Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Veganism in beauty products: How plant-based supplements can replace next-generation cosmetics

From news9live.com

Switching to plant-based supplements is totally eco-friendly as their production process is totally natural and cruelty-free; it also leads to a better and sustainable diet

Highlights

Plant-based supplements are made from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, spices, bark, flowers, leaves, and other botanical ingredients. 
Chemical-based cosmetics are harsh on the skin, and the chemicals used in cosmetics are known to cause many diseases including cancer. 
Many chemicals in cosmetics cause sagging and wrinkles and show signs of early ageing.

Veganism is becoming increasingly popular. The environmental and ethical case for eliminating all animal products from one's diet, including meat, fish, dairy, and eggs, is overwhelming. However, not only is the food industry going vegan but so are cosmetics. In response to shifting purchasing trends, the Indian beauty business has undergone tremendous change. Rising consumer awareness has resulted in the emergence of a sector that takes a more sustainable approach to beauty and thrives in the dimensions of organic, natural, ethically produced, eco-friendly, and vegan. 

Adopting vegan beauty is a deliberate option that many people undertake to lead a more conscientious lifestyle. With this ongoing trend it is quite likely that plant-based supplements will replace next-generation cosmetics? News9 got in touch with pros in the business to get a detailed glance into this emerging trend.

Plant-based supplements are made from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, spices, bark, flowers, leaves, and other botanical ingredients. The exact source depends on which vitamin or mineral is needed. "Typically, the process starts with a plant that is already naturally high in the desired nutrient. From there, supplement manufacturers use a variety of methods to extract the desired nutrient and create a plant-based supplement that can provide the full Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals," explains Dr Kiran Godse, Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, Hiranandani Hospitals (Vashi-A Fortis Network).

In the recent years, the awareness of the side-effects of chemicals has significantly increased among millennials, and hence there has been an apparent shift towards plant-based cosmetic solutions. According to Dr Minto Purshotam Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, Deccan Healthcare, plant-based supplements will eventually replace next-generation cosmetics. "Just like how rose water chemical-free face cleanser is preferred over salicylate chemical cleansers," he states for an example.

With the concept of sustainability on the rise, some homegrown brands have successfully created ecologically safe and sustainable cosmetics that do not harm animals or your skin. Disguise Cosmetics is one of India's first PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free beauty companies. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, the company promises to be toxin-free, lead-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, and sulphate-free.

Maybelline New York unveiled a new conscious together sustainability campaign in January of this year, as part of which it launched its Green Edition cosmetics line free of animal-derived components.

Plant-based supplements vs cosmetics 
"Before the advent of the chemical age and modern medical science some 250 years ago the skin, hair and nails (good looks, beautiful skin) were managed by herbal plant-based products," says Dr Godse. He further adds that turmeric is an example that has been used for ages as a skincare supplement. There are over 20 herbal plants that are good for skin and deliver what chemicals can, or in fact better than chemicals and that too without side-effects. He claims that plant-based products fare much better than chemical-based cosmetics when it comes to fighting acne, enhancing skin glow and removing wrinkles. Many quick-fix skin chemicals have proven to be teratogenic (cancer-causing), for example — parabens are used as preservatives. In contrast, natural plant-based tannins are as efficient in acne control as chemicals, without any side-effects.

Natural substances used in plant-based supplements 
Dr Gupta lists down some natural substances used in the production of plant-based supplements: Spirulina extracts. Rice straw. Fish liver oil. Vitamin E from vegetable oils. Protein powders from rice. Soy or pea or hemp.

Downsides to chemical-based cosmetics 
Dr Godse states that chemical-based cosmetics are harsh on the skin, and prolonged use of many chemical-based cosmetics is known to cause several diseases including cancer. The chemicals in cosmetics are known to hamper the health and longevity of skin cells. Many chemicals in cosmetics cause sagging and wrinkles and show signs of early ageing.

Plant-based supplements help graceful ageing 
"There are 226 types of body cells and plant-based supplements provide nutrients to all these cells thus improving their longevity and functionality," says Dr Gupta. He further adds: "As a result of nutrient-charged cells, tissues, organs and body chemistry function at an optimal level making ageing graceful, with less risk of disease, and reduced incidence of lifestyle diseases." Having said this, Dr Gupta mentions, the plant-based supplements have to be processed with a lot of care and the entire supply chain from the agriculture field to the finished consumable supplement product has to be of the highest quality.

Switching to plant-based supplements is totally eco-friendly as their production process is totally natural and cruelty-free; it also leads to a better and sustainable diet.

No comments:

Post a Comment