Crayola Crayons and Markers May Not Be Toxic — but Are They Vegan?

No, Crayola crayons are not vegan. According to Vegans Can Eat, Crayola crayons are made of stearic acid, a compound derived from animal fat. Crayola itself has admitted that its crayons and indeed many of its popular art supplies are derived from animal ingredients.

According to Answer to All, Crayola's markers are not vegan. Once again, they are derived from animal products, as so many art supplies are. According to Vegan Womble, markers in general contain everything from glue, watercolors, and tempera paints include gelatins, bone char, cow’s milk, beeswax, honey, insect shells, and eggs. These ingredients are used to bind, color, preserve, adhere, or improve the flow of the paint and pigments.

According to Crayola, the brand's markers are made of five main components: a plastic barrel, a porous plastic nib, a plastic cap, a cotton filament, and a water-based color solution. That water solution consists of an unnamed mix of water and dyes, which seems sort of suspicious, all things considered. Apparently, That Vegan Teacher agrees, as she states in the video below.

Crayola markers and crayons are considered non-toxic if ingested or inhaled, according to Crayola. Silly Putty, another Crayola product, is also non-toxic. These assertions are the result of an evaluation by an independent toxicologist, and considering that the bulk of Crayola products are meant to be used by kids and toddlers, it’s a comforting thought.

Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on Crayola for all your artistic needs. Azafran Crayons and Wee Can Too Veggie Baby Crayons are made from a mix of waxy oils, including: organic palm, soya, and coconut butter, as well as food-grade colors. You can find many of them on Amazon, and they work just as well as the stearic acid-based Crayola crayons.

Chartpak ADMarkers and Spectra ADMarkers are alcohol-based, vegan markers that perform just as well — if not better — than the so-called “leading brand.” Copic is another brand that offers eco-friendly vegan alternative markers, and the markers are refillable, which helps to reduce plastic waste.

With so many art supply companies out there, avoiding animal-based products is actually fairly easy. Cruelty-free and vegan products are becoming more and more popular with consumers, so there should be plenty of choices out there. Just be mindful of the ingredients, and look out for products that don't clearly list what might be in your art supplies.