Best Vegan and Cruelty Free Toothpastes for a More Ethical Oral Routine
Toothpaste is one of those sneaky everyday items that we don’t usually question. You grab a tube at the store, use it twice a day, toss it when it’s empty, and repeat—year after year. But once I started digging, I realized a lot of mainstream toothpaste isn’t aligned with a conscious lifestyle: animal testing, unnecessary chemicals, and endless plastic waste that never really goes away.
That’s when I began looking for alternatives that were just as effective but kinder to both animals and the planet. And let me tell you—there are so many great options now. From tablets in glass jars to traditional pastes in recyclable tubes, vegan and cruelty-free brands are proving that oral care can be sustainable without feeling like a compromise.
So, if you’re ready to swap the basics in your bathroom for something more intentional, here are 12 vegan & cruelty-free toothpastes that make brushing your teeth a little act of kindness—for you, for animals, and for the planet.
WHY CONVENTIONAL TOOTHPASTE ISN’T VEGAN
Most of us grew up thinking toothpaste was just toothpaste—minty, foamy, and something you can grab off the shelf without a second thought. But if you look closer, a lot of conventional toothpastes aren’t vegan or cruelty-free. Many brands still test on animals, often because of outdated regulations in certain markets. Beyond that, the formulas themselves may contain animal-derived ingredients like glycerin (which can be sourced from animal fat), bone char in whitening agents, or even bee products like propolis.
Conventional toothpaste can sneak in animal-derived inputs or ingredients with fuzzy sourcing. The big “watch me” items: glycerin (can be from animal fat unless labeled plant-based), stearic acid / stearates (foamers/emulsifiers that may come from tallow), calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite (some formulas use bovine-derived; many are synthetic—ask!), chitosan (plaque-control polymer from shellfish), and bee products like propolis, honey, or royal jelly in “natural” lines. A few niche pastes add milk-derived enzymes or proteins (e.g., lactoferrin, casein) for sensitivity or remineralization—also not vegan.
Even the colors and flavors in toothpaste can hide animal products. For example, some red or pink toothpastes may use carmine/cochineal, which actually comes from crushed insects (yikes!). Most of the other dyes are technically vegan because they’re petroleum-based, but they’re not always cruelty-free since many have been tested on animals. Flavorings can also be vague—“natural flavor” sounds harmless, but it doesn’t always mean plant-based. And while charcoal in toothpaste usually comes from coconut or bamboo, some cheaper versions could use bone-derived carbon instead. The safest bet? Stick with brands that clearly label their products as vegan and cruelty-free, so you’re not left guessing.
Choosing vegan and cruelty-free toothpaste isn’t just about avoiding animal ingredients—it’s about supporting brands that don’t contribute to unnecessary animal testing. The good news is there are plenty of options out there now that keep your smile fresh without compromising your values. Once you make the switch, you’ll wonder how something as everyday as brushing your teeth ever came at the expense of animals in the first place.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These brands have been carefully chosen because they are committed to sustainability!
THE BEST PLANT-BASED AND CRUELTY FREE TOOTHPASTES FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFE
Photo Credit: Hello
ANTIPLAQUE TOOTHPASTE
by Hello
The natural peppermint Hello is one of my go-to vegan toothpastes, for a fresh and cruelty-free breath!
Made with farm-grown peppermint, tea tree oil, and coconut oil, it leaves your breath minty fresh while being gentle on your mouth. This formula is vegan, cruelty-free, peroxide-free, SLS-free, and contains no artificial flavors, dyes, or sweeteners.
It’s a no-brainer for anyone wanting a cleaner, kinder brushing routine—proof that you don’t have to compromise on freshness or whitening to stay conscious about your choices.
Photo Credit: ZeroWasteStore
ALL NATURAL TOOTHPASTE
by David’s
If you want a plastic-free alternative for your toothpaste, David’s got your back. Their toothpaste is vegan and cruelty-free, but it also comes in a recyclable metal tube. Aesthetic and sustainable go hand in hand!
In addition to being vegan and CF, this natural toothpaste is also fluoride free, sulfate free, and has all-natural ingredients, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Photo Credit: Tom’s of Maine
ANTIPLAQUE AND WHITENING NATURAL TOOTHPASTE
by Tom’s of Maine
Most Tom’s of Maine’s products are vegan, including this cruelty-free toothpaste that’s made with naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients, and is fluoride free.
It helps remove surface stains with regular brushing to help gently whiten teeth, is free from artificial flavors, sweeteners and dyes, and has not been tested on animals.
Another plant-based toothpaste, checked.
Photo Credit: Me Mother Earth
UNPASTE TOOTHPASTE TABLETS
by Me Mother Earth
If you want to take that extra step in your eco-friendly journey, this is a more environmentally-friendly toothpaste alternative, in the form of tablets–TADA!
Swap your plastic toothpaste tube for tabs, and reduce not only your environmental impact, but improve your oral health, as tooth tabs are usually less abrasive than most toothpastes.
These tablets are also vegan, cruelty-free, and come in a compostable sealed paper pouch. They have no preservatives, SLS, Sodium Saccharin, or Aluminum Nanoparticles.
Photo Credit: Boka
NANO-HYDROXYAPATITE TOOTHPASTE
by Boka
Another vegan and cruelty-free toothpaste you can try is Boka’s. Made with aloe vera, green tea, and mint, you’ll get closer to nature while brushing your teeth.
This product also has nano-hydroxyapatite, a biomimetic mineral form of the same ingredient that naturally makes enamel.
Besides being suitable for vegans and not being tested on animals, it’s free of fluoride, sulfates, parabens, artificial flavors, and colors.
Photo Credit: ZeroWasteStore
ECO FRIENDLY TOOTHPASTE TABLETS
by Huppy
Another sustainable alternative for your oral: these eco-friendly toothpaste tablets that contain no-hydroxyapatite, a non-toxic fluoride alternative, and come in a recyclable aluminum case.
They’re made with clean ingredients like peppermint oil, coconut oil, aloe vera extract, and xylitol, are vegan and cruelty-free, and come in compostable packaging.
Photo Credit: Auromere
AYURVEDIC HERBAL TOOTHPASTE
by Auromere
If you’re still looking for cruelty-free toothpaste brands, Auromere has your back. With over 20 Ayurvedic herbal ingredients that support your oral health, including Neem (used in Ayurveda for centuries), and Peelu, this product is a great sustainable alternative to conventional toothpaste.
Auromere’s natural toothpaste is vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, fluoride-free, alcohol-free, and has no artificial sweeteners.
What will be your sustainable and vegan toothpaste of choice?
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Hi, I’m Melina,
I’m the creator of Sustainable Rookie, and my goal is to share what I learn throughout my sustainability journey, so that I can help other people live a more conscious life.
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