Vegan skincare and makeup have become a focal point within the beauty industry in recent years and, fortunately, many established brands are realizing the importance of vegan cosmetics and the elimination of animal products.
What are vegan cosmetics?
Knowing whether a product is vegan can, at first, be confusing. However, in short, a vegan product is one that does not contain any animal products.
Fortunately, many luxury brands are free of animal cruelty, but many still contain non-cruelty-free ingredients.
How to transition to a vegan beauty routine?
1. Do your research
Initial research will go a long way in making sure you make the right purchases, so spend time on this step. Read up on brands to see which of their products are vegan and animal cruelty-free, as their formulas may not always be consistent.
There are so many great resources for finding information these days, from online blogs, magazine articles, to YouTube videos of beauty influencers talking about their favorite vegan and cruelty-free products.
2. Read ingredient lists
Taking the time to read ingredients is a crucial step in transitioning to a vegan beauty routine. There are some hidden ingredients to be aware of that are actually derived from animals, such as:
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- Lanolin
- Collagen (unless stated as plant-based)
- Squalene
- Glycerin
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Fortunately, today you can find versions of these plant-derived ingredients, or alternative plant-based ingredients that have the same effect on your skin or better.
To make sure a product is animal cruelty-free, check the product description or look for the bunny hopping logo, which certifies that the product has not been tested on animals.
Photos by Pure Skin Lab.
3. Be conscious of waste
When changing your routine, try to avoid getting rid of all your current products and starting your new routine overnight, this will lead to an increase in your waste, which in turn is harming the planet.
Sustainability is a big part of adapting a vegan beauty routine, so be sure to use your existing products and be more conscious of how much product you apply each time. Many people tend to overuse skin care products when only a small amount is needed. Do your research and make sure you are conscious of waste.
4. Start slow and steady
You can’t reinvent yourself overnight, so it’s best to introduce products one at a time so you know what works for you and what doesn’t.
When trying many new products at once, it can be difficult to detect if a particular ingredient is causing skin problems. It’s important to remember that just because a product is ethically excellent doesn’t mean it’s specifically suited to your skin type, so just like your existing products, it can take time to find the perfect one for your skin.