Increasingly, skin care and cosmetics companies are ditching animal testing and opting for a cruelty-free approach to beauty and cosmetics. No one wants little bunnies to suffer for the sake of mascara!
From big brands to small, more and more are choosing to cut back on the harm they’re doing to animals, the planet, and human beings.
All in all, that’s a major improvement for anyone who cares about reducing their impact and making the world a better place.
But there’s a difference between ending animal testing and creating natural vegan products — one that isn’t always clear to consumers.
Here’s everything you need to know about vegan skin care and why it might be the best choice for your day-to-day. We’ve summed it up in this quick video, or keep reading to learn more.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Vegan skin care is skin care that doesn’t include any animal ingredients or by-products.
Good to Know: Cruelty-Free and vegan are not the same. Cruelty-free products are products that are not tested on animals, but could still contain animal products and by-products.
Recommended Products: All Fleur & Bee products are vegan.
What’s the Difference Between Vegan Skin Care and Cruelty-Free Skin Care?
The difference between cruelty-free skin care and vegan skin care can be totally confusing.
What’s key to remember is this: just because something is labeled cruelty-free, doesn’t mean it’s vegan.
If something is vegan, that means that none of the ingredients originated with an animal. No animal ingredients, animal by-products or animal-derived products. Instead, everything comes from plants.
The same goes for vegan skin care, vegan clothing, vegan food, vegan anything!
Cruelty-free, on the other hand, generally refers to products that aren’t tested on animals.
Those products could still include animal ingredients, however, like cow’s milk, honey, cochineal dye (red pigment made from crushed beetles), and lanolin (a fatty substance derived from sheep's wool), among others.
So if you want to opt out of animal ingredients and animal testing, vegan skin care is the way to go.
If you are looking for skincare that is both vegan and cruelty free, then look no further. Fleur & Bee’s entire skincare line is Leaping Bunny certified-- meaning we don’t test on animals, ever!-- and 100% vegan. Our Deluxe Skincare Set is the easiest way to start a guilt-free skincare routine. This 5-step skincare routine is bundled up and ready to go, making your choice to go vegan and cruelty free easier than ever.
Vegan Cosmetics and Skin Care: Why They’re Better for You
Vegan cosmetics and vegan skin care products are actually better for your skin. But why? What difference do a few animal ingredients make?
Well, eliminating animal products from your skin care means eliminating a lot of the issues and additives that can come along with them, especially if you have sensitive skin or any other specific concerns.
In addition, plants are the primary source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, all of which are the ultimate way to hydrate, protect, and nourish your skin.
So, it’s worth taking the time to make sure it’s only natural, non-toxic ingredients that you’re using on your epidermis.
Natural Skin Care: A Win for Mother Earth
It’s not just you and the animals who will benefit from natural, vegan skin care. Opting for plant-based ingredients is actually better for the planet, too.
The process of raising and processing animals for food and other ingredients is extremely hard on the environment. Animal agriculture actually causes more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, combined.
So while driving a hybrid is awesome, cutting back on animal ingredients is even better!
The animal agriculture industry is also a leading cause of deforestation, pollution, and dead zones in the ocean — so opting for plants as an alternative helps to cut back on all this bad news.
It’s all about reducing that environmental footprint.
Benefits of Vegan Skin Care
Just because you choose to use vegan products doesn’t mean you have to label yourself vegan or change your whole lifestyle.
These are inclusive products that are good for ALL skin types, regardless of how you eat or what you wear.
Vegan skin care ingredients are natural, minimal, and nourishing, so they’re less likely to lead to irritation or other issues that can come along with chemicals, animal ingredients, or other additives.
Plants are the greatest source of nutrients and good-for-you antioxidants, so no matter what, vegan skin care is a win for your skin!
Think of it this way: would you rather put vitamin C, rosewater, and aloe on your skin — or polyethylene, parabens, and toluene?
Plant-based ingredients are the good-for-you way to get that glow you’re going for. They are also great for the planet! Because no animal ingredients or byproducts are found in vegan skincare, you are making a positive impact on the environment by using humane and sustainable skincare ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Skin Care
What’s the Difference Between Vegan and Cruelty-Free?
Vegan skin care is skin care in which none of the ingredients came from animals, period. No animal ingredients, by-products or anything else coming from an animal.
Cruelty-free skin care, just means neither the product, nor the ingredients, were tested on animals. It does not mean they couldn’t have come from animals. It seems completely counter-intuitive that a “cruelty-free” product could contain animal products, but indeed, it can.
What are the Benefits of Vegan Skin Care?
One of the benefits of vegan skin care is that it’s much less likely to irritate skin since it has fewer potential chemical irritants. It’s an incredible source of antioxidants and vitamins that promote healthy looking skin.
And let’s not even get started on how much better it is for the environment! Plant-based skin care ingredients don’t produce the greenhouse gas emissions that are so detrimental to the environment.
Fleur & Bee: Your Go-To Vegan Skincare Brand.
At Fleur & Bee, we focus on offering clean and highly effective vegan skincare that works for everyone. Our cruelty-free line of products has everything you need for healthier, happier skin.
Positive environmental impact is also high on our list of priorities. Our products are crafted with sustainably sourced ingredients that are manufactured using 100% renewable wind energy, and all our packaging is made using FSC-certified, 100% recycled post-consumer waste paperboard.
