As we get ready to celebrate World Vegan Day next Friday, November 1, there's never been a better time to hone in on beauty's most conscientious category.
Often labelled as a 'fad', veganism is going nowhere fast. In 2018, Google Trends revealed that Australian's lead the way when it comes to learning more about veganism, racking up the highest number of searches for the term across the globe that year. Over in the UK, Cosmetify conducted a recent survey that showed 49% of women would choose a vegan product when shopping for beauty.
While only 9% of those surveyed buy vegan products exclusively, 47% said they buy vegan products more than they used to. "Many of the current trends in the beauty industry are driven by conscious beauty," says Cosmetify digital brand manager, Isa Lavahun, confirming that consumers are more ethically conscious than ever before.
While these numbers are positive, many consumers are still in the dark about how to differentiate natural, organic and vegan products. Unfamiliar ingredient names such as tallow (animal fat), cochineal (a dye made from beetle shells) and specific types of squalene (derived from sharks), mean that identifying vegan products can still be tricky.
But as the industry continues to educate consumers with initiatives like Feelunique's Beauty Decoded program, it's likely that beauty, free from animal by-products, such as Kat Von D and Mecca Max, will be a highly favoured option going forward.
If you're looking to share some vegan beauty content with your readers next week, here are some more brands that offer an entire (or almost!) range of animal-friendly products.
Saya Skincare
Saya Skincare offers pure plant-based vegan friendly skincare, from cleansers, moisturisers, serums, body cleansers, lotions and scrubs. The entire range (less its Goats Milk & Manuka Honey Soap) is vegan, made with unique Australian plant extracts like lemon myrtle, desert lime, Kakadu plum and Illawarra flame tree.
Arbonne
Arbonne's "Not Allowed" ingredients list includes all animal products or by-products, including, but not limited to, dairy, honey, beeswax, and silk. The brand is certified by The Vegan Society themselves.
EcoTools
Makeup brushes are traditionally made from animal hair, taken from squirrels minks and horses. But EcoTools instead use renewable bamboo, recycled aluminum and plastic on its brushes that come in tree-free packaging made from cotton and bamboo.
INIKA Organic
INIKA Organic, that boasts a broad range of makeup, holds itself to the highest possible standard with products that are certified organic, certified vegan, certified cruelty-free and certified halal.
DB Cosmetics
Similar to its sister brand above, DB Cosmetics is committed to creating certified cruelty-free and certified vegan products that are affordable and ethical.
Sukin
Australian made Sukin offers an extensive range of 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free skin, hair and body care. With a commitment to minimal environmental impact, it also uses recyclable and BPA free packaging made from plant-based PET plastic and amber glass.
Special mentions to a few other brands who offer their consumers multiple vegan options:
Marzena has just launched vegan Wax Strips made frm natural Pine tree resin, enriched with Hemp Seed Oil, and on bio-compostable cellophane – all sustainably sourced.
Synergie Skin offers an aaray of vegan products such as its MineralWhip foundation, Acceler-A serum and Brightenlite milk moisturiser.
jane iredale provides mostly vegan products. A handy list on its website indicating which of their products contain animal ingredients.
endota spa's Organics™ range is also mostly free of animal by-products and consumers can check the brand's in-house ingredient glossary to find out more.
LUSH has just launched 70 vegan beauty products for Christmas.
Bat Your Lash, a beauty salon based in Melbourne offers fully sustainable and vegan treatments. Focusing on clients that love the planet and animals, every aspect of the salon has been carefully curated to reduce its impact on the environment.