Switching to vegan makeup can be the best cosmetic choice you’ll make in your life. They’re better for the planet, more skin-friendly, and can even have plenty of goodies that will give your skin that healthy glow.
But what exactly makes a beauty product vegan?
The answer is simple. A vegan product is something that doesn’t contain animal ingredients or ingredients that are animal-derived. Many people also consider a product labeled as “vegan” to be free from animal testing, although “cruelty-free” is a different label in itself.
What Ingredients Are in Vegan Makeup?
So, instead of the usual animal-sourced cosmetic ingredients, what do you usually find in vegan makeup? That’s a good question. Below is a list of the plant-derived ingredients found in vegan makeup:
- Beetroot Juice and Alkanet Root – These natural ingredients are used for the red pigment they produce, which is a great alternative to carmine, an ingredient that’s derived from crushed female cochineal insects.
- Minerals – Mineral makeup products have been around for a long time, and the minerals can range from hematite, dolomite, halite, smectite, sulfur, and gypsum. The advantage of mineral makeup is that they can also be beneficial for the skin, especially when used properly with thermal mineral water.
- Carnauba or Candelilla Wax – These ingredients act as an emollient and a firming agent that help strengthen the structure of the product. They’re usually used in place of beeswax in vegan products.
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Proteins – Vegetable proteins can be a good alternative to keratin, which is derived from ground horns, feathers, and hair from other animals. Be informed, however, that the effects of hydrolyzed vegetable proteins won’t exactly mimic keratin.
- Coconut and Soy Milk – Vegan products that have an emolliating effect usually contain coconut milk and soy milk, which are great alternatives for milk from goats and cows.
- Plant Wax and Zein (Corn Protein) – The resinous glaze created by using zein or plant wax is a suitable alternative to shellac, which is a resin secreted by the female lac beetle, an insect that’s indigenous to the forests of Thailand and India.
- Vegetable Glycerin – The usual glycerin found in makeup products is derived from animal fat. But glycerin can also be derived from vegetable sources, and this substance acts as a humectant that retains moisture on your skin.
- Carotenoids – Healthy cosmetic products usually contain antioxidants. In non-vegan cosmetics, you can find them in the form of retinoids such as retinol and retinyl palmitate. The vegan alternative would be carotenoid, which is purely derived from plants. Beta-carotene is a great example of a carotenoid, which you can easily find in carrot seed essential oils.
- Olive Squalene – While most non-vegan cosmetic products may have squalene oil which is derived from shark liver, vegan products can contain olive squalene. Small amounts of squalene can also be found in other natural products such as rice bran oil, wheat germ, and amaranth oil.
Ingredients to Avoid if You’re Using Vegan Makeup
Now that you know what the popular ingredients are in vegan cosmetic products, here’s a list of ingredients that fans of vegan cosmetics should steer clear of:
- Hyaluronic acid that’s derived from rooster combs.
- Beeswax, honey, propolis, and royal jelly
- Squalene, emu oil, musk oil, and mink oil
- Keratin
- Silk powder (made from boiling silkworms)
Vegan Beauty is the Best Kind of Beauty
Using vegan cosmetic products is a lifestyle choice that comes with a plethora of benefits. In addition to helping rid the world of animal cruelty that’s related to cosmetic production, using vegan products also makes you more sensitive to assessing ingredients.
And perhaps one of the biggest advantages of veganism is that it encourages you to ask the big questions, such as “How do my small, everyday decisions have an impact on other living beings and the planet?” It’s a question we should all ask ourselves regularly.
David Johnson is a versatile content writer known for his ability to breathe life into words and create engaging narratives on diverse subjects. With a passion for effective storytelling and a keen eye for detail, David crafts content that resonates with readers and sparks their curiosity. He is dedicated to delivering high-quality, informative, and enjoyable content, making him a respected voice in the digital landscape. Beyond the keyboard, David enjoys exploring the outdoors, immersing himself in literature, and finding inspiration in everyday experiences.
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