4 tips for switching to a vegan beauty routine
January is invariably the month when many of us start to assess our lifestyle habits, and with the Veganuary challenge in full swing you may be looking at adopting veganism. Although diet plays a big part in this way of life, it is a lot more than just about the food we consume. Whether you are looking to have a flexitarian approach, or are ready to dive right in and fully embrace veganism, you may be wondering how to get started. Here are some tips that will help you on your journey.
Pace yourself
It can seem quite a daunting process making the leap and changing your beauty routine to align with a vegan lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be. The important thing is to start slow. Making small changes here and there will be easier than delving right into it head first. Go at whatever pace works for you and rest assured that you will still be making a positive impact.
Research!
It’s important to understand the animal derived ingredients you need to avoid. Peta.org is a brilliant resource and has a comprehensive list that provides excellent alternatives. Common ingredients you may find in beauty products include honey, beeswax, lanolin, carmine, gelatine and allantoin.
Another great organisation is The Vegan Society which is the oldest vegan society in Britain, it lists thousands of companies that are both vegan and cruelty free. To make the transition less of a minefield check out beauty bloggers that specifically focus on vegan beauty – veganbeautyaddict and veganbeautygirl are both fantastic and will help guide you in the right direction.
Simple swaps
With veganism becoming so popular there are many plant-based alternatives on offer to meet all your beauty needs. Start off by selecting some areas where you could make simple swaps, and then as things run out you can gently replenish your collection with vegan alternatives.
A good place to start would be Flow Cosmetics Balm to Milk Cleanser. A vibrant yellow, gel like texture, which melts into a balm once on the skin. Add water to watch it transform into an easy to rinse, light milk. It’s simply a joy to use and jam packed with nutritive seed oils and antioxidants. Fantastic for removing makeup effortlessly and deeply cleansing the skin.
Another wonderful product from Flow which would be a welcome addition to any vegan skin routine is their Hyaluron & Probiotics Deep Moisture Serum. Although aimed at drier skin types, this will work for most as a way of locking hydration in. Oily, dehydrated skin types have actually reported this to be fantastic for balancing the T-zone and they’ve seen a noticeable decrease in oil production. 2 forms of hyaluronic acid penetrate the skin at different levels so it not only visibly plumps the skin instantly but over time it increases moisture levels within the skin!
Finally, we couldn’t go without mentioning our Konjac Sponge which is a mixture of konjac vegetable fibre and spring water. It’s a fantastic tool for cleansing while gently exfoliating skin in the process. We also find it brilliant as a replacement for a cloth to remove your cleanser. Another product in our collection is the reusable eye pads which are a great way to remove makeup gently without the need for added products.
We all know products can only do so much! Eating your way to glowing skin is one of the best things you can do not only for yourself but for your environment! Incorporate plenty of plant-based, nutritiously rich foods into your diet. Fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, beans, nuts and seeds will contribute to the overall health of your skin. It’s also worth looking into vegan supplements. Lizzie Loves Be Well is a deliciously berry flavoured drink packed with vitamins and minerals to help fortify your immune system and keep your defences up.