The UK skincare and beauty market has many flaws. If you’re a regular reader then you’ll have heard me rant about the toxicity in the industry - both in the marketing and in the products themselves. Yet, every business knows it must listen to the market and we - the consumers - have been advocating and willing for more ethical products. Flawless skin without the eradication of our forests; tested and trustworthy make-up that does not demand the suffering of animals; cosmetics not created at the cost of exploitation. Yes, many things are still wrong with the beauty industry, but much has improved. Campaigners successfully brought about a ban on animal testing for cosmetics in the UK and now we’re experiencing a similar shift - the shift towards more vegan products in the mainstream.
Driven by environmental concerns, animal welfare, and health considerations, the global vegan cosmetics market is projected to reach £18 billion by 2027, growing annually by over 6%. In the UK, a 2022 survey found that 39% of British consumers actively seek cruelty-free or vegan beauty options. This shift, led by environmentally conscious Gen Z and millennials, reflects a growing commitment to more sustainable, compassionate choices.
Opting for vegan products is not only for those following a vegan diet. Some who have not made this transition still feel the use of animal-derived products in cosmetics is unnecessary.
For those ready to make the change, a vegan skincare and beauty routine can bring benefits to your skin and support your values through your consumer choices. However, it can be a minefield. Most ingredient lists are like reading a foreign language, which isn’t the manufacturer’s fault admittedly - scientific names have to be used for accuracy, even on my all-natural products. Of course, I make it very clear my products are all vegan but faced with a shelf of hundreds of options on the cosmetics counter, how is the consumer to know what’s what and what’s in what?
So, my lovelies, I have compiled 5 top tips for transitioning to vegan skincare and beauty -
1. Swot-Up On What Defines ‘Vegan’ Skincare
The first step in making a change to vegan skincare is knowing what it actually means. Vegan skincare products are free from animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, lanolin, collagen, keratin, and carmine (made from crushed beetles). Essentially, vegan products should ideally also be cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing is involved in their development or production.
However, cruelty-free and vegan aren’t interchangeable terms. A product can be cruelty-free but still contain animal-derived ingredients, so it’s essential to read labels carefully. Look out for trusted certifications like the Vegan Society’s sunflower logo, Cruelty-Free International’s Leaping Bunny, or PETA’s “Cruelty-Free and Vegan” logo, which indicate both vegan and cruelty-free credentials. However, just a clear label to state the product is vegan is enough in the UK since Trading Standards legally prevents companies from making false claims.
2. Get Familiar with Ingredient Lists
Learning to decode ingredient labels can be crucial when transitioning to vegan skincare. While some animal-derived ingredients, like honey or silk, are easy to spot, others aren’t as straightforward. For example, squalene (often derived from sharks) and glycerin (which can come from plant or animal sources).
The good news is, you don’t have to undergo a chemistry degree to decode the secrets of your skincare. Several apps are helping conscious consumers scrutinise what’s being used to craft their skincare and make-up. These include, Think Dirtyand Cruelty-Cutter which allow you to scan products and see their ingredient breakdown.
Many vegan beauty brands also offer full ingredient transparency on their websites, making it easier to check that the products align with your values.
You can find out more about what’s in my skincare with My Essentials Series which puts some of my most-loved ingredients in the spotlight.
3. Explore Plant-Based Alternatives
Vegan skincare does not mean a lesser product. There is plenty in nature that comes pre-formulated to nurture and care for our skin. Plenty of natural colourings and healing properties that not only do not demand suffering or mass industrial farming to give our bodies what they need. In truth, many heavy-chemical concoctions and unnatural substances are chosen by the beauty industry not because they’re better, they’re selected because they're cheaper to produce.
Your journey towards vegan skincare will likely mean embracing more natural goodness from the earth and you’ll discover plant-based ingredients that are just as effective, if not more so, than their animal-derived counterparts. Take shea butter and coconut oil, which are fantastic natural moisturisers, while plant-based hyaluronic acid (sourced from plants) can be as hydrating as its animal-derived version. Ingredients like seaweed, algae, and plant peptides are also popular for their antioxidant properties and skin-repairing capabilities.
This article is not written to advocate my skincare in particular. There are an increasing amount of great vegan products out there and trust me when I say that all-natural is so much kinder not only to the planet but also to your skin. I know - I've experimented on my own skin with both and my skincare range was derived from the lesson I learnt on this journey.
4. Take Small Steps
When transitioning to any new skincare there are a few things to bear in mind. Instant results may be fleeting so give any new product a time so you can see the effects properly - good and bad. Your skin will also need to adjust to any new product and this can mean flare-ups. Allergic reactions should, of course, be taken seriously and you should cease using anything that irritates your skin in a way that leads you to believe you’re having an allergic reaction. However, you might find that you experience non-allergenic reactions to new ingredients and this is just a sign of your skin adapting to a different product. Perhaps even purging the chemicals it’s been fed with beforehand.
Switching to oil-based products can result in short-term flare-ups as your skin’s natural oils adjust to working in partnership with the natural plant-based oils in the formula. This doesn’t necessarily mean the product isn’t right for your skin so give your skin a period of time to get used to a new approach and you’ll likely find it better for you in the long-term. This is another reason I advise changing only one product at a time. It’s a little like changing your diet to see how your body responds - it’s easier to listen and observe when taking small steps rather than rushing in full force and sending our bodies into a tailspin.
Aside from this, it’s also expensive to overhaul your cosmetic collection but the good news is that if you’re opting for nature-based vegan products you probably need far fewer anyway because you’re not combatting the issues that come with a chemical approach to skincare. Most ethical skincare companies will advocate simplifying your skincare routine because they’re more likely to tell you what you need instead of what is going to boost their profits.
5. Spread the Word
There are some big brands out there leading the way in ethical skincare and beauty. Some large corporations have always been vegan - Superdrug’s own products for instance (mostly) and, of course, Lush (mostly) and The Body Shop (all). However, many ethical and vegan cosmetics businesses are born from values and their profit margins aren’t massive because natural ethically sourced ingredients tend to be more expensive.
Smaller cosmetic makers, such as me, don’t have billboards or TV ad campaigns. We rely on word-of-mouth marketing. So, if you find something you love that is not only ethical and vegan but also makes your skin all soft and glowy then tell people. Share your story and help ethical brands reach more people.
After all, this movement towards vegan skincare is due to consumer demand. The alternatives have been there a long time but they are getting more noticed now because people are seeking them out. A common issue though when this starts to happen is that the bigger brands, with more buying power and advertising machine abilities behind them, jump on board and retain their dominance, despite their history of never having cared about these issues before. So, support the brands rooted in values and help elevate them by amplifying their voice. Be an advocate for purpose-led businesses when their purpose aligns with yours and help those you care for find them also.
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