What Does “Vegan” and “Gluten-Free” Mean in Skincare?
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Tiempo de lectura 3 min
Consumers have never been savvier when it comes to shopping for beauty products. Blame it on social media, a rise in skincare and self-care interest during the pandemic or the well-stocked shelves brimming with indie brands at Bloomingdales, Target, Sephora and Ulta, just to name a few. The average shopper now knows the intimate details of the formula they’re seeking, right down to very specific ingredients that may yield the results they’re looking for — or those that they insist on avoiding at all costs.
But is drawing a line in the sand over what is or isn’t in a moisturizer absolutely necessary? Well that all depends on personal preference. However, education is key to understanding ingredient labels and what the exclusion of an element actually means in the big picture. For instance, if you adhere to a strict vegan diet, a vegan cleanser might be relevant to maintaining the integrity of your principles. But those seeking a “clean” formula, or one that’s “better for you,” may not actually be getting what they want. Here, we’ll break down modern buzz words in beauty and share insight into their importance.
“Vegan” in Skincare Explained
Simply put, a vegan skincare product contains no animal-derived ingredients or byproducts. For instance, you won’t find the occlusive moisturizing ingredient lanolin, found on in the coat of sheep, in a vegan product or red dye extracted from the crushed shells of carmine beetles. Bee-sourced substances, including honey and royal jelly, are off limits too.
Vegan refers to ingredient sourcing, not formulation or performance. There’s a common misconception that just because a product is labelled vegan, it’s gentler, more natural or inherently safer, but that’s not necessarily true. In fact, some botanical ingredients, like the seaweed and micro-algae that often makes up vegan collagen, can be allergens for some. The bottom line is that irritation potential exists whether a product is made from animal or plant ingredients.
What “Gluten-Free” Products Actually Don’t Contain
Just like a gluten-free diet, gluten-free skincare is free of wheat, barley or other gluten-containing grains or their byproducts. Hydrolyzed wheat protein, commonly found in hair treatments, and oat extract, a soothing panacea in skincare for sensitive types, typically contain some gluten.
The concept of gluten-free, in diets and beyond, gained awareness — and popularity — with the rise in the recognition of celiac disease. However, there is little science to suggest that gluten penetrates the skin. Dermatologists agree that topically applied products, in most cases, will not trigger the symptoms associated with celiac disease. The one exception here is with lip balm, which could be digested through the mouth.
Who Should Care About These Claims
Vegan skincare is definitely for those with ethical concerns about animal-derived ingredients, as well as anyone seeking a plant-based routine. Shoppers who credit environmental concerns as a major force in their lives may also choose to seek out vegan skincare, as the absence of animal-derived ingredients protects the eco-system, creating a generally smaller environmental footprint.
When it comes to gluten-free skincare, only those with extreme cases of celiac disease need ti be wary of topically-applied formulas.
Why These Labels Can Be Misleading
Those seeking vegan and gluten-free skincare are typically consumers with high awareness looking to take control of what they put in and on their bodies. And often there can be an assumption that vegan and gluten-free formulas are gentler and better for them. But a vegan or gluten-free label doesn’t reveal if a product is made from ingredients of natural origin, fragrance free, non-comedogenic or suitable for sensitive skin.
Products may also contain additional ingredients that can be potential irritants, such as retinol or vitamin C, or some essential oils, and these should not be overlooked, even if a label points to a “healthy” formula.
Also, the terms “vegan” and “gluten-free” originated in nutrition and diet, but can now be found in beauty aisles. Wellness culture has blurred the lines between what we eat and what we put on our complexions, but the science shows that ingredients like gluten cannot be absorbed through skin.
How to Shop Smarter
It’s never been easier to find a variety of beauty products at the click of a button and on shop shelves galore, but sifting through the marketing can be daunting. Stay true to your beliefs and choose products that suit your lifestyle.
Read labels carefully; dive deep into ingredients rather than buzz words and marketing claims.
Make sure to choose formulas with active ingredients that actually penetrate skin. Halo42’s Nourishing Face & Body Oil contains natural copaiba oil derived from rainforest resin that soothes inflammation as it nourishes deeply.
“Vegan” and “gluten-free” are meaningful labels, but not necessarily for the reasons consumers assume. The smartest approach is to view these claims as one piece of the puzzle and evaluate products through the lens of the bigger picture: They should make you feel as good about your choices as they make you look. Now that’s good to glow.
