November 1st is World Vegan Day, a chance to celebrate and learn more about one of the fastest growing movements in the world. People choose to become vegans for a number of reasons, whether ethical, environmental, for purely health-related reasons, or, as in most cases, a combination of these.
To be vegan is to avoid food, clothing, and lifestyle products that include animal materials. Many vegans will also aim to avoid products which involve exploitation of animals at any point during the process of development and manufacturing.
Why Veganism is important
There are various aspects of using animal products that can be seen as a problem. Chiefest among these are the ethics of killing animals, as well as the negative environmental consequences of raising livestock: deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution. For these reasons, even those who don't choose to become vegan should be able to see the value of becoming less reliant on animal products as a society, and the benefits of embracing vegan products where possible.
The simple truth is that our reliance on animal products is a consequence of our demand for them. If more of us worked on reducing our demand for animal products by shifting our needs elsewhere, then a greater space will open up for less harmful, more sustainable alternatives to flourish.
Nowhere is this more true than the beauty industry. Globally, we consume an already immense, and ever-growing, number of beauty products each year. The rapid rise of the veganism movement has already allowed for vegan alternatives to our favourite products to spring up, become popular, and open up the space for future developments.
If you want to know more, you can read about vegan products here, and cruelty-free products here.
Best Vegan Products on Mankind
- The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid Serum 5% in Squalane
- Aesop Parsley Seed Anti Oxidant Serum
- Bulldog Age Defence Eye Roll-On
- Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturiser
- Anthony All-Purpose Facial Moisturizer
- Grow Gorgeous Hair Growth Serum
- Men-Ü Facial Moisturiser Life
- Paul Mitchell 'Green' Tea Tree Special Shampoo
- Mancave Original Moisturiser