Which Vegan Ingredients Are Good for Fighting Dry Skin?

Which Vegan Ingredients Are Good for Fighting Dry Skin?

Many people complain about an overproduction of oil on their face, but dry skin is just as detrimental to skin health as having an excess amount of oil.

 

Many skin care and cosmetic products on the market are filled with harsh or toxic chemicals, and those chemicals can cause excess dryness for those who use them.

 

If you’re one to live with dry skin, you should consider switching to an all-vegan skin care regimen. Vegan skin care is not a new fad, but rather a long-lasting option for those seeking to remove harsh ingredients from their lives.

 

Read on to learn about vegan ingredients, and why they just might be the answer to your dry skin problems.

vegan ingredients for dry skin

What are vegan ingredients?

 

Many aspects of the skincare and cosmetic industry are artificial.

 

The skincare industry has not been immune to corporate greed: companies want to turn a profit, and they are willing to sacrifice quality and safety standards to make it happen. They will add any fillers or additives to their products, no matter how harsh or detrimental to certain skin types they may be.

 

But that’s changed recently, as the push for vegan, natural, and cruelty-free ingredients has increased. Customers have been willing to pay a little extra to know just what exactly they’re applying to their skin.

The Vegan Society, the world’s largest vegan organization, defines veganism as: “a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”

 

Vegan ingredients are made without material of animal origin, or made without anything associated with animals at all. There are no animal byproducts in vegan ingredients, so if a skincare product is labeled vegan it does not include honey, beeswax, collagen, elastin, or other animal-derived ingredients.

 

Instead, these ingredients are replaced with materials derived from plants or minerals.

 


Just because a product is labeled “vegan” does not mean it won’t cause an allergic reaction, or that it is made cruelty-free. When buying skin care products it is important to read the label carefully to make sure it will not cause any harm to yourself or animals.

Is Vegan Skincare Better for Dry Skin?

 

Many skincare products on the market are made with harsh ingredients like strong chemicals, or even ones that can be toxic to the skin or body.

 

Vegan skincare is made with natural ingredients, so they are often made without the chemicals that cause excess dryness. Oftentimes skincare products tout the chemicals they add reduce or remove oil on the face, and if you are prone to dry skin that is the opposite of what you want from your facial products. 

green tea and hyaluronic acid

Those with dry skin thrive with gentle ingredients that don’t strip the face of the much-needed oil, and vegan products provide just that.

Vegan Ingredients to Combat Dry Skin

 

If you’re looking to add some much-needed moisture to your face, consider purchasing vegan products with these ingredients in them:

  • Glycerin
  • Sodium Hyaluronate
  • Camellia Sinensis leaf extract
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin C
  • Lactic Acid
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Argan Oil

Glycerin

Glycerin is a humectant, which is a moisturizing agent that pulls water from the air and also deep levels of the skin all the way to the surface of the skin. It is known to be the most effective humectant. In addition to hydrating the outer layer of the skin, glycerin can improve skin barrier function while also providing protection against skin irritants.


Hyaluronic Acid

Vegan hyaluronic acid ties water to your skin, effectively locking in moisture to prevent dry skin. Hyaluronic acid has a high molecular weight so it coats the face to prevent water loss.

ingredients for dry and sensitive skin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate is derived from hyaluronic acid and has similar properties to this well-known ingredient. Sodium hyaluronate is smaller than its acid counterpart and therefore is able to penetrate the epidermis layer of the skin and hydrate within. It hydrates skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and also reduces skin inflammation.

 

Camellia Sinensis leaf extract

Camellia sinensis is commonly known as the tea plant, and this is the plant that produces black, green, white, and oolong tea. Leaf extract is simply the oil taken from the leaves of this plant. This topical antioxidant provides protection from skin damage due to ultraviolet radiation, and it also increases blood flow to the skin and which increases skin hydration.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E occurs naturally in the skin, in the sebum (the skin’s oil). If a person has an oilier face, they naturally have more Vitamin E. 


Those with dry skin want more Vitamin E on their face to protect cells from damage and losing excess moisture. Ohio based dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD, says this about Vitamin E: “People with dry, flaky skin are more likely to see a benefit from using vitamin E because it enhances moisturization.”

serum for eczema

Vitamin C

This ultra-popular skin vitamin is a great vegan antioxidant that naturally boosts collagen production, reverses sun damage, and repairs skin cells. Vitamin C works to replenish the radiance that is lost to dry or dull skin.

 

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is a natural exfoliant, so it removes the dead skin cells that clog pores and prevent cell turnover. Lack of cell turnover is a common cause of dry or dull looking skin. Long-term application of lactic acid has been studied as a preventative treatment to acne vulgaris, the medical term for everyday acne.

Jojoba Oil

This is a great source of plant oil to hydrate dry skin. It’s lightweight so it won’t clog pores, and it is effective because it mimics the skin’s natural sebum production. This way, the skin is able to become nourished and conditioned more naturally. Jojoba oil is one heavy-hitting vegan product, as it also contains dry-skin-loving Vitamin E.

 

Argan Oil

This is another common source of oil to hydrate dry skin. Oil is naturally thick, so it forms a protective layer over your skin to trap in moisture. Argan oil is filled with Vitamin E and fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acids that truly nourish dry skin.


The Perfect Vegan Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

 

When deciding on a skincare routine, it’s important to keep in mind that there is a correct order of product application: the thinnest products should be applied first, and the heaviest should be applied last.

 

This goes without being said, but always wash your hands before starting your skincare regimen. You wash your face to rid it of bacteria and dirt; there’s no need to add more grime to your face.

Vegan Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

After washing your hands, wet your face with lukewarm water. You should never wash your face with hot water, especially with dry skin, as the heat can strip your face of its much needed oils. Conversely, washing with cold water won’t open your pores enough to cleanse properly. If you enjoy the feeling of tightness that cold water brings, rinse the cleanser off with cooler water.

 

Wash your face once daily with a gentle, fragrance-free vegan cleanser. Washing twice per day can dry your face out even more, so it is advised to only wash before bed or after strenuous exercise. If you prefer to wash twice daily, be sure to choose a cleanser that is extra gentle that won’t dry your face out too heavily.

 

Next, apply your daily serums. They’re the lightest and most potent skincare product, so they should be applied before anything else. Many with dry skin choose a Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid serum to really lock in moisture.

Never skip moisturizer, especially if you have dry skin. It’s important to select a heavy duty moisturizer that will truly lock in water. Be sure to select a vegan moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores or introduce too much oil, as that can lead to acne formation.

 

Lastly, complete your skincare regimen with a vegan SPF. Many skincare products can cause sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s important to always protect your face from adverse reactions or damaging rays.

viegano

Other Ways to Hydrate Your Skin

Using vegan skin care products can certainly help fight against your dry skin, but they aren’t the only solution out there. Take a look at these other methods of preventing or replenishing dry skin:

  • Avoid hot showers
  • Moisturize immediately after washing
  • Add moisture to the air

Avoid hot showers

We touched upon it briefly, but excess heat can quickly dry out the skin. And when it’s hot water being applied to the skin it is that much easier for your body to lose the natural oil it needs to maintain its moisture levels.

 

The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends avoiding hot showers and instead suggests you opt for ones that are just warm enough to not cause discomfort. And if you’re truly looking to save your skin, never shower for more than 10 minutes.

Moisturize immediately after washing

Moisturizers work by trapping in moisture, so if you shower with hot water and dry off, lots of excess moisture is lost from your body. It is best to moisturize and add body lotions quickly after bathing to trap that moisture in.

 

That doesn’t mean that you should apply your face lotion first thing – always stick to the principle of applying the lightest product first, and work your way up to the moisturizer. Serums also lock in moisture, so you won’t be losing any in the minutes between applying serums and your final procuts.

Add moisture to the air

If you live in a dry climate, having dry skin may be unavoidable. To counteract this, invest in a humidifier and keep it close to you as you sleep. This may just be the trick to keep your body extra hydrated while you sleep.