A part of the challenge of being a vegan is finding the proper vegan and sustainable skincare. Especially for sensitive skin. And the term vegan is thrown around a lot to describe brands and products, but not everyone is always sure what it means. Vegan skincare is a specific kind of skincare that’s formulated with ingredients that are not tested on animals (and comes with lots of benefits for the skin).
Unfortunately, the word vegan doesn’t exactly conjure up images of amazing skincare products. However, some fantastic brands are still out there. At GoodGuilt, we would like to share our take on vegan skincare and some of our favorite top vegan skincare brands.
What is vegan skincare?
Speaking from experience, being a vegan doesn’t only mean you have to look out for what’s on your plate and what goes in your body. Being a vegan also means looking out for what you apply to your skin and your body.
So, vegan skincare means using vegan cosmetics or vegan skincare products made without any ingredients derived from animals or animal by-products.
Nowadays, more and more brands are diverging into this niche of vegan beauty. From small brands to biggies, many brands are choosing to have a good impact on the planet, animals, and society.
Another part of vegan beauty is cruelty-free beauty.
What is cruelty-free beauty?
Cruelty-free beauty refers to beauty products that are not tested on animals during, while, or after they are made. That’s the difference between cruelty-free and vegan.
The only way to recognize if your beauty product is vegan or cruelty-free is by checking its label. For vegan beauty products, look for a PETA-approved logo; and for cruelty-free products, look for the leaping bunny logo.
Why choose vegan skincare?
Vegan skincare or vegan beauty products can be good for your skin. But you must be wondering why to choose vegan skincare. Is vegan skincare better? What difference eliminating a few animal-based ingredients can make? Well, a lot!
Vegan skincare products should be your go-to skincare products if you have sensitive skin. Eliminating animal products from your skin care means eliminating many of the issues and additives that come with them.
In addition, vegan beauty products mostly contain plant-based ingredients. This is one of the most important benefits of vegan skincare. And plants are the primary sources of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. They also work wonders to keep your skin hydrated, protected, and nourished.
How to transition to vegan beauty products?
According to Forbes, the vegan beauty market is expected to reach $21.4 billion by 2027. This means many of us may not consume a vegan diet but are switching to vegan beauty. And if you are among those getting conscious about your beauty products, we have assembled a list of tips you should know while making your transition to vegan skincare and beauty products.
1. Start slow but be steady
Slow and steady wins the race! Start slowly and gradually eliminating the things you already have in your cupboard. Tossing them out right at the beginning is not wise for your pocket and the environment. Instead, optimally use all that you have and gradually start bringing in new vegan beauty products once you run low on your existing stock.
2. Learn what works best for you
Vegan beauty products are products that don’t have any animal-derived ingredients. And some plant-based ingredients can replace most synthetic or animal-derived chemicals. Though mother nature is the best of the healers, not every plant-driven ingredient can work for your skin type. So, knowing what works best for you is crucial to make the right choice is crucial.
3. Always read the label
This one is the most important of all. Always read the ingredient lists of your beauty products to ensure that whatever product you use is vegan and cruelty-free. Or always shop from Vegan and cruelty-free skincare brands. Look out for hidden ingredients such as lanolin, squalene, glycerine, or collagen (unless stated as plant-based). Although nowadays, you can find plant-derived versions of these ingredients. Read the description or look for the leaping bunny logo, a certified logo for cruelty-free products, to ensure that the product is cruelty-free or not tested on animals.
4. Give away or donate
If there are a bunch of beauty products you will not be using anymore, then give them to someone. Check with your friends or family if they are looking for the same products that you will not use anymore. Make sure not to dispose of them irresponsibly, as they will end up in landfills.
5. Switch to local brands
Certain beauty brands might be your favorite, but they are not vegan. Bummer, right? But if you can find similar ones, then go for locally-made vegan options. For instance, if you love that bold red lipstick from a brand that is not vegan, look for a vegan alternative of the same shade by a local brand.
6. Switch your makeup tools too
Check your makeup tools and applicators. There are vegan alternatives to makeup brushes and other tools available for you to choose from.
7. Shop consciously
Try not to buy impulsively. Instead, pause a moment and think before you buy anything. Shopping for sustainable or ethical products means you are purchasing mindfully. This means you are consciously applying products to your body and skin.
8. Read and research
Knowledge is power! In the era of Google, knowledge is easily accessible to everyone. Look up the definitions of vegan, vegan beauty, cruelty-free, cruelty-free beauty, and their differences. Yes, vegan and cruelty-free are indeed different. It’s so easy to find the facts, explore and expand your knowledge. At the end of the day, it will help you be informed entirely to choose your products wisely.
Top vegan and cruelty-free skincare brands to shop from
While you are transitioning to vegan beauty, we have curated a list of the best skincare brands (of course, vegan) to help you on your vegan beauty journey.
1. Darma E
Darma E started as a small health food store in Southern California with its first beauty product as a jar of Vitamine E 12,000 I. U. Moisturizing Cream. The cream was a huge success, and people were amazed by its results on their skin. Since then, Darma E has introduced many such amazing products with the right combination of potent vitamins and nutrients. This vegan skincare brand is one of the best skincare brands around. They use clean, toxin-free ingredients and recyclable packaging, and they offset 100% of conventional electricity use with wind energy certificates.
2. Pacifica
Pacifica offers a wide range of skincare and makeup products. With an aim to give back, Pacifica partnered with Plastic Collective this year to collect and recycle the plastic equivalent to the total amount of plastic that was used in Pacifica products in 2021. As a result, it is their 100% Plastic Collection Plan. This vegan skincare brand also partnered with the ACLU and the Gentle Barn to promote and support human and animal rights.
We love their new Kale skincare bundle, made with a superfood blend of green phytonutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, designed to cleanse, nourish and hydrate combination and oily skin types.
3. Body Crystal California
Body Crystal California has been dedicated to reducing the use of pollution plastics and chemicals by making products with a small ecological footprint. This vegan skincare brand has been supporting fair trade, sustainable resources, and cruelty-free principles since 1992.
4. Biossance
Biossance is an award-winning clean, and vegan skincare brand. This skincare brand bans over 2,000 toxic ingredients. In addition, their packaging comes in tubes and bottles that are completely recyclable, and their outer cartons are made from renewable sugarcane paper, without ink or dyes, not to affect their recyclability.
Our favorite product from Biossance is Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream. This vegan eye cream reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can deliver deep, long-lasting hydration.
5. Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Botanicals brings you truly natural, clean, and vegan skincare products. You don’t have to worry about a thing when using Herbivore botanical products as they ethically source the finest natural materials Earth has to offer. In addition, this sustainable skincare brand delivers products in glass and paper, using recycled and recyclable plastic (when necessary) packaging. You can rest easy knowing that this skincare brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Vegan skincare is booming, but finding the best vegan products on the web can be tough. We came across these five favorite vegan skincare brands, and all of them are worth a try for anyone who wants to explore cruelty-free and vegan skincare options. So go ahead and give one (or all) of them a shot; we think you’ll agree that these products rank among the best in vegan skincare.
