Is Hyaluronic Acid Filler Vegan? Sourcing and Ethical Considerations

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

For decades, hyaluronic acid used in cosmetic fillers was derived from animal sources, specifically rooster combs. Today, advancements in biotechnology mean most hyaluronic acid filler ingredients are vegan, but the product's overall status can be complex.

Quick Summary

Most modern hyaluronic acid fillers use non-animal ingredients produced by bacterial fermentation, making them vegan in composition. However, due to medical product regulations, some brands may not be cruelty-free because of historical animal testing.

Key Points

Vegan Ingredients vs. Cruelty-Free: Modern HA fillers use ingredients from bacterial fermentation, but often are not cruelty-free due to legally mandated animal testing for medical devices.
Bacterial Fermentation: The primary method for producing non-animal HA involves using microorganisms like Streptococcus or engineered Bacillus subtilis to create the substance.
Historical Context: Older HA fillers were sourced directly from animal tissues, most notably rooster combs, which are no longer common due to ethical and safety concerns.
Brand Variations: While some brands like Juvederm and Restylane have vegan ingredients, others like Revanesse Versa claim to be both vegan and cruelty-free by avoiding animal testing for their specific product approval.
Verify with Practitioner: Always consult your medical practitioner and, if needed, the manufacturer's documentation to confirm the exact sourcing and testing policy for the specific product being used.
Alternative Testing: Efforts are underway by manufacturers to reduce animal testing for medical products, though regulatory approval can be a lengthy process.

The Sourcing of Hyaluronic Acid: From Animals to Microbes

The question of whether hyaluronic acid (HA) filler is vegan is not as simple as it may seem, and the answer lies in its production method. Originally, the commercial production of hyaluronic acid relied heavily on animal-derived sources. The primary source was the extraction of HA from rooster combs, a process that is clearly not vegan. Other animal tissues, like bovine vitreous humor, were also used. These animal-based sources posed several problems, including the potential for allergic reactions in some patients and concerns over disease transmission. Today, however, the majority of hyaluronic acid used in cosmetic products, including fillers, is produced in a laboratory through a process called bio-fermentation.

How Bio-Fermentation Creates Vegan Hyaluronic Acid

The bio-fermentation process utilizes specific strains of bacteria, such as Streptococcus equi or genetically engineered, non-pathogenic microbes like Bacillus subtilis, which are cultivated in a nutrient-rich medium. These microorganisms are essentially programmed to produce hyaluronic acid as a byproduct of their metabolic process. This method offers several key advantages:

Vegan-Friendly Ingredients: Since no animal products are used in the process, the resulting HA is free from animal derivatives.
Enhanced Purity: Lab-controlled fermentation allows for a cleaner, more consistent product with fewer impurities compared to animal-derived HA.
Reduced Allergies: The elimination of animal-based proteins and contaminants significantly reduces the risk of allergic reactions in patients.
Increased Sustainability: Bio-fermentation provides a more sustainable and ethical source of HA that does not depend on animal agriculture.

The Crucial Difference Between Vegan and Cruelty-Free

For products to be truly vegan, they must not only contain non-animal-derived ingredients, but also must not have been tested on animals at any stage of development. This is where the ethical dilemma for many hyaluronic acid fillers arises.

Medical Device Regulations: In many countries, including the US, dermal fillers are classified as medical devices. As such, they are subject to strict regulations that historically mandated animal testing to ensure safety and efficacy before market approval. This means that even if a filler's ingredients are 100% vegan, its development may not have been cruelty-free due to these historical requirements.
Brand Policies: Many major manufacturers like Allergan (makers of Juvederm) and Galderma (Restylane) have moved towards reducing their animal testing where possible and now utilize the latest methods. However, their older products went through testing, and for some, the legal requirements for new medical product approval can still complicate things.
The Rare Exception: Some brands have entered the market more recently and claim to be entirely cruelty-free. For instance, the maker of Revanesse Versa has stated their product was not tested on animals during its development for cosmetic use. A vegan patient interested in these treatments should carefully investigate each brand's specific claims and certification.

Comparison of Common Dermal Filler Types


Filler Type	Primary Ingredient	Ingredient Source	Vegan Ingredients?	Historically Cruelty-Free?
Hyaluronic Acid (Modern)	Hyaluronic Acid	Bacterial Fermentation	Yes	Generally No (due to medical testing laws)
Hyaluronic Acid (Older)	Hyaluronic Acid	Rooster Combs	No	No
Poly-L-lactic Acid	Poly-L-lactic acid	Synthetic Polymer	Yes	Often No (for regulatory approval)
Calcium Hydroxylapatite	Calcium hydroxylapatite	Synthetic Microspheres	Yes	Often No (for regulatory approval)
Autologous Fat	Patient's own fat	N/A (Self-Sourced)	Yes	Yes
Collagen	Bovine or other collagen	Animal	No	No

Making an Informed Choice

For consumers, especially those following a vegan lifestyle, understanding these nuances is critical for making an ethical choice. Here are the steps to take:

Question Your Practitioner: Have an open conversation with your aesthetic provider about the specific brand of filler they use. Ask about the origin of the hyaluronic acid and their knowledge of the company's testing practices.
Look for Manufacturer Claims: Research the specific manufacturer of the filler you are considering. Check their website for public statements on their sourcing and animal testing policies. Be aware that the term 'vegan ingredients' is not the same as 'cruelty-free'.
Investigate Certifications: Seek out manufacturers who have obtained third-party certifications, such as those from PETA (Animal Test-Free & Vegan) or the Leaping Bunny program. These organizations provide independent verification of a company's claims. However, as fillers are medical devices, these certifications may not apply in the same way as they do for consumer cosmetics.
Consider Alternatives: If you are strictly against all forms of animal testing, consider alternative procedures. Poly-L-lactic acid fillers like Sculptra contain vegan ingredients, but may also have undergone animal testing for FDA approval. Autologous fat grafting, which uses your own body fat, is a vegan and cruelty-free option, though it is a more invasive surgical procedure.

Conclusion

In summary, modern hyaluronic acid filler ingredients are almost always vegan, derived from bacterial bio-fermentation rather than animal tissues. However, this does not automatically make the product cruelty-free. For many brands, animal testing was required at some point to gain regulatory approval as a medical device. This distinction means a truly vegan and cruelty-free HA filler can be challenging to find, but some brands have emerged that address both concerns. The responsibility lies with the consumer to research, question their provider, and make the choice that aligns with their personal ethical standards. Research into alternative testing methods is progressing, which may eventually remove this ethical hurdle altogether. A good resource for understanding the production processes and regulations of HA can be found on the National Institutes of Health website, such as in this article: Cell Energy Metabolism and Hyaluronan Synthesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while most modern fillers use non-animal ingredients produced through bio-fermentation, many are not considered cruelty-free due to historical or required animal testing for medical product approval.

Vegan hyaluronic acid is produced through a process of bacterial bio-fermentation. Microorganisms, such as certain bacteria, are used to synthesize the HA in a lab, eliminating the need for animal-derived ingredients.

'Vegan' refers to the absence of animal-derived ingredients. 'Cruelty-free' means the final product was not tested on animals. A filler can have vegan ingredients but not be cruelty-free.

Yes, many major brands like Juvederm and Restylane use non-animal ingredients from bacterial fermentation. However, their overall cruelty-free status is often impacted by mandatory historical animal testing for medical approval.

Yes, some manufacturers, like Prollenium (maker of Revanesse Versa), claim their product uses vegan ingredients and was not tested on animals, fitting both criteria. However, you should always verify with your practitioner and the manufacturer.

Historically, hyaluronic acid for medical and cosmetic purposes was extracted from animal tissues, such as rooster combs or bovine vitreous humor. These methods are no longer common for new products due to modern bio-fermentation alternatives.

Look for explicit vegan or 'non-animal derived' labels, ask your provider for the product's full sourcing information, and check the manufacturer's website for their animal testing policy and any third-party certifications.

Yes. While not all are completely cruelty-free, other vegan-friendly options include Poly-L-lactic acid fillers like Sculptra or the surgical option of autologous fat grafting, which uses your own body fat.