What You Need to Know About Vegan Skincare
Whether due to ethical, health or other personal reasons, more and more people across Australia are becoming vegan. But being vegan isn’t that simple, and it’s not only about having a plant-based diet. Being vegan involves making changes in every area of your life – from the food you eat to the clothes you wear and even the skin care products you use.
And as awareness grows and with the increasing interest in vegan products, there’s a rising number of skincare brands, producing quality vegan-friendly formulas, like Evohe, for instance. These vegan formulas have been found to be a lot more effective than traditional cosmetics that even people who aren’t vegans are using them. If you’re new on your veganism journey or simply want to try switching your skincare routine with one that is a lot gentler, here’s everything you should know about vegan skincare.
Free From Animal Ingredients
The most common ingredients found in traditional skincare products are beeswax, milk proteins, lanolin (the grease from sheep’s wool), carmine (pigment derived from insects) and uric acid (which is derived from cows). All of these are derived from animals. And since the production of beauty products is on such a large scale, this means that millions of unfortunate animals need to be killed or exploited.
On the other hand, for products to be labelled as vegan, they must be entirely free from any animal-derived ingredients. That being said, in vegan products every ingredient comes from plants. The manufacturing process doesn’t harm any animal either. Look for the Vegan Trademark sign on the packaging to be sure that the product is truly vegan.
Cruelty-Free Doesn’t Always Equal Vegan
Some people believe that cruelty-free products are automatically vegan. But this isn’t always so. Cruelty-free skincare products aren’t tested on animals. However, this doesn’t mean that these products are free of animal ingredients such as honey, cow’s milk, cochineal and lanolin.
So, don’t be quick to think that the bunny sign means that the product is vegan. Also, be wary that the products you buy aren’t falsely advertised as vegan. Many brands looking to attract more customers will slap on the bunny logo and label their products as vegan even if they really aren’t so. Always shop from the skincare range of a well-know brand like Evohe which is a great example of vegan and cruelty-free skincare.
What Makes Vegan Skincare Gentler for Your Skin
So, I’ve mentioned that people love vegan formulas because they are a lot more gentle on the skin. This is because most vegan skincare products don’t heavily use preservatives, synthetics, chemicals or toxins which are common with traditional skincare lines. That being said, vegan skin care products are an especially good option if your skin is sensitive, dry or prone to allergies.
Vegan products also tend to have fewer ingredients. Keep in mind that a product with fewer ingredients is cleaner, therefore it allows your skin to absorb it better. Keep in mind that a product with fewer ingredients is cleaner, therefore the skin can absorb the active ingredients better.
Don’t be hesitant to pick these products just because they don’t have an attractive scent. The scent is only added in products to mask the smell of the animal-derived ingredients and other chemicals. It’s also put there to attract you to purchase it. And despite being so amazing to smell, the fragrance is an ingredient you’d want to avoid because it’s found to be harmful. Be careful about what you choose to rub on your skin since more than 60% of those ingredients will be absorbed into your body.
It’s Packed With Vitamins and Active Ingredients
Just because it’s simpler and free from chemical ingredients, doesn’t mean vegan skincare is less effective. In fact, vegan ingredients are more nourishing. Plants are the best source of vitamins, minerals and beneficial antioxidants, which is why this type of natural skincare is a real win for your skin.
Typically a vegan product contains a high amount of vitamins C, A and E, as well as natural hydrating oils such as coconut and argan. It’s also commonly base around healing ingredients such as aloe, which is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties. Vegan skincare products are a also a good option for young skin as well (babies, for example).
However, if a product is vegan, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any risk of irritation. Some plant-derived ingredients can reactions in people that are allergic to them. So, if you’re allergic to a certain plant, like for instance chamomile, make sure that the products you pick don’t contain any form of it
It’s Good for the Environment
You aren’t the only one who will benefit from using vegan skincare products. It’s obvious that the more people use vegan products, including skincare, the fewer animals will suffer. But there’s also the fact that vegan skincare is a lot more beneficial for the environment as well. If you’re aware of the current state of our planet, you already know that we are in a terrible condition.
Raising and processing animals for food or other uses is terrible for the environment. Animal agriculture causes more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transport sector, together. That being said, choosing skincare brands is a good thing for the planet too. However, if you want to be extra sure that your skincare doesn’t cause the environment any harm, also check that the products don’t contain any palm oil. The Evohe skincare line is one of the rare brands that offer products free from palm oil.
The Only Downside – It May Expire Faster
This isn’t the case for every vegan skincare product, but since these products don’t contain chemical preservatives, they can expire faster. To keep your vegan skincare products fresh and prolong their durability, keep them in a dark and cool place, away from direct sunlight.
