If you’ve always wanted to go vegan but don’t have the heart to resist that juicy steak, then you should take this opportunity. You would probably think being a vegan was only about eating plant-based foods. But times have changed, more people are realizing that the skin eats as well as the mouth eats too.

Vegan skincare is about using skincare products that are created without using any ingredient derived from animals, including animal by-products. 

Kira Schachinger P.A.-C says “A vegan product means there are no animal-derived elements, but it does not automatically mean that it is a good skincare option. Vegan products could still have lots of chemicals in them, in addition to essential oils, which can be irritants that end up aggravating a condition. Any product on the shelf has to have a preservative in it to prolong its life. Additionally, some patients are looking for natural products that are not necessarily vegan. While it is understandable that many people would not want to use a product with beef tallow in it, beeswax might be a different story. It’s all about what works best for you and your skin.”

With all the misleading claims on vegan skincare, Nashé Beauty as a vegan skincare brand thought it would be helpful to get professional advice to answer your ‘why and how’ questions. We spoke with certified dermatologists to ensure you are equipped with sound knowledge to make your vegan skincare product choices.

“The uptick in interest in cruelty-free and vegan products is undeniable. I join my colleagues in the field in the belief that we have an opportunity to educate patients about the advantages, myths, and challenges of these products. We try to create awareness that every patient is unique, with individual concerns and questions. Understanding vegan and cruelty-free products and being able to offer informed advice about them is a natural part of our job, just as we deliver expertise on how to treat and manage eczema, melanoma, and acne.” says Dr. Daniel Peraza of Peraza Dermatology Group.

How To Tell If Your Skincare Product Is Vegan.

Dr. Debra Jaliman a board-certified New York City dermatologist says, “keep your eyes open for several telltale ingredients, including aloe, shea butter, grape seed extract, and green tea. Additionally, many essential oils are also vegan.”

Furthermore, on how to tell if a product is vegan, Dr. Robert Anolik, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, said, “There is no one official certifying agency, but there are groups such as PETA  (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) that do label certain products as being vegan or cruelty-free.”

What To Consider When Choosing Vegan Skincare Products.

Kira Schachinger P.A.-C explains, “The move towards cruelty-free and vegan skincare and beauty products is exciting. There are a lot of factors that go into the medical decisions we make in dermatology, and the patient’s comfort and safety are always paramount. It will be interesting to keep learning what patients and consumers want from their beauty products and to see how the industry responds. As medical professionals, we consider the best skincare routine and treatment options on a case-by-case basis. Overall, we anticipate there being more interest in how skincare and beauty products evolve.”

Guide To Vegan Skincare.

At Nashé beauty, here are the three most important things we ensure you bear in mind when just transitioning into vegan skincare: 

• Understand your skin concerns. Your skin concerns will determine the type of ingredients you need in your product.

• Know your allergies. Skincare products are topical but can still irritate when you’re allergic to the ingredients.

• Start with a basic routine.
• Cleanse
• Moisturize
• Exfoliate
• Protect

“The science behind vegan skincare products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix. Results are only seen through consistent use.” says Dr. Dobios, an NYC certified dermatologist.

Note: Vegan and cruelty-free skincare products are remarkably different.

Cruelty-free products refer to products that have not been tested on animals. 

Vegan skincare products, on the other hand, are both cruelty-free and all-natural. So you get the double benefit of being kind to animals and avoiding the harsh chemicals found in other skincare products.

Do you have any clarification or requests about vegan skincare? Let us know in the comment section.