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Cruelty-free eye cream is more than a beauty industry buzzword; it presents significant benefits for our skin and the environment alike. By embracing these compassionate formulations, we’re nurturing our skin health while also playing a critical role in environmental conservation.
The Impact of Cruelty Free Eye Creams on Skin and Environment
People choose cruelty-free products for various reasons, ranging from personal ethics to the belief that such products are gentler on the skin, or even a desire to promote good karma. However, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the link between choosing cruelty-free products and environmental health.
The Environmental Connection to Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
Cruelty-free products, such as those with PETA approval or Leaping Bunny Certification, often align with eco-friendly practices. This is largely due to their compositions; cruelty-free products usually contain natural ingredients or fewer chemicals, implying fewer toxins in their make-up that could be released into the environment.
Environmental Impact of Animal Testing Laboratories
Animal testing laboratories contribute significantly to environmental waste. The waste produced ranges from the animals’ excrement, runoff from tests, to the discarded carcasses of animals used in tests. If an animal is exposed to toxins during testing or if it dies as a result, its body’s chemical content can also pollute the environment. It is estimated that a single lab could produce up to 12 tonnes of waste annually.
Regulatory Loopholes Favoring Animal Testing
Regulatory bodies supervising factories and labs tend to impose fewer restrictions on companies acting in the interest of public safety. Given that animal testing is often justified as a measure to ensure chemical safety for humans, labs conducting such tests may fall into this category, thereby being subject to more lenient regulations.
The Best Cruelty-Free, Eco-Friendly Eye Creams, According to 3 Experts
Shopping for an eye cream can feel like navigating a maze. With countless options available, each promising to address specific skin issues such as dark circles or fine lines, the choices can be overwhelming.
Adding to the complexity, many brands unfortunately continue to test their products on animals. This practice can limit the choices for environmentally conscious consumers who prioritize cruelty-free products.
Yet, there is a silver lining. The market landscape is gradually transforming, giving rise to a wider array of vegan, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free eye creams. These products, readily available both in physical stores and online, offer a viable and ethical alternative for those wish to maintain their skincare regimen without compromising their values.
Best all-around cruelty-free eye cream: UpCircle’s Eye Cream With Hyaluronic Acid & Coffee
Christie Maass, a seasoned esthetician and co-owner of Lace Skin Studio in New York, has high regard for UpCircle’s Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid & Coffee. Beyond its use in her professional practice, Maass frequently suggests this product for homecare to individuals with diverse skin types. As she tells Green Matters in an email, the cream’s ingredients are a significant selling point, “boasting hyaluronic acid for skin plumping, caffeine for brightening, and maple bark extract as an anti-inflammatory.”
She emphasizes the cream’s cruelty-free and 100% vegan nature, adding, “One of the reasons I love this eye cream is because it’s crafted with coffee oil, derived from repurposed grounds, mainly from UK coffee shops.” This zero-waste eye cream, Maass points out, can assist in mitigating puffiness and dark eyes while concurrently contributing to environmental protection.
Maass explains that UpCircle is a fully vegan, cruelty-free brand that primarily uses plastic-free packaging. “They breathe new life into salvaged natural ingredients by repurposing them into fresh products,” says Maass, referring to the company’s commitment to sustainability. With a reasonable price tag of around $25 per pot, the eye cream offers good value for money.
The only thing to consider is the preference of packaging, as the cream comes in a glass pot rather than a tube. Nevertheless, Maass appreciates the use of “high quality ingredients” in UpCircle’s eye cream, over unnatural fillers or preservatives. Her advice for skincare shoppers, particularly when seeking eye creams, is to prioritize products with high quality ingredients, much like those found in UpCircle’s offerings.
Best mid-range eye cream: Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream
Renowned Dermatologist Dr. Aanand N. Geria, the founder of Geria Dermatology in New Jersey, endorses the Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream by Biossance. Dr. Geria praises the product’s plant-based composition and its absence of detrimental chemicals. “It comprises marine algae, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, which effectively diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its lightweight and non-greasy formula makes it suitable for all skin types,” he says.
Biossance ensures that their product is not just vegan and cruelty-free, but also EWG Verified, non-toxic, and free from parabens, PEGs, and synthetic fragrance. Despite its higher price point at $56, a two-pack offer is available for just an additional $0.25. The packaging, unlike the previously mentioned product, is plastic.
Dr. Geria shares some valuable advice for consumers seeking an eye cream. He recommends opting for products specially formulated for the skin around the eyes, considering their specific concerns such as dark circles or fine lines. He also suggests looking for nourishing ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides, particularly for anti-aging benefits. Lastly, he advises avoiding eye creams containing potential irritants, such as alcohol or fragrances.
Best cruelty-free eye cream for anti-aging: Dermalogica’s Age Reversal Eye Complex
Dr. Debra Wattenberg, MD, founder of NY Skin RX in New York City, highly recommends Dermalogica’s Age Reversal Eye Complex. This product stands out with its cruelty-free and vegan features. Its active ingredients, such as retinol, assist in reducing fine lines and discoloration, while niacinamide serves as an anti-inflammatory agent, improving hyperpigmentation and blotchiness. The product also includes vitamin C, known for ameliorating dark circles and puffiness.
As Dr. Wattenberg notes, the Dermalogica product addresses a wide array of issues related to the eye area. However, she cautions consumers to select products that specifically target their individual concerns, whether it’s puffiness, pigmentation, dryness, or dark circles. According to her, most eye creams usually address one or two issues, rarely covering all concerns.
The Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex can be applied to all skin types and specifically targets dark circles, wrinkles, and signs of aging. However, the price might be a concern for some consumers, as it costs around $75 per bottle.
Dr. Wattenberg also provides some shopping advice for consumers. She suggests not being swayed by attractive packaging, underscoring that it’s what’s inside the packaging that truly matters. She also recommends patch testing any new eye cream on a small area of skin for a few days before applying it to the entire under eye area. This way, consumers can ensure their skin reacts positively to the product.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rise of cruelty-free eye creams represents a significant stride forward in skincare that aligns with ethical and environmental considerations. Brands like UpCircle, Biossance, and Dermalogica are leading the way, offering products that simultaneously cater to various skin types and contribute to sustainability. These creams not only fulfill their promise of enhancing skin health but also uphold a commitment to the environment, making them an ideal choice for those seeking both efficacy and ethical integrity in their skincare products.
