpastes, soaps, ointments, medicines, lubricants, transmission and brake fluids, plastics.  Alternatives:  vegetable or vegetable glycerin, a byproduct of vegetable oil soap; derivatives of seaweed; petroleum.

Glycerine:  See Glycerin.

Glycerol: See Diglycerides.

Goose Insulating Feathers:  See Down.

Guanine: Pearl Essence.  Obtained from the scales of fish.  Constituent of ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid and is found in all animal and plant tissues.  In shampoos, nail polish, other cosmetics.  Alternatives:  leguminous plants, synthetics.

H

Hide Glue:  Same as gelatin (see Gelatin) but of a cruder, more impure form.  Alternatives:  dextrins and synthetics petrochemical-based adhesives.

Honey: Food for bees, made by bees.  Still a sugar, too concentrated for humans.  Contains toxins harmful to humans.  Can cause allergic reactions.  In cosmetics, foods.  Alternatives:  maple syrup, date sugar, syrups made from grains.

Horsehair and Other Animal Hair:  In some blankets mattresses, brushes, furniture, etc.  Alternatives:  vegetable and man-made fibers.

Hydrolyzed Animal Protein:  In cosmetics, especially shampoos and hair treatments.  Alternatives:  soy protein, other vegetable proteins, amla oil (from an Indian tree’s fruit).

Hydrolyzed Milk Protein: Milk Protein.  From cow’s milk.  In cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, etc.  Alternatives:  soy protein, other plant proteins.

I

Imidazolidinyl Urea: See Carbamide.

Insulin: From the pancreas of hogs and oxen.  Used by millions of diabetics daily.  Alternatives:  synthetics, human insulin grown in a lab, diet when possible.

Isinglass: A form of gelatin prepared from the internal membranes of fish bladders.  In foods and sometimes used in “clearing” wines and beers.  Alternatives: bentonite clay, “Japanese isinglass” (see alternatives for Gelatin).  Isinglass is also a mineral, mica, used in cosmetics.

Isopropyl Myristate: Myristate Acid; Myristyl.  In most animal and vegetable fats.  In butter acids.  Used in shampoos, creams, cosmetics, food flavorings. Alternatives:  nut butters, oil of lovage, coconut oil, extract of seed kernels of nutmeg, etc.

K

Keratin: From the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair of various creatures.  In hair rinses, shampoos, permanent wave solutions.  Alternatives: almond oil, soy protein, amla oil (from the fruit of an Indian tree), rosemary,  and nettle.  Rosemary and nettle give strength to hair.

L

L-Form:  See Cystine

L-Lactic Acid: Lactic Acid (a by-product of the slaughterhouse).  Produced by the fermentation of lactose when milk sours or from sucrose and some other carbohydrates by the action of certain microorganisms. Can be found in blood and muscle tissue.  In skin fresheners, adhesives, plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, sour milk, beer, sauerkraut, picks and other food products made by bacterial fermentation.  Used in foods and beverages as an acidulant, flavoring, and preservative.

Lactic Acid:  See L-Lactic Acid.

Lactose: Milk Sugar; Milk of Mammals.  In eye lotions, foods, tablets, cosmetics, baked goods, medicines, shampoos.  Alternatives:  plant milk sugars.

Lanolin: Lanolin Acid; Lanolin Alcohols (Sterol, Triterpene Alcohol, Aliphatic Alcohol); Wool Fat; Laneth-5, Laneth-10, etc; Lanogene; Lanosterol; Isopropyl Lanolate.  A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool (see Wool).  In many skin care products and cosmetics and in medicines.  Some cosmetic companies use it because it commonly causes allergic reactions and skin rashes on contact.  It is also considered a cheap filler.  Vegetable sources are thought to be better moisturizers; lanolin is very greasy, waterproof and sealing.

Lanolin Acid: See Lanolin.

Lanolin Alcohols: See Lanolin.

Lanosterol: See Lanolin.

Lard: Fat from hog abdomens.  Found in shaving creams, soaps, cosmetics, baked goods, and other foods.  Very common ingredient in tortillas and prepared Mexican foods.  Hard to digest.  Alternatives:  vegetable fats and oils.

Leather: Suede; Calfskin; Sheepskin; Alligator; Kid.  Euphemism for animal skin.  The use of and sale of it subsidizes the meat industry.  Used to make wallets, handbags, belts, furniture and car upholstery, shoes, coats, etc.  Alternatives:  natural materials such as cotton and canvas.  Also man-made materials such as nylon and vinyl.

Lecithin:  See Choline Bitartrate.

Linoleic Acid: An essential fatty acid (see Fatty Acids).  In cosmetics  and vitamins.

Lipase: Enzyme from the stomachs and tongue glands of calves, kids, and lambs.  Probably in some vitamins.  Alternatives:  vegetable enzymes.

Lipoids/Lipids:  Fat and fat-like substances that occur in animals and plants.

Luna Sponge: Sea sponge.  A plant-like animal that lives in the sea and is becoming scarce. Alternatives:  man-made sponges.

M

Marine Oil: See Fish Oil.

Methionine: An essential amino acid found in various proteins.  Used as texturizer in creams.

Milk of Mammals: Milk from cows, goats, buffalo, etc.  See Lactose.

Milk Protein: Hydrolyzed Milk Protein (see Hydrolyzed Milk Protein).  From cow’s milk.  In cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, etc. Alternatives:  soy protein, other plant proteins.

Milk Sugar:  See Lactose.

Mink Oil:  From minks.  In cosmetics, creams, etc.  Alternatives:  vegetable oils and emollients ( i.e. avocado, almond oil, jojoba).

Monoglycerides: See Diglycerides.

Musk:  Obtained from the genitals of the Northern Asian small hornless deer.  In perfumes and food flavorings.  Can cause allergic reactions.  Alternatives:  labdanum oil (oil which comes from various rockrose shrubs)–no known toxicity.  Other plants also have musky scents.

Myristate Acid: See Isopropyl Myristate.

Myristyl:  See Isopropyl Myristate.

N

Natural Flavor: Natural Flavoring; Natural Source.  Can mean animal, vegetable or mineral source.  Most often in the health food industry, it means an animal source, especially in cosmetics (i.e. animal elastin (see Elastin), animal glands, fat, protein, oil.  Be wary of this term.  Find out exact source.

Nucleic Acid: In the nucleus of all living cells.  Used in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, vitamins, supplements, etc.  Alternatives:  plant sources.

O

Octyl Dodecanol: Mixture of solid waxy alcohols.  Primarily from stearyl alcohol (see Stearyl Alcohol).

Olean: Olestra.  A man-made fat substitute that contains fatty acids (see Fatty Acids).  Originally planned to market as a drug.  Depletes body of, and prevents the absorption of vitamins..  In some potato chips and other fried foods.  Alternatives:  plant sources.

Oleic Acid: Oleth-2, Oleth-3, Oleth-20, etc; Oleyl Alcohol; Oleamine; Oylel Betaine.  Obtained from various animal and vegetable fats and oils.  Is usually obtained commercially from inedible tallow (see Tallow), sometimes synthesized from petroleum.  In foods, soft soaps, bar soaps, permanent wave solutions, shampoos, creams, nail polish, lipsticks, liquid makeup, and many other skin preparations.  Alternatives:  coconut oil (see alternatives for Animal Oils and Fats).

Olestra: See Olean.

Oleth-2, -3, -20, etc/Oleyl  Alcohol/ Oleamine/Oleyl Betaine: See Oleic Acid.

Olyl Alcohol/Betaine:  See Oleic Acid.

Ox Bile: Oxgail.  From castrated bovines.  In creams.

Oxgall: See Ox Bile.

P

Palmitate: Palmitic Acid.  Fatty Acids (see Fatty Acids).  From fats, oils, mixed with stearic acid (see Stearic Acid).  Occurs in many animal fats and plant oils.  In shampoos, shaving soaps, creams.  Alternatives:  palm oil and other vegetable sources.

Panthenol: See Depathenol.

Pearl Essence: See Guanine.

Pepsin: Obtained from the stomachs of hogs.  A clotting agent.  In some cheeses and vitamins.  Same uses and alternatives as rennet (see Rennet).

Placenta:  See Afterbirth.

Placenta Polypetides Protein:  See Afterbirth.

Polyglycerol: See Glycerine.

Polypeptides: See DNA/RNA.

Polypeptides Protein: See Afterbirth.

Polysorbates: Derivatives of fatty acids (see Fatty Acids).  In cosmetics and foods.

Polyethylene Glycerol/PEG: See Glycerin.

Pristane: Obtained from the liver oil of sharks and from whale ambergris (Ambergris).  See Squalene.  Used as a lubricant and anticorrosive agent.  In cosmetics.  US Regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.  Alternatives:  plant oils, synthetics.

Progesterone: A resinous substance collected from various plants by bees and used in the construction of their hives.  In toothpastes, shampoos, deodorants, supplements, etc.

Provitamin A: See Beta Carotene.

Provitamin B5: See Depathenol.

Q

Quaternium 27:  Tallow (see Tallow); Stearmide; Stearate; Stearic Acid; Stearin.  Fat from cows, sheep, etc. (could be dogs and cats from shelters).  Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs.  Can be harsh and irritating.  Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairsprays, conditioners, deodorants, creams.  Alternatives:  can be found in many vegetable fats (i.e. coconut).

R

Rennet: Rennin.  From the stomachs of calves.  Used in cheese making, rennet custard (junket) and in many coagulated dairy products.  Alternatives:  microbial coagulating agents, bacteria culture, lemon juice.

Rennin: See Rennet.

Retinol: See Acetate.

Ribonucleic Acid: See DNA/RNA

Royal Jelly: Secretion of the throat glands of the honeybee workers that is fed to the larvae in the colony and to all the queens’ larvae.  No proven value in cosmetic preparations.  Alternatives:  aloe vera, comfrey, and other plant derivatives.

S

Sable brushes: From the fur of sables (weasel-like mammals).  Used to make cosmetic brushes.  Alternatives:  synthetic furs and fibers.

Sea Sponges: See Luna Sponge.

Sea Turtle Oil:  Turtle Oil.  From the muscles and genitals of giant sea turtles.  In soaps, skin creams, nail creams, other cosmetics.  Alternatives:  vegetable emollients.  See alternatives for Animal Oils and Fats.

Sheepskin: See Leather.

Shellac: Obtained from the bodies of the female Tachardia lacca insect.  Shellac is used as varnish, as a coating on wood and plaster, in electrical insulation, and in sealing wax.

Silk: Shiny fiber made by silkworms to form their cocoons.  Boiled or roasted in their cocoons to get the silk.  Used in clothing and silk screening.  Alternatives:  milkweed seed pod fibers, nylon, silk-cotton tree and ceiba tree filaments (kapok), rayon, man-made silks. Other fine cloth can be and is used for silk screening.  Taffeta can be made from silk or nylon.

Silk Powder: Obtained from the secretion of the silkworm.  Used as a coloring agent in face powders, soaps, etc.  Causes severe allergic reactions; systematic reactions if inhaled or ingested.

Snails: Crushed.  Used in some cosmetics.

Spermaceti: Cetyl Palmitate; Sperm Oil.  Waxy oil derived from the sperm whale’s head or from dolphins.  In skin creams, ointments, shampoos, candles, many margarines.  Used in the leather industry.  May become rancid and cause irritations.  US regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.  Alternatives:  synthetic spermaceti, jojoba oil, and other vegetable emollients.

Sperm Oil: See Spermaceti.

Squalane: Squalene (see Squalene).  Obtained from shark liver oil.  Lubricant and perfume fixative.  Alternative: synthetics.

Squalene: Squalane (see Squalane).  Obtained from shark liver oil or vegetable oil.  An emollient from a “natural source” (see Natural Sources).  A precursor of cholesterol in biosynthesis.  In cosmetics, moisturizers, hair dyes.  Althernatives:  vegetable emollients (olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, etc.)

Stearamide/Stearate/Stearin:  See Quaternium 27

Stearyl Alcohol:  Stenol.  A mixture of solid alcohols; can be prepared from sperm whale oil.  In medicines, creams, rinses, shampoos, etc.  US regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.  Alternatives:  plant tissues, synthetics.

Stenol: See Stearyl Alcohol

Steroid: Sterol.  From various animal glands or from plant tissues.  Steroids  includes sterols.  Sterols are alcohols from animals or plants (i.e. cholesterol).  Used in hormone preparations.  In creams, lotions, hair conditioners, fragrances, etc.  Alternatives:  plant tissues, synthetics.

Sterol: See Steroid.

Suede: See Leather.

T

Tallow: Tallowate; Tallow Fatty Alcohol; Stearic Acid (see Stearic Acid).  Rendered beef or sheep fat.  May cause eczema and blackheads.  In wax paper, crayons, margarines, paints, rubber, lubricants, candles, soaps, shampoos, lipsticks, shaving creams, other cosmetics.  Alternatives: vegetable tallow (animal tallow is usually used commercially), Japan tallow, paraffin, ceresin.  See also alternatives for Beeswax.

Tallowate:  See Tallow.

Tallow Fatty Alcohol: See Tallow.

Turtle Oil: See Sea Turtle Oil.

U

Urea: See Carbamide.

Uric Acid: See Carbamide.

V

Vitamin A: Retinol; Acetate (see Acetate); Palmitate (see Palmitic Acid).

Vitamin B Complex Factor: Provitamin B5; Depathanol (see Depathanol); Pathenol.

Vitamin B Factor: See Biotin.

Vitamin B12:  Usually from an animal source.  Some vegetarian B12 fortified yeasts and analogs available.  Some vegetarian B12 vitamins are in a stomach base. Plant algae discovered containing B12, now in supplement form (spirulina).  Also, B12 is produced in a healthy body.

Vitamin D:  See Calciferol.

Vitamin H:  See Biotin.

W

Whey:  From milk.  Usually in cakes, cookies, candies, cheese, and protein shakes. Alternatives:  soybean whey.

Wool: From sheep (in the US, mostly from slaughtered ones).  Used in clothing, including blends.  Ram lambs and old “wool” sheep are slaughtered for their meat and last shearing.  Sheep are transported without food or water in extreme heat and cold.  Legs are broken, eyes injured, etc.   Sheep are bred unnaturally woolly.  Inferior sheep are killed.  Shearing DOES actually hurt the sheep.  Sheep are pinned down violently, sheared roughly.  Their skin is cut up.  Every year, thousands of shorn sheep die from exposure to cold.  Natural predators of sheep (wolves, coyotes, eagles, etc.) are poisoned, trapped, and shot.  In the US, overgrazing by cattle and sheep is turning more than 150 million acres of land into desert.  ”Natural” wool raising uses enormous amounts of resources and energy (to breed, raise, feed, shear, transport, and slaughter the sheep).  Many people are allergic to wool.  Alternatives:  cotton, cotton flannel, linen, man-made fibers.

Wool Fat:  See Lanolin.

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