How Choosing Vegan Products Is Better For The Environment

Veganism was once considered a somewhat whacky choice for overly health-conscious hippies, but the vegan lifestyle is now one of the most popular lifestyle trends of the 21st century. This trend shows no sign of diminishing anytime soon. This has a ripple effect with the demand for all things vegan overlapping into other industries.

While it's true that animal cruelty is a major concern when it comes to animal-based beauty products, the harmful effects of these products can extend beyond animals and to the environment as well.

Before we go any further, what is 'cruelty-free' and what is 'vegan', and how do these terms differ?

Why are cruelty-free, vegan products typically more eco-friendly?

This is mainly due to their ingredients. Since most vegan products tend to be natural or have fewer chemicals, there are fewer toxins contained in the formulas that are subsequently released into the environment.

By choosing botanically sourced beauty products, you'll be putting natural ingredients on your skin and hair. This means that you're less likely to have the severe response that some people with sensitive skin can suffer from when they use harsh, chemical skincare products, which means less product waste. The chemicals in skincare can take a long time to biodegrade, so keeping them out of the waste stream is key to more sustainable beauty.

Laboratories that carry out animal testing will create a large amount of waste. This could be from animal excrement, the runoff from the tests, and in some cases, the animals will be discarded after the testing and waste in the form of animal carcasses are also discarded. If the animal was exposed to toxicity or perhaps died as a result of the testing, the chemicals in the body will also be released.

The animal-based beauty industry can cause air pollution, water pollution and deforestation. Lab-tested ingredients require far more energy, resources and carbon output than naturally sourced ingredients. With vegan skincare products, there is no need for deforestation. More plants are always a welcome bonus, and pollution is not an issue because there are no animal by-products involved.

In addition, the packaging of vegan skincare products (Oleo included) is almost always made out of recyclable materials to reduce the negative impact on the environment. We are proud to say that we use PCR (post-consumer recycled) packaging - made from 100% already-used plastic, that can be recycled again and again.

All of our products are cruelty-free and vegan

The only animals we test our products on are humans. Unlike laboratory animals, our human testers can opt-in or out of testing our products before they hit the market. We've yet to come across anyone who doesn't agree to an Oleo freebie in the name of testing!

Our range of skincare covers you from head to toe, including vegan body moisturisers, facial exfoliators, foot creams and more. 

Ethical concerns are at the heart of many people's purchasing decisions. From cleaner beauty to garments produced in fair labour situations, we, as consumers, have the power to change the world by voting with our wallets.

Sticking to cruelty-free, vegan products means you have the confidence to know your beauty routine isn't built off the suffering of innocent creatures, and that it's better for mother earth.

Whether or not you choose to go the whole hog (no pun intended!!) and follow a vegan diet, making the switch to a beauty routine that's animal cruelty-free is better for you, better for the environment, and a more ethical, sustainable choice.

Choose cruelty-free, vegan skincare products. Choose Oleo Bodycare.

Blog by Olivia, Oleo Bodycare Founder