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A Brief History of Veganism and The Best Vegan Skincare Products

November 1 is World Vegan Day, a celebration of people who don’t eat meat.

Or eggs. Or cheese. Or mayonnaise. Or honey. Or whey. Or gelatin.

Or anything that comes from or includes an animal. Nor do they use any clothing, accessory or object made from an animal. No leather, no wool, no pearls, no ivory-keyed pianos.

The animal-free holiday began in 1994, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society.

Veganism is an extreme form of vegetarianism, and though the term was coined in 1944, the concept of flesh-avoidance can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies. Vegetarianism is first mentioned by the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos around 500 BCE. In addition to his theorem about right triangles, Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species, including humans. Followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism also advocated vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals.

The meatless lifestyle never really caught on in the West, although it would sometimes pop up during health crazes and religious revivals. The Ephrata Cloister, a strict religious sect founded in 1732 in Pennsylvania, advocated vegetarianism — as well as celibacy. The 18th century utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham believed that animal suffering was just as serious as human suffering, and likened the idea of human superiority to racism.

The first vegetarian society was formed in 1847 in England. Three years later, Rev. Sylvester Graham, the inventor of Graham crackers, co-founded the American Vegetarian Society. Graham was a Presbyterian minister and his followers, called Grahamites, obeyed his instructions for a virtuous life: vegetarianism, temperance, abstinence, and frequent bathing. In November 1944, a British woodworker named Donald Watson announced that because vegetarians ate dairy and eggs, he was going to create a new term called “vegan,” to describe people who did not. Tuberculosis had been found in 40% of Britain’s dairy cows the year before, and Watson used this to his advantage, claiming that it proved the vegan lifestyle protected people from tainted food. Three months after coining the term, he issued a formal explanation of the way the word should be pronounced: “Veegan, not Veejan,” he wrote in his new Vegan Society newsletter, which had 25 subscribers. By the time Watson died at age 95 in 2005, there were 250,000 self-identifying vegans in Britain and 2 million in the U.S. 

Strict veganism prohibits the use of animal product, even if it isn’t food, but like any lifestyle choice that ends in “-ism,” there are plenty of people who cheat. The vitamin B12 is found almost entirely in animal products, so many vegans eat fortified food or take a vitamin to get the right amount. And while American vegetarianism has broken free of its philosophical and religious roots, becoming an accepted health choice — many restaurants offer vegetarian options and most dinner party planners now ask “is anyone vegetarian?” before planning the menu — veganism is still tied to the animal-rights movement and is out there on the fringe.

 

THE 9 BEST VEGAN HYDRATING SKINCARE PRODUCTS 

As the seasons change and the excitement for pumpkin patches, transforming colors of the leaves, and apple cider oat milk lattes arise, we also need to shift our focus to our skin. 

The harsh winds and wavering temperatures all lead to one thing: dry, flaky, irritated skin that can’t be quenched no matter how much water we chug. 

Don’t fret just yet, there’s hope at the bottom of these hydrating, vegan, and cruelty-free products. So take a night off, light some soy candles, and focus on self-care—your skin will thank you. 

VegNews.VersedDayDissolve

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

Still using moisture-stripping, environmentally unfriendly makeup wipes? If so, we’re not here to give you a lecture but to offer you an A+ replacement. This cleansing balm from vegan drugstore skincare brand Versed melts away even the most stubborn makeup without stripping your skin of moisture. Plus, antibacterial eucalyptus and soothing vitamin E work together to ensure there’s no annoying leftover oily residue.  

SHOP IT HERE

VegNews.YouthtothePeopleCleanser

Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

Sensitive skin types, rejoice! This powerful yet gentle Youth to the People face wash is the essential second step in your double cleansing routine. Formulated with cold-pressed antioxidants such as kale, spinach, and green tea, this green-juice-in-a-cleanser balances pH, gives you a boost of vitamins C, E, and K, and cleanses without drying out your skin. 

SHOP IT HERE 

VegNews.PacificaCollagen

3&4 Pacifica Vegan Collagen Hydrating Milk Tonic and Overnight Recovery Cream

The vegan skincare pioneers at Pacifica hit the jackpot with the recent launch of their collagen collection. Use the milky, alcohol-free tonic with chamomile, orange flower, and jasmine to get a dewy, replenished appearance, and follow up with the overnight cream for a restorative quench while you get some much-needed beauty sleep. After all, who wouldn’t want to wake up looking more radiant and youthful? 

SHOP IT HERE

VegNews.IndeWild

Indē Wild Sunset Restore Serum 

South Asian global influencer Diipa Khosla’s new skincare line is pairing the healing power of Ayurveda with science-backed chemistry to help fight common skincare concerns. This nighttime serum with bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative) and squalane (a hydrating and soothing antioxidant) works to de-stress skin without losing ever-so-important moisture.  

SHOP IT HERE

VegNews.RENOvernightRecoveryBalm

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

A little goes a long way with this replenishing recovery balm from sustainable clean skincare brand REN. Lipids from olive, almond borage, and linseed oils help form a rich texture that easily absorbs to intensely nourish and calm skin while you get some rest. And you can even use the balm on lips, elbows, and any other dry patches.

SHOP IT HERE

VegNews.MaraSunscreen

MARA Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum SPF 30

Ever heard of a hydrating face oil that doubles as a powerful sunscreen? Now you have thanks to algae-infused skincare brand MARA. This lightweight formula offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection while blue sea kale, hemp seed, and moringa calms and moisturizes. Blend into skin before makeup every morning for a dewy, protected finish.

SHOP IT HERE

VegNews.TheBodyShop

The Body Shop Body Butter

The iconic body butter from British beauty retailer The Body Shop just got a plant-based makeover. Featuring over 11 scents ranging from Avocado to Strawberry, the newly reformulated vegan body butter contains 95-percent natural ingredients and provides 96 hours of moisture. Choose from normal to sensitive to ultra-dry to meet your skin’s needs. Pro tip: lather onto skin straight out of the shower for optimal results.

SHOP IT HERE

9 EpiLynx Vegan Moisturizer

This vegan milk moisturizer, cooling face lotion helps restore healthy looking skin. Its hydrating formula with aloe vera gel, borage seed oil, sea buckthorn oil, neem oil, ashwagandha, helichrysum extract, baobab protein will replenish the moisture for up to 48-hour hydration and helps restore skin’s natural protective barrier, will sooth the inflamed and flaky skin and provide an anti-inflammatory relief. All you need to say is 'super moisturize me now" and your face will never feel dry again.

SHOP IT HERE

 

References:

https://time.com/3958070/history-of-veganism/

https://vegnews.com/2021/10/vegan-hydrating-skincare-products

 

Dr. Liia

 

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