As we step into 2024, Veganuary is the perfect opportunity to align your beauty routine with the compassionate vegan ethos.

Marvice shares her advice and recommendations if you’re looking to be more eco-conscious with your beauty routine and purchases.

Eat your way to glowing skin

Skin looking dull after the festive celebrations? Veganuary can help get your skin’s glow back after the holiday excesses, explains Marvice.

But remember that a vegan diet isn’t necessarily healthy. Don’t binge on the chips and ultra-processed vegan food if you want glowing, radiant skin. Instead, eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lentils, beans, nuts and seeds plus some healthy fats like olive oil.

Leafy green vegetables and berries are packed with antioxidants – opt for darker coloured plants as the darker the colour, the more antioxidants you’ll get.

While olive oil and foods rich in ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), such as flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, soybeans and soy oil, pumpkin seeds and oil, tofu, canola oil and walnuts, have been shown to protect older skin from ageing and dryness.

Just remember advises Marvice that a vegan diet can make it harder to get sufficient vitamins D and B12, iodine, selenium, calcium and iron. Taking a Vitamin D supplement is recommended.

Understanding vegan beauty

It’s a common misconception says Marvice, that vegan products do not contain synthetic chemicals and are therefore ‘better’ for your skin.

But while many vegan skincare brands focus on gentle plant-based ingredients, many products do contain synthetic, vegan-friendly pigments, preservatives and fillers.

So, as with any beauty purchase, read the label carefully cautions Marvice. Need some expert, friendly advice? Just ask – we love to help.

And talking of checking labels…

Hidden animal-derived ingredients

It’s easy to overlook animal-derived ingredients such as lanolin, beeswax, honey, marine oil, gelatine, squalene, hyaluronic acid, uric acid, carmine (cochineal), keratin and stearic acid. These are all popular and common ingredients in skincare, makeup and fragrances.

Check too for animal-derived collagen (also known as ‘hydrolysed collagen’) and choose retinol products that are clearly labelled ‘vegan’, as much retinol is animal-derived. There are vegan based retinol products such as Diego dalla Palma Professional Regenerating Retinol Serum but again, check carefully if you’re a strict vegan.

Cruelty-free vs Vegan

Bear in mind a beauty product can be vegan and yet still be tested on animals says Marvice.

The ‘Leaping Bunny’ logo guarantees that a product has not been tested on animals but does not mean the product is vegan, unlike the PETA Cruelty-Free & Vegan logo which ticks both boxes.

Vegan brushes

Makeup brushes may contain animal hair or fur so choose ones with synthetic bristles if you want to continue the vegan lifestyle after the end of January.

Body brushes are another one to check as some contain animal-derived fibres, too.

Making the change

Feeling overwhelmed about making the switch? Take it one step at a time advises Marvice. Start by using up what you have – no sense in waste – then gradually introduce vegan products into your beauty routine.

Ready to take the leap? Call 604-306-7531 to book a consultation and we’ll recommend the best products for you and the vegan options available says Marvice. We can also recommend vegan treatments for you.

Here’s to a beautiful, vegan-friendly January and beyond.

Happy Veganuary!