Why switch to vegan makeup ?
Many physical or online shops specializing in the world of vegan cosmetics have been flourishing for some time. This is partly due to a need for consumers to refocus on a healthy and animal-friendly lifestyle. Limiting controversial substances by keeping them away from our bodies is also the promise made by these products. But, what’s really going on and why switch to vegan makeup? All of our answers to your questions about the topic in this article.
What are vegan beauty products?
A beauty product is known as a vegan when no animal component enters its design. It is a question of excluding all the ingredients coming from the animal itself, such as fats for example or its production in the image of milk or honey.
The difference between vegan and organic cosmetics
An organic cosmetic is designed with ingredients from organic farming (without GMOs or pesticides). Thus, parabens, silicones, polymers, synthetic fragrances and dyes have no place in organic makeup. But bio doesn’t mean vegan and vice versa! An organic product can perfectly integrate substances from animal production into its design. To be certified, organic products must only comply with the organic charter to which they are attached.
A vegan product is not necessarily free of chemical components. It is therefore two very distinct notions that you must be able to interpret according to your personal needs and commitments. Keep in mind that it is animal welfare that comes first when making vegan beauty products.
The impact of vegan makeup on animal welfare
To understand the impact of vegan makeup on animal welfare, it is important to know that products of animal origin are generally widely used in cosmetics. The main ones are:
- Animal fats (pork, sheep or beef) are used for their moisturizing power.
- Keratin, which comes from the bones or tendons of animals, is widely used in the design of shampoos and hair care.
- Red dye is obtained by crushing small insects: mealybugs.
- Beehive products such as honey, wax or propolis are also widely used to design makeup products.
The Vegan Makeup drastically excludes these elements to combat the aggressive exploitation of animals. By offering new alternatives to consumers, the vegan cosmetics brands are working to increase animal welfare. A way to go beyond your convictions in terms of beauty and care.
The difference between vegan and cruelty-free
There are two issues that need to be clarified that less informed consumers tend to confuse: What is the difference between vegan and cruelty-free statements? It should be noted that the term vegan concerns only the design of makeup. Cruelty-free or «sans cruelauté» in French, means that the product in question has not been tested on animals. Again, a vegan product is not necessarily cruelty-free and vice versa. Although often vegan products are also guaranteed without testing on animals. However, these tests are prohibited by European regulations, but some components are still likely to be tested, if subject to the REACH law. Difficult to navigate…
The health benefits of vegan cosmetics
The first thing that resonates when comparing a vegan cosmetic product with more classic makeup is the list of ingredients. The latter is indeed significantly shorter in terms of vegan care. A major advantage, because fewer components come into play, the more you limit the number of substances that will come into contact with your epidermis. With this, the risk of allergy and skin reactions decreases significantly.
Vegan makeup manufacturers replace substances of animal origin with elements of natural origin such as essential or vegetable oils. Today, we can therefore say that vegan cosmetics bring more benefits to our health. Of course, serious labels and vegan-certified brands should be relied upon to take the least risk possible.
Carefully select your vegan makeup
Major cosmetic brands now offer a 100% vegan range to meet the needs of users, who are increasingly concerned with animal welfare. Makeup shops, parapharmacies, supermarkets and beauty websites are also becoming more and more specialised in this growing market.
To make sure you select your vegan makeup, you can also choose to rely on a brand that only does vegan makeup. However, find out beforehand about each label that guarantees the absence of POA (products of animal origin) in their composition. Here are a few labels you can rely on with your eyes closed:
- Vegan Society Certification
- VeganOk
- Cruelty Free and Vegan
Please be aware that all ingredients of animal origin are listed under the same nomenclature: INCI or International Nomenclature Cosmetics Ingredients. However, some are difficult to identify such as guanine which is actually derived from fish scales and for example used in eye shadows to give the shimmery finish. However, there are many alternatives to the use of ingredients of animal origin and vegan products are the main one. In addition, these make-up products and treatments are often as pleasant to use as their colleagues. Packaging and the manufacturing process are also concerned to limit the environmental impact.
You will have understood why switch to vegan makeup : more than a fashion effect, this trend is part of the duration and part of a real awareness. This desire to consume better, while preserving animals, while doing good is increasingly widespread today. Ethics and cosmetics are finally closely linked!
