The ‘Vegan & Natural’ Skincare Trend

It’s no secret that natural skincare is a popular trend these days. But a new growing trend that you might not have heard of in the beauty world, is the vegan beauty. In fact, Drew Barrymore, has recently launched vegan cosmetic line, Flower, and has joined other vegan beauty brands like Tarte and DeVita Naturals , who have recently launched their all-natural and 100% vegan skincare line for babies and toddlers, Oh My DeVita Baby.

As I scoured the ingredient labels and packaging of these brands, I became curious about some of the key terms being used, what they actually mean and their benefits. I was curious to know if there was a significant difference between skincare and beauty brands that are all-natural and vegan, to those that are not. Listed below, are some of the key terms I discovered and what they actually mean:

 1. Why Vegan?

The answer is simple! When purchasing any ‘vegan’ product, you are saying ‘no’ to cruelty to animals.  You can also be assured that the products you’re using are not tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal or bee insect by-products. Some examples of animal products that are found in many cosmetic and skincare products today include musk, which is a common base note in perfumery and derives from the musk deer, albumin (egg white) and stearic acid, which is made from pig, sheep or cow fat and is known to be a common skin irritant and can cause skin allergies. Whether a practicing vegan or not, many beauty and natural enthusiasts appreciate the “clean” approach of a vegan beauty line.

2.  Why All-Natural?

Using all-natural skincare products means that all of a product’s ingredients are derived from nature, including plants, flowers and sea-sourced ingredients. There are many benefits to using natural skincare, from contributing to a safer and more eco-friendly environment, to improving the overall health of your skin. Examples of natural ingredients that you may have heard before include essential oils, zinc oxide and sea salt. Products that aren’t natural often carry harmful ingredients, including alcohol and mercury—ew! Our skin absorbs these harmful ingredients and they do not easily leave, which means they stay in our body and can cause damage such as redness, irritation, allergic reactions and breakouts. Therefore by avoiding these harmful ingredients and switching to natural skincare, you are eliminating the risk of causing damage to your skin. Also, buyer beware, many companies are trying to get on the natural bandwagon and claim the products are all-natural, when they are really far from it. Make sure you’re reviewing ingredient labels before purchasing.

 3. What is Zinc Oxide?

Zinc Oxide is a common ingredient found in many natural and vegan skincare products. A powdered mineral, Zinc Oxide acts as a layer on top of the skin. It is a safe, inorganic compound that is a number-one rated ingredient found in sunscreens due to its effective ability to reflect sunlight. It also provides natural healing support. However, this ingredient is not only effective in sunscreens, it’s also found in other protective skincare products such as the Oh My DeVita Baby, Butter Cheeks Baby Balm, where it acts as a natural barrier and protective layer between the skin and wet diapers of babies/toddlers.

4. What Are Parabens?

You may notice the label ‘paraben-free’ popping up on your skincare/beauty labels. Parabens are an ingredient often found in many cosmetic products, from shampoo to toothpaste, that help to extend a product’s shelf life. They are the most widely used preservative in personal care products. However not only are they known to be a common trigger of skin irritations but recent studies have found that parabens have been linked to breast cancer. Research found that parabens act as estrogen, which interferes with the body’s natural hormone balance, causing estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells to grow. In a recent study, The Breast Cancer Fund reported that six different parabens were identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. These studies have quickly resulted in many beauty/skincare brands eliminating parabens from their products.

To avoid using parabens, look for ‘paraben-free’ listed on the label of your products. Parabens may also be listed on labels as methylparabens, ethylparabens, propylparabens, and butylparabens. Some brands that we recommend that are paraben-free include:

So now that we’ve broken town a few key terms that are hitting beauty shelves, we hope you can go out and make smart decisions about the products that you’re using on both your body, as well as on your family.

In the spirit of full disclosure some brands mentioned in this article were, are or could be in the future, client’s of our parent company, the leading healthy lifestyle agency, ADinfinitum, Inc.