Vegan Skincare Guide

lani vegan skincare on rack with a pink background.

So you've switched your diet however are totally confused and don't know where to look to find more information about and source vegan skincare. Here is our guide which runs through the ingredients to avoid and why, plus we shine a spotlight on our favourite vegan skincare brands, handmade in the UK and owned/operated by Vegans. 

Why natural and vegan skincare?

I switched to natural skincare a couple of years ago when I started looking at ingredients labels and having absolutely no idea what each ingredient was! Having switched to a vegan diet and often being shocked at the number of artificial and strange ingredients used in processed food, it wasn't long before I started looking at eco toiletries, skincare and make up. Not only artificial and toxic ingredients such as parabens (hormone disrupters) and SLS (skin irritant), I also avoid animal ingredients such as shellac (a resin from the lac bug), Squalene (shark liver oil) and animal hair (badger, mink, fox) used in make up brushes for example.

Make up is not a necessity and some skincare items are not either. We choose to wear it so we should choose kindly. Why harm another living creature for a product that we may not even really need! I also think that if we all really knew the artificial ingredients used in toiletries and make up, everyone would choose natural as you wouldn't knowingly want to coat your face in known carcinogens. It's much gentler and softer on your skin, especially if you have sensitive or acne prone skin. 

What is the difference between vegan and cruelty-free?

Vegan toiletries and skincare differ from cruelty free as it relates to the ingredients!

Cruelty free is when a product and it’s ingredients have not been tested on animals however 80% of the world still allows animals to be used in cosmetic testing. (The EU has banned this practice since 2013).

You can look out for the Leaping Bunny globally recognised programme on High St products. Smaller brands find it hard to join the Leaping Bunny programme as it is expensive to register however they can still be cruelty free, like those on my store.

Some brands do not test on animals directly however for example to sell in China, the authorities carry out multiple animal tests. True cruelty free companies refuse to sell in China due to this.

Ingredients to avoid

  • Beeswax/Honey - Commonly used in the natural skincare world in body balms and lip balms.
  • Shellac - Obtained from bugs and used in nail products.
  • Glycerine - Commonly used in High St soaps, hair care, make up and moisturisers.
  • Lanolin - An oily residue from wool which is used in a lot of High Street products.
  • Retinol - Found in anti-wrinkle and eye creams. Our products use Vitamin A from plants.
  • Lactic Acid - Lactic acic can be derived from animal tissue and milk instead of sugar beet.
  • Other ingredients to avoid/be wary of as both animal and plant based versions exist. Casein, Squalene, Guanine, Oleic, Stearic Acid, Carmine, Collagen, Elastin & Keratin.

The difficulty of shopping on the High Street

Firstly you need to avoid non-vegan ingredients however I really believe in supporting brands that have the same ethical principles. To me, particularly in the beauty industry (as we don't necessarily need beauty items compared to food) choosing a vegan beauty product is more than just ensuring that the ingredients are free from any animal derived ingredients. Of course it needs to be cruelty-free too and this is where it can be difficult to know if brands exploit animals through allowing animal testing. 

Why is it difficult: Unfortunately, the ASA considers cruelty-free to be evaluated at a product level, rather than at brand level. Many well known beauty brands are owned by a larger corporations such as Proctor & Gamble who still test on animals.

"Increasingly the lines are being blurred by NGOs (such as leaping bunny) stamping their approval on products owned by parent companies continuing cruel animal experiments by labeling them as ‘cruelty-free’, and even animal-tested products being labeled as ‘vegan’. Aussie Haircare is owned by P&G – a company that commissions animal experiments on a gross scale (we don’t like to use the word ‘testing’ as this downplays the enormity of suffering) when ‘required to’ by law. This isn’t good enough."

Claire Palmer, founder of Animal Justice Project, speaking with Planet Based News

For example, Procter & Gamble brands include:

  • Always menstrual products
  • Fairy washing up liquid
  • Febreeze odour eliminator
  • Gilette razors
  • Head & Shoulders haircare
  • Olay beauty products
  • Oral B dental care
  • Tampax tampons

Our favourite vegan skincare brand

Lani Skincare

I am super excited to stock the tropical scented skincare range, handmade by Viola, founder of Lani. I love supporting Viola and her brand, as like The Kind Store, they support support animal sanctuaries and are a true vegan brand for the animals. I definitely recommend following Lani on Instagram for a mix of skincare and vegan activism. 

"My interest in setting up a vegan, cruelty free beauty brand started after I went vegan in 2013. I found that most of my products that I used daily, were neither vegan, cruelty-free or made with ingredients I couldn't even pronounce. I wanted simple, affordable, cruelty-free products that smell and feel amazing, and really work so I set out to make my own. I have always loved the simplicity and efficacy of natural cold-pressed oils, and spent a year researching, playing, testing and trialing before I was happy with my first product: The Tropical Hair Treatment. It’s the product I launched the brand with in 2014 and has become a global bestseller." Viola, founder of Lani.
Tropical Super Serum - My favourite product from Lani which I use everyday!

A potent facial elixir, award-winning Super Serum stars a nutrient-rich blend of tropical oils and divinely scented dawn blooming jasmine to leave your skin incredibly healthy, smooth and luminous. Camellia seed oil helps to enhance skin’s elasticity and calm inflammations. Marula oil creates a protective barrier and locks in moisture keeping skin plump. Watermelon seed oil is highly detoxifying and helps to dissolve excess sebum. Rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin C, Passion fruit oil supports anti-ageing and boosts luminescence. Jojoba oil tackles dry skin and balances oily complexions and Jasmine flower is renowned for its regenerative capabilities while its delicate fragrance restores a sense of calm.Silky, and almost weightless, it absorbs quickly to reveal a hydrated, balanced and nourished complexion.

Facial Cleansing Powder - A water free cleanser which is definitely the best smelling product we stock!

The first of it's kind, Lani's Blue Mint Facial Cleansing Powder, smelling like a creamy, oaty, minty milkshake and turning a magical blue foam on contact with water this cleanser is unlike any other. This is literally the best smelling product we stock! 

Benefits: Leaves skin super clean yet never stripped. Coconut derived foam gently lifts away impurities, toxins and light make-up. Balances troubled complexions with soothing oats. Anti-oxidant powerhouse blue spirulina feeds skin vital nutrients. Turns a magical blue upon activation with water. Smells like a creamy, minty milkshake.

The Kind Store team try and test all products that we stock, so you can be certain that what you are buying is high quality, works well and loved by us. We source all products using our ethos via our sustainable principles, so you can trust that what you are buying is kind to animals, people and planet. We stock items from UK independent makers and suppliers to ensure our products are eco-friendly. Discover hundreds of vegan, natural, sustainable and cruelty-free products.

feefo gold trusted service award winner.          living wage employer logo.

Other blog posts you might be interested in...

73 comments

  • Dr. Obodubu Monday is recognised all over the world of marine kingdom, As one of the top fortunate and most powerful spell casters doctor of charms casts from the beginning of his ancestors ship until now Dr. Obodubu Monday lives strong among all other spell casters, there have never been any form of impossibility beyond the control of Dr. Obodubu Monday it doesn’t matter the distance of the person with the problems or situation, all you have to do is believe in the spell casting Dr. Obodubu Monday cast that works, he always warns never to get his charms cast if you do not believe or unable to follow his instruction. it is the assignment of the native doctor Dr. Obodubu Monday to offer services to those in need of spiritual assistance not minding the gravity of your situations or distance as long as water, sea, ocean, lake, river, sand, etc. are near you, then your problems of life would be controlled under your foot. if you need any spiritual help on any of these WhatsApp Doctor Obodubu on : +234 705 993 7909

    Get Your Love Back

    Fruit Of The Womb

    Fibroid

    Business Boom

    Financial Breakthrough

    Get Rich Without Ritual

    Do As I Say

    Bad Dream

    Promise And Fail

    Epilepsy

    Land/Court Case

    Mental Disorder

    Political Appointment

    Visa Approval

    Cancer

    Examination Success

    Spend And Get Back

    Good Luck

    Natural Neath

    Hypertension

    Stroke

    Sickle cell

    Impotency

    Win Court case

    Promotion At Work

    Commanding Tone

    Protection Ring

    Marriage Success

    Love Ring

    Favour Ring

    Recover Lost Glory

    Spiritual Power For Men Of God

    Travel Success Ring

    Job Success

    lottery/ win

    And Many, More

    make haste to Dr Monday on WhatsApp +234 705 993 7909 for spiritual problem today and you will surely get solution to all your predicament

    obodubu monday
  • My name is Hailey Garcia and I am from New Jersey. My herpes virus turned to war after 2 years of living with it. I have tried different medical procedures to cure my herpes but to no avail. Most people think herpes is only a minor skin irritation of which herpes has long term effects on health and passes through the bloodstream and can be easily contracted through sexual intercourse. I knew I had herpes from the first day I started feeling itchy in my pubic area and the pain was very unbearable. I couldn’t stand it anymore. After 2 years of trying other means to get rid of it, I had to contact Doctor Odunga to help me with a permanent cure. I saw his email and whats-app number from a testimony I read online from a lady who was also helped by him in curing infertility problems, I had faith and contacted him. He assured me of his work and I ordered his herbal medicine. Within 5 days, I didn’t feel any pain anymore and within 2 weeks, my skin was all cleared and smooth. I am very grateful to you sir and I write this testimony as others have done to bring those having faith to you sir. If you have herpes or other similar disease and you want it cured, kindly contact Doctor Odunga, Whats-App (wa.me/+2348167159012) OR Email odungaspelltemple@gmail.com

    🛑 PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR TREATMENT, CURE & PREVENTION OF THE FOLLOWING :❗❗

    🛑Kidney Failures
    🛑 Osteoporosis
    🛑 TB
    🛑Sexual Dysfunction
    🛑Period Pain
    🛑 Dementia
    🛑 Parkinson’s
    🛑Infertility
    🛑ProstateEnlargement
    🛑 Libido
    🛑Fibroids/Cysts
    🛑 Epilepsy
    🛑Stroke
    🛑Cancer
    🛑 Burns
    🛑HIV

    Hailey Garcia
  • Amazing Love Spell To Get Back With your Partner and Fix Your Broken Relationship  WHATSAPP+2349161779461

    My wife broke up with me 3 months ago, and forced me to sign the divorce papers, and I was completely heartbroken. And I could not get back into any shape emotionally. I Thank God for this astonishing and brilliant spell caster that came to my rescue. Wow! This spell caster has helped me so much. Dr Jakuta guaranteed me an urgent 24hrs spell casting, of which I accepted it. Shockingly! this month my wife called me back with lots of apologies after 48hrs which he assured me, and he did everything possible to withdraw the divorce papers which was previously ongoing with the power of this miracle working spell caster. Some people testified that he brought their Ex lover back, some testified that he restores womb, cure cancer, herpes simplex virus, hiv and other sickness, Thank you so so so much Lord for your powerful spells. expressions are not sufficient to say thank you. Email doctorjakutaspellcaster24@gmail. com. WhatsApp him on +2349161779461

    EVANS PHILIP
  • I am a very happy woman with the help of Dr Krish Spiritual who helped me restore my relationship with my ex husband. My name is Agnes Smith and I am from Alaska, USA. I met Dr Krish Spiritual through a testimony online and I never thought I would have my ex husband back after 4 years of separation. After my contact with his email, he told me not to worry and I would really be happy as I am now. Trusting in his words was the right decision for me. After 2 days, my ex husband called me saying that he wants to return back to me and live with me forever and I was very shocked. This made me believe that Dr Krish is really a very great spiritual man. Today, I am very happy to write this testimony about him and want others to testify to his power as I am currently happy in my restored marriage. Don’t waste time on that relationship problem. Contact Dr Krish Spiritual directly through his email at lordkrishshrine@gmail.com to help you solve that relationship problems in your marriage

    Agnes Smith
  • i want to share to the whole world how Dr Kachi the Great of all the Spell Caster, that helped me reunite my marriage back, my Ex Husband broke up with me 3months ago, I have been trying to get him back ever since then, i was worried and so confused because i love him so much. I was really going too much depressed, he left me with my kids and just ignored me constantly. I have begged him for forgiveness through text messages for him to come back home and the kids crying and miss their dad but he wont reply, I wanted him back desperately. we were in a very good couple and yet he just ignores me and get on with his life just like that, so i was looking for help after reading a post of Dr Kachi on the internet when i saw a lady name SHARRON testified that Dr Kachi cast a Pure love spell to stop divorce. and i also met with other, it was about how he brought back her Ex lover in less than 24 hours at the end of her testimony she dropped his email, I contacted Dr Kachi via email and explained my problem to Dr Kachi and he told me what went wrong with my husband and how it happen, that he will restored my marriage back, and to my greatest surprise my Ex husband came back to me, and he apologized for his mistake, and for the pain he caused me and my children. Then from that day our marriage is now stronger than how it was before, Dr Kachi you’re a real spell caster, you can also get your Ex back and live with him happily: Contact Email drkachispellcast@gmail.com his Text Number and Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 his Website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site

    Julianna Davis

Leave a comment