Whether it’s in the name of the environment, being against animal cruelty or both – an increasing number of Australians are going vegan. As a response to the growing popularity of veganism in Australia, popular food businesses like Domino’s, Oporto and Grill’d have all started to put vegan-friendly alternatives on their menus. Some brands like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are even producing plant-based substitutes to meat that actually look, taste and smell like the real thing. That being said, if you’re a vegan living in Australia, you are definitely not lacking in food options.
However, being vegan doesn’t only refer to following a strict diet. In the true definition of the word, veganism is a way of living that excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. And this means that people who are true vegans have a system of values that applies to every aspect of life – from the food they eat to the transportation they use, the clothes and shoes they wear and even the personal hygiene products they use.
So, if you strive to be a vegan from head to toes, let’s start with the head. When you use vegan shampoo, you can feel good for two reasons. For one, you will know that you’re using a product that is free from any animal ingredients. And secondly, it wasn’t tested on any helpless animals in a research facility. But there are also some other reasons why having a vegan-friendly haircare routine can be good for you.
What Are the Benefits of Vegan Shampoo?
1. Chemical-Free & All-Natural
If you read all the ingredients on mass-produced shampoo bottles, chances are you won’t even be able to recognize quite a few them. This is because most shampoo formulas are based on laboratory-produced chemicals. Parabens are some of the most commonly used chemicals in shampoo. These chemicals are preservatives which are can be harsh on your hair and are known to damage follicles. But that’s not even the worst about them. Parabens can disrupt hormone function and trigger the growth of tumours which is why they are considered as the biggest bad guy in skincare.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is another harmful ingredient found in many shampoo formulas. This chemical is a surfactant and can be found in many cleaning products. It’s known to cause a variety of problems from skin rashes to eye damage and even liver damage. These are just some of the harmful chemicals found in shampoo. But when buying a vegan-friendly shampoo, you don’t have to worry about reading the ingredient’s lists because these products are made from safe, plant-based ingredients.
2. Better for Hair Health
Vegan-friendly shampoos are made only from ingredients derived from plants. So, as opposed to standard shampoo which has ingredients like beeswax, lanolin and gelatin, vegan-friendly shampoo formulas have an abundance of plant ingredients rich in nourishing oils. From coconut extract to shea butter, olive oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil and mango extract – all of these ingredients help nourish and strengthen the hair and give it a healthy glow. Because it’s rich in plant oils and free from harsh chemicals, a vegan haircare formula can also help balance excess sebum without drying out the scalp. In addition, whey using a vegan-friendly shampoo you will know that you’re not exposed to byproducts used in animal products such as growth hormones and steroids.
3. Environmentally Friendly
And the fact that vegan shampoos are made with organically produced, plant-based ingredients means that they are also gentle on the environment. The livestock industry and the chemical manufacturing industry are known for being some of the world’s biggest polluters. So, by choosing vegan shampoos and other vegan skincare products, you’re not only doing something good for yourself and resisting the exploitation of animals, but you’re also doing something good for the Earth as a whole.
Where to Find Vegan-Friendly Shampoo?
There are many shampoo products on the market labelled as “organic”, “bio” or “100% natural”. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are vegan. Plus, even if the label of the shampoo contains only natural ingredients, there’s no guarantee that the product hasn’t been tested on helpless animals. For that reason, I strongly advise to get informed about which haircare brands are 100% vegan.
In Australia, one of the most popular skincare and haircare brands offering vegan products is Sukin. In their range, you’ll find shampoos and other haircare products designed to suit various needs from increasing hair volume to balancing oil, offering hydration, boosting hair growth and preserving colour. Other Australian haircare brands with vegan lines include Pureology, Aesop, Green People, Ouai and Rahua. These products are most easily found at online stores selling vegan, cruelty-free or organic products. But if you’re shopping from a brick-and-mortar store, remember to check the label to make sure the product is vegan certified. Keep an eye out for PETA’s cruelty-free and vegan logos .