Your wedding day… It is the day many dream about since they were young, the day you will be surrounded by all of your family and friends, the day you will marry the love of your life, and the day you will look back on for many years to come. Trust us when we say, a happy loving smile will radiate beauty with, or without make up. But if you do decide to indulge in some glitz and glam for your special day, and want to include vegan friendly products in your regime, we have included some tips to help you, as we know wedding planning in itself can cause some premature aging!

Beauty products are one of the biggest aspects of planning a wedding, especially for the bride, whether it be make up, spray tans or hairspray- and we are only just getting started! The global beauty and cosmetic industry are overwhelming, when it comes to finding the best product for you, but don’t worry, we have got your covered (after a primer of course!).

Over the years, the vegan friendly cosmetic options have rapidly expanded, as more and more people are fighting against animal cruelty in the beauty industry. This has resulted in many cosmetic companies ceasing the use of animal testing, and using alternatives in their ingredients, whether it be synthetic forms which have the same result, plant or vegetable based ingredients.
But finding a cosmetic which has the vegan tick of approval can be overwhelming. All it takes is a trip to your local pharmacy, where you will be bombarded with beauty product after beauty product, all with ingredient lists harder to decipher than a rubix cube, and each advertising their many ‘benefits’. Unfortunately, as with most ingredients lists, chemical names, and numbers are used, and unless you happen to know off the top of your head, that ‘Chitosan’ is a fibre extracted from crustacean shells, you may not realise that the ‘natural’ product you are buying is not vegan friendly. ‘Natural’ does not always mean cruelty free. Fortunately, with ‘cruelty free’ and ‘vegan’ logos being introduced, shopping is becoming simpler. But without the logo, how do you know what is hiding in your product? Having the knowledge of what shouldn’t be in your beauty products can make shopping that little bit easier.
Below is a list of ingredients you can familiarise yourself with, and do your best to avoid. Try not to be too discouraged, as it can be difficult removing all traces of animal products from every aspect of your life. But with every small step you take, we are all one step closer to our cause.

Ingredients to avoid

– Adrenaline: Adrenaline can be found in some human medicines, but synthetic alternatives are available.
– Allantoin: A chemical compound in uric acid from mammals, and commonly found in skin care lotions and creams. Alternatives include synthetics, and plant extracts e.g comfrey root.
– Amino Acids: A form of protein, used in cosmetics and extracted from animals. Plant based, and synthetic alternatives are available.
– Animal fats/oils: Can be found in many different types of cosmetics. Fortunately there are many alternative oils which can be used, such as flaxseed oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil.
– Arachidonic Acid: An acid which can be extracted from animals, to be used as a soothing agent for skin conditions, such as dermatitis and eczema. There are effective alternatives available, from aloe vera to tea tree oil.
– Caprylic Acid: An extract from cows milk, commonly found in soaps and lotions. Coconut oil based soaps are great alternatives.
– Casein: A protein based from milk, commonly used in hair dyes and face masks. Soy milk alternatives are available.
– Chitosan: The fibre from crustacean shells, manipulated to act as a binder in deodorants, skin care creams and occasionally toothpastes. Plant and fruit based alternatives are just as effective.
– Collagen: The fibrous protein extracted from vertebrates, commonly used in preventative aging skincare creams, in order to reduce the signs of wrinkles. Soy protein based skin care creams are effective, and do not cause a minor allergic reaction to the skin, as some collagen based skincare creams can cause.
– Egg Proteins: Most commonly found in hair care products, such as shampoos and hair masks. Plant proteins, and avocado are great alternatives.
– Elastin: Extracted from cows, this protein is advertised to act much like collagen in skincare products, but synthetic and plant based alternatives are available.
– Fish scales: Can be found in low market ‘shimmery’ eye shadows, try mica or rayon for a no scale alternative.
– Gelatin: One of the most common animal extracted protein ingredients on the market. Found in shampoos, face masks and soaps.
– Keratin: A popular hair care treatment, which comes from the hair of various animals, feathers and hooves. Alternatives include almond oil and soy protein.
– Lard: Derived from animal fat. Pure vegetable fats and oils are available as alternatives.
– Musk Oil: Extracted from secretion glands in the genitals of  musk deer, beavers and other animals. Ironically, it can be found in perfumes, but labdanum oil and plant based alternatives are available.
– Oleic Oil: A derivative from animal fats and oils. Coconut oil is a great alternative.
– Polypeptides: Protein extracted from animals. For alternatives, search for plant protein and enzymes.

As time goes by, more and more companies are providing effective AND cruelty free beauty products to customers. We strongly support these Australian companies, for taking a stand and fighting for animal welfare. Therefore, we have listed some of these business’, and hope that you will purchase your beauty needs from these companies.

– Adorn cosmetics
– Akin
– Anumi Skincare
– Australian Natural Company
– Australian Pure
– Australis
– Bioessentials
– Biologika
– Botanica
– De Lorenzo
– Ecotan
– Hurraw Lip Balms
– Inessence
– Inika
– iRaw
– Kester Black
– Natio
– Natures Organics
– Natures Quest
– Organic Care
– Sanctum
– Saya
– Say It With Polish
– Sukin
– Tints Of Nature
– Ulittlebeauty
– White Glo

Further information

For a comprehensive list of animal derived ingredients used in the cosmetic industry, please go to http://www.peta.org/living/beauty/animal-ingredients-list/

Or you can download the very informative “Choose Cruelty Free” or “Bunny Free” apps for free, which allows you to search for cruelty free cosmetic and beauty products.

www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/