Ingredients To Look For And Avoid In Vegan Skincare

Choosing vegan beauty products is a way for people to show their compassion to animals by eliminating all products made with "animal-derived" ingredients. If you want to go 100% vegan, look out for these ingredients.

Honey is a common moisturizing agent used in many skincare products because it helps to hydrate your skin. Honey is not considered vegan to some, however, because it's produced by bees. According to MindBodyGreen, honey is a substance you should avoid, and the same applies to beeswax. You've also probably heard of shellac nails if you get your nails done. The Kind Store Online notes that "shellac is a resin obtained from female lac bugs." Another common skincare ingredient used in lip balms is lanolin, which comes from sheep wool, making it non-vegan (via Plant Based News). However, there is "synthetic and plant-based" lanolin available. 

Squalane is all the rage in skincare due to its moisturizing benefits, but it was initially extracted from shark liver, per Allure, but now you can find plant-based squalane that comes from olives. Just double check the source before choosing a product. If you use anti-aging skincare products, you must have heard of collagen, glycerin, and retinol, which help keep your skin plump and reduce wrinkles. Unfortunately, none of them are vegan either, per Health Shots. To be 100% sure your skincare product doesn't have any non-vegan ingredients, check for a label that says it's "Suitable for Vegans."