When most people hear the word vegan, they think of food: no meat, no dairy, no eggs. But then they see the word stamped on shampoo, makeup, or even cleaning products—and it can feel puzzling. After all, you don’t eat shampoo, so why does it matter if it’s vegan? The answer is simple but powerful: vegan means no animals were used, harmed, or tested on in the making of that product. For vegans, this matters deeply. Choosing cruelty‑free products is about living in alignment with values: respecting animals, refusing to profit from their suffering, and showing that beauty and care…