Following a vegan skincare routine? Make sure you steer clear of these ingredients

The vegan society defines veganism as “a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose in all areas of their life”. So, veganism is more than just a diet. The last decade has seen a food revolution, and the same is true for beauty products. 

There has been a surge in global demand for vegan and cruelty-free products when it comes to skincare. But do you know why? Well, because vegan cosmetics are great for your skin. And that’s why vegan skincare is trending like crazy!

For the unversed, here’s what vegan skincare is?

Vegan skincare and make-up comprise natural ingredients that are sustainable not only for your skin but also for the world we live in. Vegan-friendly skincare ingredients eliminate all animal-derived ingredients. In other words, vegan skincare is made from plants and minerals as well as safe synthetic ingredients. 

Do you want to avoid animal products in skincare but don’t want to spend hours scanning ingredients lists? If yes, don’t worry because we are going to list down the ingredients or products you should avoid if you’re following a vegan skincare routine. 

Ingredients to avoid if you want to follow a vegan skincare routine

Dr. Rinky Kapoor, consultant dermatologist, cosmetic dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics, Delhi, explains ingredients that definitely should not be a part of your vegan skincare routine. 

1. Honey

This is a boon for the skin as it smoothes it. But honey is derived from bees. You can use aloe vera, jojoba oil, or argan oil instead of honey. 

2. Gelatine

This translucent and colourless ingredient, present in creams and lotions, is obtained from collagen taken from animal body parts. 

Also, take this quiz: Are you ready to go vegan? Take this quiz to find out

3. Glycerine

Glycerine is used in moisturizers and, extracted by animal fats, should be avoided being used by vegans.

4. Collagen

This is used to slow down the aging process. But collagen is obtained from animals such as fish, cattle, and horses. So if you’re looking forward to vegan skincare, then avoid collagen from your regime. 

5. Retinol

This is an animal-derived vitamin A widely used to get rid of pigmentation, discoloration, and work as an anti-ageing ingredient. One will be able to erase wrinkles also. 

So, basically, these are the animal-derived ingredients found in skincare products, and vegans have to say NO to them. Furthermore, to ensure that your products are vegan-friendly, always check the ingredients generally mentioned on the back of the packaging. The easiest way is to look for labels or icons that explicitly state “Suitable for Vegans”. 

Is there any benefit of shifting towards vegan skincare?

From personal care products to clothes and beauty, we’re more conscious of what we put on and inside our bodies. A vegan skincare routine takes care of this concern, because most products available in the market today have harmful parabens and sulfates that are bad for your skin.

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There are various reasons why shifting to a vegan skincare routine is good to go. In fact, they are suitable for all types of skin.

Here’s how:

For oily skin

If your skin is oily, then a vegan skincare routine may help reduce oiliness without the use of an expensive skincare regimen or prescription drugs. 

For acne-prone skin

It can also help prevent undesirable side effects such as dryness, redness, and irritation. 

For dry skin

A vegan skincare routine is certainly a natural skincare routine. This can help reduce the effect of heat, hot showers, arid climate, and harsh soaps – all things that can trigger dry skin. 

All in, all vegan skincare is a good routine if you really want to uplift your skin health.