Cosmetics with a conscience
Embrace the ever-changing face of beauty with a vegan routine, says Louise Pyne
Embrace the ever-changing face of beauty with a vegan routine
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e’ve all got certain requirements when it comes to what we put on our plates, so it seems only natural to dedicate the same level of attention when deciding what to slather over our bodies.
You might already seek out essential oil-enriched face creams or parabenfree body lotions, but have you ever thought of upping your daily cosmetics rituals to a vegan level? Maybe not. But a vegan beauty routine can have a big impact both on your body and the planet. ‘It seems counter-productive to consider carefully what you eat if you aren’t also being thorough in your choice of skincare and beauty products. But opting for something “crueltyfree” may not always be enough – it’s important to ensure that the products are completely natural and vegan,’ says holistic living expert Janey Lee Grace. What this means is not only that the brand is against animal testing but certain ingredients are also boycotted. ‘These include collagen – a protein produced in the bodies of animals – beeswax, which is found in many lipsticks, foundations and skincare, lanolin, a fat that comes from sheep hair, and is often used in soaps, lotions and lip balms, and squalene, a shark liver derivative found in moisturisers,’ she continues. Skin deep Just as what we eat can affect our weight and wellbeing, ingesting chemicals from beauty products through our skin can have adverse health effects, from disrupting the normal balance of hormones to creating skin reactions. In most conventional beauty products you’ll find a long list of ingredients, from synthetic preservatives to sulphates and animal products – even things you may not have considered. ‘It’s easy to be caught out with unexpected things, such as the fact that conventional blusher brushes are made with animal hair. Regular beauty products can contain a whole host of potentially toxic harsh chemicals: sodium laurel sulphates, which can be irritating to the skin; hormone-disrupting phlalates; and artificial fragrance, which can cause respiratory problems and exacerbate allergies,’ continues Janey. Here are our favourite products.