Whether you’re a beauty expert or just getting started with makeup, it’s important to know about what you’re putting on your face and body. Within recent years it’s been discovered that cosmetics are often the culprit of containing toxic chemicals adversely affecting consumers’ health.
Keep reading to learn more about vegan beauty and why it’s the best option to continue your beauty routine without being exposed to harmful chemicals and carcinogens.
What Is Vegan Beauty?
You’ve probably heard the term “vegan beauty” before, but what does it mean? Simply put, vegan beauty is similar to a vegan diet in the sense that no animal ingredients are used. Believe it or not, animal derivatives are commonly found in cosmetics, and as a result, the vegan beauty industry was born.
The vegan beauty industry is committed to not using animal products in any of its cosmetics. This includes avoiding animal cruelty and not using ingredients such as slaughtered animal fat, crushed claws or horns, and ground insects. And yes, these things are commonly used in non-vegan products. Vegan products also don’t use animal-derived products, such as honey or beeswax.
Benefits Breakdown
If you choose to begin using only vegan beauty products, there are numerous benefits such as:
The largest benefit is that animals are not being harmed in the making of vegan beauty products and you can find satisfaction in knowing that your cosmetics are made from ethical ingredients.
Dangers To Be Aware Of
Even if a product claims to be vegan, there could still be other dangerous ingredients in the product. Many makeup products contain chemicals or carcinogens that aren’t regulated by the FDA, resulting in exposure that can lead to health complications. Two ingredients to look out for include:
Talcum Powder
One of the most common ingredients found in makeup products is talcum powder. This ingredient alone is not harmful as talcum powder is natural and comes from the ground. However the issue lies in that it’s mined near asbestos deposits, which is a known carcinogen, and the talc in makeup could become contaminated with it. Asbestos exposure can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma cancer, so it’s best to limit your usage of makeup with talc.
Phthalates
This group of chemicals can be found in beauty products as an additive for fragrance or durability. They’re banned in the European Union but not in U.S. manufacturing. Exposure can lead to health complications such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. To avoid exposure to phthalates, look for “phthalate-free” on the label or avoid products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient to be safe.
How To Know If A Brand Is Vegan
To make sure that you know what you’re buying is safe, it’s important to know how to read packaging labels and know what symbols to look for.
If you want to ensure that your products are certified vegan, then look out for wording such as:
It’s encouraged to do your research before shopping around to learn about vegan makeup brands and what ingredients they use. Understand that some products may be vegan, but the brand that made it may not be considered a vegan brand.
Brands that still use animal products could have vegan beauty lines but are not a 100% vegan brand. If this is important to you, research your favorite brands to understand their stance and if they use animal products in their other cosmetics.
No one expects you to make the switch to a vegan beauty routine overnight. It takes time, research, and money but we know you can do it! Let us know your favorite vegan-friendly brands and products in the comments below.