The idea of vegan skincare is still a relatively new concept within the beauty industry, and it can be a little confusing. For a long time, people didn’t put too much thought into what went into their cosmetics or beauty products. However, as ethical considerations become more important to consumers, it has made consumers want to learn more about what goes into their products. Read on to learn more.

What is Vegan Skincare?

When a skincare product is labelled as vegan, it means that it contains no animal-derived products. Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are fast becoming popular; these choices go beyond what you eat. It is also about what you wear and use too. Historically a lot of animal derivatives and by-products were found in cosmetics mostly by necessity, but this is not the case anymore. There are other options. Vegan skincare should also mean that the products are cruelty-free, meaning that they haven’t been tested on animals either, but this is not always the case. Products labelled as vegetarian may contain some animal by-products but not any parts of the animal itself.

What Animal Products are Found in Skincare Products?

There are several ingredients that come from animals that are still commonly found in cosmetic products today:

• Tallow is animal fat that comes from the boiling of animal carcasses, and it is used as a base for a lot of different cosmetic products.
• Gelatine is a thickening agent which is made from boiling animal skin, tendon, ligaments and bones, and it is often used in creamy products.
• Collagen is a protein derived from animal tissue, and it is often used for its plumping effect in anti-ageing products.
• Retinol is often derived from animals, but there are vegan alternatives out there.
• Guanine is a crystalline material originally found in crushed fish scales. For cosmetic purposes, it is usually found in mascara, nail varnish and lipsticks.
• Carmine is a red dye collected from crushing insects, and it is commonly found in blushers and lipstick.
• Lanolin is an animal wax or fat
• Beeswax is rather self-explanatory.

If any of these ingredients are listed on a product that you want to purchase, then it cannot be considered vegan. To be sure that a product is vegan, look for a vegan certification and check the ingredients. In addition, some brands specialise in ethical or sustainable products, from vegan eye creams to carbon-neutral night cream; for example, BYBI is one such brand that is passionate about creating sustainable, vegan and cruelty-free skincare products.

To Sum Up

Today’s consumer is arguably more discerning than in previous years; this is because they are more informed. They want to know what goes into their products and why. So when there are alternatives that are just as effective but better for the environment or not harmful to animals, why not choose them. For most people, it is all about reducing their harmful effects on the earth and those that inhabit it.