Understanding the Vegan Status of Our Aesthetic Treatments

Gemma Dietrich
May 29
3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Ethical beauty treatments in Hackney, East London

At Astral Skin Clinic in Hackney, East London, we believe your values should be reflected in your skincare choices. Many of our clients come to us not only for expert treatment but because we offer options that align with their ethical lifestyle - including vegan and cruelty-free alternatives.

If you're curious about what that really means in the world of aesthetics, here’s a clear and honest guide to the treatments we offer, what makes them ethical, and how we are striving to provide choices that align with a cruelty-free approach - prioritising products that are not tested on animals and offering alternatives wherever available. Our commitment is to help you feel confident in your skin, without compromising your values.

What Does 'Vegan' Mean in Aesthetic Care?

In aesthetics, a product is considered vegan if it contains no animal-derived ingredients. A product is considered cruelty-free if it has not been tested on animals at any point during its development - either by the manufacturer or required by external bodies.

The challenge? Many medical aesthetic products contain no animal-derived ingredients, but some must still undergo animal testing to comply with international safety regulations. That’s why we’re committed to transparency - so you can make an informed, conscious choice.

Our Vegan and Cruelty-Free Treatment Options in Hackney

We’re proud to offer a curated selection of injectable skin treatments that are vegan-friendly and developed by companies with strong cruelty-free principles:

Revanesse Dermal Fillers A premium filler made with synthetic hyaluronic acid, free from animal-derived ingredients. Revanesse does not conduct animal testing, and their products are not subject to it here in the UK or EU.
Profhilo Skin Booster Profhilo contains no animal ingredients and is vegan in composition. However, due to regulatory requirements in some countries, the product cannot be fully classified as cruelty-free - a grey area we continue to monitor closely.
Sunekos Skin Booster Vegan-certified and cruelty-free, Sunekos uses a patented formula of amino acids and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and restore the skin naturally. While it hasn't received as much hype in the media as its competitor as the patented skin booster Profhilo, Sunekos works in a similar way focusing on hydration, regeneration and repair. We love this as an alternative to polynucleotides under the eyes.

The Truth About Botox and Vegan Standards

While we offer botulinum toxin treatments, it’s important to note that no brand of Botox is currently fully cruelty-free due to mandatory animal testing required in some regions.

That said, we use Bocouture - currently the closest option to cruelty-free available. Bocouture contains no animal-derived ingredients and is produced by a company committed to minimising animal testing. They're actively working to push for industry-wide changes to bring ethical innovation to this space.

More Than Just Treatments: A Cruelty-Free Clinic Ethos

At Astral Skin Clinic, our ethical values extend far beyond injectables. We make thoughtful choices at every level of your experience:

All medical-grade cleaning products used in clinic are vegan and cruelty-free
We use vegan-friendly face wipes and skin prep products
We serve oat milk in all coffees and teas - no need to ask

Ethical skincare should feel natural - and at Astral, it’s part of everything we do.

Why Our Clients in Hackney Choose Ethical Aesthetics

Choosing vegan or cruelty-free options doesn’t mean compromising on results. It means working with practitioners who respect your choices and help you achieve your aesthetic goals with intention, integrity, and care.

We make it easy to:

Know exactly what’s in your treatment
Request vegan alternatives at any stage
Feel confident in your decisions

How to Book a Vegan or Cruelty-Free Treatment

Simply mention your preferences during your consultation. We’ll guide you through your options - from ethical lip fillers to skin boosters - and ensure your treatment plan aligns with your values.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help

If you're navigating the world of ethical beauty and don't know where to start, reach out. We're happy to explain any product in detail and talk you through your options in a relaxed, honest environment. Get in touch with us here.