The Remarkable Benefits of Vegan Skincare And Cosmetics

Author : Amal Rahiman

Going Vegan extends beyond one’s diet. Veganism demands change in all facets of an individual’s consumption routine, and this includes skincare as well.

It’sno surprise that most mainstream cosmetics use a wide range of animal-derived ingredients such as glycerine, lanolin, beeswax, and honey.

Additionally, most cosmetics are also tested on animals to test the safety of their products on human skin. Through this act, hundreds and thousands of animals are tortured and killed every year, as substances would be applied to their eyes and skin to test for unwanted reactions.

Not only is animal cruelty a norm in the cosmetic world, but we all know the adverse effects of animal farming when it comes to the environment. Animal rearing contributes the most to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Keeping this in mind, you would not only be saving animals from cruelty but also help in reducing the effects of climate change by choosing vegan skincare.

There are several benefits to enjoy by choosing vegan skincare – whether for yourself or the environment. But before we go into detail about that, let’s first differentiate between vegan skincare and cruelty-free skincare.
 

Vegan Vs Cruelty-Free Skincare:

Cruelty-free skincare is simply those cosmetic products that have not been tried and tested on animals. This does not mean that no animals were harmed while making these products. Cosmetic products can contain animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax and glycerine, and still be termed cruelty-free if these products have not been tested on animals.

There are vegan products as well that have been tested on animals. If the product has been certified as a vegan product, but not a cruelty-free product, then there is a chance that these products may have been tested on animals, even though it contains no animal-derived ingredients.

To be on the safe side, always check for certification that claims that the product is both – vegan and cruelty-free.
 

The benefits of vegan skincare:

Vegan skincare benefits everyone – yourself, the environment, and the animals. It may be priced slightly higher than mainstream skincare, but it pays off in the long run, and your skin will be grateful to you for not being exposed to a myriad of chemical concoctions.
 

1: Vegan Skincare Soothes Sensitive Skin:

Those with the most dramatic skin ever, we hear you loud and clear! It is a pain to try and test every single product out there, before finding out the holy grail product that your skin can handle.

Switching to vegan skincare can be a blessing for those with highly reactive skin, as most (if not all) of the ingredients would be natural and chemical-free. Skin tends to react adversely with the chemicals and preservatives found in most skin care. Banishing those from your regime would do wonders to calm your dramatic skin.
 

2: Naturally Helps in Anti-Aging Properties:

Without any harsh chemicals to dry out your skin, the chances of dry peeling and early wrinkles reduces a lot. Natural plant-based skincare is also rich in antioxidants that can replenish any worn-out skin. It also helps in quicker cell recovery, helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
 

3: Good For Overall Health:

Our skin absorbs what we put onto it. It drinks up water if it is dehydrated and it stores impurities if we are exposed to dirt and dust. Similarly, it soaks up the cosmetics we lather onto our skin, along with the harsh chemicals that are included. This is why in the long run, instead of improved skin, we are more prone to acne, skin rashes, and skin cancer. Instead, switching to naturally vegan skincare can stop you from soaking up chemicals for a long time.
 

4: Helps In Clearing Up Your Skin:

Since with vegan skincare you’d be dealing with only natural ingredients, the chances of your skin having a negative or harsh reaction can be minimized. Skin can be intolerant to many synthetic substances, but with natural ingredients, it is usually less. As with any new cosmetic products, always patch test on your elbow or neck to be sure.
 

5: Fragrant Without Synthetic Fragrance:

For those with skin allergies to synthetic fragrances, your prayers have been answered! We all want to smell good, but parfum or added fragrance makes us break out in hives, so what are we to do? Use natural skincare! Vegan products are naturally fragrant, whether from real roses, lavender oils, or sandalwood oils. So, we end up with a good scent, but without the unwanted reactions!
 

6: Absolutely No Animal By-Products: 

Goes without saying but you can rest assured that vegan products do not use any animal by-products at all. Most traditional cosmetics contain gelatine from pig’s skin, carmine (also known as Red 4) – which is the red pigment extracted from cochineal bugs, after being sun-dried and crushed, and lanolin that is extracted from sheep’s wool.

Vegan skincare is 100% free from these products.
 

7: Environmental-Friendly:

Vegan skincare is most likely sustainable as well. They almost always use recycled packaging and ethically sourced products. They do not contribute to the mass pollution affecting climate change, unlike traditional skincare products (since traditional cosmetics uses animal products that need to be processed – leading to air and water pollution).
 

8: Budget-Friendly:

Vegan skincare caters to all needs, and that includes financial needs as well. The products are slightly higher than traditional drug-store brands, but not by much. You can very easily find a brand within your budget, as more and more brands are realizing the importance and need of having vegan products, to cater to the growing demand.

You don’t have to enjoy smooth, hydrated skin at the expense of harming animals or destroying the planet. Skincare can be eco-friendly, ethical, and budget-friendly, without causing adverse effects.
 

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