What is vegan skin care? The Lowdown

Want to make more eco-friendly choices in your beauty routine?

What you may not know is that many beauty products on the market contain animal ingredients and therefore are not suitable for vegans. However, there are many vegan skin care products available. But what is vegan skin care?

How can you incorporate them into your daily routine?

We have all the answers for you.

What is vegan skin care?

Firstly, what makes vegan skin care vegan?

Vegan skin care must not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This can be anything from milk or honey to collagen and some alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

Does “vegan skin care” mean no animal testing?

When it comes to the difference between vegan skin care and cruelty-free skin care, there are a few differences.

In simple terms, vegan skin care is when the ingredients are not derived from animal sources, whereas cruelty-free products, while not tested on animals, may still contain animal-derived ingredients.

So, not all cruelty-free skin care is vegan, and not all vegan skin care is technically cruelty-free.

To make things even easier: our entire product range is cruelty-free. Oh, yeah, we’re also PETA-certified and do not allow animal testing at any stage of development, whether in raw materials or final products.

Why Choose Vegan Skincare?

So what are the benefits of vegan skincare?

Great for Animals

It almost goes without saying that vegan, cruelty-free skincare is kinder to wildlife.

When you choose our vegan skincare products, you can rest assured that no animals were harmed in the production of the products you use.

Better for the Environment

Like the meat industry, the animal-based beauty industry also has a negative impact on the planet, contributing to air pollution, water contamination, and deforestation.

We’re proud that our suppliers are committed to the highest standards of environmental protection, so you can feel confident when choosing our vegan products.

Five Popular Vegan Skincare Ingredients

Are you new to the vegan world and don’t know which ingredients to look for when choosing skincare? We’ve got them.

Here are some of the most common vegan skincare ingredients you might not know about:

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): is synthetically produced and is vegan. Since it strengthens the skin barrier, it is often used in skincare products to keep the skin hydrated.

2. Vitamin C: It is said to improve skin health; since vitamin C can fight signs of aging and minimize damage caused by external influences, it is an active ingredient in skincare products.

3. Vitamin E: This ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a protective shield against free radicals. Vitamin E is commonly found in various plant oils.

4. BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid): BHA is also a vegan ingredient in skincare products. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties, prevent blackheads and blemishes, and have a calming effect on the skin.

Seaweed: Seaweed is mainly derived from seaweed and is a beneficial antioxidant that can reduce inflammation. Green algae, red algae, and brown algae are all vegan and often used in skin care.

5. Bakuchiol: This ingredient can help soothe and condition the skin, making it a great vegan alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from the psoralen plant and is always vegan.

Other plant oils like coconut oil, rosehip oil or avocado oil (to name a few) are also common vegan ingredients in skincare, so you don’t have to worry!

Five Popular Non-Vegan Ingredients in Skincare

Here are some of the non-vegan ingredients in skincare that are common in many beauty products.

1. Beeswax: This is a substance produced by female bees in order to build their hives. The British Beekeepers’ Association estimates that bees must visit 30 million flowers to produce one pound of beeswax. This product will be used to make moisturizers, lip balms, and some mascaras to prevent certain ingredients from separating. This is not vegan.

Vegan Alternatives: Vegetable waxes and soy waxes (such as candelilla wax) can be vegan alternatives to beeswax.

2. Glycerin: Glycerin is most commonly found in soaps and moisturizers and comes from both plant and animal sources. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine its origin – vegan glycerin is often referred to as “vegetable glycerin”. Animalial glycerin is a protein extracted from the horns, hooves, and hair of animals.

Vegan Alternatives: This ingredient is found in plant sources such as soy or corn. Its extract is a great source of glycerin in vegan skincare products.

Note: Be careful, palm oil also contains glycerin but is often rejected by vegans because of its links to deforestation. However, some forms may come from sustainable sources and are therefore vegan.

3. Retinol: Retinol can be obtained from both plants and animals. Therefore, always check the ingredient list before choosing a product. Traditionally, it was obtained from animals in the form of vitamin A and was often included in anti-wrinkle creams and eye creams. More recently, retinol has been produced synthetically in labs to exactly replicate the natural molecule. Vegan Alternatives: Pumpkin seed oil, hemp oil, bakuchiol oil, and rosehip oil are all natural alternatives as they are rich in vitamin A. 4. Squalene: Squalene was originally derived from shark liver oil and is commonly found in lip balms, deodorants, and moisturizers. Vegan Alternatives: Olive oil or wheat germ oil are good vegan alternatives. 5. Collagen: Collagen is said to have the ability to rejuvenate and improve skin elasticity, although there is no clear evidence that the skin can effectively absorb it. This protein is typically obtained from animal tissue, bones, hides, or ligaments from cows or marine life. Your Vegan Skincare Routine Are you ready to live your best plant-based life? Check out our selection of vegan, cruelty-free skincare products!

Start with a Vegan Cleanser

We are proud to offer a wide range of vegan cleansers for all skin types.

If you have dry or acne-prone skin, our gentle formula deep cleanses the skin, removing dirt and excess oil without stripping it of moisture.

How to Use: Apply a small amount to hands, massage into skin using circular motions, then rinse.

Cleanse Skin with Vegan Toner

A facial toner can do what few other products do. Not only does it prime and prep your skin, but it also contains soothing ingredients to give you the best foundation before you apply more skincare.

Whether you’re looking for extra exfoliation or a hydration boost, we have the best VEGAN TONS to help you achieve your goals.

How to Use: Apply two to three drops onto a cotton pad and gently rub into skin to further cleanse away any remaining impurities.

Nourish Your Skin with Vegan Serum

When you want to give your skin an extra dose of care, serum is your best friend. Our vegan serum is perfect for hydrating, smoothing, and even skin tone.

How to Use: Massage two to three drops of product onto fingertips and press firmly into skin.

Don’t forget the eyes: Vegan Eye Cream

The skin around our eyes is so sensitive that a gentle vegan eye cream is a must. Don’t worry, vegan formulas provide just as much moisture to keep your skin looking healthy.

Whether you’re worried about dark circles or fine lines, we’ve got a range of vegan eye creams to brighten, plump and rejuvenate your eyes!

Directions: Apply a pea-sized amount onto your ring finger. Apply to the eye area and blend with gentle patting motions.

Finally, apply a vegan moisturizer

No matter your skin type, moisturizing is key. Keeping your skin well-hydrated has countless benefits, including improved skin tone and texture.

But no matter what skin concerns you have, we’ve developed a range of vegan moisturizers for every skin type!

Directions: Take a scoop of moisturizer and apply to all areas of your face using circular motions.

Do you pamper yourself at night? Reach for a vegan face mask

Whether you’re looking for an intensive weekly exfoliation or a nourishing vegan nighttime mask, pamper yourself and explore our range of vegan, cruelty-free skincare treatments!

No matter your skin type or specific concerns, our safe vegan formulas are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need for healthy skin!

When it comes to vegan skincare, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy healthy skin while protecting the planet. We make sure your products stay potent and deliver results for all skin types.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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