Whether you’ve signed up for Veganuary or have opted for a full-time plant-based diet, Deborah Mitchell, founder of A-list brand Heaven Skincare, advises on how best to take care of your complexion.
It wasn’t that long ago that veganism was very much on the fringe of lifestyle choices. Yes, you could guarantee at least one vegetarian at a dinner party but you could be fairly certain you wouldn’t have a guest that shunned all animal products entirely. Recently though we have seen a massive sea-change with more and more people giving up meat and dairy for all manner of reasons, whether that’s ethical, environmental or health.
Whatever the reason, one of the benefits of a good – and I stress good – vegan diet is that it can be great for your skin because it encourages you to eat more fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants. Meat can have a toxic effect on our skin, especially when teamed with too much alcohol over Christmas and New Year, so giving it up – even for a couple of weeks – allows our bodies to detox in a healthy way. When we detox, changes take place in our skin: the jaw line becomes more defined as fluid is released; and the under-eye area becomes less swollen as the high salts in animal protein are no longer present to retain water.
If you’re not ready to give up meat entirely, you can instead ditch diary – especially if you suffer from eczema or acne – to improve texture and tone. There are many plant-based alternatives readily available and almond milk, for example, is naturally free of cholesterol, lactose and saturated fat, while being rich in calcium and essential vitamins A, D and E.
However, you do need to be aware of the downsides when opting for a restrictive diet like veganism. Simply replacing meat with carbohydrates, bingeing on sugary snacks or eating the same processed meals day in day out and you’ll miss out on healthy nutrients and protein and this can have a negative affect the skin. A lack of iron and vitamin B12 can cause dark circles under eyes as well as brittle hair and nails.
Maybe try and go vegan for a month but promise yourself you’ll combine it with exercise and an effective daily skincare regime and in a couple of weeks you’ll notice healthier, brighter skin and you may even lose a few pounds too. Win win!
If you’re already a fully-fledged vegan or thinking of going meat-free, introduce these Heaven Skincare essentials into your daily routine:
Hydro Cleansing Milk is a real multi-purpose must-have, because it hydrates skin and removes daily pollutants and toxins while it cleanses. Created with delicate organic jojoba – the closest match to our own natural oil – it helps to balance and condition our complexion while being gentle enough for all skin types.
The innovative Hydrogels feed and water skin and at the same time remove traces of makeup, soothe and repair, diminish blemishes and minimise redness and inflammation; and they also make the perfect base for you foundation.
For a non-abrasive exfoliator, toner and cleanser in one, Cleanse & Foam Wash helps to improve elasticity levels while balancing oil to reduce shine on your T-Zone. The presence of organic carrot oil – which contains healing vitamin A – also rejuvenates and repairs the skin.
Heaven’s world-renowned Age Defiance Cream plumps out fine lines, reduces scar formation, lightens pigmentation and prevents spot breakouts thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid. It’s the ‘all rounder’ designed for all skin types and is particularly good for irritated, acne-prone, blemished or sensitive and oily skins, rebuilding tissue structures and improving firmness.