Celebrate World Vegan Month With These Plant-Based, Vegan, Cruelty-Free Beauty Finds!

It’s officially World Vegan Month! While you might associate the word “vegan” with a diet filled with vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains, the philosophy of eschewing all animal-derived ingredients can apply to all our lifestyle choices —  including the skincare, haircare, and personal care products we choose to purchase and use. While we’re seeing a rise in clean beauty offerings, many beauty products still contain animal by-products such as honey, beeswax, goat’s milk, egg whites, lanolin, collagen, squalene, tallow, and gelatin. Disturbed by that list? Well, start remixing you beauty cabinet with these great plant-driven, cruelty-free, clean, non-toxic, vegan beauty finds — all of which I discussed during my latest appearance on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin.”

Click here to watch the segment on CBSAustin.com  and continue reading for more details on the vegan beauty finds seen on air!

HUDSON AND JAMES ANGEL SKIN FACE OIL AND RETINOID SKIN RESCUE

Have you ever read through the ingredient list of a beauty product touted as having “clean” ingredients only to find a list of polysyllabic chemicals that are virtually impossible to pronounce? You’re not alone. See, the “clean beauty” space isn’t narrowly defined and hence one brand’s interpretation could vary wildly from another brand’s take. Most brands, for instance, agree that parabens and mineral oils shouldn’t be incorporated into their formulations. But what about chemical sunscreens like avobenzone or oxybenzone or silicones like dimethicone? Beauty brands often differ on what they consider to be “safe” synthetic ingredients and hence the “clean beauty” space can be difficult to navigate — that is, unless consumers remain vigilant about educating themselves on ingredient safety and, in turn, brands adopt full transparency when it comes to their product formulations.

That’s one of the reasons why I applaud Hudson and James, a plant-driven, vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand that prioritizes ingredient transparency — in fact, its high performance formulas are made in handcrafted micro-batches to ensure the best quality, and every ingredient serves a purpose, with no cost-cutting fillers used ever. This emphasis on quality over quantity means their products are always free of aging carcinogens, toxins, synthetic color, fragrance, glycols, DEA, TEA, parabens, paraffin, nitrosamine releasers, and lauryl sulfates. Instead, Hudson and James relies on renewable and plentiful natural ingredients, many of them sourced from all over the globe via Fair Trade initiatives.

One of their all-star products is the aptly-named, skin-rejuvenating Hudson and James Angel Skin Face Oil ($85 at HudsonandJames.com). This indulgent, heavenly-feeling face oil combines 12 botanical oils — among them prickly pear, pomegranate, marula, apricot, and amla oils — that work together to stimulate collagen production, neutralize free radicals, brighten the complexion, and prevent wrinkles and breakouts.

Another standout is the Retinoid Skin Rescue ($85 at HudsonandJames.com).  This  nighttime serum combines retinol with 14 different soothing and hydrating ingredients including aloe vera, COQ10, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract, and vitamins B and C, so you enjoy the anti-aging benefits of retinol without any harsh side effects such as redness, flakiness, peeling, and tightness.

For ideal results, use the Angel Skin Face Oil in the morning after cleansing your face and apply the Retinoid Skin Rescue in the evening before bed.

For more info, visit HudsonandJames.com

DR. DENNIS GROSS DRx BLEMISH SOLUTIONS ACNE ELIMINATING GEL

Between work-from-home and remote learning arrangements, quarantine fatigue, and the heated political climate, we’re all feeling more than a little stressed — and that can, of course, translate to breakouts. Not only has 2020 forced s to grapple with anxiety-driven breakouts, but we’ve also become way too familiar with the  phenomenon dubbed “maskne,” a type of acne mechanica that stems from prolonged use of face coverings. Because face masks impose heat, friction and occlusion on the skin (after all, they’re designed to create a tight seal around the mouth and nose) and breathing, talking and sweating all create moist environments within this tight seal, the environment is ripe for acne to emerge. Hence, even if you made it through adolescence and most of your adulthood with only an occasional, ultra-rare blemish, you might find your mouth, nose, chin, and jaw are now covered in unseemly pimples that only make your frustration levels rise.

First, take a deep breath and know you’re not alone in the maskne madness. Second, get proactive about clearing up that skin by picking up the  new Dr. Dennis Gross DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel ($40 at Sephora and Sephora.com). This fast-acting treatment contains 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate skin and unclog pores, as well as breakthrough ingredient, monk pepper, which helps to prevent the over-production of oil that can lead to breakouts. Plus, it doesn’t contain benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient commonly found in many an acne treatment that can prove highly irritating and can actually damage skin. Instead, this acne eliminating gel clarifies skin without over-drying it — in fact, the formula incorporates vitamin B3 to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, green tea to soothe skin and protect if from free radical damage, and aloe and chamomile to gently hydrate and calm skin.

Like all Dr. Dennis Gross products, the formula abides by the brand’s “clean without compromise” ethos, and so it’s vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and sulfate-free. Moreover, Dr. Dennis Gross has blacklisted over 1,650 ingredients, some of which haven’t been banned by any market, which speaks to the brand’s commitment to only using safe, non-toxic ingredients.   T

To banish those blemishes for good, us the Acne Eliminating Gel once daily, applying a thin layer all over your complexion, focusing on problem areas, or dabbing it on as a spot treatment.

JUICE BEAUTY BAMBOO PORE REFINING MASK

Speaking of blemishes and unruly skin, a clear complexion starts with an effective and consistent skincare routine. To keep acne at bay, you want to regularly detox your skin while keeping it hydrated and healthy. Sure, daily cleansing and hydrating routines are vital, but if your pores are enlarged, your skin is congested, your complexion appears oily, and/or you’re seeing blackheads, whiteheads, or acne of any kind, you will benefit tremendously from using a powerful face mask that can eliminate all of those toxins lurking below the skin’s surface. Enter the new Juice Beauty Bamboo Pore Refining Mask ($36 at JuiceBeauty.com and ULTA Beauty), which launched in August and constitutes the latest addition to the brand’s award-winning Blemish Clearing collection.

Housed in a stunning and sustainable, recyclable glass jar with a turquoise-colored lid, this powerful face mask is formulated with bamboo charcoal, as well as bentonite and kaolin, which work together to unclog pores by drawing out deep-dwelling dirt and impurities. It also contains aspen bark, which has antimicrobial properties, salicylic acid, and a blend of alpha and poly-hydroxy acids like malic acid from organic apples, lactic acid, and tartaric acid to exfoliate skin and reveal smoother-looking and softer-feeling skin. And that’s not all! The formula also features soothing aloe and a blend of bilberry, sugar cane, and maple extracts that are rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins and catechins.

THE BETTER SKIN COMPANY MIRAKLE CREAM AND LAVA MAGIK

Every wondered if you could simplify your skincare routine and still enjoy all the brightening, firming, skin-softening, tone-evening, skin-plumping benefits you seek? Turns out you can! All you need is The Better Skin Company’s Mirakle Cream ($36 at TheBetterSkinCo.com), a do-it-all skin savior that can be used as a day cream, night cream, primer, eye cream, brightener and more. This miracle worker is powered by a secret formula that the brand’s co-founder, Natalya Ruchkova, imported from her native Uzbekistan when she first immigrated to her now-home of Seattle, Washington. After whipping up a few batches of the cream in her kitchen and sharing it with her new friends, word spread about Natalya’s beauty elixir. When she met beauty industry alum Murphy D. Bishop, II in 2013, the two decided to launch The Better Skin Company with the Mirakle Cream as its marquee offering. Beauty lovers soon fell for the multi-purpose cream, which features a vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, clean formula that contains ingredients like shea butter, algae extract, sea buckthorn oil, coconut oil, aloe, and peptides.

Another must-have from this unique brand is Lava Magik ($32 at TheBetterSkinCo.com), a cleanser, scrub, and face mask in one that contains detoxifying volcanic lava from France enriched with calendula, cucumber, grapeseed, parsley, sweet orange, and chamomile extracts to buff away dead skin cells, boost radiance, and minimize pores.

DEFENAGE 6-WEEK PERFECTION NECK CREAM

We all know that, as we age, the thin skin on our necks can begin to sag and appear crepe-y and wrinkled. But did you know your daily habits could prematurely age your neck? The phenomenon called “tech neck,” a result of looking down at your smartphone or tablet for extended periods of time while scrolling through social media, can not only lead lead to back pain but it can create tension along the jaw line and allow for gravity to take its toll on neck skin, resulting in premature neck skin aging. Before you swear off social media, just breathe and remember that being proactive is the name of the game! To counteract any adverse effects caused by excess sun exposure, unhealthy eating habits, or tech neck, and prevent new skin damage from occurring, reach for the DefenAge 6-Week Perfection Neck Cream ($95 at DefenAge.com), which visibly tightens and firms neck skin within just 2 weeks, with full results at 6 weeks.

Typically, for fast anti-aging results, we look to retinol-packed skincare products but, given that the skin on our necks is way thinner and more fragile than that on our faces, these retinol-based offerings can sometimes lead to irritation and redness. The DefenAge 6-Week Perfection Cream, however, provides quick and striking results without relying on potentially irritating retinol. Instead, this luxurious neck cream features DefenAge’s proprietary Age Repair Defensins technology, which reprograms dormant stem cells to create more youthful-looking skin. In a matter of weeks, then, this cream helps to tighten and lift sagging skin, minimize wrinkles, provide deep hydration, and improve skin’s thickness.

Backed by 15 clinical studies, DefenAge’s breakthrough luxurious neck cream features a rigorously tested and scientifically-validated formula that meets and exceeds clean beauty standards and hence doesn’t include any PEGs, parabens, chemical sunscreens, hydroquinone, mineral oil, praffin, talc, phtalates, formaldehydes, or propylene glycol. Moreover, it doesn’t contain any animal- or human-derived ingredients (meaning no human or animal growth factors, tissues, or stem cells).

If you’re in the Central Texas region, you can also pick up this amazing neck cream at the Bucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics in San Antonio.

SKINESIOLOGY AURIC MISTS AND HAND CREAMS

Skinesiology is a clean, vegan beauty line that was founded with the goal of helping other develop the tools to achieve emotional well-being, all while using skin care as the medium through which to impart these important lessons. Skinesiology, then, combines mindful application techniques with vibrational flower essences to balance your energy flow. The brand incorporates elements of Kinesiology, a holistic discipline combining mind, emotion, body, and spirit. Each product is specifically formulated to manifest a distinct vibrational energy and has a transformative impact on how we process stress and thought patterns. When you use a Skinesiology product, then, you want to be fully present in that moment — and, as you apply the product, you should repeat an affirmation that will better manifest the emotion and state of mind you wish to access.

All Skinesiology products are available in four formulations, each with its own energy imprint. The four iterations are: Female Warrior, which has an uplifting effect, allowing you to feel empowered by your own intuition and how it enables you to nurture, protect and  inspire others; Bliss, which has a rejuvenating effect, unleashing the playful and free-spirited energy of your inner child; Blossom, which has a revitalizing quality that helps you unleash your creative spirit and manifest your dreams; and Peace of Mind, which helps you feel calm and comfortable in stillness.

You can use vibrational fragrance to improve your mood with the Skinesiology Auric Mists ($34 each at SkinesiologySkincare.com) which are formulated with pure essential oils. You can spritz on one of the Auric Mists and wear as a perfume or you can spray it in a designated space in order to facilitate and energy shift therein. If you’re feeling creatively stumped while in front of your computer, for instance, you might benefit from a few spritzes of the Blossom Auric Mist, which opens with notes of bergamot and then leads to a bouquet of clary sage, jasmine sambac, neroli, rose geranium, and ylang ylang. Similarly, if you need to de-stress your living space before meditation or yoga, a few spritzes of the Peace of Mind Auric Mist will work wonders.

You can also enjoy these vibrational fragrances while nourishing the skin on your hands with the Skinesiology Hand Creams ($32 each at SkinesiologySkincare.com), which feature organic argan and olive oils, along with sweet almond and jojoba oils.

EACH & EVERY

The beauty industry is finally looking beyond stereotypically “male” and” female” categories thanks to gender-neutral brands like Each & Every, which specializes in natural, worry-fee products made with simple and clean ingredients that enable each and every person to feel good about what they use on their body.

The Each & Every Natural Deodorant ($15 at EachandEvery.com and Amazon.com) is formulated with 5 simple base ingredients including odor-controlling Dead Sea minerals and wetness-absorbing tapioca starch, and it contains no aluminum, baking soda, parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances. It’s available in a variety of scents including Rose & Vanilla, Black Spruce & Fir, and Cardamom & Ginger. And not only is this deodorant good for you, but it’s good for the planet — in fact, Each & Every just became the first and only deodorant brand to use carbon-negative packaging materials with the launch of its 100% plant-based sugarcane tubes, which speaks to the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

Speaking of sustainability, you can conserve the health of your hair and the planet with the new Each & Every Worry-Free Shampoo Bar, which is $15 at EachandEvery.com. Each 100% plant-based shampoo bar is made with a mixture of nourishing shea butter, lavender, argan, and avocado oils, and it uses 90% less water than traditional liquid shampoo.

LOVE BEAUTY AND PLANET DRY SHAMPOO

It’s the small things that make a big difference, right? Well, that’s why Love Beauty and Planet believes every makes vegan and cruelty-free beauty products that give love to you and the planet, thereby making the world a little better one product at a time. Going beyond clean formulations, Love Beauty and Planet is committed to abiding by eco-friendly practices and ethically sourcing its high-quality ingredients. The new Love Beauty and Planet Dry Shampoo ($6.99 at mass retailers) exemplifies the brand’s key values: it’s the industry’s first aerosol dry shampoo powered by nature, allowing women to enjoy the great hair days they so cherish without producing any greenhouse gas emissions in the process.

Perfect for second-day hair or when you need a volume boost, this lightweight dry shampoo delivers all the freshness of a shower while helping to conserve water between washes. Infused with natural tapioca starch, the dry shampoo is 97% naturally derived and it contains no silicones, parabens, phtalates, or dyes. Great for all hair colors and hair types, it leaves no white, chalky residue behind so you can just spray the product into the roots of your hair, massage it through your strands, and brush it our for a quick refresh.

It’s available in two lovely scents: Murumuru Butter & Rose and Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower.