Vegan and cruelty free grooming products are not just a fad that have taken over the world. They are a lifestyle choice for the conscious consumer of today. Many people are choosing to revamp their skincare routines as they understand the advantages men’s vegan products and cruelty free options provide overall.  You too can choose a grooming regime that is free from animal derived ingredients and free from animal testing for immense benefits to both you and the environment. Being cruelty free certified and endorsed by the Vegan Society means they cause less damage all around when compared to the traditional options. Read on to learn how to recognise genuine vegan and cruelty free brands and why vegan skincare is here to stay.

What does ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty free’ mean when it comes to grooming products?

There are advantages men’s grooming products both vegan and cruelty free provide, which is why they are ever gaining in popularity. You may have noticed that when it comes to grooming products that vegan and cruelty free seem interchangeable. Yet though they complement each other, and a product can be both it can also be one but not the other. A vegan product generally means that it does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products while cruelty-free is when there is no animal testing of the product.

How do you identify vegan products?

You probably know what a vegan diet means but what about vegan skincare? Well as explained this entails products that have no animal products in them at all such as collagen, carmine, lanolin, cholesterol, honey, beeswax etc. Vegan skincare products are governed by the same consciousness that all creatures have the right to life and freedom. Adopting vegan grooming is a sure way to reduce our harmful impact on animals.

Read labels, look for the Vegan Society certified logo and browse online resources to find the best vegan grooming brands. Unfortunately, there are times that a vegan product is not cruelty free as animal testing is done to suit international markets such as China, were it is a requirement. Products go through stringent monitoring to gain cruelty free and vegan certifications so when you see the certifications you know they are trustable endorsements.

How do you identify cruelty free products?

These are products that are free from animal testing at all stages of product development. As cruelty-free does not have a legal definition its meaning can be defined to suit different purposes. To avoid this lack of proper definition it is best to check for recognised logos such as the Bunny logo that confirms the product as genuinely cruelty-free. You can see if the brand is sold in China because if it is then you know it undergoes animal testing.

Advantages of switching to Vegan and cruelty free men’s grooming products

The advantages of switching to vegan and cruelty free grooming products are many which is why more and more conscious consumers are making the deliberate switch towards ethical grooming.

No toxins and harmful chemicals – As vegan and cruelty free grooming products use predominantly natural ingredients there are no harmful toxins or nasties that can harm the skin or cause irritation.  Some of the harmful toxins and chemicals found in grooming products include parabens which can disrupt hormones and harm fertility and reproductive organs while increasing the risk of cancer. Other such harm ingredients include triclosan, formaldehyde, sodium laureth sulphate among a host of others.

Better for beard, hair and skin – Made from plant products these grooming products are rich with natural goodness found in apricot oil, patchouli and lavender that are good for your hair, beard and skin. No artificial chemicals that cause harm.

Contains vital nutrients – Again as it uses plant based ingredients when you use vegan and cruelty free grooming products you are enriching your hair, beard and skin with all the good minerals and vitamins these natural ingredients provide leaving you with healthy skin and hair.

Good option for sensitive skin – Most commercial grooming products do contain harmful chemicals where as vegan products have naturally derived ingredients that deliver natural goodness, and which makes them gentler on the skin which is great news for anyone with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

It’s the ethical and compassionate choice – By making the switch you are choosing to cause less harm to animals and to have a less negative impact on the environment. Animal products have been listed as one of the key causes of environmental problems including water depletion, soil erosion and climate change. Most vegan and cruelty free grooming brands will also opt for sustainable or bio-degradable packaging and packing so you will also be reducing your contribution to landfills.

Budget friendly options available – When vegan and cruelty free products first entered the market they were expensive as they required a whole new production process. However, as technology advances and processes become streamlined and in place the market has many high quality vegan grooming products which are inexpensive. These budget friendly brands have made it easier for consumers to adopt a vegan grooming routine.

Conclusion

The world of vegan grooming is ever expanding, developing and becoming more exciting with the variety of options made available to consumers. Today nearly every grooming product has a vegan counterpart from cleansers, to moisturisers, shampoos, styling products, beard oils and deodorants. Where before it felt exclusive and was out of budget range for many, today more people are making the permanent transition towards adopting a vegan lifestyle through their grooming habits.

In fact plant based and cruelty free grooming products harness the goodness of nature for smoother skin and glossy hair for a completely guilt free grooming routine that packs a positive punch for the user and for the planet.

If you have not already this is the perfect time to enter the exciting world of vegan personal care to adopt a vegan lifestyle through your grooming routine. Check out the amazing varieties on offer and start your ethical grooming journey today.