The Body Shop drops 100% vegan commitment

After announcing it was the first global beauty brand with 100% vegan products in January 2024, The Body Shop has quietly reintroduced some non-vegan formulations to its range.

Although there’s been no public announcement, The Vegan Society – which had certified the shop’s entire portfolio – says that back in August 2025, it received the following statement:

“The Body Shop is bringing back a carefully considered number of products, including some with non-vegan ingredients, directly in response to our consumers’ voices. The feedback included the removal of non-vegan ingredients, such as beeswax and honey, impacted our customers’ enjoyment of some of our products. The large majority of our products will continue to be vegan, all of our products will remain vegetarian, and all will continue to be certified by Cruelty Free International.” 

Consumer confusion

Only two products have been cited by the brand’s customer service team as having been reformulated as non-vegan: the Spa of the World Kukui Cream, containing beeswax, and the Hemp Rescuing Hand Protector. The latter is still labelled as vegan on an image currently being used on the brand’s online shop which is likely to cause confusion for consumers.

Writing in her blog, Nicole Whittle (Vegan Beauty Girl) questioned why the brand would backtrack on its vegan commitment for just two products. “Honestly, I’m baffled. If I remember correctly, they spent years reformulating their products to make everything fully vegan! A mammoth task and a huge appeal to their target customer. And now? Undo??? 

“I know The Body Shop’s been through administration. I know people were rooting for them to survive and return to the high street. I was one of them. But surviving doesn’t mean quietly undoing your ethics and hoping no one asks.”

The Body Shop’s UK business went into administration in February 2024, just months after being acquired by German private equity firm Aurelius in a deal worth around £207 million. However, the new owners were unable to stem declining sales and rising costs.

In September 2024, the retailer was rescued from administration by a consortium led by British beauty entrepreneur Mike Jatania, via his investment firm Auréa Group. The deal kept all 113 UK stores open, saving over 1,000 jobs.

The Body Shop has been contacted for comment.

By Jane Wolfe, contributor