With many more people turning vegan, animal consciousness is at the forefront of many companies’ plans. Those that focus on the welfare of animals don’t just want to make smart choices when it comes to food, but want their beauty products to be a representative of their values too.
Many companies purport to not testing on animals, but the reality is, in order for them to sell in certain markets (such as China), these organisations actually have to. Some organisations may not test their final product on animals, but they do test or use individual ingredients that have been.
More and more consumers are making ethical choices, regardless of their diet. They want to ensure that there have been no trade-offs when it comes to their cosmetic choices too.
Vegan does not have to mean boring, and it certainly doesn’t mean products are less effective. In fact, given that many products are laden with questionable chemicals, making natural choices is actually beneficial to your body. It also gives you peace of mind.
What goes in your products?
We very rarely turn over to look at the (often lengthy) ingredients list of a product. Our focus, unless we’re a skincare expert, is whether the product works and does what it says it does. However, if we take time to turn over and look through the list of ingredients of common household cosmetics, we may be in for a shock.
While parabens, SLS, and other nasties are now part of our conscious awareness, many of us may not realise that ingredients like lanolin, keratin, and the colour in red lipsticks are animal by-products. Some actively involve crushed insects. Horrifying, isn’t it?!
We are becoming more and more mindful of, not just animal cruelty, but also the nasties that can disrupt our hormones. Our skin is porous. When we apply a lotion, it soaks through and affects us internally. We are never just applying it to our skin.
Do vegan products work?
The simple answer is yes. The fact that there has been a 175% increase in demand for vegan products over the last five years would suggest their efficacy. Vegan simply means free from animal by-products such as honey, eggs, lanolin, collagen, dairy, horse hair, and beeswax. In its place, plant stem cells, vegan-friendly peptides, and micronutrients derived from plants, are used. Some ingredients can both be animal or plant derivatives, which means it is important to check with a brand which version they use if it is not clear.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the major game changers in the beauty industry. Hyaluronic acid is basically a super hydrator that your skin and follicles slurp up. It is particularly good for dry, dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally within the skin, but decreases with age. It can be derived from animals, but in vegan beauty products, a plant-based option is used.
Niacinamide is essentially vitamin B3. Studies have found that it has a range of benefits and can potentially reduce the risk of skin cancer. It helps renew skin, firming, brightening and toning, and can stimulate and nurture hair follicles, which means healthier stronger hair over time.
Vitamin C is also a great addition to skin care. It’s a natural anti-ager, aiding the brightening of your complexion. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting skin from free radical damage. Similarly, peptides, which can be plant-derived, are a stimulus to collagen building. Integrating all of these into your beauty regime can be hugely beneficial to the skin.
At CanGro, we aim to use the best in science-backed skincare that is naturally derived. Our topically applied hair, lash and brow serums are vegan-friendly and we utilise the best in plant-based ingredients too.
For more information on CanGro hair growth and beauty products, Click here.
Author: Sarah Tottle, for CanGro
