5 Things You Need To Know About Vegan Skincare
As we celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1, we thought you might like to know a bit more about what makes a beauty product truly vegan.
Skincare and cosmetics can be a confusing game sometimes. The words ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ often get thrown around without any true meaning, and phrases like ‘against animal testing’ can be super misleading. But if you live a vegan life (and record numbers of you are making that switch) we know you’ve got no time for such BS. That's why we’re here to take the guesswork out of the equation.
Here’s what you need to know about going vegan with your beauty routine. And good news: it’s actually much simpler than you might think.
1. What Does ‘Vegan Beauty’ Really Mean?
Unlike other misleading terms used in cosmetics labelling, vegan beauty is relatively straight forward. It simply means that the formulation does not contain any kind of animal by-product or ingredient. Do you eat and live a vegan lifestyle? Then it makes sense to also avoid animal products in your beauty regime.
2. But Hold On, Because Vegan Beauty Products Are Not Always Cruelty-Free
One of the most common concerns about the beauty industry is animal testing. In China, animal testing is required by law, but we know that most of you agree it’s a horrific industry we must try to eradicate. Well, you may think that buying vegan skincare means you’re also buying cruelty-free – and this is exactly what it should mean – but sadly, this isn’t always the case. The truth is, unless it’s stated on the packaging, it’s possible a vegan product (or some of its ingredients) might have undergone animal testing at one point in its creation. We know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way it is.
Thankfully, there’s an easy way to know what you’re letting yourselves in for. Simply look for the Leaping Bunny logo on your product label – the only internationally recognized symbol that guarantees no animal tests were used to formulate a product bearing its logo. We’re proud to say all TruSkin products are Leaping Bunny approved (*pats selves on backs).
3. Vegan Skincare Is Not Necessarily Free Of Chemicals
Again, you may be under the assumption that vegan products are completely natural and free of synthetic chemicals. Wrong. Yes, some vegan products use only plant-based formulations, but others are often combined with synthetically-produced ingredients. Of course, these ingredients won’t be derived from animal sources and the thing is, not all chemicals are bad. Quite the opposite, in fact. We source most of our ingredients from nature, but sometimes blend them with safe, synthetic substances such as carbomers to produce the best formulations, textures and results for your skin.
4. What Are The Benefits Of Going Vegan With Your Beauty Routine?
As well as the obvious benefits of being kinder to animals – especially if you go vegan and cruelty-free – a vegan beauty regime is much more caring for the world.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), animal products are the key cause of environmental issues such as climate change and water depletion. Farmed animals must be fed substantial amounts of grain and water before being killed, processed, stored and transported. All of which accounts for a substantial amount of global water consumption, land use and greenhouse emissions.
The production of plant-based ingredients, on the other hand, requires much less energy, land and water. Simple math.
5. Common, Animal-Derived Ingredients To Look Out For
OK, so what animal ingredients should you look out for in your beauty products? Well, that list is dang long so for a full run down, check out PETA’s comprehensive checklist. The most common ones to avoid, however, are carmine, collagen, gelatin, lanolin, squalene and stearic acid.
Here are some of the facts:
Carmine is a red pigment produced from crushing female cochineal beetles. According to PETA, 70,000 beetles are killed for just 1lb of carmine. It’s often used in cosmetics and shampoo.
Collagen is a protein that’s produced naturally in the skin and hair. In skincare, it comes mostly from cows or fish, so look for plant-based collagen instead.
Gelatin can be obtained from plants but is usually the result of boiling skin and bones from either cows or pigs. It sounds gross, but is often used as a thickening agent in skincare.
Lanolin is almost always derived from sheep’s wool. It very softening and moisturizing so is commonly found in lip balm and hair products. Plant-based lanolin is worth looking out for, but it’s rare.
Squalene is most often derived from shark liver oil, but good news: it’s becoming more and more rare as a skincare ingredient in the US. Instead, look for its plant-derived alternative, squalane (with an ‘a’ not an ‘e’) which is just as great for moisturizing dry skin.
Stearic Acid is found in animal fats and often used in soaps, cleansers, creams and lotions to improve their texture and help moisturize your skin. Instead, look for vegan-alternatives such as those derived from palm oil, soy oil, cocoa butter and shea butter.
Finally, let's talk a bit about bee by-products – the subject of much debate in the world of vegans. Bee by-products (including honey) are a complicated business which we’re not going to get into right now, but the truth is they’re never likely to be considered ‘officially’ vegan. Why do we mention them? Because all of our products are vegan-friendly apart from four that contain bee by-products: Retinol Serum, Retinol Moisturizer and Charcoal Face Wash which are formulated with propolis extract, and Eye Cream which contains beeswax.
Propolis is an incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance that’s made from a combination of beeswax and tree sap. It has many healing and moisturizing benefits and is known to help reduce the unwanted bacteria that often leads to breakouts. Meanwhile, pure beeswax does all this while offering extra emollient qualities to help form a protective barrier over the skin to retain moisture and promote soft skin.
According to The Vegan Society bee by-products are not strictly vegan-friendly, but many vegans eat honey and have no qualms using products containing beeswax and propolis. The debate continues...
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![Honest Question: Do You Really Need To Switch Up Your Skincare Routine In Winter?]()
Consistency is our favorite word when it comes to a boss skincare routine. So why should you mess with yours just because the weather’s changed? Simple, because, er, the weather has changed.
Whether you subscribe to seasonal skincare or not, one thing’s for sure, skin becomes drier and more sensitive in the winter time.
Winter, for most of us, means colder, drier weather which can be tough for your delicate skin to take. Extreme temperatures – especially when you flip-flop between frigid temperatures outdoors and balmy ones inside – stress out your skin and compromise its critical barrier function. Then there’s the lack of humidity which starves your skin of vital moisture and, well, stresses out your skin and barrier function even further.
However, as you know, we’re all about sticking with a consistent skincare routine, all year round. So what should you do in winter to ensure you’re not causing potential upset to your tried and tested routine, but you’re still giving your skin the extra care it needs to make it through the chilly months?
The answer: make small tweaks rather than massive changes. Here's how.
1. Add In An Extra Layer Of Moisture
A certain level of dryness and dehydration is pretty much a given in the winter months – whatever your skin type – but if you’re like us and hate to give up your trusted moisturizer, the good news is, you don’t have to. Instead, layer up by applying a thirst-quenching serum underneath your regular moisturizer each morning. This will help draw water to the surface of your skin, giving it a much-needed boost without having to apply an overly rich moisturizing cream (which, let’s face it, can ruin your makeup!).
We have tons of fabulously hydrating serums that are perfect for winter-parched skin. Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum is a classic favorite because it combines glycerin, aloe and hyaluronic acid – three of the best hydrating ingredients in skincare. Peptide Facial Serum is another great choice as it really cares for your barrier function while kick-starting sluggish collagen and bringing all sorts of hydration and protection to the skin’s lower layers.
Take your pick, you really can't go wrong with either.
2. Pair Back The Actives
With little moisture in the air for your skin to enjoy during the winter months, the surface of your skin inevitably becomes more dehydrated, dry and sensitive. Of course, if you’ve managed to crush the perfect moisturizing routine for your skin type, this might not be relevant to you, but for the rest of you, it’s wise to be careful with any active ingredients you apply on a regular basis.
Retinol is the obvious culprit for sensitizing the skin so if you apply a retinol product daily, give yourself a break one or two nights a week, swapping it out for something equally as fabulous for your skin – but not quite as potent. Our Niacinamide Facial Serum, for example, is a great option for nights off as it still targets skin aging but is gentler and contains soothing and hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. It's officially awesome for winter skin.
Vitamin C is another one to be cautious around. Of course, our vitamin C formulations contain a gentle type of vitamin C called sodium ascorbyl phosphate which is very kind to the skin and extremely well tolerated by all skin types, all year round. But if you do find your skin feeling a bit winter worn, give it a break for a few days; concentrate on building moisture and hydration back into your skin instead.
3. Focus On Overnight Repair
Skin naturally produces less sebum overnight, so during winter, when there’s a serious lack of moisture in the air, it’s more important than ever to treat your skin with some nourishing overnight respect.
First up, invest in a bedroom humidifier to combat any dryness in the air caused by your indoor heating. Then focus on a really good, quality night cream.
The best night cream for winter must contain a number of emollient or occlusive ingredients. These create a barrier on the surface of your skin to help prevent moisture loss and protect your skin from drying out as you sleep. Try Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream which balances a whole bunch of botanical oils including organic sunflower, coconut and evening primrose (to name just a few!). It also contains our favorite under-the-radar ingredient, MSM, a naturally-occurring sulfur compound which supports collagen and keratin production while limiting inflammation and protecting your skin from damaging free radicals.
4. Alternate Your Cleanser
Do you love your regular cleanser more than life itself? We hear you. But in the winter, when your skin is a little more compromised than normal, you need to tread very carefully with your cleansing routine.
Cleansers play a pivotal role in your skin’s moisture balance. Go too harsh and you will strip all the life from your skin, leaving it sucked dry and prone to irritation, flaking, itchiness and redness. We recommend gentle cleansing all year round, but in the summertime when your skin is oilier and sweatier it can take a bit more than in the winter.
Our trick, once warm days become a distant memory, is to alternate our go-to cleanser with something more mild and caring, especially for the mornings when all you’re really doing is freshening up your skin and removing any minimal surface debris that’s built up overnight. We reach for Soothing Cleansing Milk every morning in the winter. Dry, sensitive skin is basically its middle name. Plus it feels like a comforting hug for your skin as soon as you apply it. And we are all over that.
5. Stay Sun Safe
One thing you shouldn’t change? Your impeccable sunscreen regime. Just because you can’t see the sun shining away in the sky every day in winter, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Daylight simply doesn’t exist without the sun, remember that. What’s more, reflective surfaces like snow and ice intensify the sun’s damaging rays by reflecting them right back onto your skin, allowing them to get you from all angles.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin every day – come rain or shine – and go for an SPF of at least 30 to ensure you are well protected from both UVA and UVB radiation. Studies show that, while clouds do protect you from a small percentage of the sun’s UV rays, up to 80 percent of UVA rays (the ones that age you up) are able to penetrate right through.
Make our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C a part of your morning routine and it’ll soon become a habit you don’t even think about. Just like cleaning your teeth and brushing your hair.
Honest Question: Do You Really Need To Switch Up Your Skincare Routine In Winter?
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