Vegan science skin care is growing in popularity, and there are plenty of reasons why. Just a few years ago, only a few vegan skin care companies existed. Now, exclusively vegan skin care lines are offering all-vegan ingredients.

Ambassador Danielle Leiner AVEGAN Beauty

Danielle Leiner with Raia

The more people choose to shop from vegan skin care companies, the less demand there will be for products that use ingredients derived from animals. Here are the top five reasons to make the switch to vegan science skin care products.

1. They Protect Animal Lives

Switching to vegan skin care means reducing the number of animals that are subjected to mistreatment for the sake of our skin. Many animals are hurt or killed to provide ingredients for beauty products. Items like lanolin, collagen, shellac, animal hair, and stearic acid are animal-derived ingredients to avoid when looking for vegan skin care products.

Fortunately, many alternatives to animal products exist today. For example, alternatives to lanolin (derived from sheep’s wool) include olive oil, shea butter, and coconut oil. Stearic acid, often derived from pigs’ stomachs, can be made from plant fats. Whatever the animal ingredient may be, there is always a vegan alternative.

It’s important to note the label “vegan” is not the same as “cruelty-free” when it comes to skin care products. While many vegan companies also operate under cruelty-free principles, not all of them do. The label “vegan” means a total absence of animal ingredients, while “cruelty-free” indicates the company does not perform animal testing. Look for both to make sure companies follow both sets of standards.

2. They Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

In addition to the animal lives that are sacrificed year after year for beauty products, the use of animal products in these products comes at an enormous environmental cost.

When you switch to vegan science skin care and a plant based diet, you can reduce your total carbon footprint. Animals used to create beauty products mean that more land, food, water, and other resources are being consumed to raise those animals. Vegan skin care helps the environment by utilizing more sustainable practices.

3. They Have More Beneficial Ingredients

Aloe Vera Leaf and drop

Vegan skin care products tend to have much shorter ingredient lists, which means it’s simpler to keep track of everything you’re applying to your skin. Just as with the foods you consume, it’s often healthier to stick with short ingredient lists.

When you buy typical nonvegan mainstream products, you often find long lists of impossible-to-pronounce ingredients. The longer the list, the more items you’ll need to research.  By using vegan skin care products, you eliminate many of the potentially harmful ingredients you find in other items.

4. They’re Gentler on Your Skin

Vegan skin care products, when composed of natural and organic ingredients, are not always, but can be gentler on the skin than the synthetic materials frequently found in other skin care products.

This is a great benefit for everyone, but especially if you have extra sensitive skin. Plus, if you have a skin condition such as psoriasis, vegan skin care products may be much easier on your skin.

Aloe Vera Model Smooth Skin

5. They Have Great Anti-Aging Properties

The rich quantities of vitamins and minerals found in vegan science skin care products help to ward off the aging of your skin. Signs of aging, such as fine lines, sun damage, and changes in skin elasticity, are more apparent as you grow older. Fortunately, you can mitigate some of the damage with vegan science skin care.

Natural antioxidants, botanical extracts, and the vitamins found in vegan products can be effective in your quest for an anti-aging skin care regimen. For example, Vitamin C may help reduce fine lines. Plenty of vegan and cruelty-free brands carry products packed with that vitamin, plus many others that benefit your skin. Astaxanthin and lycopene reverse past sun damage and help prevent further sun damage.

Shifting to Vegan Science Skin Care Is Worth It

If you care deeply about saving animal lives and the environment, you can change your daily beauty routine to align with your values. Vegan science skin care can work just as effectively as mainstream products, while allowing you to rest easier knowing your money is being used in positive ways. You don’t have to choose between beautiful, youthful skin and protecting the planet and its creatures.

Shawna James was raised as a vegetarian and in the past few years, she has worked hard to ensure all of the health care and beauty products she uses are vegan.