What you should know about vegan makeup ingredients

Depending on the product, all vegan makeup ingredients are different and act accordingly to its objective.

Let's take a look at the lipstick and the lip matte.

A lip matte is solid while a lip matte is liquid. But both products aim to add color to your lips while moisturizing them!

Other lip products include lip tint, lip balm, lip gloss, lip liner, lip stain.

A powdered mineral foundation works the same as a liquid foundation - add radiance to your skin while covering your blemishes.

Other foundation products include primer, contour, concealer, mousse foundation, cream foundation, 2-way cake, setting powder, cream to powder, BB Cream, CC Cream, DD Cream, highlighter, corrector, pressed powder, etc.

Hence, there is no ONE formula anywhere in the world that all manufacturers have to follow when making vegan makeup.

As an indie beauty owner, you will never run out of choices! There are so many botanicals to choose from, wherever you are.

But beware of the dangerous ones!

Harmful vegan makeup ingredients

Unfortunately, there are a few makeup ingredients that can cause harm especially if you use on a long term.

Good vegan makeup is best when there are no:

  • Talc
  • Triclosan
  • Paraben
  • Formaldehyde
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Hydroquinone *some countries do allow this at a controlled limit

And last but not least, the one vegan makeup ingredient that is not harmful but does nothing to the skin except makes it oily:

Mineral oil

If you are familiar with the term empty calories - it means calories you get from food containing no nutrients, mineral oil works the same way.

It is a refined oil, derived from petroleum. If added into a cosmetic product, it acts like a vegetable oil but gives no benefits to the skin.

Using mineral oils is a cheap way to moisturize and lubricate. 

Mineral oil is also known as Paraffinum Liquidum or Paraffin.

Do you have questions on a vegan makeup ingredients? Post it here!

Sometimes, when you read the ingredients label and you don't understand what it means. Use this space to ask questions!

Other ingredients that are vegan and not harmful

  • Alcohol - usually acts as a solvent or extracts
  • Silicones - acts as a second skin so that makeup will last longer
  • Waxes - to harden or solidify final product
  • Gums - acts as a thickener to liquid-based products
  • Fragrances - an aesthetical ingredient
  • Colorants - an aesthetical ingredient
  • Clays - acts as a functional ingredient or thickener
  • Acids - AHA, BHA, PHA
  • Extracts - acts as a functional ingredient
  • Synthetic ingredients such as preservatives, actives, vitamins, etc
  • 24k Gold - This pure element is purely added to increase aesthetic values. There are no scientific studies that prove it is beneficial to the skin

Are you pregnant?

Generally, a vegan makeup is safe for both pregnant and breastfeeding moms. However, not all cases are true.

Being pregnant means going through a lot of body and hormonal changes that even food can affect your baby's development.

I suggest you speak to your Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Dermatologist or a Certified Herbalist.

Vegan makeup ingredients are constantly improving

Every year, there are makeup ingredients that become popular due to its properties.

It is no longer just coconut oil, turmeric or hyaluronic acid.

Nowadays, you can find:

  • Bakuchiol
  • Cannabis oil, Cannabis Sativa
  • Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA)
  • Niacinamide
  • Plant placenta
  • Retinol
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