The rise of vegan beauty

The rise of vegan beauty

Veganism has fast become one of the biggest trends of 2017 following years of slow, but steady, growth. According to The Vegan Society, there are now estimated to be over half a million vegans in the UK. However, the lifestyle doesn’t stop at your plate. It extends to your clothing, your footwear and, yes, your beauty bag. If you didn’t already know, your most-prized skincare and makeup products probably contain animal byproducts of some sort. When you find out what, it’s hard to un-know. And so, vegan beauty – make-up and skincare products made entirely without animal byproducts – has become big news for vegans and non-vegans alike.

No longer a hippy, hard-to-find, or inefficient alternative to regular products, the once niche beauty movement has exploded. Indeed, beauty powerhouse Superdrug (who itself remains a high-street pioneer of vegan beauty after launching its vegan B. range back in 2013) has reported a significant increase in interest in vegan beauty over the last year, with a 20 per cent increase in vegan products across both make-up and skincare.

‘In the last year we’ve seen a huge increase in the demand for people searching for Vegan beauty and skincare products,’ says Sarah Gardner, Superdrug Head of Beauty. ‘Customers are becoming savvier about how products are tested and what ingredients are in their favourite products.’ Global market research providers Mintel also reported that 13 per cent of beauty and personal products launched so far in 2017 carried a vegan claim, up from just six per cent in 2015. Want in on vegan beauty? Here’s why you should.

It’s better for sensitive skin

Vegan beauty products are usually made with fewer ingredients. This, combined with all-natural formulas, make these products far easier for your skin to cope with. Particularly for those with sensitive skin, or conditions such as rosacea and acne, vegan beauty products are a lot less harsh, and a lot more soothing, on your skin.

You won’t be using animal by-products

Don’t think beauty products contain animal byproducts? Then you might want to start questioning how your favourite red lippy is quite so red, or how your go-to moisturiser is quite so, well, moisturising. Common animal byproducts found in beauty products include lanolin, the grease from sheep’s fur (we’re not kidding); carmine, crushed cochineal beetles used for their red colour; guanine, crushed fish scales used for a shimmer effect; and tallow, rendered animal fat. Pretty gross, huh?

It’s kinder to animals

Animal testing for cosmetic use in the EU has been banned since 2013, so any beauty product bought in the UK is by definition cruelty free. However, complications surrounding China (where animal-testing is required by law for all cosmetics sold on its soil) mean that your favourite beauty brand still might not be as squeaky clean as you once thought. Vegan beauty products neither use animals nor test on them, so you can sleep with a clean conscience.

You’ll be helping the environment

Vegan beauty thinks of its carbon footprint, too. Most vegan beauty brands typically use less plastic and are moving towards entirely recyclable packaging, which is so much better for the environment. Want to make sure a product is completely vegan? Look out for two logos – one for Vegan Action and and for The Vegan Society.

For more tips on going vegan, check out these 5 vegan beauty products you need to try or our Q&A with the plant-powered PT!