Over the past five years, the supply of vegan cosmetics has grown by 175 percent with no signs of stopping. But what exactly is (and isn't) in vegan cosmetics and why is there so much hype around them?

Vegan cosmetics are made without materials of animal origin or their traces. Conventional materials of animal origin, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, elastin, etc., are replaced by materials derived from plants or minerals.

However, the word "vegan" does not mean that the product is 100 percent natural, organic, and/or not tested on animals. The label of "vegan" also does not guarantee that the product has an exemplary composition and won't cause an allergic reaction. Be sure that when you're choosing beauty products you're reading the ingredients list, not just the vegan label. Other notes in the fine print will have more information on whether the product matches your skin type and needs, how it was made, and if animals were used during testing.

Vegan cosmetics, considered a niche for a long time, have long been associated with simplicity and even inferiority. Many believed that vegan cosmetics may not be high quality, long-lasting, functional, and attractive. To disprove this theory, here's some vegan cosmetic products that have been popular for some time now with beauty lovers around the world.