More people are switching to plant-based diets, which are growing in popularity. But living a Vegan lifestyle doesn't just involve food.
Being a Vegan also means choosing clothing, household goods and skincare products without any components originating from any animal derived ingredients.
What makes skincare products Vegan?
You might think that all skincare products are vegan.​
After all, what animal derived ingredients do you need in your skincare regime? However, you might be surprised at how common animal derived ingredients are in mainstream products; from shampoos to toothpaste, creams to clays.
It's not always easy avoiding such items - especially if you're not aware of it.
A lot of major leading brands contain animal by-products such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, carmine, cholesterol, gelatin, squalene and steric acid.
Vegan skincare means that products are created without using any animal derived ingredients, including animal by-products.
Skincare products that claim that they are Vegan usually contain ingredients made from plants and minerals as well as safe synthetic ingredients.
How do you know what products are Vegan?
While a lot of major brands and products claim Vegan status against their formula and products, it is always worth ensuring that the product has been independently certified by an authorised and well recognised third party organisation such as The Vegetarian Society or The Vegan Society, in the UK.
Anyone can claim their product to be Vegan and create their own logo for it but ensuring that is has been independently certified further assures that the product truly is Vegan.
Familarising yourself with animal-derived ingredients and checking product packaging is another way to find Vegan certified products.
If you are still unsure, ask the company for its Vegan certificate.
Okay, that's Vegan, but what is Cruelty Free?
Many assume that Vegan automatically means Cruelty Free, but this is not always the case. Cruelty free means that an ingredient or product has not been tested on animals for its safety and efficacy on human skin.
Unless clearly stated on packaging, websites, marketing documentation; do not assume that the product is Cruelty Free.
To ensure that your product or manufacturer is Cruelty Free, look out for the Leaping Bunny logo or the PETA Cruelty Free logo.
It may come as a suprise to you, but a lot of leading skincare brands are manufactured in countries such as China, Russia require cosmetic animal testing. Even the USA and Brazil still have some requirement for animal testing with only partial bans in place.
If your current skincare brand or a leading brand sells their products in China, then they have more than likely have had to conduct animal testing to place their products in that market.
What are the benefits of Vegan skincare?
Products made with Cruelty Free and Vegan certified ingredients, tend ot be gentler on the skin. Those with sensitive, easily aggravated or allergy-prone skin are less likely to suffer from irritation since they have fewer potential chemical irritants that are likely to cause reactions.
It almost goes without saying that Vegan skincare products are better for animals. Just make sure that the products are Vegan certified and Cruelty Free certified, that way you can purchase your preferred skincare products guilt-free knowing you're doing your part to make the world a safer place for animals.
Your independently Vegan Certified and Cruelty Free Certified skincare brand.
Cuderm has been certified as Vegan and Cruelty Free since early 2017 by The Vegetarian Society and PETA.