5 Benefits Of A Vegan Skincare Routine
Vegan skincare is a growing trend as people become more conscious about the process it takes to bring beauty products to market.
More and more, consumers are looking for ways that they can practice cruelty-free living and still enjoy good quality beauty products.
What is driving this trend?
There are several reasons why people choose to adopt a vegan skincare routine. Removing animal-derived ingredients from personal care routines is just one facet of the lifestyle for many consumers.
Some people choose to adopt a vegan lifestyle because they do not want products tested on animals, or they simply want to join the global movement for environmental and social change.
Regardless of the reason, a vegan beauty routine allows you to reap the positive benefits of your skincare routine without affecting your overall health, animal rights, or planet health.
And we’re here to help you sort out what vegan skincare is (and isn’t) and 5 reasons you should consider making the switch.
What does vegan skincare mean?
It is helpful to understand the definition of vegan and why vegan skincare products might not be cruelty free.
The word "vegan" is commonly associated with people who have a plant-based diet, but it can also apply to other aspects of life.
Veganism is more than a diet -- it's about living an ethical lifestyle without harming animals or the environment in any way.
Veganism defines life as positive, conscious, and safe. It encompasses your diet, the clothes you wear, and the products you use in your life. If you choose veganism, you can easily incorporate vegan beauty into a vegan lifestyle.
Vegan skincare products do not contain any animal-based ingredients or animal by-products in their formulations or manufacturing processes. Remember that just because a skincare range is vegan doesn't necessarily mean it's cruelty free.
Vegan vs. Cruelty-Free
Although the words "vegan" and "cruelty-free" have positive momentum in the beauty industry, the two concepts are different. Vegan skincare brands are sometimes vegan and sometimes non-vegan. Confusing, right?
As noted above, a vegan skincare brand uses only plant-based ingredients. This does not necessarily mean it is also a cruelty free brand.
Some companies test their formulations on animals or use animal products in their production process even if their formulas are 100% plant based.
Similarly, a product can be cruelty free, which means the beauty brand did not conduct animal testing, but the product might still contain animal-derived materials or by-products). In this case, the brand would be cruelty free but not vegan.
Happily, Kadalys is a cruelty free and vegan skincare brand. We love our furry friends and would never conduct testing on animals - ever. All our products are certified as cruelty free by Leaping Bunny and vegan by One Voice Vegan and The Vegan Society.
What are common non-vegan ingredients used in beauty products?
Many personal care products contain animal derived ingredients - things like collagen derived from animals' hides, lanolin from sheep's wool, and glycerine from beef tallow.
Other common non-vegan ingredients used in beauty products include honey, beeswax, milk protein, yogurt, and silk protein.
Why use vegan skincare?
There are many benefits of a vegan skincare routine, which are essential to consider when selecting which skincare brands you use.
Generally, a vegan beauty routine allows you to reap the positive benefits of your skincare routine without compromising animal rights or planet health.
Here are five reasons to switch to a vegan skincare routine.
1. Vegan skincare is effective and time-tested.
You can have effective anti-aging and healthy skin results with vegan skincare ingredients because plant-based organic and natural ingredients are both proven and time tested. After all, the main reason you want to buy any skincare products is that they work.
Many plant based ingredients are based on rituals women have been using for centuries for improve the look of their skin. For example, avocados were used by Aztecs to moisturize their skin and aloe vera was used in ancient times by Chinese and Egyptians to treat wounds and burns.
At Kadalys, our natural and organic ingredients are developed from French Caribbean remedies that have been used for centuries for their incredible benefits. From bananas grown in the Caribbean to squalane found initially in the Mediterranean to brown algae found in the Baltic Sea, these ingredients have shown they work to help keep skin healthy and glowing.
And these are only some of the great natural ingredients in our clinically proven vegan skincare products. From our makeup remover to our face creams to our face oils, our plant based ingredients will give you a daily glow.
2. Vegan skincare products are better for your skin.
While there's a lot of varying information, some studies have indicated that our skin can absorb up to 60-70% percent of what we put on it. That means ingredient reading isn't just for what we eat but also what we apply to our skin.
By adopting a vegan skincare routine, you can avoid toxins and harmful ingredients that can lead to irritated skin. Vegan beauty products are also often seen as gentler for skin, a bonus. It is easier to find non-toxic and clean ingredients among vegan skincare brands.
Using plant-based skincare products that are also certified as natural and organic can help ensure you are applying ingredients that are not harmful to your skin or overall health.
Additionally, skincare products that adhere to the EU standards will have more than 1400 ingredients on their "made without" list, including parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, and synthetic fragrances.
When in comes to ingredient lists, the EU has the most stringent requirements in the world.
Keep in mind, though, that you still need to read the ingredient lists and evaluate all your skincare products -- including all natural vegan products - for any allergies you might have.
3. Vegan skincare is kinder.
One of the main reasons to adopt a vegan beauty routine is that it is a kinder routine.
The fact that vegan beauty products do not use animal-based ingredients is one of the most important reasons vegan skincare is better than traditional cosmetics. In addition, many vegan products are also cruelty free, which means you're saving lives when you switch to a vegan routine.
Many of them are independently tested or certified to ensure no by-products or animal testing were used during production.
Certifications can reassure you that you are using a product from a company with a strong commitment to a completely vegan and cruelty free development process.
Cruelty Free Kitty is a great resource for confirming whether beauty brands are cruelty free.
The truth is that it's not necessary to have non vegan ingredients in your formula to get amazing results and glowing skin. For example, in clinical tests, Kadalys demonstrated higher efficacy than traditional chemical and animal-based formulas.
4. Vegan skincare is more sustainable.
How beauty products are formulated can have a negative impact on animals, the environment, and even our climate. However, choosing vegan products can help reduce this impact. Studies have shown that veganism and a plant based lifestyle can reduce carbon emissions by 70%.
The sourcing and production processes for vegan and cruelty free beauty products are often more sustainable. They require less energy, land, and water, which helps conserve precious resources on our planet.
Naturally and sustainably sourced products can also have a better carbon footprint because they do not negatively affect the biodiversity of where they are grown.
Sustainability is one of the reasons why Kadalys focuses on upcycling banana agri-waste to reduce food waste, a leading cause of climate change. We use only sustainably sourced ingredients and adhere to ethical, sustainable, and fair-trade practices. All planters are also shareholders for free trade.
5. Vegan skincare leads to long-lasting results.
Lastly, a vegan beauty routine will lead to long-lasting skincare results. Non-vegan products often contain harsh chemicals which can irritate skin and harm the environment.
Even worse, these materials are sometimes used as fillers meaning they have no purpose on your skin.
By contrast, vegan skincare products are often formulated with high-quality plant extracts and vegan ingredients like minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, which will help your skin fight conditions like dry skin, dark circles, and fine lines. These vegan ingredients can help your skin stay healthier for the longer term.
Are all vegan skincare brands the same?
Every vegan skincare brand is different. That's why you'll need to evaluate each skincare line to ensure they are certified as both vegan and cruelty free.
Additionally, natural and organic certifications can help you confirm that the brand uses high-quality ingredients in its products.
One way to help evaluate a skincare range and the quality of their vegan product is to ask questions.
Every skincare brand should welcome questions and provide transparent answers about their products range.
Consider each brand's clinical data to ensure their vegan friendly products will deliver the skincare benefits and efficacy you seek.
After all, the whole point of adopting a vegan beauty routine is to ensure your skin is healthy and glowing.
Are vegan brands also all natural?
Not necessarily. Being classified as vegan means the product is formulated without ingredients or by-products that come from animals.
Some vegan brands formulate using only natural ingredients. Other brands might use a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients.
If you want to use all natural beauty products, look for certifications from organizations like EcoCert or Cosmebio that verify the ingredients in the formulations.
For example, Kadalys products are certified as natural and organic by ECOCERT and COSMEBIO.
What vegan and cruelty-free certifications should you look for?
There are a few key certifications to look for when shopping for cruelty-free and vegan skin care products. The Vegan Society and Leaping Bunny are two of the industry's most well-known and respected certifications.
The Vegan Society is a UK-based organization that has been certifying products as vegan since 1944. To be certified by the Vegan Society, a product must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products. The certification process is rigorous and includes an on-site audit of the manufacturing facility.
Leaping Bunny is part of Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), an organization that promotes animal welfare. Leaping Bunny is internationally recognized as a cruelty-free gold standard. To be certified, a product must not be tested on animals at any stage of production. The certification process includes an on-site audit of the manufacturing facility.
One Voice is a French certification for products not tested on animals. In order to receive this certification, a company has to pledge that they do not test any of their products or ingredients on animals at any stage of development, and also pledge not to sell in countries that require animal testing.
PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program offers a similar certification for skin care brands that are both vegan and cruelty-free.
So, when shopping for cruelty-free and vegan skincare products, look for products that are certified by The Vegan Society, Leaping Bunny, One Voice or PETA.
These certifications will reassure you that the products you are buying are truly vegan and cruelty-free.
Where can I find vegan cruelty free skincare brands?
The great news is that there are options for every budget. From drugstore brands to high-end prestige, you can find cruelty free and vegan skin care brands for your skin type and tone.
Most stores have section or search functionality to help you find which products are vegan or cruelty-free. The Leaping Bunny Program provides consumers a shopping guide that lists products that are vegan and cruelty-free. Their site also includes information on corporate policies and practices regarding animal testing.
Vegan Skincare Will Keep Your Skin Glowing & Happy
Veganism is a lifestyle that promotes living without harming any animals, and it includes the use of skincare products. Vegan skincare is often just as good, if not better, than non-vegan formulas.
Like a vegan diet or a vegan lifestyle, vegan skincare products can reduce environmental damage and promote kindness towards animals, especially if they are also cruelty free products.
Although you may find it challenging at first, incorporating more plant-based products into your life can make a huge difference in reducing your environmental impact and showing support for vegan and cruelty free skincare companies.
If you're new to veganism and want to make the switch to a vegan beauty routine, take our skin care quiz to discover the best products for your skin type and skin needs.