What Does Plant-Based Really Mean & What is the Science Behind it?

By now, we’ve all heard of plant-based skincare. Most of us look for words like “cruelty-free” and “natural” on labels when purchasing personal care and wellness items, especially skincare.

Have you ever thought about why skincare businesses are now identifying their products as plant-based? Does this mean that skincare products don’t contain any animal products?

You’d be surprised. Not only are animal products often used in skincare and other cosmetics, but so are artificial chemicals that often irritate the skin. To solve this problem, companies are making plant-based skin care products that use gentle, plant-derived ingredients on the skin. These products prioritize skin nourishment over harsh treatments that harm it.

Plant-based skincare is one-of-a-kind for those who want organic, natural skin care products. They are a little pricey but high in critical vitamins and minerals.

Continue reading to learn more about the clean beauty movement and the power of plant-based products! In the sections below, we’ll go over what plant-based skincare is, what sorts of products are effective, and how you may include them in your skincare routine.

The Origin of Plant-Based

Thomas Colin Campbell, a Cornell University biochemist, created the term “plant-based” in 1980. Campbell coined the word to characterize a plant-based diet. He made the name to differentiate between consuming actual, fresh plants and processed foods such as veggie burgers.

T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., was exploring the potential therapeutic benefit of a low-fat, high-fiber, vegetable-based diet on cancer at the National Institutes of Health in 1980. Campbell needed a concise phrase that captured this eating behavior while avoiding ethical concerns. As a result, the term “plant-based” entered the realm of nutritional science.

Essentially, Campbell required a name with the same nutritional connotations as “vegan,” but without the animal advocacy associations.

Let’s look at what this term really signifies now that it’s over 50 years old.

What Exactly is Plant-Based Skincare?

I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of cosmetic products that claim to be “all-natural” or “organic,” but are they actually what they claim to be? A plant contains a wide range of phytonutrients (aka plant nutrients). The greatest plant-based skincare is produced with nutrient-rich, fresh and organic ingredients. Plant-based skincare aims to give your skin nutrients straight from plants while using little to no harsh chemicals.

Plant-based skincare ingredients are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and are cruelty-free, making them environmentally beneficial. Plant-based skincare is gentler on the skin and can address numerous skin concerns at once. Plants have been used in skincare for many years, so this isn’t a new concept, but making this clean beauty revolution a success may help us create a more environmentally friendly and cruelty-free world.

Plants are less harmful and provide essential nourishment to your skin. Plant-based skincare products are made entirely of plant materials such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, and nuts, among others. These items are high in critical vitamins, minerals and nutrients that promote luscious hair, glowing skin, and stronger nails.

Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns emphasize plant-based foods. It doesn’t mean you’re a vegetarian or a vegan who never eats meat or dairy. Instead, you are procuring a more significant proportion of your diet from plant sources. Similar to plant-based skincare, you are simply ensuring that the majority of the ingredients in your products are plant-derived.

Plant-based skincare products are becoming increasingly popular this year since they are ultra-gentle and have a reputation for being less harmful while providing several nutritional advantages. They not only benefit your hair, skin, and nails, as mentioned earlier, but they also have several environmental benefits.

The Benefits of Plant-Based Skincare

It’s challenging to keep track of all the ingredients to avoid while shopping for skincare (which is why we have our “Scratch-It List”, but with plant-based products, you don’t have to! No more combing over ingredient lists, looking for harsh ingredients, and pollutants.

If you use plant-based skincare, you’re using clean products that are good for your skin.

The advantages of a plant-based lifestyle are not only limited to individuals who consume plant-based foods. Don’t worry if you don’t want to be limited to vegan food, you don’t have to. By using vegan skin care products, you are caring for your body from a holistic point of view.

More and more people are adopting plant-based products these days. Here are some reasons why you should try plant-based skincare and the benefits of doing so:

Non-harmful chemicals are used: When it comes to utilizing plant-based skincare, the main advantage is that they are carefully created and free of harsh chemicals that can harm your sensitive skin. They include active components that most synthetic skincare does not, which is why plant skincare is more expensive, but its efficacy is noteworthy. Plant-based beauty products are superior to synthetic skincare since they include active components and do not contain harsh chemicals.
Better for the skin: When you choose clean beauty or plant-based skincare, you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. You’re not concerned about the harsh chemicals you’ve been utilizing up to this point. Plant-based skincare contains antioxidants, essential fatty acids, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are necessary for skin health. Plant-based skincare, as opposed to synthetic skincare, supports the skin microbiome, encouraging balanced hydration and skin health.
Addresses a Variety of Skin Issues: The ingredients in any plant-based skincare product determine its advantages. Natural skincare products, or plant-based skincare, on the other hand, can be used to address a variety of skin concerns such as acne, redness, and dry skin. Plants are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients that can benefit your skin immensely. These natural antioxidants and nutrients can exfoliate, clean, and moisturize your skin, making it healthier and getting rid of skin problems.
Cruelty-Free Skincare: Plant-based skincare and other beauty products assist you in promoting and contributing to a cruelty-free and sustainable society. Most skincare and makeup products are created through aggressive animal experimentation, making it impossible to determine which beauty goods are ethical or not because they are not compelled to tell you the same. However, there are several indicators on the labels that indicate if a product is vegan-friendly or not. A vegan society logo or phrases such as “cruelty-free” or “not tested on animals” will assist you in selecting an animal-friendly product.
Environmentally Friendly: Plant-based beauty products, in addition to being cruelty-free and free of harsh chemicals, appear to be environmentally benign by encouraging consumers to go green and creating an eco-friendly environment. Plant-based goods promote using sustainable cosmetics by avoiding hazardous aspects that most luxury brands claim about, whether it’s incredibly gorgeous eco-friendly packaging and products or environmentally responsible sourcing, manufacturing, and selling procedures. It is an excellent approach to developing as a socially responsible and environmentally conscious individual.

Few people realize that most of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bodies. As a result, employing harsh chemicals on your face is not recommended.

As a result, you should use extreme caution while selecting products for your face and skin. Incorporating plant-based products into your routine is a great method to considering your holistic health because utilizing ingredients made from nature ensures a gentle treatment with healthy ingredients.

They’re better for your skin overall. Your skin is the greatest organ in your body, and we surely abuse it. As you may be aware, your skin absorbs products like a sponge. Why wouldn’t you want your skin to be exposed to more natural, ethically derived ingredients?

What is the Difference Between a Vegan and Plant-Based Product?

Plant-based skincare products are often vegan, which means they do not contain animal byproducts. But a label that says “plant-based” doesn’t mean that the product doesn’t have any animal products in it. If a product is vegan, it means that no ingredients were derived from animals.

This means that vegan skincare products do not contain beeswax, lanolin (sheep’s wool), carmine (crushed up beetles), squalene (oil from shark’s liver), collagen (typically obtained from cow or fish connective tissue), keratin (ground-up horns, hooves, and hair of various animals), and gelatin (crushed up cow and pig bones and tendons). Unfortunately, there is no legal requirement for a vegan product.

The Vegan Society Logo is the most excellent way to ensure that things are vegan or to receive a genuine label for your products.

How Do Plant-Based Products Help Your Skin?

While there are numerous reasons why plant-based skin care products may be a welcome addition to your skincare routine, there are a few important advantages worth mentioning:

Antioxidant-rich plant-based skincare products fight free radicals to rejuvenate and rebuild your body’s cells (oxidants).

The vitamins found in plant-based skincare products are essential for preserving skin health. They also aid in cell repair and can help to reduce the indications of aging.

Essential fatty acids help the skin in many ways, like reducing acne, fighting dryness, reducing oiliness, smoothing scars, and making the skin more flexible.

The term “hydrocolloids” may sound unfamiliar, but these naturally occurring polymers provide a natural texture to plant-based skincare products without the use of hazardous petrochemicals or other manufactured polymers.

Lipids and esters are parts of the skin’s natural protective layer that help smooth, protect, and repair it. These ingredients are frequently used as emollients and conditioning agents to keep skin healthy and moisturized.

What Should You be Aware of Before Beginning a Plant-Based Skincare Routine?

Always do your research before attempting a new skincare product, and test it on a small area first before slathering it all over your face.

As you can see, there are numerous advantages to using plant-based products. You are not only benefiting your skin but also your health and the environment. Why not spend on skincare that goes above and beyond while also making you feel good?

8 Plant-Based Ingredients to Include in Your Skincare Routine

You’d be astonished to learn that many conventional skincare components are actually plant-based and have magical properties. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ingredients.

Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)

Chamomile is utilized in skincare products for the same reasons it is used in tea: to purify, soothe, and restore the skin. Chamomile is highly beneficial to sensitive skin, naturally reducing redness and inflammation.

As an anti-inflammatory, it can even aid in soothing a sunburn, as well as prevent skin aging by stimulating cell turnover and defending against dangerous free radicals.

Green Tea

It is a potent antioxidant and has numerous relaxing benefits, similar to chamomile, but it can also alleviate puffiness owing to the presence of caffeine and reduce sebum for people with oilier skin types. It flourishes when combined with other antioxidants, typically enhancing the effectiveness of other plant-based substances.

Vitamin C

Because of its brightening properties and ability to balance out skin tone, vitamin C is a popular skincare component. While it can irritate those with highly sensitive skin, its ability to defend against environmental toxins and UV damage makes it an anti-aging superhero for most skin types. It aids our skin’s natural collagen production, eliminating the need for any animal byproducts in the composition. Those who have hyperpigmentation or melasma may find relief because it reduces dark patches.

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is a wax ester rather than an oil. While it may appear and feel like an oil to the untrained eye, it is not an oil in terms of chemistry. Because wax esters are the main component of natural sebum (the oil we create on our faces), jojoba oil is excellent at controlling oil production without blocking pores or exacerbating acne, as other treatments may. It can also restore the oil in skin types prone to dryness, sealing in moisture. Its capacity to restore the skin barrier can help those suffering from eczema and rosacea.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Tocopherol is a type of vitamin E. It may sound like an unfamiliar component, but it is! Tocopherol-containing cosmetics benefit those with cracked, tight skin by sealing the skin’s barrier and locking in moisture. With the help of vitamin E or tocopherol, irritated or damaged skin will mend. When combined with vitamin C, it produces a potent sunscreen booster.

Retinol (vitamin A)

Retinol is an intriguing skincare ingredient that we all recognize but can’t put our finger on why it’s in our routine. When it comes to its benefits, retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is almost a catch-all. Its strength lies in renewing skin without exfoliating it and smoothing skin by replacing dull, dead skin cells with new ones. While retinol is typically found in anti-aging treatments, it is also an effective tool for anyone who suffers from acne. It can unclog and shrink pores, prevent future outbreaks, and even improve the effectiveness of other acne-fighting treatments in your skincare routine.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid, a popular ingredient in recent years, is dry skin’s worst enemy. Without sounding like a wizard, hyaluronic acid can collect moisture from thin air and fill your skin with it. Wrinkles and fine lines are no match for hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin and even serves as a surface filler. It absorbs rapidly, making it a choice for a nightly routine or if you want to apply makeup over your skincare.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is a hidden gem for acne sufferers. Azelaic acid exfoliates deeply into the skin while being mild, assisting in the removal and prevention of blackheads. It can also aid in calming irritation and improve red bumps caused by inflammation, making it ideal for persons with sensitive skin or rosacea. This component is frequently used with AHAs, BHAs, and retinol to improve its performance by preparing the skin and creating a new layer that allows azelaic acid to be absorbed more effectively.

Wrapping it Up

The advantages of plant-based skincare and beauty products extend beyond their health benefits.

Researchers discovered that some plant extracts offer similar effects to Mother Nature’s inherent healing qualities.

For example, scientists have discovered that certain botanical extracts can raise the amounts of particular proteins in your body, which can aid in the healing of a variety of medical illnesses. These are just two advantages of utilizing a product containing plant-based extracts.

Aside from the health benefits of plant-based skincare and cosmetic products, the substances utilized are also quite effective at removing toxins from your skin.

Some of these poisons are so harmful that they can cause health problems and even cancer. You can assist remove toxins from your body by using products that contain these plant-based extracts.

Just make sure that the product contains only healthy, natural elements. You want to prioritize your health, and using plant-based skincare and beauty products is the best way to do so.

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What Does Plant-Based Really Mean & What is the Science Behind it?