A Guide To Vegan Beauty: The Conscious Consumer’s Choice

Writer and expert5 years ago

Whenever we think about the word "vegan", food might be the first thing which comes to mind. With plenty of A-list celebrities glorifying the benefits of going vegan, this lifestyle choice is more popular and talked about than ever. A plant-based diet could even help fight climate change, with a major report on land use and climate change stating that the West's high consumption of meat and dairy produce is contributing to global warming. But vegan is not just almond milk and leafy greens – vegan beauty has seen a sharp rise in popularity over the last few years, and there’s now a huge variety of vegan cosmetics and skincare products available for the conscious consumer. The future continues to look bright; the vegan cosmetics market is expected to continue to grow, reaching an estimated 20.8 billion USD by 2025. So what is vegan beauty? Vegan refers to products that are not made out of animals or contain any animal-derived ingredients. This includes beeswax, honey, lanolin and collagen to name a few.

Vegan and cruelty-free – what’s the difference?

Like many free-from products, vegan products are cruelty-free – and many cruelty-free products are also vegan. But they aren’t quite the same thing; just because some products are vegan, it doesn't mean they're not tested on animals.

Why switch to vegan cosmetics?

Vegan products are actually better suited to sensitive skin than many conventional beauty products because they tend to have fewer ingredients in them. Certain animal by-products can also be harsh on delicate skin, so opting for vegan skincare products can decrease the risk of rashes and strong reactions. Our skin absorbs around 60% of what we put on it, so vegan cosmetics can be a rational and conscious choice. Vegan cosmetics contain fewer synthetic ingredients than conventional products and instead rely on plant-derived ingredients, which have more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to nourish and replenish our skin.

Of course, going vegan is an ethical choice for many – it’s about avoiding animal-based products - in our diet, the clothes we wear, and the products we put on our skin. That’s why many vegan products tend to also be cruelty- free. Find out more about cruelty-free beauty here.

Recognising vegan beauty products

It can be difficult knowing which products are vegan, and product labelling can be a bit confusing. Steer clear of products containing glycerin, collagen, gelatin, retinol, pearl, silk or snail gel because they are derived from animals, and look out for the Vegan Society Logo.