Making a switch to your established skincare routine can seem intimidating. However, it could be worth your while. Using skincare products formulated with animal ingredients could negatively impact your skin and the planet. 

So before you reach for your favorite moisturizer without a second thought, you may want to take a close look at the ingredient label and consider a vegan alternative. 

What Is Vegan Skincare?

Vegan skincare does not include any animal ingredients, animal by-products, or any other animal-derived ingredients. Instead, vegan skincare focuses on natural vitamins, minerals, and essential oils that do not involve harming or killing living beings. 

People tend to only relate veganism to food because the connections there are much more visible. For instance, you see milk, cheese, and meat products knowing that they came from animals. 

Skincare products, on the other hand, can be harder to decipher. The odds are that you’ve never even considered the fact that animal products are being used in your face washes, moisturizers, or serums, when in fact, this is a very common occurrence. 

At the same time, vegan skincare often embraces other beneficial business and developmental practices that you, as a consumer, should also embrace.

For instance, many vegan companies are also cruelty-free in that they do not test products on animals. Additionally, many vegan companies also use organic and clean ingredients of the highest and safest qualities. 

Which Animal Ingredients Are Commonly Used in Skincare Products?

You might be surprised to know that animal ingredients are common components of skincare products. Here are some specific animal ingredients that you should be on the lookout for in your skincare products: 

Squalene

Squalene is a common skincare ingredient as it moisturizes the skin, protects the skin barrier, and has anti-aging benefits. However, this substance can come from killed animals like fish (including sharks). 

Collagen

Collagen is a common skin care component as it is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that can be used to fill in stubborn fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen is a naturally occurring substance in the connective tissue of humans and animals alike. However, in skincare it is obtained from cartilage taken from the skins of cattle and fish from “slaughterhouse waste.” 

Elastin

Elastin is another naturally occurring substance in the connective tissues of animals that is frequently used for anti-aging purposes. This ingredient is used to promote bouncy, supple, and youthful skin. Again, elastin in skincare frequently comes from “slaughterhouse waste” from the connective tissues of cattle. 

Lactose

Lactose is a sugar in cow’s milk that is often used as a moisturizer and cleanser. In addition to not being vegan-friendly, lactose in skincare products can lead to negative reactions caused by lactose intolerance that extends from the digestive system to the skin. 

Honey

Honey is made by bees and is used as food for the hive. Taking honey for skin care purposes like moisturizing and soothing the skin can negatively impact the hive. 

Why Should You Make the Switch to Vegan Skincare?

Now that you know more about what’s in your skincare products, let’s talk about why you should avoid these animal ingredients and make the switch to vegan skincare: 

Save Lives

The biggest reason why many people switch to vegan skincare is a humanitarian one. The harvesting and utilization of ingredients hurt animals. By no longer using these products, you can lower the demand and save lives as a result. 

Save the Environment

Many vegan skincare companies are more eco-friendly than other brands as they have strong ethics that prioritize caring for living beings and our planet. As a result, many of these brands use recyclable packaging that will not end up slowly decomposing in landfills. 

Better Care for Your Skin

Animal ingredients in non-vegan skincare can be irritating to the skin. Additionally, vegan skincare often tries to avoid other potentially harmful ingredients and chemicals that can cause further harm to the skin -- this is especially true if you have sensitive skin. 

More Bang for Your Buck

Most people falsely assume that vegan skincare products will cost you an arm and a leg. However, they are actually quite affordable and are often formulated with higher-quality ingredients that get you the best bang for your buck when it comes to your skincare products. 

Where to Buy Quality Yet Affordable Vegan Skincare Products?

Finding your first batch of vegan skincare products can be challenging if you don’t know where to look. Sure, you could look in obvious places like drugstores or beauty stores.  

But you may not be able to find what you’re looking for in terms of quality and budget. As a result, the best place to buy quality yet affordable vegan skincare products is online. 

Specifically, WOW Skin Science is dedicated to producing the best vegan skincare and beauty products that are all-natural, plant-powered, cruelty-free, and gluten-free. WOW has earned over 15,000 5-star reviews and also provides a 60-day money-back guarantee. 

The Best Vegan Skincare Products Available

If you’re looking for the best vegan skincare products -- look no further. Here are some of our must-have vegan skincare products:

The Best Vegan Face Wash

WOW Skin Science’s Apple Cider Vinegar Foaming Face Wash is one of the best vegan face washes. This face wash contains vegan-friendly ingredients like apple cider vinegar, aloe vera extract, and Pro-Vitamin B5. 

The apple cider vinegar clarifies and tones the skin while the aloe vera soothes it. The built-in silicone face brush helps to exfoliate the skin to leave it glowing and healthy. 

The Best Vegan Body Wash

WOW Skin Science’s Melon Cucumber and Aloe Foaming Body Wash is an amazing vegan body wash. This body wash contains vegan-friendly ingredients like cucumber extract, aloe vera extract, melon seed oil, argan oil, citric acid, shea butter, Pro-Vitamin B5, and Vitamin E. It cleans and nourishes the skin, all while leaving a lovely and natural cucumber melon scent. 

The Best Vegan Body Lotion

WOW Skin Science’s Aloe Vera Body Lotion is a soothing vegan body lotion. This body lotion contains vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Aloe vera extract
• Shea butter
• Cocoa butter
• Argan oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Pro-Vitamin B5
• Vitamin E
• Hyaluronic acid

It features an ultra-light formula that packs a big punch in terms of hydration thanks to powerful ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. 

The Best Vegan Body Butter

WOW Skin Science’s Himalayan Rose Body Butter is a lovely vegan body butter. This body butter contains vegan-friendly ingredients like rose water, shea butter, sweet almond oil, and aloe vera extract.

These ingredients are able to tone and balance the skin while rejuvenating it and protecting it from UV damage and environmental pollutants. 

The Best Vegan Body Scrub

WOW Skin Science’s Ubtan Face and Body Scrub is an effective vegan body scrub. This body scrub contains vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Chickpea flour
• Walnut shell powder
• Almond shell powder
• Turmeric extract
• Rosewater
• Saffron extract
• Sandalwood oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Argan oil
• Pro-Vitamin B5
• Vitamin E

The chickpea flour, walnut shell powder, and almond shell powder work to scrub and exfoliate the skin. The rose water and oils work to then soothe the skin after exfoliation. 

The Best Vegan Face Mask

WOW Skin Science’s Activated Charcoal Face Mask is a powerful vegan face mask. This face mask contains vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Activated charcoal
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Shea butter
• Niacinamide
• Mulberry extract
• Licorice extract
• Citric acid

The activated charcoal in this face mask works to remove impurities and pollutants from the skin -- cleansing and purifying it in the process. 

The Best Vegan Face Serum

WOW Skin Science’s Vitamin C Face Serum is one of the best vegan face serums out there. This oil-free face serum contains vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• 20% Vitamin C
• Witch hazel
• Hyaluronic acid

Vitamin C works to brighten the skin -- effectively fading dark spots and revitalizing dull skin. The witch hazel works to tone the skin, and the hyaluronic acid works to moisturize the skin. 

The Best Vegan Moisturizer

WOW Skin Science’s Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel is an incredible vegan moisturizer. This moisturizer contains vegan-friendly ingredients like:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Vitamin E
• Pro-Vitamin B5

It effectively hydrates and nourishes the skin to protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It is a powerful anti-aging product that is able to help fill in wrinkles and firm up the skin. 

Final Thoughts on WOW’s Vegan Skincare

Based on everything you’ve learned about vegan skincare, it’s time to go forth and make the switch. Be sure to check out all of the different vegan-friendly, paraben-free, and cruelty-free skincare products offered by WOW Skin Science. 

Sources:

What Is Vegan Skin Care and Is It Better for You? | TODAY

These Common Animal-Derived Ingredients Used in Cosmetics Are Not Vegan | Ethical Elephant

Animal-Derived Ingredients Resource | Peta