What Is Shellac? The Ethical Costs Of The Popular Ingredient

Shellac, a natural resin with a long history of use, is found in various products from confectionery to cosmetics. However, the production of shellac comes with ethical and environmental costs, as around 100,000 lac bugs die to produce a single pound of shellac flakes. The processing of shellac also requires volatile compounds that negatively impact the environment and pose health risks.

Consumers are increasingly demanding vegan and cruelty-free alternatives to shellac in products, with a variety of options available such as corn protein and hydrolyzed collagen film. The cosmetics industry, in particular, has seen a significant increase in vegan launches, driven by the ethical and environmental concerns of younger consumers such as Gen Z and Millennials. As the demand for vegan products continues to rise, the global vegan cosmetics market is projected to reach 24 billion USD by 2028.