Enhance Your Natural Beauty with Plant-Based Skincare
When it comes to our daily health, we've always been told to incorporate plants into our diet. Rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, plants do wonders for our bodies when consumed - so it's no wonder that plant-based beauty products also have incredible health benefits when applied to our skin. Plant extracts used in beauty products contain active molecules that can work wonders, from boosting collagen to fading age spots.
The clean beauty movement is new, many people are just now realizing the power of organic skincare products thanks to popular celebrity brands, social media and trending health topics. Natural products used to be sold primarily in health food stores and farmers markets, but now, it's easier than ever before to make the switch from artificial products to clean ones. There are so many amazing benefits to a green beauty routine and we hope this article inspires you to explore plant-based beauty products that have a positive effect on your health, and our planet.
Plant-Based Beauty Benefits
Organic ingredients are those grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, making them better for the environment and healthier for our skin. Opting for non-toxic beauty products simplifies what gets absorbed through your skin and gives you a healthier, more sustainable beauty routine. The benefits of using plant-based products are endless, but we wanted to highlight a few of the most important ones below.
No Harsh Chemicals
Heavy metals, talc, asbestos, artificial colors and fragrances and genetically modified ingredients have been used in traditional makeup for decades. Up to 60% of the products we use on our skin are absorbed and deposited into the circulatory system. Whether its makeup, lotion, sunscreen, deodorant, or shaving cream - the best way to care for our skin is to make sure that the ingredients are plant-based and non-toxic. Many people question vegan beauty products thinking they won’t work as well as normal brands, but that isn’t the case at all. In fact, plant-based beauty products can be even more effective than their man-made competitors, thanks to their superfood ingredients and carefully designed formulas.
Environmentally-Friendly
When it comes to products people buy, consumers are increasingly going green. Many beauty brands are creating eco-friendly products and packaging for those consumers who love their beauty products, but also care about the environment. Plant-based beauty products are more sustainable than traditional beauty products because of their sourcing, manufacturing, packaging and selling processes. By using natural, oleochemical sources, sustainable cosmetics avoid many of the toxic elements found in popular brands. Chemicals such as, BHA and BHT, coal tar dyes, aluminum, and dibutyl phthalate - are all damaging to the environment and to our health. Choosing natural, plant-based beauty products is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and become more ecologically aware.
Cruelty-Free
Plant-based beauty products are not only kinder to you and your skin, but to animals as well. Beauty brands aren't required to tell you that they test on animals, so it can be difficult to know whether the beauty products you use are actually ethical or not. In addition, the use of terms like “cruelty-free” and “not tested on animals” is not regulated in the U.S. - and therefore may not be accurate.
The best way to ensure products are vegan is to look for the Vegan Society logo. It certifies that products do not contain any animal extracts or animal by-products in the ingredients or the manufacturing process, and that the products and ingredients have never been tested on animals.
Don’t Fall for “Natural”
Unfortunately, the words "natural" and "all-natural" are not regulated labeling terms, meaning the words can be applied to any beauty product regardless of how few natural ingredients it contains, a practice known as ‘greenwashing’. Greenwashing is sometimes used by companies to give the impression that their products are all natural when really they are full of toxic chemicals. Words such as “natural”, “pure”, and “clean” are sometimes strategically placed to trick the customer into believing the product is plant-based.
A great resource for determining which brands are truly plant-based, is the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, which rates popular cosmetics and skincare products with hazard scores on a scale of 0 to 10, depending on their toxicity. The Think Dirty app is another easy way to learn about potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products. Think Dirty allows users to scan product barcodes or search products by name, revealing an easy-to-understand rating on how clean or dirty the product is, and the option to shop for cleaner products.
Beautiful Skin Starts With a Plant-Based Lifestyle
Relying solely on beauty products won’t get you the glowing skin you’re looking for, diet and exercise should play vital roles in your skincare regimen as well. Feed yourself a colorful, plant-based diet with healthy foods for skin such as, blueberries, chia seeds, pineapple, turmeric, and healthy oils such as, macadamia nuts and avocados. Inflammation causes a lot of issues in the body, including acne. Meat and dairy are very common causes of inflammation; by cutting them out of your diet, you’re immediately making an improvement in your life that will positively affect your skin.
Make the Switch
Refresh your entire daily routine with vegan products to ensure the healthiest lifestyle. With so many safe, natural options available, there's always an alternative when trying to avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics. Daily items such as sunscreen, deodorant, nail polish, hand soap and even shaving cream - are all available for purchase in a cleaner form. Products that are closer to the earth not only have a positive effect on your body, but on the environment as well. So make the switch, and incorporate a plant-based lifestyle into your daily routine for optimal skin health.
Plant-Based Beauty Brands We Love!
There are so many amazing non-toxic beauty brands on the market right now, but we wanted to highlight a few of our favorites!
Kopari is a luxurious line of coconut oil beauty products that uses 100% pure, organic coconut oil sustainably sourced from small farms in the Philippines. From skin to hair to personal care, Kopari makes clean skin-loving products that are free from parabens and sulfates.
COOLA is an organic suncare brand that prides themselves on being non-toxic and cruelty free. Its sunscreens use the freshest, most potent natural ingredients to bring you the purest, eco-conscious products - all while making you look and feel your natural, radiant best.
Kaia Naturals is a cruelty-free and non-toxic beauty essentials company developed for active women on-the-go. They believe that natural beauty products should look, feel and smell luxurious without the toxic chemicals. Their activated charcoal deodorant is a favorite of ours!
Schmidt’s makes natural personal care products, such as deodorant and bar soap, using ingredients that are derived from nature. 100% vegan and cruelty-free, Schmidt’s products are always free of aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrance and other harsh chemicals.
Cocokind is a clean and conscious skincare line centered around superfoods. Their products use only the purest ingredients and are dedicated to providing long lasting moisture that is free from chemicals. As an added bonus, all their products contain 5 ingredients or less, so you know exactly what your putting on your skin.
RMS beauty is dedicated to transforming the way women use makeup and supporting natural beauty and long-term health. The whole line is made with raw, food grade and organic anti-aging ingredients. Its minimal packing is all biodegradable, recyclable or reusable too!
OSEA embodies the core elements of wellness: Ocean. Sun. Earth. Atmosphere. The vegan conscious skincare uses plant-derived ingredients that are sustainably grown, including certified organic, bioavailable seaweed, that delivers proven results without causing harm to our health and the health of our environment.
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