Reader’s Digest recently featured an article promoting vegan skincare and the growing trend this year.
You may be wondering what vegan skincare is, and that is something that the article covers altogether.
“Vegan skin care includes products that are created without the use of ingredients from animals, or animal byproducts,” Sally Malanga, CEO of organic beauty company Ecco Bella, explains.
However, we mustn’t make the common mistake of thinking that keywords like “vegan” and “cruelty-free” have the same meaning.
“Not every cruelty-free product is vegan, as many products that are considered cruelty-free still may contain milk, honey, or lanolin,” Malanga says. In fact, cruelty-free only means that the product was not tested on animals, but without the “vegan” label, the product still contains animal ingredients.
“Consumers are increasingly aware of the effects the products they use have on their bodies, and the impact made on animals and the environment around them,” Sohana Samanta, Brand Manager of Avalon Organics, observes.
Not only are the harmful effects on animals and the environment left behind when switching to vegan skincare, but our skin get the health benefits too. Vegan skincare products are free from harmful chemicals and are also dermatologist approved.
“Vegan skin care ingredients are very minimal and natural,” says Julie Russak, MD, of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City. “They generally nourish the skin rather than cause irritation. This would be ideal for sensitive skin types of condition-prone skin – types that get irritated easily.”
Additionally, she explained the effects of harmful chemicals found in animal-inclusive skin care products compared to the benefits of vegan ones. “Our skin absorbs up to 60 percent of the products we apply onto it,” she says, “which is scary to think about, especially if those products are processed and full of preservatives, chemicals, and toxins. Vegan skin care products contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to repair and hydrate the skin, which is definitely beneficial to our skin when applied daily and over time.”
“There is definitely a trend – especially with millennials – of wanting to know not only if a product will work for their skin, but how and why,” says Dr. Dennis Gross, a New York City dermatologist. “People are more educated and savvy about ingredients these days, and with access to infinite information, that is no surprise. Wellness and health are in. It’s not a passing trend and, as doctor, I hope it’s here to stay.”
There is a wide range of vegan skincare products to shop from. Both Ecco Bella and Avalon Organics carry some, and even Dr. Gross has his own range of vegan products. Not only is it a growing trend, but it is a step forward for our own health.
#veganskincare #health
