Most likely, hearing the word “vegan” would steer anyone’s thoughts to food and diet. But, there is a rising population who are inclined to switch to veganism. In the U.S alone, the number went from 0.4% to 3.5% in the last five years. It means that more people are getting conscious of what goes into their bodies.
The practice has even transcended to beauty routines as people are swapping out their regular goods for vegan skin care ones. So, what defines the word “vegan”?
Who Are Vegans, and What is a Vegan Skincare?
Originally, veganism began as a type of diet that excludes all animal by-products into their diet, including eggs, milk, and other dairy products. Over the years, it extended to practices beyond food.
Vegans have also begun to steer away from using products that use animal-derived products and those that tested on animals. Unknown to people, skincare has some of these ingredients which include the following:
- Beeswax, which comes from bees, is often used as a thickener for some face creams.
- Collagen, while typically innate in humans are also by-products of cows or fish and is often used as a moisturizer.
- Lanolin usually comes from a sheep’s wool and is used as an emollient.
Vegan skincare items are those that do not have any animal by-products in their ingredient list. At the same time, these beauty products did not undergo any tests on animals.
The latter part of the definition always confuses with “cruelty-free” brands. However, that is not always the case. An item can be considered cruelty-free and still not be vegan as it can even have animal-derived products as an ingredient.
Advantages of Switching to Vegan Skincare?
Environment – There is always one significant factor that people consider when switching to veganism, and that is the environment. The raising of animals for eventual slaughter is a bit harsh for some.
At the same time, transporting and storing animals generate greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane that are harmful to the atmosphere.
Plant-based products, on the other hand, are more beneficial to the environment. First, the source plants release oxygen that is essential to human life. Second, the manufacture of these products uses less harmful materials and requires less energy.
All-Natural – Some non-vegan products contain harsh substances such as parabens, artificial fragrances, and petroleum. Not only do they have any significant use for the skin, but they also cause a lot of skin problems by usually causing some clogging of pores.
What to Look for When Buying Vegan Skin Care Products?
There are some symbols, usually found on the packaging, that identifies if the brand is a vegan skincare product. Some of which includes the following:
- A “vegan” logo indicates that the outcome was at least not tested on animals.
- Search for organic brands that are certified by the FDA because the agency does not allow the use of animal by-products in such cosmetic items.
- Look at its ingredients list to see if there are animal-derived products or synthetic items on it.
Switching to vegan skin care products is not only beneficial to those who use it. Indirectly, it also saves the environment, provide more sustainable food, and at the same time, helps in delivering cleaner air for everyone.
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