As we head into Autumn, it’s a good idea to get a few things in order so you can take the best care of yourself. Your beauty and skincare routine is a great way to channel some self-care.

Taking a little time each day to focus on caring for your skin and body can uplift your mood and give you that much needed time out from all the noise.

Ensuring your body care products are vegan can be tricky however, particularly with all the different symbols and terms like ‘cruelty-free’, and confusion over their meaning.

‘Cruelty-free’, for example, in the beauty industry refers to products that have not been tested on animals, or are not sold in territories like Mainland China, where animal testing is required by law on some products.

However, ‘cruelty-free’ does not cover whether the ingredients in a product are derived from animals. In some instances, ‘vegan’ is used to refer to just the formula and not necessarily the testing, and sometimes it’s used to refer to both.

If you’re confused, don’t worry! The Vegan Trademark helps to provide clarification that the products we certify are free of all animal use; that means no animal ingredients and no animal testing. Everything you need to reassure you, represented in one label.

Aviela’s African Shea Body Butter

Aviela’s Shea Body Butter pot is a luxurious blend of 100% pure, highest grade unrefined Shea butter, grape seed and avocado oils, with a delicate touch of vanilla, all whipped into a light and airy body butter.

Rich in fatty acids, vitamins A, C, D and E, and with natural soothing properties, it glides on to the skin effortlessly to deeply moisturise and soften the skin.

Get 20% off by using code ‘Vegan20’ at checkout.

£34, aviela.co.uk

Related articles:

Vaia Beauty’s Long Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick

Vaia’s Matte and Glossy moisturising liquid lipsticks are non-staining, long-lasting, and have a Stay-True colour.

Vaia Beauty was founded to offer people of colour exceptional cosmetics made with them in mind. Get the fabulous look you deserve without compromising your values.

Matte Liquid Lipsticks – €22, Glow Liquid Lipsticks – €22, Glossy Liquid Lipsticks – €19, vaia-beauty.com

Queenie Organics’ Empress May Chang

For those with normal-dry and mature skin, Queenie Organics has reformulated the old favourite Empress May Chang to add more rosehip seed oil to improve the maintenance of your skin’s elasticity and collagen production.

With a unique combination of eight organic oils, it boasts a rich array of properties that fight toxins and boost collagen levels. With uplifting organic May Chang, this cream will keep your skin dewy and supple all day.

£24, queenieorganics.com

Little Soap Company’s deeply moisturizing Shampoo Bar

Introducing the Little Soap Company’s Shampoo Bar, a revolutionary new solid formulation designed to condition, cleanse and nourish your hair whilst creating a great lather without the need for SLS.

It has added pink clay to cleanse and moistureise and is fragranced with a blend of pure orange and ginger essential oils to stimulate your scalp. It’s also plastic-free, so good for your skin, family, home, planet, conscience and wallet.

£4.50, littlesoapcompany.co.uk

ORGANii’s SPF15 Anti-Ageing Facial Sun Cream

Ideal for daily moisturising, this sun cream protects from UVA and UVB rays while moisturising and hydrating skin. It’s formulated with non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which help to create a protective shield over the skin, reflecting UV rays.

Organic argan, coconut jojoba and karanja oils nourish the skin, while carrot root extract and hyaluronic acid aid cell regeneration.

£14.95, organii.uk

Bowe Organics’ Versatile Hair Oil

Bowe Organics has collated the most effective, hydrating and nourishing oils all together in this beautiful bottle. Its purpose? To increase your hair’s shine, strength, health, hydration and much more.

It’s a must for curly hair! Bowe Organics wants you to have the best hair you possibly can. Being a hairdresser and working with thousands of people over the years, the owner understands how important your hair is.

£23, boweorganics.com

In order to look after the animals, first you have to look after yourself.

Here are our top tips on self-care for vegans

*This article is sponsored by The Vegan Society