What is Vegan Skincare?

Vegan skincare has become more popular today thanks to people shifting towards more sustainable and ethical beauty products.

More beauty lovers are gravitating toward vegan friendly skin care and its benefits. By switching to vegan skincare, you can be sure that your products are free from animal-derived ingredients.

However, it is not just about being friendly to animals—it is also excellent for your skin!

With vegan skincare gaining a major buzz, you might wonder if it can deliver results. This article shows the benefits of vegan skincare, and how they can keep your skin healthy without animal by-products.

Defining Vegan Skincare

Vegan skincare is defined by its ingredients. Vegan friendly skincare formulas are completely free from animal-based ingredients. This means no honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, or other substances derived from animals.

Instead, these vegan skincare products are produced from plants and natural compounds that are effective and cruelty-free.

• Plant-Based Oils: These are essential oils extracted from nuts, seeds, and fruits. Some examples include coconut oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. They are great for moisturizing and keeping your skin healthy.
• Plant Extracts: These come from flowers, herbs, and other plant parts. Organic calendula, chamomile, and green tea extracts are popular choices. They soothe, heal, and add a natural glow to your skin.
• Synthetic Compounds: These compounds are designed to be kind to your skin and the environment. For example, hyaluronic acid, often used for its superb hydrating properties, is usually made synthetically and is vegan-friendly.

 

What Is the Difference Between Vegan and Cruelty-Free Skincare?

Vegan skincare products do not use ingredients derived from animals. Instead, they blend natural ingredients, like botanical extracts, plant oils, and shea butter.

These plant-based alternatives offer a gentle and effective approach to achieving healthy, radiant skin.

Cruelty-free skincare, on the other hand, refers to products that are not tested on animals.

Here is a quick way to remember the difference.

• Vegan: No animal by-products.
• Cruelty-Free: No animal testing.

Fortunately, many skincare brands are vegan and cruelty-free so that you can stop acne breakouts with naturally rich ingredients collected humanely.

What Is the Difference Between Vegan and Organic Skincare?

Vegan skincare prioritizes animal welfare by excluding animal-derived elements. Vegan products are also often cruelty-free, meaning no animals were harmed during testing.

Organic skincare products take a different approach. These products are made from ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs.

Note that a product can be vegan but not organic, and vice versa.

• Vegan but Not Organic: A vegan skincare product might use synthetic ingredients or non-organic plants. It will not contain animal-derived ingredients but is not necessarily made from organically grown plants. 
• Organic but Not Vegan: An organic skincare product might still contain animal-derived components like beeswax or honey if these ingredients are organically produced. This makes it eco-friendly but not suitable for vegans.

Choosing between vegan and organic skincare depends on your priorities. If you are passionate about animal welfare, choose vegan products.

Conversely, if you are focused on using products free from synthetic chemicals and better for the environment, it may be better to choose organic skincare. 

If you are searching for a safe moisturizer with synthetic fragrances that don't harm your skin, check out our Supermello moisturizer! 

What are the Benefits of Vegan Skincare?

Most vegan skincare products are free from animal-derived ingredients, which benefits you, the environment, and the world around you.

The following sections will cover the benefits of vegan skincare for sensitive skin and other skin conditions.

Health Benefits

Vegan skincare products are beneficial for your skin's health.

They are often formulated with natural and vegan ingredients, like calming botanical extracts. These ingredients are gentle and nourishing, greatly benefiting your skin.

Due to their lack of common allergens and irritants, vegan products are ideal for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Non-vegan counterparts may contain harmful chemicals that will irritate your skin.

Environmental Benefits

Choosing vegan skincare will benefit both your skin and the planet.

Since vegan products do not use animal ingredients, they are not reliant on animal agriculture. Additionally, raising livestock creates greenhouse gases.

Vegan skincare offers an environmentally friendly alternative that creates fewer harmful animal by-products.

Many vegan brands also focus on using sustainably sourced plant ingredients. Our skincare products keep your skin nourished and fresh without adding chemicals.

Ethical Considerations

Prioritizing a vegan skincare routine is also an ethical choice. You reduce the harm and animal cruelty in your skincare products by consciously avoiding animal products.

This includes reducing animal testing and choosing cruelty-free products.

The benefits of vegan skincare thus go beyond feeling fresh!

Supporting Sustainable Brands

Supporting sustainable brands and ethical practices is important for conservation purposes. It ensures you help preserve the world's rich diversity, which other brands may not prioritize.

Patronizing vegan skincare brands means choosing sustainable beauty products. Here are additional reasons why it is a good choice.

• Eco-conscious companies will typically use biodegradable ingredients and recycled materials in their packaging. This removes existing trash from the ecosystem, creating less waste.
• Vegan skincare does not use animal products. Natural ingredients can do everything animal-based products can, reducing environmental and animal harm.
• Choosing sustainable brands lets companies know what you prioritize. It also shows companies you care about the environment and supports vegan skincare companies.

Common Vegan Skincare Ingredients

Vegan skincare is all about treating your face with effective, beneficial ingredients.

Here are some common ingredients you will find in vegan skincare products.

• Plant Oils (Jojoba, Argan, Rosehip): These natural oils are effective moisturizers that keep your skin plump and nourished.
• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a soothing ingredient to treat sunburns and dry, irritated skin.
• Green Tea: This ingredient is packed with antioxidants, keeping your skin looking fresh and healthy. It combats free radicals that can harm your skin.
• Seaweed: Due to its various properties, seaweed is used in many kinds of skincare products. Besides being rich in vitamins and minerals, it hydrates and detoxifies your skin for a healthy glow.
• Shea Butter: Shea butter is extracted from tree nuts and deeply moisturizes skin. It is used to keep your skin soft and supple.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is good for sensitive skin thanks to its hydrating and moisturizing properties. It can be animal-derived, but vegan versions are just as effective.

NOTE: Many animal-based ingredients have safe synthetic vegan alternatives that are effective and cruelty-free.

Common Non-Vegan Ingredients to Avoid

This section will discuss non-vegan ingredients to watch out for and powerful plant-based alternatives.

• Beeswax: This material is produced by bees and is typically used in lip balms and hand creams. It has vegan alternatives like soy wax, candelilla, or carnauba wax.
• Lanolin: This waxy substance is produced by wooly animals like sheep, and treats irritated skin. Some suitable alternatives include jojoba oil and camellia oil.
• Carmine: Carmine dye comes from crushed cochineal insects and adds tinges of color to skincare products. Look for skincare products that use plant-derived pigments like beetroot or anthocyanins instead of insects.
• Collagen: This ingredient is found in animal tissues and is utilized to keep skin looking youthful. Many plant-based collagens and microalgae perform the same function without requiring animal products.
• Keratin: This protein is found in animal hooves, hair, or feathers and is added to skincare products to strengthen hair and nails. Instead of animal byproducts, synthetic vegan keratins, like hydrolyzed wheat protein, are available. They are similar in function to keratin and strengthen the skin.

Note that the above is not an exhaustive list. There are other different vegan alternatives to natural and synthetic animal-based ingredients.

How to Identify Vegan Skincare Products

Here are some tips to help you identify vegan skin care products.

Labels and Certifications

Many vegan skincare products have certifications and symbols clearly labeled on their bottles or packaging.

Look for labels like the Vegan Society trademark, a sunflower symbol indicating no animal-derived ingredients were used. Another sign is the Leaping Bunny certification.

Kinship products like our Naked Papaya Gentle Enzyme Milky Cleanser are Leaping Bunny-certified. This cleanser uses plant-based ingredients to treat dead skin cells and for a smoother complexion.

Ingredient Lists

If a product does not have a vegan or cruelty-free label, carefully check the ingredients list to determine if it is vegan-friendly.

Some notable animal products include lanolin, carmine, and keratin. Retinol, typically sourced from animals but found in vegetables, is also retinol.

For example, our Dreamwave Overnight Serum contains seaweed-based bio-retinoids.

Considerations in Vegan Skincare

Staying committed to a vegan skincare routine can be difficult for the following reasons.

• Finding Vegan Options: Vegan products may be more difficult for logistical reasons. Certain brands may only ship to specific regions, and you may be outside their service area. There is also the question of price. Many vegan skincare options are priced higher than their animal-based competitors.
• Allergies and Sensitive Skin: Do a patch test before purchasing a vegan product. Apply a small amount to your inner wrist or arm and wait 1-2 days to ensure you do not react to it.
• Differing Quality and Effectiveness: Different certifications and standards between vegan brands can lead to quality differences. Look for brands known for using clean ingredients with reputable certifications.

If you struggle with finding the right skincare routine for sensitive skin, check out our skincare routine for sensitive skin. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have you got more questions about vegan skincare? Read this section for more information.

Are Vegan Skincare Products Better for You?

Vegan skincare products are typically better for your skin. They are often formulated with gentle, plant-based ingredients packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These ingredients protect and nourish your skin and are safe for users with sensitive skin.

Can You Be Allergic to Plant-Based Products?

New research suggests that people with legume allergies may also react to other plant-based proteins. If you or someone you know is allergic to legumes, carefully check the labels of plant-based foods to avoid potential allergic reactions.

Key Takeaways on Vegan Skincare

We have explored the wonders of vegan skincare—from the benefits of plant-based ingredients to cruelty-free alternatives to animal products.

Choosing vegan skincare products means prioritizing eco-friendly and sustainable skincare.

Switch to vegan brands like Kinship for gentle, effective skincare products that will leave your skin healthy and nourished.