Vegan Skincare
With almost half of all UK adults looking to cut their intake of animal products in the future, we’re here to share with you what you need to know about vegan skincare.
What is vegan skincare?
These are skincare products that are formulated with ingredients not derived from animals.
What are common animal derived ingredients you ask? The most likely one is beeswax, a humectant produced by honey bees, which is found in a small number of products. This is the only non-vegan ingredient included in our curated edit of products, both in-clinic and the products you use at home.
What’s the difference between cruelty-free and vegan skincare?
Cruelty-free products are not tested on animals to see if the ingredients are safe for human use. Currently in the UK and the EU, testing on animals is against the law, so whatever you purchase from us will technically be cruelty-free.
If you are unsure, it’s best to get in touch with a brand to confirm with them.
How do I know if an ingredient is vegan?
If you do an online search for beauty ingredients that are not vegan, the results that come up can be quite confusing and varied. Many websites describe some of the most common skincare ingredients as non-vegan. For example: squalane, retinol/vitamin a, and glycerin.
It’s important to understand that in the past, these ingredients may have more commonly been derived from animals, that it’s now quite rare for that to be the case. Let’s dive into these three ingredients a little more…
Squalane
Used as a moisturising ingredient, Squalane is an emollient which is naturally occurring in certain fish and plant oils (e.g. olive), and in the sebum (the oily stuff our skin produces) of the human skin. This means it’s a skin-identical ingredient, is compatible with all skin types, and is fantastic at relieving dryness, eczema, and irritation.
Squalane can be derived from sharks, hence why some resources will tell you to watch out for it on ingredient lists. However these days brands are using a version derived from plants, e.g. olives. All the products we stock are formulated with the vegan, plant-based version of squalane.
An advanced serum that targets the signs of ageing without aggravating or causing inflammation in sensitive skins.
WHY WE LOVE IT
Formulated with skin barrier loving ingredients like probiotics and prebiotics, the anti-oxidant myrothalmus and "nature's retinol", bakuchiol, along with hydrating squalane, this serum targets ageing without risking flare ups or irritation.
A super gentle, hydrating moisturiser that packs a punch without leaving a weighty feeling upon your skin.
WHY WE LOVE IT
Hydro uses delicious natural ingredients including super-gentle aloe that protects and improves dry, damaged, broken, sensitive and irritated skin as well as hydrating squalane and restorative jojoba oil that works wonders on oily and acneic skin as it regulates sebum production to prevent oil build up as well as keeping your skin super moisturised.
Retinol / Vitamin A
When it comes to this proven anti-aging ingredient, there are a number of resources that tell us to look out for an animal derived version of Vitamin A / Retinol, however this is only really relevant when it comes to food, not cosmetics. Often Vitamin A dietary supplements are made with cod liver oil. When Vitamin A is found in skincare, it’s always the synthetic, more stable version.
This is a powerful night serum packed with stabilised retinol to improve skin function, feel and behaviour.
WHY WE LOVE IT
What we love about Ultimate A is that its retinol is stabilised and deeply penetrative. This means that unlike some other retinol or retinaldehyde formulations that become unstable when exposed to heat and air, Ultimate A does not lose its efficacy over time and is gentler on the skin.
A potent water-based gel serum packed with slow-release retinol, vitamin C and B, and unique plant extracts designed to target skin tone and texture.
WHY WE LOVE IT
It will stimulate cell renewal, brighten the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as improving skin texture. Because you don’t have the patience for a 10-step routine and want a product that can work on skin tone, texture and hydration all in one easy product.
Glycerin
Traditionally this moisturising 'humectant' ingredient came from animal fat, however these days it’s largely the synthetic version which is used, often derived from vegetables. It’s quite rare to see non-vegan glycerin in cosmetics and skincare, and all our products are formulated with the vegan type.
A super-soothing serum that protects your skin from stressful situations and supports your skin’s capacity to heal and regenerate.
WHY WE LOVE IT
Recovery 27 features glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and chicory to deeply hydrate, plump and lift the skin, along with a-Glucan Oligosaccharide - prebiotic to feed and nurture your skin’s microbiome which is an essential defence against environmental stressors.
A glycerin and hyaluronic acid-pumped hydrator that is light as a feather and filled with delicious botanical ingredients to target acne causing bacteria as well as reduce oil production..
WHY WE LOVE IT
This works hard on many levels, but it is really just fantastic at hydrating oily complexions without weighing on your skin. It sinks in like magic and can manage acne without drying you out.
Collagen Supplements
While many of our skincare products and treatments are shown to stimulate collagen in the skin, when it comes to supplements, all sources of collagen are derived from animal sources, most commonly fish.
We offer two types of collagen supplements from Ingenious Beauty at the clinic and online: Ultimate Collagen (derived from fish) and a vegan alternative which is formulated with an amazing ingredient called Astrion, a plant-based active that increases collagen synthesis in your body.
Looking to have a vegan treatment?
All of our treatments are adaptable to be vegan friendly, just let our team know when you are booking your appointment.
On our website you can also find a vegan product section, plus on every single product page, we have a “Facts” section where we state if the product is vegan.
If you have any questions about our products or treatments, don't hesitate to give us a call or email us. We're here to help with your skin education!
