If you are here, you have probably started off with your journey to veganism or are at least thinking about it. Congratulations on the beginning of this new chapter in your life! A plant-based lifestyle not only benefits you but also impacts the environment.
As awareness about veganism is increasing, people are looking for vegan alternatives to make more ethical choices in their daily routine. Just like the food and clothing industry, the beauty industry is also coming up with new and more sustainable products that align with veganism. Once a limited market, the vegan beauty products range has expanded to a mainstream cosmetics range. People are becoming more aware of the ingredients that are used in the manufacturing of their cosmetics and personal care items.
Transitioning to vegan cosmetics and personal care items
Making the transition to vegan beauty products and personal care items is not just about avoiding ingredients that are derived from animals; it is about embracing a lifestyle that avoids animal cruelty. Using such products and spreading awareness about animal-derived options shows your compassion towards these speechless beings. Fortunately, these products are a healthier option for your skin and are highly sustainable. Let’s explore some facts about vegan beauty products.
- No animal-derived ingredients—Animal-derived ingredients or by-products are not added to vegan beauty products. Ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, collagen, keratin, or any other animal-sourced components that are generally present in traditional cosmetics are not added to vegan cosmetics in any form.
- Not animal-tested—These products are not tested on animals. Certifications from organisations like Leaping Bunny or PETA ensure that these products are not animal-tested and meet the criteria for 100% cruelty-free products.
- Not necessarily natural— It is important to know that vegan products are not necessarily manufactured using all-natural ingredients. Being vegan means there are no animal-derived components. However, a few synthetic ingredients may be added to the formulation, as these are more sustainable and effective than their natural counterparts.
- Reduced Environmental Footprint—As animal products are not added into vegan beauty products, this eliminates the need for animal agriculture. As a result, water consumption is reduced. Moreover, no livestock farming is needed, so deforestation is reduced as well.
- Greenhouse gas emissions reduced—Recent research shows vegan choices reduce green-house emission by 25%.
- Sustainable packaging—Plant-based beauty formulations often come with eco-friendly packaging that contributes to lower carbon footprints. So, the environmental waste generated is much less as compared to traditional animal-derived cosmetics.
- Vegan is healthier – No potential allergens and harsh chemicals are added to vegan formulations. These are gentler on skin, and people with sensitive skin types can also use them without a doubt. Occurrences such as skin irritation, redness, breakouts, and adverse reactions can be avoided.
- Nutrient-Rich Ingredients—Vegan cosmetics are packed with natural vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that nourish and protect the skin. These are great alternatives to the synthetic counterparts and promote healthier skin barrier function.
Why should you switch to vegan beauty brands?
Generally, people start their veganism journey by switching to vegan food options. The next step is to look for vegan fashion and clothing brands. Switching to vegan beauty products and personal care items is the next step to consider. From making ethical choices to opting for healthier alternatives, various factors make this choice preferable. If the demand for synthetic animal-tested products goes down and vegan cosmetics consumers increase, animal exploitation by industries will gradually reduce. The environmental benefits are equally compelling, as these choices would mean lower greenhouse emissions and reduced need for water and deforestation.
Due to certain environmental factors like air pollution, exposure to sunlight or UV radiation, increased temperature, and humidity, many people are facing skin issues like acne, psoriasis, hair loss, skin ageing, pigmentation, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and even skin cancer. Vegan products are skin-friendly and a better option from a health perspective as well. These gentler formulas are less likely to cause reactions and will rather improve your skin and hair health. With advancements in plant-based chemistry and sustainable ingredient sourcing, the quality of these nature-based beauty products has significantly increased over the past decade.
Common animal-derived ingredients found in cosmetics
If you wish to join the vegan league but are uncertain about where to start, we are here to help! First off, make yourself aware of the animal-derived ingredients that are generally added to beauty products. You must be aware of a few, like honey and milk proteins. Many others are mentioned with their scientific names, such as lanolin, which is derived from sheep’s wool. It is generally added to lip balms and moisturisers. Carmine, a red pigment derived from crushed beetles, is found in lipsticks and blushes.
Squalane is the scientific name given to an ingredient with shark liver oil. The names, collagen and elastin, are commonly heard these days, as these are popular anti-ageing ingredients sourced from animals. Although most of these have vegan alternatives, it is important to check the source. Keratin comes from animal hooves and horns and is generally added to hair products. Stearic acid, commonly used in cosmetics, can come from animal fats or plants.
So, start with reading all the ingredients listed on the back of the product and verifying their source. You can simply Google it or keep a dedicated app on your smartphone to help identify the nature and source of the ingredients.
What all you need to change
At first, the switching process may seem hard and financially draining. But remember, it need not be an abrupt changeover. Give time to the transitioning process. Start with one product at a time. So, here’s a list of a few commonly used beauty products that you can begin with:
- Skincare products – Having a good cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and sunscreen is the basic skin care step that everyone should follow. Many excellent vegan options for these products are available in different animal cruelty-free brands. Have a glance at the ingredients; the constituents like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and oils should be plant-derived.
- Makeup Essentials—Even though you may not use makeup essentials every other day, choosing products with animal-derived ingredients included in the formula can compromise your commitment to veganism. Start with replacing the basic essentials like foundation, concealer, lip colour, and mascara. Many popular makeup brands now offer an extensive range of vegan makeup to accommodate user preferences.
Hair Care Essentials—Shampoos are the most basic hair care products that everyone uses. So, start with a vegan shampoo and then look for a conditioner, preferably by the same brand, for the best results. Choose the product according to your hair type, such as dry, oily, curly, or colour-treated hair. Gradually add a nice vegan hair serum and mask to your hair care essentials pack.
Other than checking for the ingredients, you should also look for vegan certifications on the packaging. The Vegan Society’s sunflower logo or PETA’s bunny logo will indicate cruelty-free products. Some brands clearly label vegan products within their range, making identification straightforward.
Start your journey today!
Switching to vegan beauty products is a journey rather than a destination. Start with small steps and keep exploring the ingredients and brands available in this particular category. As you proceed on this journey, you have the responsibility to spread awareness about these skin-friendly, animal-friendly, and environment-friendly products.