Take a quick look at some ingredient labels the next time you do your morning skincare routine. The list might surprise you. Think about it, do you really want to be smothering your face with horse urine?

Thankfully, vegan skincare products offer amazing results without a single drop of horse urine. They're often natural, cruelty-free, and better for the planet too! Learn about the benefits of switching to vegan skincare and how to find the best products on the market.

What Is Vegan Skincare?

Those who follow a vegan diet avoid all animal products and by-products. When talking about food, by-products can mean dairy, eggs, and honey. Vegan skincare follows the same format as the diet.

Certified vegan skincare products don't contain any animal-derived ingredients, including:

• Honey
• Keratin
• Lanolin
• Collagen
• Beeswax
• Retinol
• Glycerine
• Gelatine
• Carmine
• Silk

Some products use plant-based components that mimic these ingredients. For example, plant-based collagen is a common swap for animal collagen in vegan products. Candelilla wax is often a substitute for products that call for beeswax.

Most vegan products combine natural, plant-based ingredients and synthetic materials. These products avoid even ethically-sourced animal elements. So if you're following a vegan diet, switching to vegan skincare should be a no-brainer.

Does Vegan Mean Cruelty-Free?

Since vegan skincare avoids animal products, it must be cruelty-free, right? Not necessarily. Vegan and cruelty-free products are produced with animal welfare in mind, but they're not the same.

Cruelty-free products mean that they're not tested on animals. They can still contain animal by-products like honey or keratin, regardless of whether they're ethically sourced. Some vegan products are cruelty-free, and some cruelty-free products are vegan.

If you're looking for cruelty-free products, check for one of the international certifications. You'll find a stamp on the back label from Leaping Bunny, Cruelty-Free International, or Choose Cruelty-Free.

Does Vegan Mean Organic and Natural?

People often think that vegan products are 100% natural. While that may be true for some brands, others include synthetic versions of animal by-products. Buying vegan skincare doesn't necessarily mean that the product is organic.

But synthetic ingredients aren't as scary as they sound. It could be something as simple as creating plant-based Vitamin C in a lab. The vegan skincare industry is evolving because of technological advancements that rely on developing synthetic products.

When shopping for organic skincare, you might be able to find certified products. The USDA Organic stamp should be easy to spot on the back label.

But I Want Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Organic Skincare!

The best possible scenario is using vegan, cruelty-free, and organic skincare. Not only is it better for you, but it also means fewer animals are killed each year for beauty. But it can be a tall order when shopping in drug stores or big brand beauty shops.

Often, online skincare shopping is your best option! Head to our shop to browse our extensive range of vegan products. You'll find some cruelty-free and organic options as well.

Why Go Vegan?

But I'm not vegan, you say. Why should I start using vegan skincare? We've got three major reasons that'll make you want to switch ASAP.

Be Kinder to Your Skin

A tiny detail that we rarely think about is preservatives. Preservatives stabilize products, keeping them fresh for months. Research shows that plant-based products produce natural preservatives, so there's very little need for additives.

Skincare products, both vegan and non-vegan, often include fragrances. These fragrances can be highly irritating for sensitive skin or people with skin conditions. But vegan products usually use natural essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes.

The subtraction of fragrances and preservatives means vegan products are more gentle. If you're prone to dry patches, acne, or redness, switching to a vegan brand might reduce these symptoms.

Care for the Environment

Vegan products can be much more sustainable and environmentally friendly. In 2020, sustainability was the main keyword in the skincare industry. In one survey, over 18 percent of people interviewed claimed it was their deciding factor when choosing a brand.

We know that animal farming and product manufacturing are two of the top reasons for climate change. Sometimes, synthetic plant-based ingredients are some of the most sustainable in the industry. By supporting vegan brands, you're removing one aspect of the problem.

Value Animals Lives

Switching to a vegan skincare routine means fewer animals have to suffer. Animal welfare organizations estimate that over 500,000 animals die each year for the cosmetic industry. These deaths include animal products, by-products, and testing.

We often hear that our dollars are our vote. When you stop funding brands that use animals, you show that you want alternatives. And large companies often make changes based on financial statements.

Tips for Finding the Best Vegan Skincare Products

If you're loyal to specific brands, check if they have a vegan line you can switch to. But if new and exciting is more your style, sample a few different vegan brands to find the right fit. Look for products marked 100% Vegan on the back label.

Some products might claim to be "natural" or "99% plant-based". These are not actually vegan products so reading the ingredients list is crucial. Before you shop, know which ingredients you should avoid.

Of course, you could also shop our 100% vegan products instead. No more reading ingredients or struggling to find the right thing. We've got every vegan skincare and cosmetic product under the sun.

Building a Healthy Vegan Skincare Routine

So you're convinced that vegan skincare is the better choice, now what? Throwing out all your old products and stocking up on new ones would be a waste of money. It would also create a lot of unnecessary plastic waste.

We recommend replacing your products as they finish. Once your regular bottle of Hyaluronic acid runs out, switch to a vegan brand. Yes, vegan Hyaluronic acid exists, and it's made from fermented plant material!

Over time, you'll slowly replace all your skincare and beauty products with vegan formulations. This method also gives you a chance to experiment with brands and formulas. By buying items one at a time, you can see how well they work for your skin.

Your skin type will determine your skincare routine. But if you're new to the world of skincare, you'll want to include these vital products.

Cleanser

Your cleanser is the base of your skincare routine. It strips away all the dirt, oil, and makeup your face has to deal with each day. Look for a gentle vegan cleanser that's suitable for daily use.

Cleansers can come in many varieties, like foam, gel, solid, and liquid. You can also incorporate a vegan scrub to use once or twice a week. Scrubs will make your face feel squeaky clean and flush out all the hard-to-reach dirt.

Toner

Once you've cleansed, pat your face dry and use a vegan toner. Toners have the essential job of prepping your skin to absorb products. But many retail toners are heavily alcohol-based and dry your skin out.

Look for a gentle, alcohol-free vegan toner to keep your skin healthy and glowing. Use a cotton pad or a reusable version to sweep the toner across the face. You should feel a cool, fresh sensation!

Serum

Some people skip serums because they don't understand how to use them. Others think they're the same as moisturizers. But serums are a great tool to have in your skincare routine!

Serums hold high concentrations of active ingredients. There are many categories of serums to choose from depending on your needs, including:

• Anti-aging
• Brightening
• Hydrating
• Smoothing
• Reparative
• Acne-fighting

They usually contain collagen, retinol, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid, among other ingredients. There are often a lot of crossovers, so an anti-aging serum might also deliver hydration. If you're feeling lazy, look for an all-in-one vegan serum to use daily!

Eye Cream

As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes becomes thinner and more fragile. Those pesky fine lines appear along with deeper circles. A high-quality vegan eye cream can smooth, soothe, and refresh the undereye area.

Moisturizer

If you use any product religiously from this list, it must be moisturizer. Not only does your moisturizer provide much-needed hydration, but it locks everything inside. There's no point in layering toner and serums if you don't finish with a vegan moisturizer.

Choose a lightweight product for the morning and a moisture barrier at night. People with oily skin might shy away from heavy moisturizers, but it's all about finding the right one. We recommend products formulated for oily or sensitive skin.

Oils

This might be a controversial take, but oils should be the last step in your skincare routine. You've already applied toner, serum, and moisturizer, and now you need to do more? Skin oils can sometimes feel excessive.

But if you suffer from inflammation, acne scarring, or severely dry skin, oils are the solution. Tea tree oil can help with acne scarring, while coconut oil is a miracle product that tackles all the above! Specially-formulated vegan skin oils combine these benefits to deliver results.

Show Your Skin Some Love With Vegan Skincare Products!

Vegan skincare products are better for your skin, the planet, and our furry friends. Set yourself on the right path by slowly switching out your regular products for vegan alternatives. Eventually, you'll build up an arsenal of healthy vegan products.

Keeks Beauty Depot offers an expertly curated selection of vegan skincare and makeup products! Head to the shop to find your new go-to skincare products.