Vegan Skincare for Summer

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Friday, 14 June, 2024

As we head into summer, (even if the British weather doesn’t always seem too convinced of that!), and we spend more time outdoors, it is more important than ever to be tailoring our skincare routine to the season and making sure that we’re applying SPF every single day. SPF is something we should be applying every day in all seasons to protect skin from sun damage, and for vegans, finding skincare and sunscreen tailored to both your skin needs and your ethical requirements can feel like an impossible task.

If you're stuck on where to start with vegan skincare, we’ve got you covered with our guide to skincare routines for summer, with plenty of Vegan Trademark certified options included! Certification with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark means there’s no animal ingredients and the product has not been tested on animals (testing conducted at the initiative of the company or on its behalf, or by parties over whom the company has effective control). This means you can protect your skin from sun damage without harming animals. We’ve included a mix of mineral and chemical sunscreens as well as child-friendly and mosquito-repellent options and, of course, we’ve directed you to stockists, too.⁠⁠

Whether you have dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, incorporating SPF is non-negotiable, and with over 65,000+ cosmetics certified vegan, there’s plenty of options for you to choose from. Here’s your guide to vegan skincare routines for summer, morning and evening, with a focus on the essential SPF.

Why SPF is Crucial

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause severe damage to your skin, leading to premature aging, sunburns, and an increased risk of skin cancer. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays. To keep your skin healthy and glowing, daily application of SPF is a must.

NHS advice details how there is no safe way to get a tan, and they bust the common myth that a tan protects you from the harmful effects of UV rays and burning – it doesn’t! We’ve compiled these tips from the NHS sun safety advice page:

Sun safety tips

Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.

Make sure you:

  • spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
  • never burn
  • cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
  • take extra care with children
  • use at least factor 30 sunscreen

Why is opting for Vegan Skincare so important?

We spoke to Charlotte Adcroft, brand owner of Loopeco who sell Vegan Trademark certified skincare products, about why veganism is so important to incorporate into every aspect of our lives, including the products we put on our skin.

“Our brand is committed to ethical beauty, which is why it was a non-negotiable to formulate vegan products. We believe in cruelty-free practices, sustainable sourcing, and providing gentle, natural skincare solutions that are kind to your skin and the environment.”

Charlotte explained further, “It was very important to us as brand owners to promote ethical treatment of animals by ensuring no animal-derived ingredients are used in our products, aligning with cruelty-free practices was non-negotiable when curating our brand. Secondly, vegan skincare products often contain fewer harsh chemicals and more natural ingredients, which can be gentler and more beneficial for your skin. Choosing vegan skincare supports sustainability efforts, as plant-based ingredients typically have a lower environmental impact compared to animal-based ones. By opting for vegan skincare, you're making a positive choice for your health, the planet, and animal welfare.”

Skincare Routines for Morning and Evening

Whether you have oily, combination or dry skin, the most effective routine is one you can stick to, meaning don’t overcomplicate it! When you’re looking for products, make sure to check out the skin concerns they are tailored to, and always seek help from a medical professional if you have skin concerns.

Morning Routine:

In the morning, simple is a winner! At the very least, you want to make sure you are cleansing and applying a moisturising SPF. You can expand your routine with a number of extra steps, but these are your essentials. Find product recommendations that are certified vegan for every step below:

  1. Cleanser: Opt for a gentle cleanser in the morning.

  1. Treatments: Add extra benefits to your skincare routine with toners, tonics and serums. These have a range of uses and active ingredients to suit different skin types and needs.

  1. Moisturizer: Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin needs. Tend to have dry skin? Opt for a deeply moisturising product. Struggle with combination/oily skin? Go for a lighter oil-free choice.

  1. SPF: Sun protection for your face is the best way to protect your skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. But when wearing it every day, there are many things to consider – does it sit nicely under makeup? Will it leave a white cast, making it inaccessible for darker skin tones? We’ve compiled a list of some of our certified vegan options below so hopefully you will find a staple you love that works for your needs:

Evening and extras!

In the evening, make sure you are giving your face a thorough cleanse to remove makeup, sunscreen, oil and anything else that has accumulated throughout the day. A cleansing balm is a great way to do this and also gives you chance to have a mindful moment while massaging the product into your face. Silvan Skincare’s Radiance Balm is a multi-purpose beauty balm, rich in organic shea butter, rosehip and camellia. With rose geranium, its multi-tasking properties cleanse, treat, nourish and protect your face. Gently remove with a warm muslin or cotton square or use as a facemask for extra nourishment. Other certified vegan cleansing options for the end of the day include Lucy Bee’s Organic Reviving Cleansing Cream, Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm, Primark’s PS … Skin Hylauroinic Acid Cleansing Balm and Evolve Beauty’s Gentle Cleansing Melt.

With the warmer weather and outdoor activities like swimming in the sea, chapped lips can be a summertime hazard. Guard against this by always keeping a nourishing lip balm to hand. A great option for your bag this summer is Lush’s Carrot Stick lip oil – with organic castor and jojoba oils, blended with sunflower and candelilla waxes, this lip balm has a sunny citrus scent, thanks to the grapefruit oil. For a nighttime moisture boost, try Lucy Bee’s Intensely Nourishing Lip Balm which includes a blend of shea butter, olive oil and glyceryl rosinate. This natural emollient corrects moisture balance and softness, keeping your lips nourished and hydrated. It also includes peppermint oil with menthol to help soothe dry and chapped lips. 

Taking time out to do a face mask can be a great way to relax and nourish your skin. Clumic Beauty’s Activated Charcoal & Clay Detox Face Mask is an exfoliating treatment designed to unclog pores to get rid of dirt and excess oils without causing dryness. Cocoa Butter and Aloe Vera make this mask intensely nourishing and will leave your skin feeling refreshed and energised.

Tips for radiant and protected skin

  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial for keeping your skin hydrated from the inside out.
  • Wear a Hat and Sunglasses: Physical barriers can provide extra protection against UV rays.
  • Reapply SPF: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating.
  • Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals supports overall skin health. Don't forget to supplement with The Vegan Society's multivitamin VEG 1 for optimum health. Best taken alongside a meal, VEG 1 is available in Orange and Blackcurrant flavours and comes packaged in sustainable, plastic-free tins.

Embrace the summer sun safely with these vegan skincare tips. Remember to look out for products to suit your skin type and if you have concerns, always seek help from a medical professional. Remember, consistent protection and hydration are key to maintaining radiant, healthy skin all season long. Enjoy the sunshine responsibly and let your skin glow with health!

Don’t forget to follow Vegan Trademark on Instagram, X (Twitter) and TikTok for all the latest skincare and product updates, and we’d love to see your routines so make sure to tag us in your favourite Trademarked skincare products!

By Vegan Society Brand Marketing Officer, Charis Collier

The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.

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