From fish scales in lipstick to snail secretions in lotion, the beauty industry has a habit of adding strange animal byproducts to everyday items. In addition to being unsettling, animal byproducts in personal care products are also deeply concerning to people who value animal welfare. Thankfully, due to the rise in ethical consumerism, it’s easier than ever to buy vegan skin care products. On the other hand, the surge in demand for ethically sourced goods is prompting some companies to engage in deceptive practices to “greenwash” their products.
As people become more aware of the issues associated with consumption and usage of animals and animal byproducts, the vegan lifestyle is gaining in popularity. In fact, demand for meat-free food increased 987% in 2017. Beyond vegan foods, the personal care market is making big strides toward more ethical options. Consumer awareness around animal testing, concerns about climate change, and interest in sustainable living are all factors that have experts predicting the vegan beauty industry will reach $20.8 billion by 2025.
The influx of vegan skin care products is great for consumers, but some companies are greenwashing their products to cash in on people’s good intentions. Be wary of terms like “natural,” “chemical-free,” or “botanical” as they are sometimes used to make products seem more ethically produced or more “clean” than they actually are. Some skin care lines even use the word “vegan” on their packaging, but still test their products on animals.
The easiest way to ensure that your skin care items are truly vegan is to buy products that are certified vegan. To be certified, products must meet strict standards:
At Theoderma, we specialize in small-batch, mindfully crafted, customizable skin care. We use only the highest-quality ingredients and our entire line is Leaping Bunny and Vegan Action certified. Ready to see for yourself? Shop our collection!
Savy Guthrie has been a PA working in dermatology for 17 years and has worked in medicine for 20 years overall. She has treated tens of thousands of patients, helping them achieve healthy, beautiful skin.Savy Guthrie is a dermatology PA with 17 years of patient care experience and is the founder of Theoderma Skin Care.
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