What’s in your Beauty Products?

When it comes to buying products that we’ll be putting in our face and body in a daily basis, you should
be a smart consumer and know the source of the ingredients in your beauty products. We all know that
Collagen, Placenta, Keratin, are considered as “miracle” ingredients most companies use in their
skincare products or even makeup that are skincare-infused.

What you may not know is that most of the time, these ingredients came from animals. What’s worse, is
that they are often derived from their bodily secretions or from their skin, bones and eyes.

But fear not! You can still experience the powers of these ingredients since most of them can be plant-
derived. Until now I do not understand the logic of other brands in the beauty industry who continue to
use animal-derived ingredients when they could just be using its plant equivalent since it functions and
provides the same benefits, minus the cruelty!

Here’s a list of common ingredients to watch out for on your next beauty splurge

Animal Derived Ingredients and their Plant Counterparts/Alternatives:

1. Glycerine- practically a staple ingredient in any skincare or makeup product, Glycerine is derived from
animal fat.

Plant-based counterpart- Vegetable Glycerine

2. Collagen/Hydrolyzed Collagen/Marine Collagen- an anti-aging ingredient, collagen is often derived

from animal tissue, bone and skin ligaments of mammals and fish.

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Soy protein, Plant Collagen

3. Keratin- a popular product for hair care, Keratin is actually extracted from multiple animal body parts
such as sheep’s wool, bird feathers, goat’s horn and cow or horse hooves.

Plant-based counterpart/Alternative- Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Rosemary and Nettle Extracts works just as
well in repairing and strengthening one’s tresses.

4. Beeswax – derived from bees, beeswax can be comedogenic and can cause irritation on skin when
applied topically.

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Candelilla Wax, Soya Wax

5. Carmine – we often see this red pigment in our makeup, what you should know is carmine is made
from crushed insects. Also, be wary of how some companies place this in under different names like
Cochineal, Cochineal Extract, Carmine, Crimson Lake, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470 and E120.

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Beet root, which is a popular pigment used in lipsticks and blush

6. Lanolin- A common ingredient for skin dryness, Lanolin is actually from the sebaceous glands of
animals with wools (sheeps, goats, rabbits, etc.)

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Hyaluronic Acid is a better alternative in treating dry skin. Butters
such as Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter also works best in resolving dry skin and have better healing
properties while maintaining the skin’s softness for a longer period of time.

7. Squalene- often extracted from Shark’s liver/Shark liver oil, this method of acquiring Squalene leaves
a bad consequence since sharks are killed at a large rate which drastically lessens their population.

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Olive Squalene, Plant Squalene

8. Silk Extract/Silk Powder- Given in its name, Silk comes from silkworms who are boiled in their
cocoons alive just to obtain their silk.

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Arrowroot Powder works as its alternative in terms of the

ingredient’s consistency and usage.

9. Retinol/Retinoids- Known as a close relative of Vitamin A, Retinol is used to regenerate cells for a
healthier and younger complexion and is a favorite ingredient for anti-aging skincare! But more often
than not, Retinol is from animal proteins or milk and egg enzymes.

Plant-based Counterpart/Alternative- Rosehip Oil, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Oil, Carotenoids (Retinol
from Plants)