The Truth About Vegan Beauty & Is It Really Better for You?

These days being vegan is gaining popularity, which is hardly surprising given it is associated with health and environmental benefits. And it’s not only about diet, but you can also find vegan fashion, footwear, makeup, beauty, handbags, the list could go on indefinitely. But today I’d like to chat to you about vegan beauty and vegan skincare, what is it? Is it better for us and our world? And should we use it even if we aren’t vegan?

Highstreet favourite Boots set me the challenge to investigate vegan beauty and to find out what it’s about. And this is what I’ve learnt. 

What is Vegan Beauty?

In short, vegan beauty means the absence of animal ingredients in a product. However, it doesn’t necessarily follow that a vegan product is also cruelty free (I know I was shocked too). It is perfectly possible to have a vegan eye shadow that has been tested on animals. And these days, there’s not a good reason for a product to have been tested on an animal, quite frankly it’s cruel.

Logos & Certifications

When looking for vegan makeup and beauty products it’s important to look out for certifications. There are two logos that certify a product as vegan, one by Vegan Action and the other by The Vegan Society. But you also might want to look out for the leaping bunny logo, to guarantee that the products are cruelty free.

Vegan Beauty Doesn’t = Natural

Just because a product is vegan, doesn’t mean the ingredients are all natural or plant based. Synthetic ingredients can equally be vegan. So, if this is something that’s important to you, you’ll need to be aware of it. Equally a natural based product isn’t necessarily vegan, for example lip balms often contain beeswax.

And here’s another conundrum, natural ingredients don’t always equate to something that’s “good” for your skin. Without the right preservatives, products made from purely natural ingredients can lead to separation and bacteria growth. Personally, I look for a combination of ingredients that are natural but have important additives to stop the product from becoming rancid.

Does this feel as clear as mud? Don’t worry, it all makes sense in the end, so keep reading….

So Why Vegan Beauty?

The ingredients

In my research, what was clear was that by switching to vegan skincare and makeup you avoid some questionable ingredients. Now, ingredient lists of beauty products can at times be a bit like reading Latin, utterly incomprehensible. Yet your skin is the largest organ of your body. It matters what you put on it, as well as in it. Your red lipstick may well contain carmine, which comes from crushed-up beetles. Equally the allantoin in your face cream may have come from cow urine, yuck. However, allantoin can also be derived from plants. So, by buying vegan you have a clearer idea of what the ingredients are and where they’ve come from.

Better For Your Skin

If you choose to use vegan products that are made from natural and plant-based ingredients they are also likely to be gentler on your skin. This is because their formulations will have fewer ingredients that could aggravate the skin and cause reactions.

What Vegan Beauty and Makeup Swaps Could You Make?

That is a big question, but let’s keep it simple. I find it best just to change one thing at a time, otherwise you could feel overwhelmed. Boots have a fab new range of vegan nail varnishes from My Mood, which would be a fun entry into the world of vegan makeup.

My Mood Vegan Nail Polish

There is nothing that brings me more joy than pretty nails. When I’m changing a dirty nappy or tidying away toys for what feels like the hundredth time that day, if I look down and see beautiful nails, they make me smile. My Mood is a plant-based, vegan, non-toxic and cruelty free nail varnish range available at Boots, that comes in fabulous colours. Crucially, it’s also very affordable, so it’s an easy swap to make.

BYBI Skincare

Boots has a big range of vegan skincare, but I’ve been testing a few items from BYBI. They’re totally on point with their ethos, skin positive, pro-planet, vegan and cruelty free so I had to try them. I love the fact that they have all the key ingredients you’d want from skincare products; hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and AHAs and BHAs to tackle the signs of aging. Also, a good retinol alternative 1% Bakuchoil Booster, which has the added advantage of not causing irritation to your skin.

Other vegan skincare brands you might want to check out that are available at Boots include their excellent Botanics range and the Australian brand Sukin both of which utilise natural, plant-based ingredients to deliver results.

Is Vegan Beauty Really Better?

Using cruelty free, vegan, and plant-based beauty products is good not only for your skin, but also kinder to animals and our planet. And there are so many affordable vegan alternatives that it’s not a difficult swap to make.

Have you tried any vegan skincare or vegan makeup products? Let me know your favourites in the comments below.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Boots.