After the kitchen, the trend is now taking over our bathrooms. Today, the number of vegans is constantly growing, and vegan products are multiplying. Whether it's a desire to take care of your health or an ethical stance, there are many reasons to take the plunge. Are you really familiar with this lifestyle? What does vegan mean in cosmetics? Between controversy, confusing terms, and preconceived notions, consumers struggle to understand it all. Our experts shed light on this trend, which isn't always easy to grasp.
The origin of the word Vegan
Although this trend seems relatively recent, the word "vegan" actually appeared many years ago. Derived from the word vegetarian, the co-founder of the Vegan Society, Donald Watson, decided to remove the central letters and thus, in 1944, created the word Vegan !
The Vegan Lifestyle
Different profiles are associated with this lifestyle. Animal rights activists have different consumption habits.
The Vegetarian consumes vegetables, eggs, milk and honey, but no meat from land or sea animals.
Vegans consume only foods of plant origin (no meat, no fish, no eggs, no milk, no butter, etc.).
Vegans are followers of a vegan diet (100% plant-based) and avoid animal products in several areas of daily life. This applies to clothing (no leather, fur, or wool) as well as cosmetics. This is what we will focus on more specifically in this article.
What does Vegan mean in cosmetics?
Veganism is an ethical stance that aims to protect animal rights, as well as the environment and health.
A vegan cosmetic respects the values of veganism: it prohibits all animal materials from its formulation and refuses animal testing.
As a reminder, since 2009, cosmetic ingredients in France have no longer been subject to animal testing. Between 2013 and 2016, the European Union also banned the importation of cosmetic products tested on animals into its territory.
On the other hand, in some countries like China, all products sold in physical stores as well as specific products on the market, such as slimming products, anti-wrinkle treatments, sunscreens, deodorants must be tested on animals .
My Vegan Beauty Ritual at Alaena
Of course, at Alaena we ban animal testing: none of our formulas, nor any ingredients used, are tested on animals .
Our main wish being to satisfy your lifestyle, respectful of animals and nature, Alaena will always focus on the transparency of its products and their manufacturing.
Some of our products are vegan , but not all because we promote beehive products such as propolis rich in antioxidants, protective beeswax or even softening donkey milk. All these ingredients come from productions that respect animals and the environment.