Are doTERRA softgels vegan? A Detailed Ingredient Guide

While doTERRA has been transitioning many products to plant-based options, the vegan status is not universal across their softgel line. This makes it essential for vegan consumers to examine the specific ingredients of each product to ensure it aligns with their dietary restrictions.

Quick Summary

Clarifying the vegan status of doTERRA softgels is vital, as ingredients vary by product and formulation. Consumers must check each item's specific capsule composition.

Key Points

• Not All are Vegan: Not all doTERRA softgels are vegan, and consumers must check specific product ingredients.

• Recent Formulations are Vegan: Many newer doTERRA softgel products, like On Guard+, Serenity, and MetaPWR, use plant-based tapioca capsules.

• Historical Use of Gelatin: Older versions of some softgels, such as DigestZen and GX Assist, used bovine gelatin.

• Company Transition: doTERRA has actively shifted many products from animal-based gelatin to vegetarian tapioca capsules in response to consumer demand.

• Dedicated Vegan Kits: A specific Vegan Lifelong Vitality Pack is available, ensuring all components are vegan-friendly.

• Always Check the Label: The most reliable method to confirm vegan status is to read the ingredient list on the most recent product label.

A Mix of Animal- and Plant-Based Formulations

For vegan consumers, understanding the contents of supplements is critical. The question, "Are doTERRA softgels vegan?" does not have a single answer. doTERRA produces a variety of softgel products, and historically, some used animal-derived gelatin, while others were always vegetarian. However, the company has made a concerted effort to shift many of its formulations to plant-based capsules, primarily using tapioca starch. This means the vegan status depends entirely on the specific product and its manufacturing date.

Understanding Softgel Ingredients

To be certain about a product's vegan status, one must look at the capsule material itself, not just the essential oil blend inside.

Animal-Based Gelatin

• Source: Traditional gelatin is a gelling agent made from animal collagen, typically derived from bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) sources.
• Historical Use: Older versions of some doTERRA softgels, such as DigestZen and GX Assist, were confirmed to use pharmaceutical-grade bovine gelatin.

Plant-Based Capsules

• Common Materials: Modern vegan softgels use plant-derived starches and thickeners. Common ingredients include modified tapioca starch, vegetable glycerin, and water.
• doTERRA's Shift: In response to consumer demand, doTERRA developed a new tapioca-based softgel formulation. They also worked to remove carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickener, from their vegetarian capsules, as it caused concern for some consumers.

Which doTERRA Softgels are Vegan?

Many of doTERRA's recent or specific softgel products are explicitly marketed as vegetarian or vegan-friendly.

• On Guard+ Softgels: These are encapsulated in vegetarian tapioca softgels.
• Serenity Softgels: The ingredients list shows a capsule made from modified tapioca starch.
• CP+ Softgels: These are formulated with a vegetarian softgel, including modified tapioca starch.
• MetaPWR Softgels: The capsule is made with modified tapioca starch.
• Lifelong Vitality Pack: A specifically designated "Vegan" version is available, with all components being completely vegan-friendly.

Products to Check Carefully

For some products, checking the latest packaging is crucial, especially for older stock or different market formulations. While doTERRA announced a move towards tapioca, products like GX Assist and DigestZen historically contained bovine gelatin. A 2025 Facebook post noted some products like DDR Prime, Peppermint, GX Assist, and xEO Mega were still in the process of transitioning in the US market.

Comparison of doTERRA Softgel Formulations

Product	Vegan Status (Current)	Capsule Material (Current)	Important Notes
On Guard+	Vegan	Modified Tapioca Starch	Confirmed vegetarian tapioca softgels.
Serenity	Vegan	Modified Tapioca Starch	Uses tapioca for the softgel capsule.
CP+	Vegan	Modified Tapioca Starch	Explicitly stated as a vegetarian softgel.
MetaPWR	Vegan	Modified Tapioca Starch	Uses vegetable-derived materials like maltitol and tapioca.
Lifelong Vitality Pack (Vegan)	Vegan	Vegetable capsules	A dedicated vegan formulation is available.
DigestZen	Check Label	Modified Tapioca Starch (Newer)	Historically used bovine gelatin; newer versions may be tapioca.
GX Assist	Check Label	Modified Tapioca Starch (Newer)	Historically used bovine gelatin; newer versions may be tapioca.
DDR Prime	Check Label	Tapioca (US, Transitioning)	Note from early 2025 indicates a planned switch to tapioca.
xEO Mega	Check Label	Ahiflower Seed Oil (Newer)	Formula updated, but capsule material status needs verification.

How to Verify Vegan Status

The best way to confirm if a specific softgel is vegan is to consult the most reliable source: the product label.

1. Read the Full Ingredient List: Look for terms like "modified tapioca starch," "vegetable glycerin," or "vegetarian softgel". Avoid products that list "gelatin" without specifying a plant source.
2. Check doTERRA's Website: Product pages on the official website often list the specific capsule type, especially for newer vegetarian or vegan formulations.
3. Use the Source to You Tool: For essential oils, doTERRA's Source to You initiative offers information, but for the softgel casings, the product label or website is more relevant.
4. Contact Customer Service: If you are unsure, reach out to doTERRA's customer service directly for the most current information regarding your local market's specific formulation.

The doTERRA Commitment to Vegan Options

This shift in softgel technology highlights a responsiveness to consumer feedback and the growing market for vegan products. The development of a carrageenan-free tapioca capsule was a significant investment, demonstrating doTERRA's effort to create more widely acceptable, plant-based supplement options. This aligns with a broader trend among supplement manufacturers to cater to lifestyle-driven buying habits, where non-animal sources are increasingly important.

Product Examples with Plant-Based Casings

• On Guard+ Ingredients: Includes a blend of Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary oils inside a tapioca capsule.
• Serenity Ingredients: Contains Lavender essential oil, Valerian root, Tart Cherry powder, and other extracts inside a tapioca capsule.
• MetaPWR Softgels Ingredients: Essential oils like Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint, Ginger, and Cinnamon are delivered within a tapioca-based softgel.

Conclusion

Not all doTERRA softgels are inherently vegan, though many of their current offerings utilize plant-based capsules made from tapioca starch. Historically, some products contained bovine gelatin, and consumers should be aware of this when purchasing older stock or international versions. The best practice is to always read the specific product label or consult doTERRA's official website for the most current ingredient information, particularly for products like DigestZen or GX Assist that have undergone recent formulation changes. With many plant-based options available, doTERRA has increased its selection for vegan and vegetarian customers. For more details on the company's softgel transitions, visit the doTERRA site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which doTERRA softgels are specifically labeled as vegan?

Products like the Vegan Lifelong Vitality Pack are explicitly labeled as vegan. Many other softgels, such as On Guard+, Serenity, CP+, and MetaPWR, are also made with plant-based capsules and are suitable for vegans.

Do older doTERRA softgels contain gelatin?

Yes, historically, some doTERRA softgels, including DigestZen and GX Assist, were made with bovine-derived gelatin. It's crucial to check the specific product label and purchase recent stock if you require a vegan version.

What are the plant-based capsules made of?

doTERRA's vegetarian and vegan softgels are typically made from modified tapioca starch, water, and vegetable-derived glycerin.

How can I tell if a doTERRA softgel is vegan by looking at the label?

Check the ingredient list for terms like "modified tapioca starch" or "vegetarian softgel". Avoid labels that simply list "gelatin" or if you are unsure about the formulation.

Has doTERRA stopped using carrageenan in their softgels?

Yes, doTERRA announced they developed a new tapioca-based softgel technology to eliminate carrageenan in response to customer feedback.

Is the transition to tapioca softgels complete for all doTERRA products?

No, a report from early 2025 indicated that the transition was still ongoing for certain US market products like DDR Prime, Peppermint, and xEO Mega. The timeline may vary by market, so it's always best to verify.

Can I trust older reviews about doTERRA softgel ingredients?

Older reviews may not be accurate for current products. Given doTERRA's recent formulation changes, especially the switch from gelatin to tapioca for some items, you should rely on the latest product information and labeling.