When I was transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, skincare products came last on my list to veganize. I started with food then wardrobe and eventually makeup and skincare. I thought I was doing a good job at it until I recently found out that some cruelty-free skincare products could also be harmful to my health.
I started learning about all the toxic ingredients in our cosmetics from reading the book, “The Green Beauty Guide“. The book has opened my eyes to many harmful yet legal products in the US market. Unfortunately, even some “natural”, vegan products have carcinogenic properties. On the upside, the book has also exposed which ingredients to stay away from.
Carcinogenic ingredients include parabens, dioxane (or products with “eth” in their name), benzyl alcohol, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and many more. For some companies, these ingredients may extend shelf life or produce a better looking or smelling product.
Armed with this knowledge, I researched for which products to use. I tried them for at least two weeks and kept the ones that worked wonderful for my skin. I especially looked out for products that are perfect for the season, spring. Products that would make my skin glow, give sun protection, and keep my skin soft, smooth, and refreshed.
I’ve narrowed down my list and here’s what I’ve chosen as my top vegan skincare for the season, spring:
Ellovi Vanilla Body Butter. This body butter has only six ingredients: macadamia Hawaiian coconut, shea, vanilla bourbon, Ghanaian marula, and non-GMO corn starch. Notice that it has no preservatives at all. It also does not contain water which makes its formula concentrated.
I love that Ellovi keeps my skin soft and smooth even hours after application. The natural vanilla scent smells heavenly -not too overpowering but not too faint either.
Ellovi body butter comes in a sustainable, beautiful packaging -heavy glass jar, not plastic! It could also serve as face moisturizer and make-up remover, which saves money in the long run.
Generally, chemical-free products should be used within six months of purchase, but it’s nice to know that Ellovi body butter could last up to a year.
Mychelle Face Sugar Scrub. I was lucky enough to get a sample of Mychelle’s newest product, the Mychelle Face Sugar Scrub, when I was at Expo West. I’m a fan of DIY face cleansers but I thought of giving this one a try.
The first thing I noticed was that the sugar was not abrasive on my skin. It exfoliated then melted onto my face -giving a nice, gentle lather. The scrub wasn’t harsh but it was strong enough to remove makeup .
Mychelle states that its products are “Free of Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, Ureas, Artificial Fragrances and Colors, Petroleum, GMOs, and Gluten”. It uses recyclable materials in its packaging and is powered by wind energy.
Mychelle is cruelty-free and about 98% vegan, few are vegetarian. To take out the guesswork and the painstaking task of checking ingredients lists, Mychelle has put together a chart of its vegan products all in one page. You may see that page by clicking here.
Thayer’s Face Toner. Looking at its size, you could probably tell that I got this one as a sample as well. And yes, also at Expo West, by the kind and accommodating lady who works there named Emily. I almost didn’t go to their booth because I like making my own toner but I’m glad I did get a sample and tried it.
Thayer’s Face Toner was transformative. It cleared and brightened my face, making it look radiant, not pale. Its main ingredients are aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, and witch hazel. It has no alcohol and synthetic fragrances.
The natural scent from rosewater smells amazing! Back then, I thought I hated products and perfumes that smell like roses, but I realized that it was the fake rose smell that I didn’t like. The natural rose scent is less pungent; It smells sweeter and reminds me of spring.
Ellovi Lip Butter. Like the body butter, the Ellovi lip butter also has six ingredients: sunflower, macadamia, Hawaiian coconut, shea, hemp seed, and Ghanaian marula.
It glides easily on my lips and intensely moisturizes for the entire day. Its oval-shaped packaging makes application smoother and more fun.
The lip butter is also easy to carry around and fits seamlessly in my pocket or handbag. I would change handbags from time to time depending on where I’m going -grocery store, photoshoot (aka eating out), or day trip with family and friends; so it’s nice to know that my lip butter could be always around me, ready to hydrate when I have chapped and dry lips.
Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+. Wearing a sunscreen is a must in this warming season. It not only protects you from skin cancer, it also helps you from developing wrinkles. Unfortunately, most sunscreens in the market are laden with chemicals and artificial ingredients. The one thing that I do trust is the mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide, which is all natural. I found it to be the active ingredient in Devita’s Facial Sunscreen with SPF 30+.
Devita’s sunscreen is not greasy to apply unlike other sunscreens. I apply it first thing in the morning after washing my face and before heading out the door.
Take heed that mineral sunscreens could form clumps when applied too thick so be sure start with a small amount and gently massage on your face and re-apply if needed.
Disclaimer: Some of these products were provided to me and some I bought myself. All views are my own. I only promote products that I love and would share to family and friends.
Further Reading:
- Green Beauty Guide (Money-saving tip: borrow a copy from your local library)
- Sweet Simple Vegan: My Vegan Skin Care Favorites for Glowing Skin
- The Vegan Chickpea’s Beauty Blogposts
- Vegan Miam’s Beauty Blogposts