Vegan Skincare: Your Guide To Natural Beauty!

When you think of “skincare,” what crosses your mind? Nurturing your skin, ensuring its well-being? Absolutely! But what if we told you that not all skincare is truly beneficial? It may be surprising to discover that the very products you rely on to safeguard your skin could potentially pose risks; unfortunately, it’s the reality we’re living in. 

From your toothpaste to soap, everything you come in direct contact with on a daily basis; probably consists of a chemical component that might lead to health some health complications. However, today, we’re here to talk about your skincare and nothing more. Since skincare is the only thing that you barely miss, it’s of utmost importance for you to understand what you’re putting yourself into- when applying all those products! Among the myriad ingredients in your skincare arsenal, parabens, BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene), toluene, sulfates, formaldehyde, phthalates, and parfum stand out as potential culprits, known for their association with health hazards. Also, beyond being detrimental to your skin, some of these chemicals are non-vegan and procured unethically. But that’s not all—your skincare regimen may also harbor preservatives, which may be extending their shelf life but might affect your well-being!

Now, when we say that these chemicals are harsh and harmful, we don’t only mean- ‘to your skin’ but your health as well! Though, do not worry, as with this blog, we’ll introduce you to vegan skincare, and the goodness of plant-based ingredients. So that you can safely switch from “nasty to natural” and achieve your perfect skin! 

But first, let’s delve into the specifics of what harsh chemicals can do to both you and your skin.

4 Commonly Used Chemicals In Cosmetics And Skincare With Their Harsh Effects On Health

These chemicals are a handful of the numerous ingredients that come in your bottle of moisturizer, face cream, and lotion. In this section, we’ve briefly explored 4 of the most commonly used chemicals employed by the cosmetics and skincare industry for you to blindly use.

1. Parabens

Parabens are one of the widely used chemicals in skincare and cosmetics. They are not only present in makeup foundations, aftershave, and lipstick but also in sunscreen and hand and face moisturizers! They’re a significant part of cosmetic and skincare products because of their ability to preserve.

Since paraben is used in almost all skincare and cosmetics you may assume that it’s supposed to be safe for you. Shockingly, it’s not! There have been studies clearly demonstrating that parabens (especially propylparaben and butylparaben) are classified as endocrine disruptors.¹ Endocrine disruptors are synthetic or natural chemicals that have the ability to disrupt, interfere, and mimic the body’s hormonal system- the endocrine system.² This action (endocrine disruption) of paraben has caused imitation of oestrogenic activities in individuals, leading to worsened health. 

Additionally, parabens may also be responsible for increasing the risk of developing breast, ovary, and testicular cancer in some cases.¹ 

2. Butylated Hyrdocytoulene- BHT

 BHT is a substitute for toluene, which is used in cosmetics and personal skincare products. It is an antioxidant that gets absorbed by the skin.^3,4 As per the safety guidelines of use in cosmetics, BHT may come clean, but some studies done on animals have proved the contrary. An experiment done on rats found that BHT can trigger.⁵ Plus, its exposure has also led to liver, kidney, and thyroid problems in rodents.⁶ 

Now, BHT has regulations on its use percentage in the skincare, cosmetics, and personal care industry, but they can still be potentially harmful. According to healthcare providers, some individuals have also expressed some allergy concerns with respect to BHT. If you’re someone who’s prone to developing unknown skin allergies from time to time, you may need to read your skincare labels.

3. Toluene

Toluene is a volatile (easily evaporated) organic component that’s very common in nail polishes, hair dyes, and nail treatment products.^7,8 They may not come in direct contact with the skin, but they’re equally harmful. Toluene is known to be neurotoxic and is known to be a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant. It can be absorbed into the skin and inhaled, leading to poisoning. ^7,9 Furthermore, persistent exposure to toluene may also lead to its toxicity, which may cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, nausea, etc.⁹  

4. Phthalates

Does your moisturizer have a pleasant fragrance to it? Well, if so, then it is probably laced with phthalates! Phthalates are the chemicals which were initially discovered to increase the durability of plastics, however, with time, more qualities came into the light. Today,  they’re used as stabilizers or binding agents of perfumes in products like shampoos, hair sprays, lotions, etc.¹⁰ 

Phthalate was once considered harmless to humans; however, after studies the otherwise was proven. As indicated by the European Commission, phthalates (like DBP: Dibutyl phthalate and DEHP: Di(2-ethylhexyl) can also lead to endocrine disruption in living organisms.¹¹ 

Moreover, another study on pregnant women showed that prolonged prenatal phthalate exposure may cause undervirilization of male-born children (the distance between their genitals to the anus was shortened).¹² It was also unveiled in another study that phthalate exposure may have lowered fetal testosterone production, causing alterations in the male reproductive system (of the child).¹³  DBP and DEHP are considered so toxic that their cosmetic use is banned in the EU! 

Exploring The Science Of Vegan Skincare

Quick question- After learning about the potentially harmful side-effects and toxicity associated with the chemicals, would you still be up to using your moisturizer containing the same concoction? NO, right!- we thought so. 

However, if you’re likely to dump your mass-produced, store-bought expensive moisturizers or lotions, then what are you gonna use to keep up with your skin’s well-being? Still wondering how you can do it? It’s simple to pick up skincare products that are curated by Mother Nature herself- just like our “Organic Mushroom Super Serum.”

We at FRWRD Skincare believe in the power of nature, which is why all of our contents are cruelty-free and chemical-free. Also, each of the ingredients that you see listed in our serum is delicately hand-foraged. So that no essence of nature gets compromised in the process, and you get delivered with the untainted natural pureness of mushrooms. 

By now, you must have understood that we’re all about natural skincare and would be more than happy to be helpful to you. However, our love for it doesn’t end here! We have receipts to prove that vegan and homemade skincare without chemicals is better than your bottled ones, any day!

In the next section, we’ll take a look at some of the ingredients offered by Mother Nature, which are not only easy and effective on your skin but have no share of animal cruelty. 

What Is A Vegan Skincare Product?

A vegan skincare product is something that does not contain any animal-sourced products or by-products. Now, many people may interchange vegan with cruelty-free, but these both are entirely different. A skincare product can still be cruelty-free but made of animal products/ by-products such as honey, milk, etc. 

Nevertheless, the majority of vegan skincare products are cruelty-free as well- all you need to ensure that they have a “cruelty-free” stamp on them! 

Now, let’s learn about some vegan and natural moisturizing options!

Keeping It Vegan: Moisturizer Without Harmful Chemicals 

A vegan moisturizer is crafted without the use of animal-derived ingredients, ensuring that it aligns with a cruelty-free and plant-based lifestyle. The specific contents of a vegan moisturizer may vary among different brands, but here are common ingredients you might find:

1. Plant-Based Oils: Vegan moisturizers are often inclusive of plant-derived oils such as jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. These oils are rich in essential fatty acids and can provide deep hydration and long-term moisturization. 

2. Shea Butter: It is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. Shea butter is a popular ingredient in vegan moisturizers and is popular for its moisturizing properties which help to nourish and soothe the skin.

3. Hyaluronic Acid: A naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps to retain water, keeping the skin plump and hydrated. To inculcate it into your vegan skincare routine, you need to opt for plant-based sources of hyaluronic acid.

4. Aloe Vera: We all know about its soothing properties! Aloe vera is often included in vegan moisturizers to calm irritated skin and redness while providing light hydration.

5. Botanical Extracts: You may already know that ingredients like chamomile, calendula, green tea, and lavender extracts are commonly found in vegan moisturizers. As these botanical extracts offer various benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, they are a must-add-on! 

6. Vitamins: Vegan moisturizers may contain vitamins like Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from environmental damage.

7. Plant-Based Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin. In vegan formulations, glycerin is often sourced from plants. However, you may need to be careful while using it in its purest form. We recommend you use it after diluting!

It’s essential to check the ingredient list of specific products, as formulations can vary. Look for certifications like “vegan” to ensure that the moisturizer aligns with your ethical and lifestyle preferences.

If you can’t come up with the terms that any skincare can be vegan and cruelty-free, then you can always conjure up your own magical skincare without chemicals! Want to know how? Keep on reading…

Vegan Skincare: Do It Yourself!

To substitute your skincare regimen with all-natural products, ensure first that you know about your skin type, and texture and are aware of all your skin concerns. Once you do a self-diagnosis of your skin then it’s time to roll and create a routine that suits you best. Though for starters, we can help you with one routine that is favorable for normal skin types!

Step 1: Cleanse Away Impurities!
Cleansing is probably the most important step to get that glowing and moisturizing skin! So to get clean, and pristine skin by using natural ingredients, you can either use oatmeal or aloe vera gel. All you need to do is have your aloe vera gel (or overnight soaked oatmeal) applied on your face, gently massage it on your face, let it rest for 5 minutes, and simply wash it off with water. 

Step 2: It’s Time To Tone

Toning is so underrated! It’s important to tone your face as it ensures that your pores are free of any dirt, dust particles, etc., after you have washed your skin. You can use rose water, witch hazel, or apple cider vinegar to tone your face. Just remember to dilute and then use these with the help of a spray bottle- this step will leave you refreshed and will also prepare your skin for the next step.

Step 3: Let’s Serum

Serums can provide a variety of benefits- depending on what ingredients you are choosing! Individuals who like to treat acne can use tea tree oil while those who want to have a perfect glow may try saffron’s essence. Nonetheless, if you are someone looking for an all-in-one formulation serum that gives you a nonchalant glow, reduces the signs of aging, and leaves you with plumper-looking skin, then adding organic mushroom super serum may help you best!

Step 3: Moisturize Without Chemicals!

This is the most crucial step of any skincare routine. Now that you have cleansed, toned, and serum prepped your face, you need to apply a moisturizer without harmful chemicals! Thankfully, there are a ton of options to choose from when it comes to naturally moisturizing your face. Depending on your skin type- you can choose from products that are naturally humectant, soothing, and give your skin a soft texture. However, you need to take care that your natural moisturizer DOES NOT block your pores. 

While you follow this skincare regimen routine, you don’t need to stick with our recommendations. As nature has a lot to offer, you can always do a little experiment on your own and see what suits you the best!

Final Thoughts!

We hope that by going through this blog, you have gained some helpful insights on vegan skincare. We know that taking care of your skin is essential yet doing it by waging your health and well-being is not the way to do it. Nevertheless, as you’ve just read, doing skincare without chemicals is easy, and it may help you achieve your best skin even sooner! 

So, dear beauties, free yourself from the shackles of chemical-aided beauty and embrace your natural beauty with vegan skincare!

References 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6477564/
2. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm 
3. https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810290096513 
4. https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-08/sccs_o_257.pdf 
5. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/ask-the-doctors-how-common-are-allergies-to-bht-a-food-preservative#:~:text=In%20studying%20rats%20given%20BHT,allergic%20response%20in%20the%20skin. 
6. https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/dirty-dozen-bha-bht/#:~:text=Health%20and%20Environmental%20Hazards&text=Long-term%20exposure%20to%20high,in%20certain%20situations%20%5B5%5D. 
7. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Toluene 
8. https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/toluene/#:~:text=Toluene%20is%20a%20toxic%20chemical,reproductive%20damage%20and%20respiratory%20complications. 
9. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/MMG/MMGDetails.aspx?mmgid=157&toxid=29#:~:text=Toluene%20is%20irritating%20to%20the,slowly%20absorbed%20through%20the%20skin. 
10. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/phthalates-cosmetics 
11. https://wayback.archive-it.org/12090/20230310101814/https://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/docum/pdf/bkh_annex_13.pdf 
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1280349/pdf/ehp0113-001056.pdf 
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1367843/pdf/ehp0114-000270.pdf