Introduction 

The vegan lifestyle is not just a craze but a lifestyle, a choice of being embraced by an increasing number of people.  A plant-based lifestyle goes beyond just a dietary choice allowing people to choose where they would like to adopt a vegan and cruelty-free way of living. Sustainable beauty is a result of consumer requirements for cruelty-free beauty that are eco-friendly and concerned with animal welfare.

What is meant by sustainable beauty?

At its most basic, sustainable beauty is about being informed and consciously choosing to purchase and use beauty brands that have no animal-derived ingredients or animal byproducts and that are manufactured sustainably. These brands focus on using natural ingredients and do not test on animals. Further, they are open about their manufacturing process and ensure that they are environmentally responsible right throughout. This is why vegan beauty products and vegan cosmetics are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for consumers today.

Sustainable beauty products are manufactured in a way which does not harm the planet or our health. Ingredients are non-toxic, biodegradable, organic and sourced responsibly with thought given to future generations. 

The rise in ethical consumerism 

The Institute of Grocery Distribution or IGD defines ethical consumerism as the ‘practice of purchasing products and services produced in a way that minimises social and/or environmental damage while avoiding products and services deemed to have a negative impact on society or the environment.’ 

Thanks to the popularity of veganism more consumers have understood the value of being conscious of their purchases and the impact it has on animals, the environment and even our health. The vegan beauty industry paved the way by introducing into the market products with transparent ingredient listings and production processes while their products are cruelty-free as well. By sourcing nature’s goodness they helped a greater variety of consumers have access to clean beauty products free from parabens and chemicals. 

Thanks to advancements in research, vegan cosmetic manufacturers were able to create natural alternatives to animal products and as these do not have to be tested over and over again, it cuts down significantly on costs. This benefit is passed onto the consumers. Best of all though, it eliminates the need for the cruel practice of animal testing and noticeably reduces the amount of resources used in such testing processes.

Veganism vs Sustainability 

The Vegan Society defines veganism ‘as a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment…’

This is why the principles of veganism work well with that of sustainability which works towards avoiding adding to the ‘depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance’. Both are beneficial in minimising the impact on our natural resources and instead finding suitable alternatives to fulfil our current needs without compromising our future.

The emergence of sustainable beauty 

Generally, consumers are today more informed regarding their lifestyle choices and purchases, aware of the impact they have on the planet and society. Social media has played and continues to play a huge role in shifting consumer perceptions towards sustainable beauty. Vegan cosmetic brands have allowed people access to good quality cosmetics at affordable prices which encouraged established big brands and companies to adopt sustainable beauty to keep up with customer demands. 

Sustainable beauty is all about being more transparent regarding manufacturing processes that do not include methods that harm animals or the environment. Instead, there is a preference for natural and responsibly sourced organic ingredients that are environmentally friendly and free from harmful chemicals.

Overlapping principles of veganism and sustainable beauty

While they are not precisely the same, the principles of veganism and sustainable beauty do overlap as at the core is a focus on not harming the planet, looking after our natural resources and caring for all living beings. A vegan diet is believed to result in 75% less climate-heating emissions, water and pollution and land use. It has helped reduce the destruction of wildlife and the use of water. This naturally aligns with sustainability which is all about using resources with minimum impact on the environment. Veganism and vegan cosmetics are about not harming animals and using natural plant-based or synthetically produced ingredients. No animal-derived products or byproducts are used with absolutely no animal testing.

Sustainable skincare brands can be categorised as ethical because of their focus on eco-friends beauty products ensuring that they harvest natural ingredients from renewable raw resources. Whenever possible they use upcycled ingredients that may have been otherwise trashed and practise sustainable ethical supply chain and labour practices. They are mindful during manufacture, conserving their water usage and minimising waste.

Till this shift, the beauty industry tended to excessive packaging and the use of plastic and overconsumption of resources. Being such a massive industry the beauty packaging alone has amounted to 120 billion units each year, a devastating burden on the environment because plastics and the microplastics associated with the cosmetic industry do not break down. They make their way to landfills and oceans and the repercussions are felt across the planet.

It is because of such frightening problems that consumers are shifting towards sustainable beauty so that they can enjoy their beauty routines without guilt. 

Conclusion

The beauty market today has top-quality sustainable beauty cosmetics on offer that are affordable. It has given more people the opportunity to make the change without having to worry about busting their budgets. The sustainable trend has caused recognised brands to update their manufacturing processes as well, which has had a massive impact on the environment. If you are looking to make the change, do your research, read up on the company ethics, check the ingredients used and see if the products are certified by reputed organisations such as the Vegan Society or The Leaping Bunny. This will ensure you are making the right start to your sustainable beauty routine.