Are Vegan Beauty Products Good For You?
Whenever the word vegan is mentioned, the majority of the people associate it with diet. But a new cosmetic phenomenon with the same term is trending- vegan skincare. As the art and science of skincare keep evolving, new phrases are also being coined. And for some consumers, drawing the line between vegan and cruelty-free beauty products may be impossible. In this discussion, we focus on the former, discussing whether it is good or bad for your skin.
What are vegan cosmetics?
Generally, vegans are considered as those who consume foods free of animal products. Anything related to animals, ranging from meat to cheese, are not found near their diet. Similarly, vegan beauty products are also void of animal-derived materials. Honey, beeswax, and keratin are some of the animal products that are traditionally used during the manufacture of various cosmetic products. If you choose to go the vegan skincare way, it implies that none of the materials formulated with such ingredients will be found in your beauty cabinet.
With vegan skincare gaining more popularity, brands are getting stricter with their ingredients. For example, lanolin, which is an excellent moisturizing agent, is processed by washing sheep wool. The procedure does not harm the animal, instead helps reduce its coat weight. Nonetheless, the majority of vegan manufacturers avoid even such products. Other animal-derived products that may seem non-issue to use though avoided by these brands include the colorant from beetle- carmine and silk.
So, in short, most vegan cosmetics are entirely plant-based or synthetic.
Verifying if your fave is vegan
As a skin vegan, you don’t want to be disappointed as you unpack after shopping. It is, therefore, essential that you know the markers of your products before pulling to trigger and adding them to your cart. First, you need to keep an eye on the item ingredients such as green tea, grapeseed extract, and aloe vera. Do not dismiss those products with essential oils at a glance, they are majorly plant-derived.
You can use the first method when you have some hours to spare. But if it is an urgent purchase you need to make, checking for the vegan seals is a feasible method. Reputable organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) place seals on products they consider vegan or cruelty. This is done based on specific criteria, and they are quite accurate.
Another way for identifying vegan cosmetics is online search. Firms such as Vegan Society and Vegan Action provide a whole list of certified companies that specialize in vegan skin products. This option is much helpful if you are shopping online and dealing with major brands.
Are vegan products better for your skin?
The skin will absorb approximately 60 percent of whatever you apply to it. So imagine the extent of damage that can occur if you use a toxic substance in the name of a body ointment. Therefore, if you want to maintain healthy living, you should watch your skin products as much as you would watch your diet. This is where the vegan beauty products come in handy.
For centuries vegan ingredients, including garlic, lavender, aloe vera, and many others, have been used for skin treatment owing to their healing power and overall cosmetic effect.
First, they contain numerous antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are essential in tissue repair and skin hydration. You always notice the difference when you consume highly processed foods versus the natural foods; the same principle applies to plant-based cosmetics.
Again the essential oils and vitamins (A, C, E) found in these materials are more effective in nourishing the skin compared to the synthetic ones. This is attributed to their near-natural state.
For those with sensitive skin, the animal-based products, including elastin and collagen, can be quite punitive as they are more likely to clog the hair holes and worsen the situation. Vegan products therefore ensure you stay safe and nourish your skin.
Typically, vegan products contain fewer ingredients. This helps to give you better control of what exactly you apply on your skin, unlike the animal-based items that have several components.
Worth noting, some vegan materials may use plant-derived preservatives, which may still irritate in case of allergy. Thus, it is advised that you check for tags of ‘preservative-free’ if you don’t want irritation of any kind.
What is the shelf life of vegan products?
Before you purchase any item, you want to ensure it is not going to expire the following day, and it can remain stable after first use for quite a while. When considering vegan products, there is no standard shelf life as it varies depending on multiple factors. But I bet they might last longer than you think.
If they contain preservatives (plant-based), they can last as long as their non-vegan counterparts. On the other hand, if no chemicals are added, they will require special storage conditions such as refrigeration to extend their lifespan. During or after your shopping, check for any instructions regarding the handling requirements.
After opening, some products are more vulnerable to decay than others. In such instances, most brands will always indicate the number of days the item can take under certain conditions before it becomes unfit for use.
Conclusion
Vegan care is a modern way of ensuring your skin remains as healthy as possible without using animal-based products. The ingredients of vegan products have been used for centuries in boosting the tone and general appearance on skin. Some of the benefits these materials confer to your skin include healing and hydration by the vitamins and minerals. It also grants you better control of what you apply on your body, given the few ingredients of such products. But remember, vegan products are not the same as cruelty-free products; neither are they free of danger.