Many people turn to a vegetarian philosophy of life because they can no longer ignore the cruelty domestic creatures experience on their journey to becoming fast food. While soap is definitely not edible, it usually contains fat derived from animal sources, in combination with some form of lye. Organic vegan soap is made without using animal byproducts containing growth additives, and is not safety-tested on laboratory animals.
Animal fat has traditionally been a primary ingredient in many widely-used personal care formulas. Unless contradicted by the label, there are also additional chemicals commonly incorporated to enhance both smell and appearance, as well as to improve lathering. Some products also contain residual traces of hormones and antibiotics originally placed in feed to maximize growth prior to slaughter.
Beef fat and coconut oil are the two most common ingredient in most commercial brands, in combination with mixtures derived from other fat sources commonly including palm oils. While those ingredients are abundant, soap can be made from any type of fat in combination with ash or alkali. Animal fat is not really needed, but is widely used because of its easy availability and low cost.
A product advertised as organic does not necessarily qualify as vegan. Ingredients such as beeswax, lanolin, fish, mink, and emu oil, honey, royal jelly, and even urea are produced by creatures that may have been raised in the most accommodating, humane manner without any exposure to additional pesticides or chemicals. Because they are still animal products, they are considered non-vegetarian.
Rather than searching for personal care products containing no traces of lard or beef tallow, some people prefer to make their own. Any non-animal fat can be used, and a variety recipes are widely available online. Cocoa butter is a favorite ingredient, and is well known for its moisturizing characteristics. For a firmer bar, coconut oil works well, and also produces a good amount of lather.
Olive oil is the prime ingredient in making the mild variety widely known as Castile, which generally produces fewer allergic reactions or skin irritations. Shea butter comes from an African tree, is is touted for its moisture-retaining properties, and is also manufactured for use as a product by itself. Sweet almond oil adds a feeling of lightness, and conditions the skin. Many oils are blended for use as more effective combinations.
Palm oils are considered vegetarian, but in recent decades have been produced on increasingly large south-Asian plantations that displace the natural tropical vegetation, destroy endangered species habitats, and contribute to the environmental hazards associated with deforestation. There are some brands of palm oil produced using sustainable methods, a fact usually stated on the packaging.
Organically grown and vegan are not synonymous, and avoiding animal-based ingredients does not automatically create a superior product. People genuinely intent on avoiding participation in commercial cruelty must become aware of the actual translation of the information provided by labels. Stating that a product is natural has little real impact on humane farming methods or the use of additives.
Animal fat has traditionally been a primary ingredient in many widely-used personal care formulas. Unless contradicted by the label, there are also additional chemicals commonly incorporated to enhance both smell and appearance, as well as to improve lathering. Some products also contain residual traces of hormones and antibiotics originally placed in feed to maximize growth prior to slaughter.
Beef fat and coconut oil are the two most common ingredient in most commercial brands, in combination with mixtures derived from other fat sources commonly including palm oils. While those ingredients are abundant, soap can be made from any type of fat in combination with ash or alkali. Animal fat is not really needed, but is widely used because of its easy availability and low cost.
A product advertised as organic does not necessarily qualify as vegan. Ingredients such as beeswax, lanolin, fish, mink, and emu oil, honey, royal jelly, and even urea are produced by creatures that may have been raised in the most accommodating, humane manner without any exposure to additional pesticides or chemicals. Because they are still animal products, they are considered non-vegetarian.
Rather than searching for personal care products containing no traces of lard or beef tallow, some people prefer to make their own. Any non-animal fat can be used, and a variety recipes are widely available online. Cocoa butter is a favorite ingredient, and is well known for its moisturizing characteristics. For a firmer bar, coconut oil works well, and also produces a good amount of lather.
Olive oil is the prime ingredient in making the mild variety widely known as Castile, which generally produces fewer allergic reactions or skin irritations. Shea butter comes from an African tree, is is touted for its moisture-retaining properties, and is also manufactured for use as a product by itself. Sweet almond oil adds a feeling of lightness, and conditions the skin. Many oils are blended for use as more effective combinations.
Palm oils are considered vegetarian, but in recent decades have been produced on increasingly large south-Asian plantations that displace the natural tropical vegetation, destroy endangered species habitats, and contribute to the environmental hazards associated with deforestation. There are some brands of palm oil produced using sustainable methods, a fact usually stated on the packaging.
Organically grown and vegan are not synonymous, and avoiding animal-based ingredients does not automatically create a superior product. People genuinely intent on avoiding participation in commercial cruelty must become aware of the actual translation of the information provided by labels. Stating that a product is natural has little real impact on humane farming methods or the use of additives.
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Find a summary of the benefits you get when you use organic vegan soap and view our selection of skincare products at http://www.batteriesincluded.org now.
