A lot of people have switched to a vegan diet these days, citing everything from health benefits and environmental issues to being kinder to our furry friends as their reasons. But veganism isn’t limited to what’s on our plates. Plenty of people are choosing vegan-friendly products to put on their faces and bodies, too, for an all-round animal-friendly lifestyle.

What is Vegan Skincare?
Why Choose Vegan Skincare and Treatments?
Your Simple Vegan Skincare Routine

What is Vegan Skincare?

Vegan skincare products are those that contain no animal products, by-products, or derivatives. This means they’re made using plants and minerals, as well as synthetic ingredients that are known to be safe for use on the skin.

While choosing vegan skincare sounds simple enough, some animal-based ingredients are harder to spot than others. While popular add-ins like beeswax and honey are pretty obvious, others such as glycerine (commonly found in moisturiser) can be sourced from animal or vegetable fat. As product ingredient lists rarely specify the source, this is one ingredient that might be best avoided if you want to be on the safe side (unless the product is certified vegan, like those in Innoxa’s range of vegan skincare and makeup).

Hyaluronic acid is another sneaky one — the wonder hydrator can be extracted from rooster combs (no thanks!) or it can be created in a lab via bacterial fermentation. Other regularly used non-vegan ingredients include: lanolin, gelatin, carmine, squalene, silk powder, keratin, elastin, and even collagen.

Why Choose Vegan Skincare and Treatments?

There are plenty of reasons people are opting into vegan skincare products these days — and it’s not only those who eat plant-based getting in on the movement.

Reason 1: Vegan Skincare Products are Kinder to Animals

This one kind of goes without saying, right? Products free from animal-derived ingredients are going to be better for the fuzzy little guys. But while cruelty-free skincare and makeup is on the rise, keep in mind that ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty-free’ are not one and the same. While a product may not contain any animal-derived ingredients, it could still have been tested on animals.

Keep an eye out for 100% cruelty-free certified brands, such as Innoxa, to be certain you’re doing no harm, and look to Innoxa’s vegan range for vegan-friendly, cruelty-free picks.

Reason 2: Vegan Products Reduce Reliance on Environmentally Degrading Animal-Rearing Industries

Animals bred and raised for human consumption (via food, face care or anything else) take up a huge portion of the world’s farmland and are a major source of greenhouse gases — so any way we can reduce our reliance on animals can help reduce environmental impact. Think: products that use sugar cane-derived alpha hydroxy acids, rather than milk sugar-based AHAs.

Reason 3: Vegan Products Have Fewer, More Simple Ingredients

Is vegan skincare better for you? It might just be! Vegan skincare products often contain fewer ingredients, making it easier to understand exactly what you’re putting on your face. Pair that with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants packed into these powerhouse products and you have a health bomb for your complexion. Vegan products may even be better suited to those with sensitive or condition-prone skin.

Your Simple Vegan Skincare Routine

If you’re looking for the top vegan skincare products to include in your daily regimen — and how to use them — here’s your step-by-step guide.

1. Ridding your skin of dirt, grime, SPF and makeup every night should be your skincare non-negotiable. For fussy skin, try Super Sensitive Skin Cleansing Milk; or to bring life back to a dull, tired complexion, try Anti-Ageing Triple Action Gel Wash — both are certified vegan. You can also use these for a gentle cleanse to wake up tired skin in the morning.

2. When applying skincare products, remember the rule: thinnest to thickest — meaning serums come next in your nightly routine. Innoxa’s vegan Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Facial Serum uses plant-based ingredients like vitamins A, C and E, ginkgo biloba and green tea extract to promote firmer, smoother skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Packed with beautifully nourishing ingredients that don’t come from animals, a good vegan moisturiser comes next to give your complexion the hydration boost it needs. Innoxa’s Thirsty Skin Day & Night Cream and Anti-Wrinkle + Firm Night Cream both use an animal-friendly hyaluronic acid to quench dry skin.

4. Once or twice a week, give your face a little extra loving with a vegan-friendly treatment. The Lift & Firm Face Mask Sheet features hero plant-based ingredients pomegranate and vitamin E to regenerate and hydrate skin; or blitz dark undereye circles and lines with the Brightening Hydrogel Under Eye Mask, which features aloe extract — a plant that has been used in healing and beauty for thousands of years.