Stock up on these vegan beauties…
»
Squalene
Squalene was originally extracted from shark liver, a process that the sharks don’t survive, and is commonly nly found in beauty products such as moisturisers.
SWAP IT FOR: Squalane, a plant-based d super-moisturising solution derived from sugarcane, rice bran, olive oil and amaranth oil. It’s every bit as effective and helps reduce hydration n loss. Use it on your face, body and even your hair.
TRY: Biossance 100% Squalane Oil (£25, spacenk.com).
As we age, our body loses its ability to make collagen protein, so collagen supplements and collagen-infused beauty products help to stimulate collagen production and replace our reduced levels – it’s almost always animal-derived, usually bovine or marine collagen.
SWAP IT FOR: Soy protein, Amla oil or collagen boosters such as vitamin C. There are plenty of collagen stimulating ingredients, such as stabilised vitamin C, which can promote and stimulate your body’s own collagen production.
TRY: Vitaskin Vitamin C Collagen
Boosting Night Cream (£15, hollandandbarrett.com).
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a skin thirst-quencher, delivering a super-dose of hydration, but it was traditionally animal-derived, from sources such as cockerels’ combs.
SWAP IT FOR: Choose a vegetable derived or fermented hyaluronic acid. Plantbased beauty expert Jennifer Hirsch, aka
The Beauty Botanist, explains: ‘The vegan alternatives come from microbial fermentation of vegetable material and work the same, promoting healthier and hydrated skin.’
TRY: Q+A Hyaluronic acid serum (£6.50, qandaskin.com).
Lanolin
A brilliant balm for protecting chapped lips and dry skin – even cracked nipples when breastfeeding – lanolin is a natural beauty ingredient that comes from sheep’s wool (it keeps the fleece waterproof) and is found as a base in lots of beauty products.
SWAP IT FOR: A vegan alternative such as cupuacu butter or Covasterol. ‘These are natural alternatives rich in long chain fatty acids that act like an emollient, helping to rebalance sebum production,’ explains Hirsch.
TRY: Ethique Saving Face Serum Bar (£25, ethique.co.uk).
Lactic acid
In the beauty industry this is used as an exfoliant. It’s known for its antibacterial properties and for regulating the acidity of products – you’ll find it in many products. ‘Our bodies produce lactic acid but it can be created by fermenting dairy products or meat,’ says Hirsch.
SWAP IT FOR: Plant-derived alternatives from beets, plant milk or sugars. Vegan-friendly alternatives are produced by fermenting carbohydrates such as sucrose or glucose found in beets, corn and cane sugar and are just as effective. TRY: Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic (£27, renskincare.com).