Veganism - More than just food….

With so many people deciding to change to a Vegan diet, maybe by trying it for 1 month in Veganuary or after seeing one of the life changing Documentaries, there is so much information on the subject it can sometimes be overwhelming for newcomers or people thinking about transitioning.

With so much to consider about a new diet regime, changing other aspects of your life may be overlooked.

It is considered, that as a vegan for animal welfare rather than a plant-based diet for health, then products such as cosmetics should also be free of animal by products and not be tested on animals.

So, what do you need to look for?

Remember, just because a product is Cruelty Free, does not necessarily mean it is vegan and visa versa.

How is it cruelty free?

Even though testing on animals for cosmetics is illegal in the Uk, Companies that sell in Countries that require testing either conduct the tests or pay a 3rd party to do them.

The tests are done on mostly Rabbits, mice, rats and sometimes cats and dogs. The tests include putting products and ingredients in the animal’s eyes and skin resulting in painful consequences for them.

When searching for Cruelty free cosmetics look for the Bunny logo or products that state that they are not tested on Animals.

Some companies state that they do not test on animals, but testing is carried out in Countries that require it, and companies will also try to dodge the question by saying that the UK branch do not conduct testing. But the company does when required and therefore, they are not cruelty free.

The internet is a great tool to search cruelty free companies.

Also, most Cosmetic manufacturers will happily reply to emails and explain their Cruelty free and vegan products.

Vegan ingredient

Ingredients are a minefield when it comes to veganism.

As well as the more obvious animal derived ones, such as Shellac from Lac Beetles and Keratin, there are also lots that you may not expect to have in a cosmetic.

Glycerine can be made from animal fat and is used to make the product greasier and easier to apply.

Gelatine is made from parts of animals such as ligaments, bones and other parts and boiled to make a binding ingredient.

Lanolin is made from sheep’s wool and used to add oil to products.

Beeswax is also used as an oil.

The list goes on. But to add to the confusion, some products that traditionally are animal derived can now be man-made and there for, vegan.

Refer to websites mentioned before but also, if in doubt, email the company directly. Most are very open with giving information.

What to do when transitioning?

Firstly, do use any products you already have. The majority of Vegans would not want to think of animals being tested on or used then the product wasted.

Then, Shop around. Companies such as Superdrug are amazing for vegan products and a great starting place for everything from toothpaste to make-up and skin care.

Make-up companies are becoming more common with cruelty free and vegan choices. And, with companies such as ELF and NYX products being compared to the high-end companies that are not Cruelty free, shopping for cosmetics is very easy.

Visiting a Salon

Vegan friendly hair and beauty salons are popping up all over the UK, and some areas have now got Vegan Friendly and Cruelty Free businesses.

For Ethical vegans, these are a true sanctuary where the worry of using non-Ethical products is a thing of the past.

Salon Messina is both Vegan Friendly and Cruelty free!

Veganism is going to grow and with around 600,000 in the UK currently, and with so much choice for both cosmetics and diet now in shops, it has never been so easy to make the decision to change.