Plant-Powered Skincare: The Ultimate Vegan Skincare Routine

Taking care of your skin is just as important as caring for your overall health and well-being. Building up a skincare routine that helps to nourish, hydrate and protect your skin can improve skin texture, and tone, and create an overall glowing complexion. Whether you’re looking to introduce a couple of plant-based skincare products into your existing routine or completely overhaul your collection to be 100% vegan, we’ve got you covered. 

Keep reading as we delve into the many benefits of plant-based skincare and how you can build a vegan skincare routine that’s right for you.

What is the difference between vegan skincare and cruelty-free skincare?

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, vegan and cruelty-free both have different meanings, especially when it comes to skincare. Vegan skincare refers to a product that is completely free of any animal-derived ingredients, whereas cruelty-free skincare refers only to products that have not been tested on animals, but may still include animal-derived ingredients. It’s important to keep this in mind when searching for products to add to your vegan skincare routine. 

We suggest always reading the label and looking out for ingredients that may not be considered plant-based. Some of the most commonly used skincare ingredients that are derived from animals include:

• Honey and Beeswax

• Collagen

• Lanolin

• Lactic Acid.

What are the benefits of vegan skincare?

When it comes to looking after our skin, there have never been so many options available. Whether you’re a skincare expert or a complete novice curious to try out something new, switching to vegan skincare alternatives can have many benefits not only for your skin but also for the planet.

Great for sensitive skin

Most vegan skincare products are made with natural and organic ingredients that are gentle on the skin and are therefore great for those with more sensitive skin. These plant-based ingredients and pure formulas mean that there is less likelihood of your skin having a negative reaction to the product. They also rarely include common drying agents like sulfates and are therefore great for adding moisture and protecting the skin barrier. If you struggle with dry or reactive skin, vegan skincare may be the best solution for your sensitive complexion. 

Rich in nutrients

Traditional skincare tends to be packed with artificial ingredients and chemicals that can be damaging to your skin, causing aggravations such as itching, dryness and redness. However, vegan skincare is loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients that contain many vitamins, antioxidants and natural oils that can help to heal, hydrate and protect your skin. Plant-based skincare ingredients can also often be more easily absorbed than chemical-laden alternatives and are therefore less likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts.

More sustainable

As with all vegan products, the positive effects they have on the planet are one of the main benefits of investing in plant-based alternatives. The method of harvesting ingredients that go into vegan skincare products tends to use more sustainable practices that reduce water and air pollution. Most vegan skincare brands will also make a conscious effort to use more environmentally friendly packaging made from recycled materials that can also be recycled after use.

Kinder to animals

As vegan skincare products include plant-based ingredients, the production process is likely to be kinder to animals as there are no animal-derived ingredients included, from formulation to production and packaging, animals are not used in any way. However, it is important to note that just because the skincare may be vegan, it does not automatically mean that it is also cruelty-free, some vegan products may be tested on animals.

How to build a vegan skincare routine

Our skin is the largest organ in our body and therefore deserves as much care and attention as we give the rest of our body, and maintaining a good skincare routine filled with nourishing plant-based ingredients is important in ensuring your skin is as healthy as possible. The key to building a good vegan skincare regime is to first assess your skin type, this will make all the difference in determining what products are best for you. No matter your skin type, consistency is key in ensuring you stick to your routine long enough to reap the benefits.

When building a skincare routine from scratch, we recommend first investing in the basics that work for your skin type and expanding from there. Keeping your routine simple with only the essentials will make keeping the routine consistent as low-maintenance as possible. The most basic skincare routine should include a cleanser, a daytime moisturiser, a toner or exfoliator and a nighttime moisturiser. These are the four main pillars of any skincare routine, however, there are many different types of each product to choose from. 

Once you have found the best cleanser, toner and moisturiser for your skin type, you can then choose what serums you may need to add to your routine, whether that be a vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or retinol. Below we have outlined the four main skin types and the best types of products that will work for each.

Acne-prone skin

The best cleanser for acne-prone skin is a gentle foaming cleanser that contains acne-fighting, plant-based ingredients such as glycolic acid, tea tree oil or salicylic acid. We also suggest choosing a toner or exfoliant that contains these acne-fighting ingredients, followed by a moisturiser with a gel-based formula, one with SPF in for the daytime and one for the evening that is oil-free. The exfoliator of choice should be used every few days, to avoid over-exfoliation as this can lead to further breakouts and skin barrier damage, particularly when paired with a cleanser that contains exfoliants.

Oily skin

For oily skin, a foaming or gel cleanser will help remove excess dirt and oil from your skin that is built up throughout the day/night, one which includes niacinamide and salicylic acid will be best. Follow up cleansing with a toner or exfoliant that contains witch hazel, tea tree oil or salicylic acid, make sure to avoid toners that include alcohol so you don’t strip your skin of essential moisture. Similar to acne-prone skincare recommendations, a lightweight moisturiser, preferably gel-based will be best.

Dry and sensitive skin

If you have dehydrated or sensitive skin, an ultra-gentle cleanser with a balm or lotion formula or micellar water will help to lift away any dirt and impurities without drying out your skin. We would suggest opting for a hydrating toner or an essence that includes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. It’s important to choose a rich, hydrating moisturising cream packed with ceramides and emollients to help quench dry skin.

Combination skin

If you have combination skin that alternates between oily and dry, the best cleanser to choose is one with a gel or light foaming formula with ceramides for hydration and exfoliants to counteract oiliness. When it comes to choosing a toner or exfoliator, we suggest a gentle anti-oxidising or hydrating toner that includes ingredients such as vitamin E and vitamin C that can help combat impurities whilst preventing skin damage. A gel-based moisturiser will provide adequate hydration without exacerbating oiliness, especially if the moisturiser has mattifying properties that can help control excess oil production.

Browse through our full collection of skincare for combination and oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin and more to find the best vegan skincare products to suit your skin type.

What are the best vegan skincare products?

The best vegan skincare products are ones that include high-quality, plant-based ingredients suited to your specific skin needs. Here at Planet Organic, we have a wide range of skincare products suited to a variety of skin types. Whether you’re looking to hydrate, help spot prone skin or minimise the appearance of fine lines, we have outlined a few of our best vegan skincare picks below.

REN Micro Polish Cleanser and Evolve Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner 

Designed to gently remove dirt, excess oil and impurities, the REN Micro Polish Cleanser is an exfoliating vegan cleanser formulated specifically for sensitive skin. Made with nourishing bergamot leaf, papaya and sunflower seed oil, this cleanser is bursting with natural ingredients that help to purify skin, leaving it feeling smooth, soft and radiant. Designed to help reduce the size of pores and minimise the appearance of fine lines, this is a great cleanser for those looking to see instant results.

To help exfoliate the skin and even out skin texture, we suggest choosing a natural AHA/BHA liquid exfoliator such as the Evolve liquid radiance glycolic toner. Designed to deliver instantly smoother and brighter skin, this glycolic toner includes a range of natural, vegan ingredients including citric acid, malic acid and salicylic acid sourced from plants and fruits that work together to reduce irritation, dryness and improve skin texture. Ideal for those with sensitive or dry skin, this hypoallergenic plant-based formula gently exfoliates and increases cell turnover without stripping the skin and damaging the skin barrier.

Dr Hauschka Balancing Day Lotion and Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream 

Having a good moisturiser that keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day is essential to ensuring your skin is protected and in the best condition possible. The Dr Hauschka balancing day lotion offers a silky-smooth texture that helps to restore balance to oily combination skin, helping to hydrate whilst reducing shine and providing moisture exactly where it’s needed. Made with a combination of medicinal botanical extracts and oils including anthyllis, horsetail and nasturtium to reduce tautness, soothe blemishes and create an overall clearer complexion.

Our skin does the most recovery and cell turnover throughout the night so having a good quality nighttime moisturiser will help towards keeping your skin in the best condition possible. The Antipodes culture probiotic night recovery water cream is made from a blend of natural, plant-based ingredients including hyaluronic acid and Kalibiome AGE probiotic that helps to strengthen the skin barrier, improve skin elasticity and hydration, while simultaneously reducing roughness and redness. This vegan moisturiser will help you unearth your freshest, healthiest-looking skin, keeping you glowing all day long.

Get healthy, glowing skin with Planet Organic

If you’re interested in adding more plant-based skincare alternatives to your daily routine, browse through our full collection of vegan skincare and beauty to find the best products for your skin goals.