First up, what is Veganuary?

Veganuary was created by Mathew Glover and Jane Brand in 2014 with a desire to reduce the horrors of animal suffering. The idea is to help people experience being vegan for the month of January and raise awareness of the many benefits of a plant-based diet and lifestyle. The movement has rapidly grown, and in 2022 the team behind Veganuary supported over 620,000 people trying a vegan lifestyle. Not bad!

I Am Natural, a vegan company

I Am Natural is a vegan company through and through.  I'm Esther, founder and formulator. I chose a vegan diet in 1993 aged just 18 when a speaker from vegan charity Viva! visited my 6th form debating group. I was so appalled by the degree of animal suffering that I changed from a meat-based diet to a plant diet overnight. It was pretty challenging to begin with; plenty of people thought I was a complete wierdo and food provisions outside of home were few and far between.  I embraced having a vegan diet and never caved in, even while travelling in far flung places. I have since had two vegan pregnancies and am raising two healthy children. I know in my heart it's the right way to live.

So, what's Veganuary got to do with skincare?

Although the Veganuary campaign is primarily focused on choosing a vegan diet throughout January, being vegan is much more than deciding what to eat. It's about choosing animal-free products in everything we do, and it's about supporting others to make ethical decisions too.

Working with plants

My desire to start a vegan skincare company emerged as a natural progression to having a vegan diet. Why put rubbish on my skin when I wasn't eating it? After all, 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our blood stream!

Working with plant oils, butters and essential oils was a step up for me. It required a willingness to appreciate the conectivity we have as humans to the rest of our environment. 

I believe that nature has created an abundance of plant species that can feed us, clothe us, heal us, protect us and support us through every phase of our lives, physically, mentally and emotionally. Exploiting animals not only entrenches our bodies with negativity, creating further disconnect and unawareness of our surroundings, it pollutes and ruins our natural environment.

When you choose vegan skincare, you're choosing cruelty-free skincare. Skincare free from honey, beeswax, goats milk, tallow, animal-derived colourings or synthetic fragrances has not involved animal testing or left a lactating mother bereft of her baby. 

When you choose vegan skincare, you're choosing plant oils and essential oils, the ultimate superfood for your skin. Plants oils and butters are naturally rich in vitmains and anti-oxidants, healing damaged skin and nourishing your body as it goes through the perimenopausal years and beyond.

When you choose I Am Natural vegan skincare, you're also choosing organic plant ingredients, and supporting wildlife biodiversity. According to the Soil Association, on average, plant, insect and bird wildlife is 50% more abundant on organic farms.

Why I think you should try Veganuary

Veganuary might be your first introduction to a vegan lifestyle. It's a compassionate way of life that asks you to empathise with all earth's creatures, and become open to hearing different points of view and opinions. 

Becoming vegan for me meant finding a strength and resilience I didn't know I had. Back in 1993, I was a target for every steak-loving male and needed to argue my case eloquently with facts and figure just to be left in peace. I became a self taught expert on nutrition and made sure I got the right nutrients. 

Nowadays, there are many easy online resources, recipes and support at the touch of a button. Veganuary is one of them, Viva! is another great source and favourite of mine. 

Better for you, better for the environment, better for animals

It's easy to try being vegan, and experience for yourself how it makes you feel during perimenpause and beyond. Your body will be healthier, your conscience more at peace and your skin clearer and more radiant. Studies show that vegans tend to have lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer. With a diet high in fibre and nutrients, not only does a vegan diet improve digestion, lower cholesterol and boost energy levels, it will improve the health of your skin. Many of my clients have reported cutting out dairy milk to reduce hormone interference resulting in their middle-aged acne clearing up completely!

Plus you will be doing your bit to make the world a better place. A vegan diet has been proven to be better for the environment as animal farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution.

Try this instant Vegan Calculator to discover the positive impact you can have being vegan for just one month.

I am also very happy to support you. Please get in touch with me via email if you have any questions about being vegan or using vegan skincare. 

Read more about natural vegan skincare in the I Am Natural Vegan Beauty Journal.