Plenty of makeup is vegan, even if it doesn’t say so on the label. That’s because certification is expensive and time consuming, and some brands –particularly the smaller ones – don’t ever get around to it.

So what are the ingredients to be wary of when you’re choosing cosmetics? Some will be obvious: collagen and squalene are animal derived – unless it states expressly that they are plant-derived forms. They are often found in complexion products. Beeswax is another no go, along with lanolin, which comes from sheep wool. Here’s a list of other common ingredients that should sound the vegan alarm bells.

Carmine: Despite all the high-tech advancements, cosmetics companies still have a hard time making scarlet, crimson and orange dyes. So some opt for the barbaric method of drying and crushing the remains of the Cochineal insect. It may also be referred to by its aliases – cochineal, C.I.75470, E120, or ‘natural red’.

Glycerine: While there are vegetable-based alternatives, the glycerine used in cosmetics often comes from animal fats.

Hyaluronic acid: This is sometimes taken from rooster combs (the little red crowns on their heads) and is a common ingredient in complexion and lip products.

Shellac: Common in nail products and hair lacquers, it comes from female lac bugs.

Guanine: This is scraped from the scales of fish, and may be found in all sorts of sparkly products, from eyeshadow and illuminator to blush and nail polish.

Keratin: This protein comes from the hair and horns of animals, and may be found in hair and nail strengthening products.

Silk powder: You may not realise it, but this isn’t just a gimmick – the powder actually comes from the cocoons of silk worms. It is commonly used in mineral makeup.

If checking ingredients lists is super bothersome, save yourself the fuss and go for a certified vegan brand. Or write to the brand and get those answers first hand.