When people talk about going vegan, the focus is usually on what we chose to consume, and how vegans avoid ingesting any animal meat, milk, or other byproduct. But what takes some new vegans longer to realize is that going vegan is a lifestyle—and that includes your hair, makeup, and beauty routines.
We know how difficult it can be to build a routine from the ground up, which is why we put together this handy guide to building the ultimate vegan beauty routine. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about making your self care clean, vegan, and cruelty free.
Veganize Your Medicine Cabinet
Step one in making your beauty routine vegan? Check the products you actually use to see which are compatible with your lifestyle and values.
Some beauty products contain obvious non vegan ingredients like milk and honey, but others describe their animal products using harder to decipher names. Keep an eye out for ingredients like collagen, elastin, lanolin, guanine, glycerin, and gelatin—all of which are either inherently non-vegan or potentially sourced from non-vegan sources.
If you’re not sure if a particular beauty brand is compatible with your values, just ask. In our experience, vegan beauty brands tend to shout their bona fides from the rooftops, and they’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Shop Vegan Beauty and Wellness Brands
Once your medicine cabinet is free of any sneaky non-vegan ingredients, it’s time to get shopping! Fortunately for all us animal lovers, these days there are more and more brands that make veganism a core value. Whatever your beauty need, there’s a brand out there with the perfect products for you.
Haircare
When it comes to vegan haircare, nobody does it better than Vegamour. The OG vegan haircare brand, we love how their values are right there in the name. And not only are their products based on powerful plant based vegan phyto-actives, they’re totally clean, vegan, and packed with good stuff. With a product for every need from hair shedding, to graying, to generally supporting hair health, they’re the ultimate ethical solution to all your hair woes.
Skincare
We used to have to DIY our cruelty free skincare, but these days there are tons of brands offering vegan options, from online favorites to plant based darlings. While many brands offer vegan skincare options, we’re fans of using our money to support brands that align with our values, so shopping brands that put veganism at the core of their branding and product development is key.
Makeup
Makeup is one of the worst offenders when it comes to including animal ingredients. Beeswax and carmine, which is derived from cochineal, are common ingredients, as is a shimmer sourced from the pearls of molluscs like oysters and muscles. Opt for one of the many makeup brands that have been vegan and cruelty free from day one, offering the glam without the guilt. Or try one of the many relative newcomers that are clean, vegan, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly.
Scents
Everyone wants to smell good, but for vegans it might take a little more research. Many conventional deodorants are animal tested, and contain non-vegan ingredients like chitosan, bee pollen, propolis, stearic acid and urea. Go for a vegan alternative, and take the scent-sational experience even further with a vegan perfume from a cruelty free brand.brand.
Shower Products
Last but not least, clean skin is the foundation of any beauty routine, so let’s talk about how you can get squeaky clean the cruelty free way. If you like a classic bar soap or a castile option, try an iconic old school vegan choice. If you’re a little fancier, experiment with luxurious moisturizing shower scrubs, or a sweet vegan bath bomb set that will help you relax and unwind.
Going vegan can take time, so as you switch over your beauty routine be patient, and don’t stress about nailing the perfect array of products right out the gate. With a little practice, some shopping, and a lot of online research, your beauty routine will be fully veganized in no time!
This blog article is sponsored by Vegamour.
Emily Beyda is a journalist, vegan enthusiasts, content writer, and the author of the novel The Body Double. You can find her on Instagram @emilybeyda.