Let’s just say it: the word “vegan” on a bottle of perfume is about as useful as slapping “gluten-free” on a bottle of shampoo. Sure, it sounds virtuous. It gets attention. It gives people the warm fuzzies. But if we’re being honest? It’s mostly nonsense.
Here at Exuma Fragrance Co., we respect conscious consumers. We are conscious consumers. We care about the ingredients we use, the ethics behind them, and the legacy of every scent we craft. But we also care about calling out marketing fluff when we see it. So let’s break this down.
Most Perfumes Are Already “Vegan”
The perfume industry hasn’t been heavy on animal ingredients for a long time. Why? Because many of those classic animal-derived materials (like civet, castoreum, ambergris, and musk) are either:
- Outlawed or tightly restricted due to animal cruelty concerns,
- Too expensive or rare for most modern perfumers,
- Or replaced by synthetics that do the job better, cleaner, and more consistently.
So when a brand boasts “vegan perfume,” they’re usually just saying: “We use ingredients that 99% of perfumes already use.” Not exactly revolutionary.
Let’s Talk Ethics, Not Buzzwords
If you’re into cruelty-free fragrance, great. We are too. That’s a meaningful standard. But “vegan” as a blanket term in perfumery? It’s vague at best, misleading at worst. It doesn’t tell you how the ingredients were sourced. It doesn’t guarantee sustainable practices. It doesn’t mean the brand isn’t outsourcing materials from companies that still test on animals. It just sounds nice.
We’re more interested in:
- Transparent sourcing
- Ethical synthetics
- No exploitation, human or animal
- Scents that don’t compromise your values or your nose
What We Actually Mean by Clean Perfume
At Exuma, we don’t throw buzzwords around unless they mean something. Our perfumes aren’t “vegan” because we’re trying to join a trend—they’re thoughtful, sustainable, and cruelty-free because that’s the only way we believe perfume should be made in 2025.
We work with perfumers who understand the art and responsibility of fragrance. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just beautiful, intentional compositions you’ll actually want to wear.
Final Notes (Pun Intended)
Let’s stop rewarding empty marketing lingo and start asking better questions about the things we put on our skin. “Vegan” might look good on a label, but what matters more is the story behind the scent—and who it impacts, from harvest to spritz.
If that resonates with you, welcome. You’re our kind of people.