The name 'Halo' is used by a surprising number of companies, causing understandable confusion for consumers seeking vegan-friendly options. This guide breaks down the vegan status for some of the most prominent brands that use the 'Halo' name, including Halo Top ice cream, Halo Beauty supplements, Halo Pet Food, and Halo Gel Polish.
Halo Top Ice Cream: Partially Vegan
For many, the name 'Halo' is synonymous with the low-calorie ice cream brand Halo Top. This company's vegan offerings are a significant and growing part of their product line, but not everything they make is plant-based. The key is to distinguish between their dairy and non-dairy lines.
How to Identify Vegan Halo Top Products
- Look for the "Non-Dairy" or "Plant-Based" label. These specific lines are formulated to be vegan, using coconut milk as a base.
- Check the lid color. Halo Top's dairy-free pints often feature a distinctly colored lid (such as turquoise in some regions), differing from the gold lids on their dairy-based products.
- Read the ingredients list. As with any product, the ingredients are the final confirmation. Vegan versions are clearly marked and will not contain milk, cream, or eggs, which are found in their traditional flavors.
Common vegan flavors of Halo Top include Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Almond Crunch, and Sea Salt Caramel. They have also offered seasonal and limited-edition vegan varieties.
Halo Beauty Supplements: 100% Vegan
Founded by YouTuber Tati Westbrook, Halo Beauty is a company that creates hair, skin, and nail supplements. The brand explicitly states that its products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, making them a safe choice for those following a plant-based lifestyle. Their commitment to clean, vegan ingredients is a central part of their brand identity. The vegan status of Halo Beauty supplements is consistently promoted on their website and social media channels. The formulation of their products, such as the Hair, Skin & Nails Booster and Kiwi Skin Booster, uses plant-based ingredients like biotin derived from vegan sources.
Halo Pets: Offers Vegan Options but Not Exclusively Vegan
Halo is also a brand of holistic pet food that offers both meat-based and vegan recipes for dogs and cats. It is crucial for vegan pet owners to be very specific when purchasing from this brand, as not all their products are vegan.
Choosing Vegan Halo Pet Food
- Select the "Garden of Vegan" or "Plant-Based" lines. Halo explicitly names its vegan products with clear labels like “Garden of Vegan®” for dry and wet dog food.
- Check ingredients carefully. Always double-check the ingredient list to ensure no animal products are included. Their vegan lines utilize plant proteins from sources like chickpeas and peas.
- Avoid the meat-based lines. Halo also sells numerous products featuring responsibly sourced whole animal protein, like chicken, for pets that are not on a plant-based diet.
Halo Gel Polish: Vegan and Cruelty-Free
For those in the beauty industry, Halo refers to a line of professional gel nail polishes. This brand is both vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, meaning the products contain no animal-derived ingredients and are not tested on animals. This provides a straightforward answer for users looking for vegan nail products.
Comparison of Halo Brands' Vegan Status
| Brand | Product Type | Vegan Status | How to Confirm | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halo Top | Ice Cream & Sorbet | Partially Vegan | Look for 'Non-Dairy' or 'Plant-Based' labels; different colored lids. | Offers both dairy and non-dairy options. |
| Halo Beauty | Supplements | 100% Vegan | Check their website for product descriptions; prominently labeled vegan. | All supplements are explicitly vegan and cruelty-free. |
| Halo Pets | Pet Food | Partially Vegan | Choose products clearly marked 'Garden of Vegan' or 'Plant-Based'. | Sells both animal-based and plant-based pet foods. |
| Halo Gel Polish | Gel Nail Polish | 100% Vegan | Confirmed via the manufacturer's FAQ and product descriptions. | All gel polishes are vegan and cruelty-free. |
| Halo Pantry | Food Flavorings | 100% Vegan | Check their FAQ, which lists products as vegan-friendly. | Product line is specifically made to be vegan-friendly. |
Conclusion: Verify the Brand, Then the Product
The question of whether Halo products are vegan is not simple because 'Halo' is a shared name among several completely independent companies. The key takeaway is to first identify the correct brand behind the product. For health and beauty products like Halo Beauty supplements and Halo Gel Polish, the vegan status is consistently confirmed as 100%. However, for consumer food products like Halo Top ice cream and Halo Pet food, you must read the labels carefully to select from their dedicated vegan or plant-based lines, as they also produce non-vegan items. By taking a moment to identify the specific brand, consumers can make informed and accurate purchasing decisions that align with their vegan lifestyle.
For authoritative information on Halo Beauty's formulations, visit their official website.