With the news that cosmetics brands like Hourglass and Kat Von D are going completely vegan*, you might be wondering what vegan products are. Isn’t makeup safe from animal ingredients? Well, no. Take beeswax, for example, which is used for lip balm. Beeswax comes from bees. Another common ingredient is Carmine, which is a red dye made from crushed beetles’ wings and is used to create highly pigmented lipsticks and blushes. Guanine is crushed fish scales that add shimmer to lipsticks and nail polish. Tallow, which is animal fat, is found in eye makeup, lipsticks, and foundations. Lanolin is grease that mammals excrete and is used in lipsticks and thick makeup removers. Collagen is a protein from animal tissue used in moisturizers, foundation, and lipstick to plump up skin.
Beeswax
Lanolin
There are many more common ingredients derived from animals that are found in cosmetics. But new makeup brands are now happy to say that these same ingredients can be replaced by plant-based substances. To switch to vegan cosmetics helps you, animals, and the environment in many ways. For example, Lanolin can clog pores and cause allergic reactions. The environment benefits because animal farms worsen climate change. If we can reduce animal farms (especially those used for cosmetic ingredients), we help the planet breathe better. Plus, fewer animals are hurt for your makeup!
If you’re loving the thought of using vegan-friendly cosmetics, you’ll be happy to know that Calyxta carries such products. Shop for the following:
* Anastasia Beverly Hills
* Besame
* Charlotte Tilbury
* Ciate
* Colourpop
* Eye of Horus
* Girlactik
* Glossier
* Huda Beauty
* Kat Von D Beauty
* Hourglass
* Human Nature
* Lime Crime
* Milani
* Milk Makeup
* Ofra
* Pixi
* Sonia Kashuk
* Tarte
* Too Faced
* Urban Decay
* w7
As of writing, Hourglass and Kat Von D Beauty are still in the process of eliminating animal by-products. Please check the labels for ingredients.