As the demand for more compassionate and sustainable products increases, the number of vegan beauty products brands continues to grow. These compassionate, cruelty free makeup brands abstain from using the ugly animal-based products that you may find in other cosmetic products. If you have come across this article, you are probably thinking of switching to cruelty-free, skin care vegan products. We will help you look and feel fabulous by listing the benefits and ingredients of vegan beauty products to help you identify and make informed decisions more easily. So, if you are planning to make the switch to a vegan lifestyle, this article is for you.
Benefits of Vegan Skin Care
Making the shift to a vegan lifestyle doesn’t just refer to excluding animal-derived products from your diet but also extends to changing all aspects of your lifestyle, from clothing to household equipment and skincare, beauty products, and so on. The benefits of skin care vegan are as follows:
- Reduces the worsening of skin- Vegan beauty products are made of naturally derived organic ingredients that are usually more gentle on sensitive skin. Such cosmetic products contain fewer ingredients that reduce the risk of itching, irritation, or reactions to the skin.
- Reduce the impact on Mother Nature- It has been proven that animal-derived products are a key cause of environmental deterioration, including soil erosion, climate change, and water depletion. Transitioning to plant-based products helps you reduce your carbon footprint and ensure that you lead an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.
- Avoid torture and killing of animals- Vegan beauty products do not test on animals, and they are usually cruelty-free. Animal testing is typically painful and causes suffering and the slaughter of millions of innocent, adorable animals.
What Makes Skincare Vegan?
Vegan skincare must fulfill specific criteria that differentiate it from other skincare products. The most significant criterion is that the ingredients used in vegan skincare products should not come from animal products and by-products such as honey, beeswax, collagen, carmine, and keratin, among others. Instead, vegan products should contain plant-based or artificial substitutes with similar benefits. Other criteria to consider are the ingredients’ sustainable and ethical sourcing and labeling. To help you identify vegan skincare products, look for logos and certifications from PETA, Leaping Bunny, Vegan Society, and Vegan Action.
Ingredients to Avoid for a Vegan-Friendly Skincare
To ensure that your skincare products are vegan, always check the ingredients mentioned on the label before buying them. Prior to that, you should educate yourself about the nomenclature of commonly used animal-derived ingredients. Below, we are listing some ingredients and compositions that you should avoid in order to move to a vegan-friendly skincare routine.
- Honey has healing properties and is usually used to smooth and soften skin texture. Its substitutes are argan oil, aloe vera, and jojoba oil.
- Gelatine is derived from collagen from boiling ligaments, bones, skins, and tendons of animal body parts. It is used as a thickening agent in face masks, creams, lotions, and sunscreens.
- Glycerine is derived from animal fats and is used as a moisturizer. It is also found in soaps, makeup, shampoos, and more. A great alternative would be to use vegetable glycerine made of palm, soy, and coconut oil.
- Collagen is a protein derived from the skin, bones, hair, and ligaments of animals like cattle, horses, and fish. However, you can use plant-based collagen instead.
- Retinol is an animal-sourced vitamin A popularly used as an anti-aging ingredient and to reduce skin discoloration and pigmentation. It helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines and increases the production of new skin cells and collagen. Carotenoids are an appropriate alternative.
- Makeup and shaving brushes: Usually, the hair of horses, goats, or squirrels is used to make them. Conversely, vegan brushes are manufactured without harming animals using synthetic fibers like nylon and taklon.
- Estrogen or estradiol: Derived from the urine of pregnant horses, this is used to increase sebum production and hydrate the skin. A great alternative to estradiol or estrogen is plant-based phytoestrogens. They are known to mimic the functions of estrogen.
Plant-Based Ingredients in Vegan Beauty Products
Plant-based ingredients harness the power of nature to repair, nourish, and revitalize the skin. They are at the heart of vegan skin care products, which are entirely plant-based. More and more people favor them because they are beneficial to the environment and don’t react like animal-based products. Let’s look at plant-based ingredients commonly found in beauty and skin care vegan products.
- Aloe vera- It is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and hydrating properties. Rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, it is excellent for sensitive or irritated skin.
- Coconut oil- It has lots of fatty acids that are beneficial for moisturizing the skin. It is a versatile product with antimicrobial properties that make it great for combating acne.
- Argan oil- Loaded with vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, this liquid gold is extremely moisturizing and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also enhances the skin’s elasticity.
- Shea butter- Derived from the nuts of the shea tree, shea butter is a rich emollient known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and moisturizing properties. It works best for dry skin and can also provide mild UV protection.
- Tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, green tea extract, hemp seed oil, and Vitamin C are also ingredients in skincare products and are highly beneficial for the skin.
These are a few examples of the plethora of plant-based alternatives in vegan cosmetics. By utilizing these organic ingredients, vegan beauty and skin care products promote sustainability and health by providing efficient, green substitutes for conventional skincare and makeup.
Conclusion
In summary, before you start the journey towards a vegan lifestyle, educate yourself about the ingredients you should look out for to avoid or include. Many ingredients are used in a beauty product, and remembering the scientific names of ingredients can be a tad bit intimidating. If you are transitioning to a vegan lifestyle and accidentally use an animal-based product, don’t feel disheartened as you are contributing to a more sustainable and animal-friendly environment. Slowly, more cruelty free makeup brands are emerging that are compassionate towards animals and do not include non-vegan ingredients or do animal testing. Skin care vegan and cruelty free will be a crucial part of consumerism in the future.