Vegan skin care tips: choosing the right vegan deodorant
We’re all wanting to do our bit for the world. You might have watched Seaspiracy, the documentary about the dangers of consuming seafood and how it impacts both the environment and also people’s basic human rights. You might also have tuned into The Game Changers documentary, which shows how elite athletes perform better without eating meat.
It’s opened everyone’s eyes to the world around us and how we can all do our bit to support the environment and all the ecosystems in it by just sticking to fruits and vegetables. There are many diets to choose from – raw diets, plant-based ones, or you can even become a fruitarian (we only know that one from Notting Hill) – but veganism is gaining serious popularity and there are good reasons too.
What is a vegan lifestyle?
Apparently, the term “vegan” was invented by a group of vegetarians in 1944, after they left the Leicester Vegetarian Society in England to form the Vegan Society.
From then on they chose not to eat any dairy, eggs or any other products that come from animals, which obviously includes meat. And the practice has stuck ever since. In fact, in 2019 it was recorded that there were over 600,000 vegans.
And celebrities are leading the way: the whole of Hollywood is rumoured to have switched to plant-based diets, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Beyoncé, Natalie Portman, Madonna, and even Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash.
But it’s not just about what you eat. Veganism stretches to all parts of your life, from food all the way to clothing and now deodorants(!). The ethos is aimed at removing any form of animal cruelty from the entire product chain. This also has a knock-on effect, preventing animals from being kept in unsanitary conditions or stopping bad practices, such as animal testing and force-feeding geese for foie-gras.
Veganism has burst onto the beauty scene to great reception. People are being more careful with how they shop and where they shop. Which means that everything from hand moisturisers to deodorants are now being made with greater care.
What is vegan skin care?
Vegan skin care follows much the same principles as we’ve talked about above. Every lipstick, cream, vegan deodorant or balm shouldn’t have any ingredients that are derived from animals or use animal by-products. This includes:
- Beeswax
- Honey
- Milk proteins
- Collagen
- Keratin
- Lanolin
- Animal-based Glycerin
- Animal-based Squalene
- Albumen
- Chitosan
- Animal-based Hyaluronic Acid
- Animal-based Oleic Acid
With all this popularity, there are now so many products to choose from, which can make shopping that little bit more difficult. How do you know where to look? That’s where we come in.
Making the switch to a natural vegan deodorant
There are so many reasons why you should choose a natural vegan deodorant over other antiperspirants and deodorants. Not only is it good for your skin, it also protects your health. Other antiperspirants are packed full with aluminium salts that block sweat glands. While this may sound useful, sweating is a natural bodily function that helps cool us down. Yes, we know, you don’t want to sweat too much, but a little bit is okay.
At AKT we developed Deo-Barrier Complex™, a combination of natural plant and mineral powders that sit invisibly on the skin without blocking glands, and absorb natural perspiration throughout the day. Keeping you feeling dry and fresh all day long. But don’t just take our word for it, AKT has been tried and tested on 1,000 professional dancers and athletes in the West End — not animals.
What’s the best deodorant for vegan skin?
The wonder of natural, vegan deodorant is that it’s less likely to dry your skin out. Everybody is different, so we’re not here to preach to the choir, but we want to help you avoid any unnecessary pit-falls (excuse the pun).
It’s important to use products that are kind to sensitive skin. The underarms are one of the most sensitive parts of the body, with the largest concentration of immune supporting lymph nodes — so it’s important we take better care of them.
By avoiding harsh sprays and chemical deodorants you’ll be taking better care of your skin AND the environment (side note — did you know that aerosols are now the largest air polluter in the UK?) By using a vegan deodorant balm, you can not only protect yourself from body odour, but also moisturise your skin at the same time. At AKT, we also use The Deodorant Balm on our feet, forehead or chest, as well as our underarms, to help us feel dry all day — wherever we need it.
What’s more, we developed The Applicator — a handy brass tool to apply the balm and stimulate lymphatic drainage for improved immune health. We’ve really thought it through!
What vegan ingredients does Akt use?
AKT co-founders Ed Currie and Andy Coxon spent a good three years refining the ingredients to make what has now become the most awarded natural deodorant in the UK (you can even check out our 5000+ customer reviews). Think of it as the longest dress rehearsal of their life. Practice makes perfect and after figuring out a winning formula, The Deodorant Balm was born.
AKT uses natural ingredients, such as Shea Butter, rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, E and F to leave skin feeling super silky. Other key ingredients include: Other key ingredients include:
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Diatomaceous Earth (an ancient fossilised algae) to absorb perspiration
- Calendula oil, extracted from the marigold flower, to soothe shaving burn
- Essential oils for their antimicrobial properties and amazing fragrance
- Zinc Oxide to cleanse the skin
But which deodorant balm should I choose?
Obviously, we highly recommend getting the full Ensemble and The Newcomers (biased? us!?), but if you want to try a few before going the whole hog, we can provide you with some pointers on the ingredients of our famous natural and vegan-friendly balms.
We’ve hand-picked these for their amazing properties to make the best women’s and men’s vegan deodorant for sensitive skin. Some of the ingredients have been used for centuries – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
A few of our key ingredients in the citrussy natural deodorant SC.01 Orange Grove, include:
- Citrus Nobilis Peel oil (also known as Mandarin Orange Peel oil) - restores and rejuvenates dry skin
- Juniperus Communis Fruit (Juniper Berry) oil - prevents skin irritation and rashes, and is also known to help treat acne
Then in our SC.02 After Thunder, we’ve collated a refreshing blend of the following:
- Cupressus Funebris (Cedar) Wood oil - this is an ancient antiseptic that can help clear skin and adds a soft scent
- Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf oil - known to be good for eczema and reduces inflammation
- Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel oil - has antibacterial properties and a soothing aroma
- Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf (Rosemary) oil - helps get rid of toxins in the skin and aids lymphatic drainage
Inspired by the traditional Japanese spa, we have SC.03 The Onsen:
- Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetiver) Root oil - an ancient ingredient known to reduce scars and blemishes
- Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb (Lavandin) oil - an anti-inflammatory that leaves you smelling great
- Citrus Limon Peel oil - rich in antioxidants it gives a welcome boost to the skin
- Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Extract - a woody scent that revitalises skin cells
Next to the stage, we welcome SC.04 Halcyon Summers - our Mediterranean escape (in a tube!):
- Bergamot - A powerful, sweet aroma which stimulates the senses
- Grapefruit Essential Oil - A refreshing way to relieve stress and promote equilibrium.
- Cedarwood Virginian - From the Juniperus Virginiana. Earthy and strong it keep you grounded and comforted
Last but not least, our newest cast member brings fresh cut stems and good coffee to mind. Enter: SC.05 Columbia Road.
- Violet Leaf Absolute - sweet and smooth it promotes a calm and positive mentality
- Rose Bulgare Essence - An uplifting bouquet to relieve stress and calm the mind
- Tonka Absolute - Scientifically the Dipteryx odorata plant, it’s a natural aphrodisiac!
And there’s not a single animal by product in there! So we can all do a happy little vegan dance. Now we just need to get Natalie Portman to spread the word… Or why not just get involved yourself. The only question is: which scent will you try first?
