Our skin is our largest organ, and what you use on it does affect your overall health. One advantage of making your own skin treatments and cosmetic products is that it puts you in control of the ingredients you use and apply to your skin. Of course, you don't always have time to make all of your skin care products from scratch. So, knowing how to accurately read the labels of store-bought products become important.
To start, the term "natural" on the label is meaningless - there's no authority that monitors this claim. Therefore, you really need to take an eagle eye to the back of the product. Ingredients are listed in order of percentage: if the first ingredient is water, that means water is the most prominent ingredient. You may see a product that boasts a desirable ingredient on the front label, only to find that it's the last ingredient listed.
Some ingredients such as "sodium chloride" may sound scary but are, in fact, completely natural. Sodium chloride is table salt. A quick search online can reveal the common name and whether it's an ingredient you want to put on your skin.
Vegans may not realize that some of their favorite products actually contain ingredients they wish to avoid. Here's a surprising list of animal-derived substances:
Ambergris: adds scent and/or color; derived from whales
Aspic: an industry alternative to gelatin; made from clarified meat or fish
Casein: a protein derived from milk
Cochineal dye or carminic acid: adds red color; comes from the cochineal insect
Cod liver oil: found in lubricating creams and lotions
Collagen: taken from the bones and connective tissues of animals; used in cosmetics to help skin retain water and keep it supple
Elastin: similar use as collagen; derived from the neck ligaments and aorta of cows
Gelatin: for smooth skin and to add gloss to hair; obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones from cows or pigs
Keratin: used for hair and as an anti-aging skin care ingredient; obtained from sheep wool or from the skin, hooves, and horns of animals
Lactose: a sugar derived from milk
Propolis: used for its antiviral and antimicrobial properties to treat breakouts and protect skin; created by bees in the construction of their hives
Royal Jelly: an anti-aging ingredient; comes from secretions of the throat gland of the honeybee
Shellac: found in hair lacquer; obtained from the bodies of the female scale insect
Vitamin D3: found in creams, lotions, and other cosmetics; made from fish-liver oil
Whey: a byproduct of cheese making
For homemade natural beauty recipes, there are quite a few plant-derived substitutes from which to choose, whether it's agave, natural plant oils like olive or grape seed, or nut milks. These types of ingredients can help you maintain beautiful skin and healthy, shiny hair - without having to compromise the vegan values.
Vegan Substitutes:
Heavy plant waxes like candelilla and oils like coconut can replace beeswax to thicken creams, lotions, and lip balms to help protect skin. Cocoa and Shea butters also work well.
Plant and nut milks in place of dairy.
Cucumber, chamomile tea, and aloe vera gel can provide astringent and cleaning qualities for oily skin types.
Coconut or olive oil can help with dry skin conditions.
Molasses, maple syrup or agave syrup in place of honey to cleanse and moisturize skin.
I have listed a couple of my favorite beauty recipes:
Plant-based lip balm
1/2 tsp castor oil
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp Shea butter
1/2 tsp cocoa butter
1-2 drops essential oil (peppermint essential oil is my favorite for flavoring)
In a heat-resistant bowl or small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
Gently heat until melted.
Stir well and pour into a small container.
Let cool completely.
To use: Spread on your lips with a clean fingertip.
Avocado Facial Mask
1/2 fresh avocado, mashed
1 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl until you have a smooth, creamy mixture.
Make sure your face and neck are clean prior to using.
Spread the mask on and let sit for 15 minutes.
Rinse with warm water and gently pat skin dry.
Stimulating Scalp Toner
1/4 cup fresh parsley juice
2 Tbsp fresh mint leaves, minced
1 cup water
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Place ingredients in a blender and process on high until well-mixed.
Pour over hair after shampooing and massage well into your scalp.
Let sit for a few minutes, then rinse with the coldest water you can stand.
Enjoy!
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