With so many beauty products to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones work well on your skin, and which don’t. However, as society becomes more aware of the dangers of waste and animal cruelty implemented in their products, many have made it a point to create cruelty-free options for anyone who wish to support animal rights.
Aside from benefiting animals, using products like Neutrogena can actually provide us with other surprising benefits like the following:
Provide healthier and youthful looking skin
Certain products such as cosmetics and skin care products are used to enhance our natural features while also treating and masking some of our flaws. Since the skin is the body’s largest organ, certain ingredients are necessary to ensure that it stays both youthful and radiant without causing harm. Fortunately, many cruelty-free products use light and simple ingredients with fewer chemicals that not only care for our skin but can actually improve some of its flaws.
Cruelty-free products are more affordable
Considering that many cruelty-free products use simple and natural ingredients, it’s only common sense that many of the items contained in their ingredients list can be easily sourced from various places that do not necessarily harm your budget. For instance, products with multiple plant ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, and rosehip oil are not only effective on your skin but are also more affordable compared to artificial treatments.
They Make a difference
With over 7,000 listed ingredients already deemed as safe. There is no reason for companies that continue testing on animals unless they are looking for ways to increase their own profit and greed. Many companies who still continue to practice this may also spout some myths that not only spread false information but can be very dangerous. For instance, if a company thinks it is the law to test on animals, they are most likely lying since there was never a law to begin with and are now creating it to save face. Furthermore, numerous countries have also banned animal testing so there is no excuse in continuing this dangerous practice. This countries include:
- The European Union
- Israel
- India
- Norway
- New Zealand,
- South Korea
All of which have proven that they can still be successful without resorting to animal cruelty. Another myth is that there are no better alternatives to test these products safely. This is another myth since as of 2019; there are various options in testing developing products like:
- In vitro testing done via human cell and tissue cultures
- Computer models and simulations
- Stem cell and genetic testing methods
- Computerized patient- drug databases and virtual product trials
- MRIs and CT scans
All of which are actually more reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
While one cannot change their minds overnight, it does help to switch to cruelty-free products to make a statement and prove that there are ethical ways to create safe and effective products.
You Practice An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
Going cruelty-free can benefit the planet in so many ways:
- Many of these products include less chemicals which results to reducing the creation of artificial ingredients.
- With basic needs available, one can only buy what they need instead of purchasing more things they don’t need– which can result to more waste.
- Cruelty-free testing creates less health hazards because they do not gamble with experimenting harmful pathogens which can affect the health of a person; and
- Many cruelty-free brands use responsible packaging which reduces the production of plastic and other artificial containers.
All of which can encourage and inspire individuals and families to play an active role in preserving mother earth.
What is the Difference Between Cruelty-free and Vegan?
When it comes to shopping for products, many brands often include labels such as “cruelty-free” or “vegan”. While some items can certainly be both at the same time, one must be aware of the key differences between the two, should they decide to make a change in lifestyle.
Cruelty-free testing are products that include ingredients that are not tested on animals and have been proven to be safe while vegan products only use plant ingredients without including any animal byproducts like cow’s milk or goat’s milk. In terms of effectivity, neither of the two is necessarily better than the other but if you are looking for a more organic and animal-free lifestyle than vegan options may be better for you.
With these benefits in mind, it’s safe to say that switching your commercially-made products to cruelty-free options will certainly benefit yourself and the world around you. When you practice responsible and ethical consumption, you not only provide support to animals but also make the world around you a safer place, and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle that the world should progress towards.
Some of even the most successful brands are cruelty free — like Kat Von D.
For a list on cruelty free and vegan brands, check out this guide at peta.org
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