Your Guide to Vegan Skin Care

With an increased focus on clean eating and clean skin care in recent years, the popularity of vegan skin can has also skyrocketed. Whether you are looking into vegan skin care for animal welfare reasons or as a way to introduce more plant-derived ingredients into your skin care regimen, you now have many different vegan skin care brands and products to choose from.

However, it is important to note that there are currently no federal regulations describing what can or cannot be included in a product in order for it to be labeled as “vegan.” Here’s what you need to know when choosing vegan skin care products to ensure you are getting a high-quality product that is actually vegan.

Vegan skin care does not contain animal products or by-products.

There are no regulations around what a product can or cannot contain in order to be labeled as “vegan.”

Vegan products should still be a match for your skin type for best results.

What Is Vegan Skin Care?

Vegan skin care refers to skin care products that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. This means no beeswax, lanolin, collagen, gelatin, or any other substance that comes from animals.

Instead, vegan products rely on plant-based ingredients, minerals, and synthetic alternatives to provide similar benefits without the use of animal-derived ingredients. For example, instead of using collagen from animal sources, vegan products might use plant-based collagen boosters like soy protein, or hyaluronic acid derived from plant fermentation processes.

Best Vegan Skin Care Brands

There are now many vegan skin care brands that use high-quality ingredients. Some of my favorite brands include Zerafite, Derma Made, and Pavise.

How Do I Know If a Product Is Vegan?

As mentioned earlier, determining if a product is truly vegan can be challenging, as there are no official regulations around vegan skin care products. To confuse things even further, there are also no regulations around using labels like “organic” or “natural” on skin care products – and those terms do not necessarily mean that a product is vegan.

While there are some labels you can look for, such as the Vegan Society or PETA’s “Cruelty-Free and Vegan” logo, the best way to tell if a product is vegan or not is to read its ingredient list.

Common Ingredients Found in Vegan Skin Care

Vegan skin care products use a wide variety of plant-based and synthetic ingredients, below are just a few common ingredients that you might find in vegan skin care products:

Aloe vera. A natural plant extract known for its soothing and hydrating properties, aloe is commonly used in vegan moisturizers and gels.

Hyaluronic acid. Often derived from microbial fermentation in vegan products, hyaluronic acid helps to retain moisture in the skin. There are rooster derived forms of HA, but they are not used very often .

Plant oils and butters. Oils like jojoba, argan, and coconut, along with shea butter, are often included in vegan skin care for their hydrating and skin-protecting abilities. However, make sure the oils and butters in your vegan skin care products are right for your skin type. Oily and acne-prone skin types should generally avoid pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil.

Vitamins and antioxidants. Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract are commonly used in vegan skin care to help reduce signs of skin damage and aging caused by environmental stressors like UV light and pollution.

Fruit enzymes. Pineapple and papaya enzymes are commonly used in vegan exfoliants to gently remove dead skin cells and promote a brighter complexion.

Tricky Ingredients to Avoid for Vegan Skin Care Regimens

It is not always easy to spot ingredients that may not be vegan. Some tricky animal-derived ingredients to avoid if you are looking for 100% vegan skin care include:

Tallow. Tallow has become a trending “natural” skin care ingredient lately, but it is not vegan. It is derived from animal fat and is included in some moisturizers, balms, and soaps. Look for plant-based alternatives like vegetable glycerin instead.

Carmine. A red pigment made from crushed cochineal beetles, carmine is often found in lipsticks and blushes. Vegan alternatives include synthetic dyes or plant-based colorants like beetroot powder.

Collagen. Traditionally sourced from animal bones and connective tissues, collagen is a common ingredient in anti-aging products. Some vegan skin care products use plant-based collagen boosters like vitamin C or algae extracts instead.

Lanolin. Extracted from sheep’s wool, lanolin is often used in moisturizers and lip balms. Vegan alternatives include plant oils like olive oil or shea butter.

Is Retinol Vegan?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that can be naturally sourced from both plant and animal sources. However, most skin care products use synthetic forms of retinol, as naturally-derived retinols are not as stable and therefore do not work as well in skin care formulations as man-made retinols. Thus, most retinol found in skin care products is vegan.

You might also see an ingredient called bakuchiol – a plant-based alternative to retinol – in vegan skin care products. Bakuchiol is shown to mimic the effects of retinol, offering similar anti-aging benefits without the potential irritation (3).

Benefits of Vegan Skin Care

Vegan skin care products that use high-quality, properly formulated ingredients can come along with a number of great benefits for both your skin and the environment:

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Most vegan skin care products contain lots of vitamins and antioxidant ingredients to help the skin look and feel younger and healthier.

Typically gentle on the skin. Many vegan skin care products avoid harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and allergens, often making them great choices for sensitive skin.

Environmentally-friendly. Vegan skin care products often come from sustainable sources and use eco-friendly packaging, reducing your environmental footprint.

No animal testing. Vegan products ensure that no animals are harmed or exploited in the production process.

Drawbacks of Vegan Skin Care

Just a few potential drawbacks to consider when choosing vegan skin care include:

Higher costs. Vegan products can sometimes be more expensive than their non-vegan counterparts due to the use of higher-cost plant-based ingredients.

Limited availability. Although vegan skin care is growing in popularity, it may still be challenging to find vegan alternatives to certain products, especially at your local drugstore.

Effectiveness of alternatives. Not all plant-based substitutes work as effectively as animal-derived ingredients.

Not all plant-based ingredients are right for every skin type. Just because a product is vegan does not necessarily mean it will be right for your skin. You should still choose vegan products that are a match for your skin type.

Bottom Line: Is Vegan Skin Care Worth It?

Whether or not vegan skin care is worth it depends on your personal preferences. If you choose to use a vegan skin care regimen, there are more and more high-quality products available that do not contain animal-derived ingredients that can be great for your skin. You may just have to be more careful about reading product labels to be sure that the products you are using are truly vegan.

However, it’s important to remember that vegan doesn’t automatically mean better for your skin. Choose products that align with your Baumann Skin Type® and address your specific skin concerns. If you’re ever unsure whether a product is vegan or suitable for your skin, consult with a dermatologist or take the skin type quiz to get personalized recommendations.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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