If you follow a vegetarian diet and are looking for a hair supplement, the question of what is in the formula matters. This post is a straightforward answer to that question for HAIRLOVE, including exactly what our keratin source is and why we chose it.
HAIRLOVE Is Vegetarian-Friendly
HAIRLOVE Growth Complex is formulated without any ingredients that require the killing of an animal. Every ingredient meets the vegetarian standard. The full ingredient list is disclosed on the label and on our product page.
HAIRLOVE Is Not Certified Vegan
This is the part that matters for vegan shoppers, and we want to be direct about it.
The hero ingredient in Growth Complex is Cynatine HNS, a bioavailable form of keratin protein. Keratin is the structural protein that hair is made from. Cynatine HNS is derived from wool, which comes from sheep. Obtaining wool does not require harming the animal, which is why wool-derived ingredients meet the vegetarian standard. However, because it is an animal-derived ingredient, it does not meet the vegan standard.
Our Silk Beauty Pillowcase and Silk Scrunchies are also animal-derived (silk comes from silkworms) and are vegetarian-friendly but not vegan.
Why We Use Cynatine HNS
The reason this specific form of keratin is the centerpiece of Growth Complex comes down to bioavailability. Standard keratin supplements are poorly absorbed because keratin is a structurally rigid, water-insoluble protein. Most of it passes through the digestive system without being absorbed in a useful form.
Cynatine HNS is produced through a patented process that makes the keratin water-soluble and therefore absorbable. Clinical data shows it reaches hair, skin, and nail tissue where it can do its job. We are not aware of a plant-based keratin ingredient that achieves the same bioavailability profile.
We chose the ingredient with the strongest evidence. We want you to know exactly what that ingredient is and where it comes from.
The Other Ingredients Are Vegan
Every other ingredient in Growth Complex is plant-derived or synthetically produced:
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Biotin: synthetically produced vitamin B7
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Zinc: mineral
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Selenium: mineral
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Vitamin C: synthetic ascorbic acid
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Vitamin E: plant-derived tocopherol
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Vitamin B5: synthetic pantothenic acid
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The capsule is vegetarian-friendly.
A Note on Labeling
HAIRLOVE does not use the word 'vegan' on Growth Complex packaging or marketing materials. If you see a reference to HAIRLOVE as vegan on a third-party retailer or review site, that is an error that we are unable to control on external platforms. The correct description is vegetarian-friendly. If you have any questions about a specific ingredient or sourcing, the ingredient pages on hairlove.com provide additional detail, and you can reach us directly through the contact page.
Why Transparency Builds Better Outcomes
The most common post-purchase frustration with hair supplements is discovering an ingredient conflict after the fact. Someone who follows a strict vegan diet purchases a supplement labeled 'natural' or 'plant-based' without checking the specific ingredient sources, then later discovers an animal-derived ingredient. That customer leaves dissatisfied regardless of how well the supplement performed, because the discovery feels like a deception even when it was not intentional.
We include this transparency post specifically to prevent that experience. If you have read this far, you know exactly what is in the formula and where it comes from. That is the information you need to make the right decision for your values and your dietary practice. We would rather lose a sale to someone who is strictly vegan than gain one through ambiguous labeling.
