Is Manuka Oil Vegan? Let's Clear Up the Confusion...
At Afterart, we’re proud to say that every product we create is 100% vegan. But every now and then, we get questions, or even skepticism, about one particular ingredient in our tattoo aftercare balm: manuka oil.
The confusion usually comes down to this: people mistake manuka oil for manuka honey.
In this post, we’re going to clear that up, once and for all. So if you're vegan, plant-based, cruelty-free, or just curious, here's everything you need to know.
Manuka Oil vs Manuka Honey: They Are Not the Same
Although they both come from the same native New Zealand plant — Leptospermum scoparium (commonly known as the manuka bush) — manuka oil and manuka honey are completely different substances, extracted in very different ways, with very different ethical implications.
What Exactly Is Manuka Oil?
Manuka oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves, stems, and branches of the manuka plant, a tough, wild shrub found in New Zealand’s coastal regions and highlands.
It’s obtained through steam distillation, which involves no chemicals and, crucially, no animals.
The result is a potent, naturally antimicrobial oil known for its skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties; ideal for post-tattoo care.
So Why the Confusion?
The misunderstanding is totally fair. The word “manuka” is often used in skincare, health, and wellness circles, usually to describe manuka honey, which has built a strong reputation for its antibacterial benefits.
But here’s the key: Just because something contains “manuka” doesn’t mean it contains honey, or any animal-derived ingredient at all.
Manuka oil is a completely separate product, and in our case, we only use the plant-based version. No bees. No hives. No confusion.
Is Manuka Oil Ethical and Sustainable?
Yes. In fact, manuka oil is:
- 🌿 Plant-based and fully biodegradable
- 🐇 Cruelty-free: no animal testing
- 🇳🇿 Sustainably sourced from wild New Zealand manuka
- 💧 Steam-distilled using low-impact processes
Because manuka is a naturally regenerative native species, it grows abundantly in the wild, meaning no intensive farming, deforestation, or bee exploitation is required
How This Supports Afterart’s Vegan Claim
We don’t just say our products are “vegan-friendly”, we mean 100% vegan, down to the last ingredient.
That means:
- No honey
- No beeswax
- No lanolin
- No animal by-products
- No animal testing - ever
We’re certified cruelty-free and committed to transparent ingredient sourcing. If we say it’s vegan, you can trust that it truly is.
Why Manuka Oil Is Perfect for Tattoo Aftercare
We use manuka oil in our balm because it delivers real, skin-level benefits for healing tattoos:
✅ Helps reduce redness and inflammation
✅ Supports healthy skin regeneration
✅ Naturally fights bacteria without harsh chemicals
✅ Soothes irritation and dryness
It’s gentle, effective, and most importantly in full alignment with our ethics.
The Bottom Line
If you’re someone who lives a vegan lifestyle, or just wants to make more conscious skincare choices, you can feel confident that Afterart products contain no animal-derived ingredients, and no hidden non-vegan surprises.
Manuka oil is not manuka honey.
It’s 100% plant-based, steam-distilled, and animal-free.
And it’s a powerful part of what makes our tattoo aftercare so clean, healing, and ethical
✅ Still Got Questions?
We love curious customers. If you want to know more about any of our ingredients or our sourcing, drop us a line at hello@afterarttattoo.com