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Beauty News

Why Vegan Skin Care Is So Effective

Jul 11, 2021 By Kinder Beauty

By the time we’re in our thirties, most of us have tried every available type of skincare product out there in hopes of finding our personal holy grails.

Whether we’re looking for the fountain of youth in a bottle or the perfect product to combat dry skin, we’ve tried just about every cream and potion available on store shelves.

Even if you feel like you’ve run the skincare gamut, vegan skin care may not have popped up on your “to try” list. Unless you already live a vegan lifestyle, you simply may not know vegan skin care exists. Good news: It does (duh), and it is seriously game-changing.

Let’s have a conversation about vegan skincare, what makes it so effective, and how you can know for sure that you’re buying a vegan skincare product.

What is vegan skincare?

Vegan skincare refers to products that don’t contain any animal parts or byproducts. Many of the products you currently use might contain ingredients that are derived from animals (such as crushed-up bug skeletons, but more on that later).

Because vegan skincare doesn’t contain animal products or byproducts, it relies heavily on the power of plants. Most vegan skincare products will also be cleaner, meaning they’ll contain far fewer ingredients that have the potential to harm your skin or cause irritation.

We’re talking green, clean skincare machines.

Is vegan skincare the same thing as cruelty-free skincare?

Not quite.

Vegan skincare is not the same as cruelty-free, although you’ll find that if you’re purchasing vegan skincare products from a reputable company, they’re also usually cruelty-free.

Cruelty-free skincare means that the product wasn’t tested on animals during any part of its development or manufacture.

Why is vegan skincare good for you?

What makes vegan skincare so special is how it helps you take care of your skin naturally yet powerfully. Vegan skincare has had to make a name for itself in the beauty industry, which means it has had to work harder, and you can see that hard work in the results.

You’ll find vegan skincare products consistently outperform their non-vegan counterparts. The power of plant-based extracts gives vegan products the ability to work synergistically with your skin to get it healthy and radiant from the inside out.

It often has fewer additives

Vegan doesn’t always mean cleaner, but more often than not, you’ll find vegan products have a less extensive ingredient list than non-vegan products, especially when it comes to filler ingredients that don’t really benefit your skin.

Parabens, for example, are a class of preservatives added to many beauty products that are known hormone disruptors. While it’s possible you could find them in a vegan product, we find that most vegan beauty companies avoid them (and, of course, here at Kinder, we only highlight the ones that keep it off the ingredient list).

It’s fabulous for sensitive skin

Skincare can be hard if you’ve got sensitive skin. The ingredients in traditional skincare can strip skin of moisture, cause irritation, and even clog your pores.

Vegan skincare is gentle on the skin, yet powerfully effective. The oils contained in vegan products are plant-derived and can help hydrate and nourish skin without leaving it greasy or robbing it of natural moisture.

It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

You won’t find ingredients that have more natural vitamin, mineral, or antioxidant power than you’ll find in vegan skincare products—that’s the power of plants, baby.

Plant-based extracts are chock-full of essential nutrients your skin needs to maintain health. Most are also rich in antioxidants which help protect your skin from environmental stressors and free radical damage.

It’s good for the planet

Veganism is good for the body and good for the planet. Environmentally, it’s estimated that greenhouse gas emissions would drop to less than half the current rate if the world switched to a vegan diet.

Even if you aren’t ready to go meat and dairy-free with your diet, you can opt to use vegan skincare products and significantly reduce your own carbon footprint, all while working towards that gorgeous, glowing skin that you’ve been dreaming of.

How can I tell if a product is vegan?

Veganism is kind of like working out; if someone does it, they’ll definitely let you know (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!). Vegan skincare products operate the same way.

Here are some of the ways you can find vegan products.

Shop at vegan companies

The best way to make sure you’re buying a quality vegan product is to shop vegan brands. Research counts — not all vegan companies are created equal. Some brands may offer additional standards that put their products a cut above the rest.

100% Pure commits to creating cosmetics that are pigmented with fruit extracts. Additionally, all of their products are organic and still give you that breathtaking color payoff that you’re looking for.

Au Naturale Cosmetics has created a line of color cosmetics that are vegan and cutting-edge at the same time. Go bold and go vegan at the same time.

Derma E skincare products never contain parabens or sulfates and are always vegan and GMO-free. Treat yourself and the planet.

There are numerous vegan skincare brands that offer a full range of skincare products and cosmetics no matter what your tastes, standards, or needs.

Check for seals from Vegan Action or The Vegan Society

If you’re still not sure whether or not a product is vegan, look for seals from agencies that certify vegan products. Both Vegan Action and The Vegan Society certify vegan products with a convenient packaging label.

Look out for non-vegan ingredients

Checking the ingredient label is an easy way to rule whether a product is vegan or not.

Here are a few common animal-based ingredients you might find on a product label.

Lanolin. Derived from sheep’s wool, it’s often added to lotions and creams as an emollient.

Cochineal extract or carmine. Literally the crushed exoskeleton of cochineal beetles, this ingredient is added to color cosmetics because of its bright red color. Does that sound gross to you? Because it sounds gross to us.

Honey. A byproduct of bees that is very common in lip products, honey is commercially farmed in colonies that are too large for the honeycombs. The insects’ wings are sometimes cut to prevent them from leaving the hive.

Beeswax. Made by melting honeycomb, the production of beeswax also involves the commercial farming of bees.

Casein. Casein is a milk-based protein often found in creams, lotions, shampoos, and face cleansers.

Glycerine. Glycerine can be derived from plants, animals, and synthetic sources. As such, it can be hard to determine where it comes from. The best option is to shop from a brand you trust is 100% vegan.

Squalene. Squalene is often added to anti-aging products. The largest source of squalene is found in shark livers. Don’t get this confused with squalane, which can be extracted from plants and has the same function.

Oleic acid. A fatty acid that can be derived from animals and plants, the only way to know for sure the source of oleic acid in a product is vegan is to know and trust the brand.

Stearic acid. Another fatty acid that, like oleic acid, can be both plant and animal-derived. If you want the vegan version, buy from a vegan brand you trust.

Mother of pearl. Made from crushed oyster shells, this ingredient is often added to color cosmetics to give them iridescence.

If you’re not a label-reading expert, stick with vegan brands you know and trust to provide you the vegan skincare items you want.

Consider essential oils

Essential oils are another option you can try in lieu of traditional skincare products. Essential oils are plant-based extracts that contain powerful compounds that help keep your skin youthful and radiant.

Make sure you never use an essential oil on your skin in its original, concentrated state. It should always be diluted in a carrier oil or formula.

Once you go vegan, you’ll never go back

Vegan products, like the ones you’ll find in your Kinder Beauty Box, have the power to change your skin (and your life). Once you harness the power of plants, you’ll never go back to your animal byproducts.

Skincare, but make it clean, vegan, and cruelty-free. With Kinder Beauty, it’s done.