Some of the most common ingredients in skincare products come from animals. However, if you don’t eat animal products, chances are you don’t want to put them on your skin either.
Beauty consumers are getting more fussy and demanding. We anticipate being able to purchase things that match our principles, whether they are vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable, natural, or organic.
Thankfully, our voices are being heard. These labels from the USDA Organic label and Europe’s Soil Association’s organic swirl to the vegan V-Label and the cruelty-free Leaping Bunny help us decide.
Vegan options exist, but do they work? How can you know which vegan beauty products are as effective as those containing animal substances you want to avoid?
Here are the best vegan skincare alternatives to replace popular animal-derived skincare ingredients and help you read the labels.
1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Hyaluronic acid has the ability to store 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an excellent hydrator for your skin. Traditionally derived from cockerel’s combs, vegan hyaluronic acid with identical chemicals and activity is derived through plant fermentation.
2. Squalene
Squalane is a non-comedogenic moisturizing substance that aids in the trapping of hydration in the skin. It was originally extracted from shark livers, but it is today derived from sugarcane, olive, rice bran, and amaranth oils.
3. Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an antimicrobial and exfoliator that aids in skin hydration. Instead of fermenting milk or meat to produce lactic acid, comparable vegan-friendly chemicals can be produced by fermenting carbohydrates such as sucrose or glucose found in beets, corn, and cane sugar.
Other Alternatives
These are plant-based substitutes for animal-derived substances that lack similar plant-based versions.
1. Retinol/Bakuchiol
Retinol is a water-soluble vitamin A found solely in animals (it is most usually obtained from fish oil). which plants cannot produce. However, bakuchiol, derived from Psoralea corylifolia, has similar properties, aiding in the softening of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving elasticity, firmness, and skin tone. All without the irritating properties of retinol.
2. Collagen/Vitamin C
Collagen is a protein produced by our bodies. It serves as a structural scaffold for skin and tissues, but its production declines with age. Supplementation is an option, however, collagen is usually obtained from animals. In the absence of a vegan option, there are a few nutrients that will help your own collagen production. Vitamin C increases collagen formation when it is stabilized, rendered more available as ascorbyl glycoside, and combined with antioxidants. It’s all about forcing your body to work harder.
The transition to vegan beauty is rather painless. When a product runs out, look for an alternative that is labeled vegan, vegan-friendly, acceptable for vegans, or has The Vegan Society sunflower on the label. There are over 900 goods to choose from. Your bathroom shelves and skin will soon reflect your decisions.
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