Dutch Entrepreneurs Target Animal Derivatives in Intimate Products

Consumers in the Netherlands are increasingly scrutinizing the ingredients of personal care and intimate products, prompting a shift in the erotic goods market. While many vegans focus on their diet, a growing segment of the population is seeking to eliminate animal products from items used on their skin. This trend is driven by concerns over animal welfare, environmental impact, and the desire for natural formulations.

Wageningen University data indicates that meat consumption in the country has declined for the second consecutive year. This dietary shift is extending into other areas of daily life. Entrepreneurs are responding by formulating products that avoid animal-derived additives, which are common in traditional intimate items. The market is seeing a rise in brands that explicitly label their goods as vegan and ethically sourced.

Lieke Warmoeskerken founded LieLei in Rotterdam to address these consumer demands. Her company specializes in erotic products that are vegan and environmentally friendly. Warmoeskerken notes that many customers are unaware that standard items like condoms, lubricants, and vibrators often contain animal byproducts. She states, “You think about what you put in your mouth, so why don’t you think about what you’ve put on your body?”

The issue is not limited to obvious ingredients like milk. Warmoeskerken explains that latex condoms are sometimes softened with milk protein. Additionally, while silicone is vegan, the glues and dyes used in manufacturing sex toys may contain animal products. Her business aims to educate customers on these hidden ingredients while offering sustainable alternatives.

Simone Kuijer, a 30-year-old entrepreneur in Amsterdam, launched her brand Aia after discovering that coconut oil, a common natural lubricant, could damage latex and disrupt body pH. She formulated a plant-derived glycerin lubricant to replace animal tallow. Her products are manufactured within an hour of her headquarters. Kuijer also offers a massage oil candle made without beeswax, catering to consumers who want natural options.

Stephanie Heerema, a 28-year-old vegan in Amsterdam, represents the demographic driving this change. She became a vegetarian at age 10 and stopped eating animal products during university. Heerema is now looking for ways to reduce her environmental footprint further. She expressed frustration over finding lactose, a milk derivative used as a binding agent, in her birth control pills. She now researches every purchase, ensuring her vibrator uses recycled plastic and that her lubricant is vegan.

Both Kuijer and Warmoeskerken are addressing the concern of microplastics. Kuijer, who is pregnant, avoids plastic due to recent reports linking microplastics to breast milk. Her products are packaged in glass jars, and she recently released a line of glass adult toys. Warmoeskerken’s shop avoids plastic where possible but discloses when alternatives, such as vegan leather harnesses, still contain it. Kuijer noted, “It doesn’t solve the whole problem, but it’s definitely a step towards it.”