WHAT IS VEGAN SKINCARE?
You may have noticed that the term “vegan” has started appearing on much more than just food products. From clothing, to soap, to skincare, there is a cultural movement to remove animal-by products from our lifestyle. So what exactly, does that mean, and why is vegan skincare important?
Vegan skincare means that the product contains no animal ingredients, animal by-products, or animal derived ingredients. As a result, traditional ingredients like collagen, lanolin, squalene, honey and keratin are not used.
Instead of animal-based ingredients, vegan skincare substitutes plant-based ingredients. These plant-derived ingredients are much more natural, and deliver more nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to your skin. When you’re reading an ingredient list, these should be much more identifiable. Think straight-up seeds, nut oils, botanicals and plants, and vitamins, minerals and plant extracts.
It’s important to note that some ingredients can be sourced from animals or plants. For example, Glycerin can be derived from either animal fat or vegetable oil. Stearic Acid can be found in both animal fat and plant fat. Same goes for AHAs (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids), an umbrella term for many acids typically found in exfoliators and anti-wrinkle products. Lactic Acid might be animal-derived, whereas Glycolic and Citric Acid are plant-derived. So if a product isn’t labelled vegan and lists one of these ingredients, it might be worth looking into!
THE BENEFITS OF VEGAN SKINCARE
In addition to animal welfare and environmental concerns, plant-based ingredients tend to be much gentler and natural, while containing many more vitamins and minerals. This makes vegan products less irritating for sensitive skin. And because vegan products can be less harsh than animal products, they tend to be gentler for more reactive skins and can be less likely to clog pores. Think of it this way: would you rather put greasy fast food on your face, or fresh fruits and vegetables? (Unless you would rather not rub literal food on your face, in which case, forget we said anything.)
Plant products are also much better for the environment, and for reducing your carbon footprint. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, being the second highest source of emissions in the world, right behind burning fossil fuels.
VEGAN VS. CRUELTY FREE?
Vegan is not to be confused with cruelty-free. While vegan refers to formulating without animal or animal-derived ingredients, cruelty-free refers to the testing process. This means that the product hasn’t been tested on animals at any point in the production process. The two are not mutually exclusive; a vegan product can be tested on animals, and a non-vegan product can be cruelty-free.
WHERE DO WE STAND?
In an effort to bring you the best quality skincare products, Huron is 100% vegan and we’ve taken animal testing out of the equation and are cruelty-free. We believe in conscious beauty, and aim to use only clean ingredients that are good for you and the environment.
Our Body Wash uses natural astringents, which come from Witch Hazel and Walnut Leaf. Eucalyptus Oil functions as a natural antiseptic and antimicrobial, while also cooling and reinvigorating your skin. Ginseng Root Extract, Coconut Oil, and Vitamin E help to naturally moisturize the skin and provide antioxidants.
In our Face Wash, powdered Bamboo and Fruit Enzymes work to gently exfoliate the skin and encourage cell turnover, keeping skin smooth. Aqua-Cacteen (derived from organic cactus) and Aloe soothe and hydrate the skin. Glycerin is a plant-derived humectant that helps draw and retain moisture, leaving skin, fresh, clean and conditioned.
And lastly, our Face Moisturizer features high-performance, plant-based ingredients as well. Saccharide Isomerate (a 100% plant-derived Hyaluronic Acid booster), delivers long-lasting hydration and smoothing effects to the skin, while Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate (the active ingredient in Hyaluronic Acid) are natural humectants that hold onto moisture while preserving skin’s elasticity and firmness. Hydrolyzed Rhodophycea is a fancy-sounding term for a type of red algae that is great for protecting against things like environmental pollution and damaging light, while also delivering tons of antioxidants.
With all of this information to absorb, we want you to be absorbing good products into your skin. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, Huron’s products are free of ingredients that may be harmful to you and the environment. After all, our mission is to create high-performing personal care to help you look out for the guy in the mirror.
#DoYouButBetter
