Over the last few decades, veganism evolved from a niche dietary trend to a whole lifestyle that has grown popular all around the world. Vegan rules have found their way to many industries, including today's topic - the beauty industry. Let's take a closer look at veganism itself, and the changes it brought to the cosmetics department.
Vegan lifestyle - a short summary
Similar to vegetarianism, a vegan diet excludes any sort of meat and products that originate from killing animals, such as gelatine, lard, etc. But veganism doesn't stop there - those following its rules refrain from eating anything animal-related (e.g., milk, honey, eggs, cheese) and using any animal by-products, such as furs and leather. Its pro-animal policy also disapproves of everything that leads to hurting them, including animal testing and all forms of animal-centered entertainment (hunting, circuses, zoos, racing, etc.).
What makes cosmetic products vegan?
As you might conclude from the previous section, vegan makeup and beauty products are free of any animal products and by-products. This means you won't find things like lanolin (oil extracted from sheep's wool), carmine (a red dye made from crushed-up beetles), collagen (protein extracted from various connective tissues of mammals), civet (extract from dried-up perineal glands of viverrid species), or ambergris (whale vomit) in their ingredient lists.
True vegan brands will also deliver completely cruelty-free products - this means that besides being free of animal-derived ingredients, there's no animal testing involved. That last part is especially important - many cosmetics companies (like the industry giants) claim to be vegan makeup brands, despite still conducting animal tests (doing them by themselves or delegating them to subcontractors). To make sure you pick truly vegan beauty brands, always look for official certification issued by, e.g., PETA, Leaping Bunny Organization, Vegan.org, or country-specific programs (remember to double-check it with the lists published on these organizations' websites). Alternatively, pick trusted, easily verifiable local providers. Such brands can be found at - they offer 100% cruelty-free vegan makeup products and cosmetics.
alt="Examples Of Official Cruelty-free Certificates"
Reasons for switching to vegan products for your beauty routine
Going back to the title question - no, vegan products aren't just for vegans. Anyone can and, to be honest, should use them - in many aspects, they are far superior to "normal" skincare and makeup products. Setting aside the obvious ethical advantages, a vegan beauty routine will provide you with:
Ingredients that are all-natural
Everything that ends up in vegan beauty and makeup products is fully organic and natural - they only use plant-based and mineral ingredients. Thus, by choosing vegan options you won't have to worry about any synthetic or vague, potentially toxic materials that could harm your body. This means there's no Formaldehyde (formalin), Petrolatum, Diethanolamine, or any other harmful chemicals involved.
Moreover, by being 100% natural, vegan ingredients are far easier to process by our bodies, which makes them a better source of nutrients. Our skin can absorb up to 60% of what we put on it, and all of that goes straight to our bloodstream. Speaking of nutrients...
A plethora of various nutrients
Vegan products are full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins - they are far richer in them than most "normal" cosmetics. Just to name a few, there are vitamin E, C, and A, iron, zinc, selenium, and natural oils (from algae, coconuts, hemp seeds, etc.). And all of that ends up in your skin and other tissues.
Skin-soothing formulas
Without animal-derived ingredients, vegan makeup and skincare products are far lower in the skin-irritating department - they're far less likely to cause over-dried epidermis, clogged pores, heavy irritation, etc. Thanks to this, they are way better at soothing skin conditions.
Just remember that some plant-based ingredients can still be responsible for allergic reactions - always check that before buying any new product.
High quality at a reasonable price
Vegan beauty products are practically never mass-produced, which means there are no "fillers" and shortcuts - they contain nothing more than strictly necessary materials. Most of them come from local companies as a labor of love, ensuring the best possible qualities.
Being pricey is one of the most common arguments against switching to vegan brands. Well, it might have been right in the past, but now there's not much difference in price between vegan and middle- to high-shelf "normal" cosmetics. Plus, in the case of vegan options, you pay for the product and its effects, not the brand's name.
Final thoughts
Vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics are a great option for everyone - no matter if it's a lip balm, nail polish, body cream, or a simple eyeshadow, picking a beauty product free of animal ingredients can bring you far better results. Besides being better for your skin, vegan formulas also give you peace of mind - they are cruelty-free, sustainable, and overall eco-friendly. So if you want to keep your skin in its best condition and, by the way, help the planet - vegan cosmetics are just what you need.
