Cruelty-Free and Vegan Beauty: 5 Ways it Helps the Planet (and You!)

Nowadays, there’s an increasing awareness on the impact of our everyday choices — including the cosmetics we use. Suddenly, shampoo isn’t shampoo; they’re chemicals that pollute our oceans. And moisturizer isn’t just moisturizer; they’re plastic bottles that live in landfills for years. With the climate crisis becoming more urgent by the minute, it’s important to choose beauty products that are kind to the planet, animals, and you. That’s where cruelty-free and vegan beauty comes in. But how exactly can it help the environment? And is it more than another beauty buzzword? Keep reading to find out! 

First, what does cruelty-free and vegan beauty mean?

Simply put, cruelty-free beauty means that a product is created without any sort of animal-testing. On the other hand, vegan beauty means that a product doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. It’s important to note that a product can be cruelty-free but not vegan, and vice-versa. Make sure to check the label of your cruelty-free makeup or vegan beauty products carefully! 

So, why go cruelty-free and vegan? 

As mentioned, there are many reasons to support brands that are cruelty-free and vegan — and it’s not just to save the bunnies (though that should be enough too!). 

Helps preserve our environment

It’s totally possible to make quality products without harming animals, and many vegan beauty brands use ethically sourced, plant-based ingredients instead. This helps preserve our environment, since it avoids destructive animal-derived ingredients. For instance, squalene is a popular ingredient in skincare, and it's obtained from the livers of marine animals. This fuels the demand for industrial fishing, a practice that contributes to habitat destruction in the ocean. Another example is milk, which contributes to deforestation. With vegan beauty makeup and skincare, you can help protect our planet from such harm. 

Keeps toxic chemicals away from environment

Because cruelty-free and vegan beauty cosmetics use ingredients that already come from the earth, they’re more likely to degrade upon disposal, instead of spilling toxins into our oceans, forests, or landfills. Again, it’s still important to do your due diligence as a consumer and ensure your products are also free from preservatives, synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens and petrochemicals that could hurt the planet. 

Reduces animal testing

Of course, the most obvious answer to ‘why go cruelty-free?’ is that vegan and cruelty-free skincare brands reduce the need for animal testing. In the U.S. alone, PETA states that more than 110 million animals are killed in laboratories every year, and they’re often subjected to the most inhumane experiments and practices imaginable. If you’re wondering how do cruelty-free brands test their products, you’ll be happy to know that there are so many new technologies and testing methods out there. No more excuses! 

 

Promotes healthy ingredients

Like we said, most vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics rely on all-natural ingredients. But they don’t just say no to animal-derived ingredients. Oftentimes, they turn away from harsh chemicals altogether, which are more likely to cause allergic reactions, irritation, and inflammation. For example, ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and jojoba oil are all quite gentle on the skin, and don’t require the use of pesticides or other chemicals to grow. As such, skincare promotes healthy ingredients and healthy skin!

 

Supports local communities 

When you choose vegan and cruelty-free brands from local businesses, you support a thriving local economy and help create jobs. And since goods don’t have to travel far to reach you, this significantly reduces the carbon footprint of your products. All this adds up and helps the cruelty-free and vegan movement grow even more. It’s never been clearer why vegan beauty products matter!

Ready to start your cruelty-free skincare journey? Shop now and learn why choose vegan beauty products on jnlnaturals.com. 

##