5 vegan friendly skin care routines & their benefits

For many vegans, veganism is not just about avoiding animal-based products in a diet plan, it is a lifestyle choice, which actively promotes the use of non-animal ingredients.

This means ensuring that products, such as cosmetics, are created with vegan principles in mind.

In response to this growing demand, there are now many skincare companies marketing vegan and cruelty-free products.

And it is becoming easier to identify if something is vegan and cruelty-free, as the packaging is often identified with a ‘V’ sign and a leaping bunny icon.

If you are vegan or have simply started taking more of an interest in the ingredients in your skincare, then you may have found there are a number of products you simply cannot use anymore.

Sometimes it is possible to swap your traditional moisturisers and serums for specially designed vegan skincare, and on other occasions, it is important to look at your whole skincare routine completely.

Whether you’re already a vegan or are simply curious about vegan-friendly beauty, we’ll give you a quick lowdown on what these products can do for your skin and the world around you.

In this article, you’ll find out

• Vegan skincare FAQs
• Vegan makeup FAQs
• 5 best vegan skincare routines
• A little on vegan skincare products
• Vegan skincare benefits

What is vegan makeup?

Vegan makeup products are those that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.¹

 Ingredients that are often derived from animals (or the habitat of animals) include:

• Honey
• Beeswax
• Lanolin
• Silk powder
• Guanine
• Gelatin
• Squalene
• Collagen and many more²

There are many benefits of vegan beauty, whether you class yourself as a vegan or not.

If you are environmentally conscious and want to do more to help the ecosystem, then a good place to start is to check whether or not the ingredients in your makeup are vegan-friendly.

Vegan makeup and vegan beauty products: cruelty free makeup

To ensure you are using a vegan product, whether makeup or skincare, it is vital to check the ingredient list.

Vegan mascara

Beeswax and honeycomb are often used to make non-vegan mascara. They keep the product smooth and prevent a sticky formula.

Collagen can also be used to make the lashes appear thicker.

A vegan mascara, on the other hand, can use substitutes such as vegetable oil or plant-based blends of waxes.

To find a natural mascara, you should check if it is free from synthetic ingredients.

Some mascaras are also infused with lash strengthening oils.

Vegan lipstick

By contrast, vegan lipstick and vegan eyeshadow use iron oxides or fruit and vegetable dyes.

For extra moisturization in lipsticks, some vegan options contain shea butter, rosehip oil, jojoba oil and vitamin A and E to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Vegan makeup brushes

Vegan makeup brushes do not use animal hair. They can be made from synthetic fibre instead since natural fibres are derived from living organisms.

Synthetic fibres have known to be more hygienic thanks to its smooth surface, which makes it easier to clean the brush and keep it free from dirt.

Vegan makeup brushes can give you a smoother finished look because they are designed to allow you to efficiently blend your makeup.

Vegan skin care products

There are a great number of vegan cleansers on the market, as well as microfibre cloths that can help to remove dirt and make-up using the best cruelty-free face cleanser: water.

Many skincare products contain glycerine, which can come from animal fat, and is therefore avoided by those seeking a vegan lifestyle.

Collagen is another skin ingredient that stems from animals and fish, whilst squalene comes from shark liver oil.⁵

Whatever you choose to clean your skin, you should make sure that you replenish any lost moisture and soothe the skin with a vegan moisturiser.

This will help to keep it healthy and glowing both day and night.

Choosing a vegan skincare routine is easier now than it has ever been and is no longer something that only applies to those who choose not to eat meat.

If you are looking for vegan skincare products, it is always recommended to research which vegan ingredients and products are out there.

It is now something that is considered by those who want to cut down on the use of animal by-products, reduce their carbon footprint or decrease the waste that they produce.

Read more: Your ultimate guide to vegan beauty

What are the benefits of vegan skincare?

Read on for our top benefits of vegan skincare...

1. Gentler on the skin

Usually made from natural or organic ingredients, cruelty-free and vegan skincare products tend to be gentler on the skin.

Those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin may find these products especially beneficial as they also tend to contain fewer ingredients, less fragrances that aggravate any skin conditions or cause reactions.⁶

2. Kinder to animals

Along with a vegan diet, choosing plant-based skincare is kinder to animals as they do not use animal by-products, and are usually produced without animal testing.

However, keep in mind being vegan-friendly does not guarantee that all vegan products have not been tested on animals.

The final say

Fortunately, if you’re vegan, your skincare routine won’t look too different from non-vegan versions.

And as the lifestyle becomes more popular, more and more vegan organic skincare products will become available for you to try out yourself.

Our health hub features 7 of the top vegan beauty buys for those who want to incorporate more cruelty-free skincare into their lives. 

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Last updated: 19 January 2022