When we come accross the term "vegan", most of us think of a someone who does not eat meat, eggs and dairy. However, veganism is way more than that, it's a way of life. Veganism exists in beauty, fashion, and all areas of life where animal ingredients can be avoided. At DESIGNME, we pride ourselves on being a sustainable and ethical brand. This means we made the decision to be 100% vegan and cruelty-free. But how does veganism play a role in haircare? & Why is it important?
WHAT MAKES A HAIRCARE PRODUCT VEGAN?
Simply stated, a vegan product has no animal ingredients or byproducts. These include ingredients like beeswax, collagen, elastin, keratin and lanolin, which are popular in hair care.
If ever you're not sure if an ingredient is vegan, you can consult this list on PETA's website.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE?
So, now that we understand what a vegan product is, it's time to demistify the difference between products that are vegan and cruelty free. There's often confusion around this, so much so that it's not uncommon to hear these terms used interchangeably. However, as mentioned, vegan means there are no animal ingredients in the product. On the other hand, cruelty-free means the product was not tested on animals. It turns out, a vegan product could test on animals, and a cruelty-free product could have animal ingredients. It is important to distinguish the two when shopping for new products.
How do you spot a vegan or cruelty-free product? Most companies who are vegan and cruelty-free will be PETA-certified, meaning they have been approved by PETA as a brand that does not test on animals or use them for ingredients. At DESIGNME, we are proud to say that we are PETA certified.
If you're not sure wether a brand is cruelty-free, you can once again use PETA's online resource.
WHY DOES BEING VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE MATTER?
Vegan hair care products are known to be less harsh, and better for your hair. There are so many benefits to vegan products including more natural and nourishing ingredients. It is also potentially better for the environment to opt for vegan and cruelty-free options. Luckily, brands are more and more aware of their impact. This means there are plenty of alternatives and more vegan options than ever before. Although there’s still a ways to go, being vegan has never been more accessible to the mass.
Even if you love your cheese and ice cream, you can still play a part in the vegan movement by consciously buying your skincare, clothing, haircare and other products. We love animals, why would we want to hurt them if there are many alternatives at our disposal? Every decision, no matter how small, makes an impact.
vegan brands we love
Looking to make the switch, but not sure where to start? Here are some of our favourite brands. This list is definitely not exhaustive! As we mentioned, more and more amazing brands are making the switch to veganism, making vegan products more available to the masses.
- Matt & Nat (Fashion, accessories)
- Kotn (Fashion)
- BKIND (Beauty, skincare)
- Bite Beauty (Beauty, cosmetics)
- Milk Makeup (Beauty, cosmetics)
- Summer Fridays (Beauty, skincare)
- Pixie Mood (Fashion, accessories)
Until next time...
We hope this article gave you a better understanding of vegan & cruelty-free haircare products, and maybe even inspired you to consider incorporating these products into your routine! Every small action counts!
Talk soon,
The DESIGNME Team
