By Chelsea Chilewa, VRG Intern

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of commercials and media informing us on what products to buy. With TikTok shops being the new craze and Amazon storefronts’ popularity, your favorite social media personalities have the ability to sell you anything, whether they have an agenda to push certain products or not. Depending on their values, they may not prioritize what is best for us and our home planet. In this article, I delve into the perspectives of VRG (Vegetarian Resource Group) volunteers who share their opinions on veganism, sustainability, and the products they love.

Mae – A Passionate Home Cook

Mae shares her tips on simplifying vegetarian cooking and her approach to vegan household products.

Mae: “I try to make my own household products and toiletries whenever possible, from ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, plant-based oils, and essential oils. As for specific brands, I like CleanCult’s line of household cleaners and hand soap.”

Not all Cleancult household products are 100% vegan. Some dryer products contain wool, but they do offer vegan and cruelty free products. Read those labels! Cleancult product containers are meant to be reusable and last forever, so investing in their product is saving waste.

Question: Sustainability is often associated with veganism. Can you share your thoughts on how vegan products align with your eco-friendly values and contribute to reducing your environmental footprint?

Mae: “The products you buy are a reflection of who you are, and ideally, your day-to-day actions would further substantiate your identity. With that said, I hope that abstaining from most animal products contributes to a larger movement of individuals doing the same, leading to an overall reduction in demand for such items.”

Embracing Vegan Beauty

Meet Amy

Amy discusses her favorite vegan skincare and beauty products and their effectiveness compared to non-vegan alternatives. She also shares her approach to vegan household products.

Amy: “Mad Hippie is a great vegan brand with high-quality products. I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to skincare and beauty, but I always wear sunscreen and must have lip gloss at all times. I actually started using vegan skincare/cosmetic products before changing my diet, so it’s been a long time since I used any non-vegan products. However, I don’t think there’s a difference in terms of effectiveness.”

Question: How do you ensure that the products you use are truly vegan? Are there specific certifications or labels you look for when shopping?

Amy: “I definitely read the ingredients, and look at labels to make sure I’m not missing anything. This has gotten to be second nature for me, and I appreciate food allergy labeling that allows me to quickly figure out if eggs or milk are included in a product. Plus, the reports from The VRG have been helpful for me to learn about hidden animal ingredients in products.”

If you are a consumer who suffers from allergies, check your makeup to see if they contain your allergen. Check out Zestfull article, Food allergens in cosmetics, written by Keila Alleyne.

https://www.thezestfull.com/food-allergens-in-beauty-products-guide/

Jazz

Meet Jazz

Jazz, a VRG intern, shares his favorite vegetarian products and brands that he incorporates into his daily life.

Jazz: When I’m feeling lazy, I’ll just put an Impossible chicken patty in the oven and eat that.”

MorningStar Farms is a meatless American food brand. Incogmeato® is their plant based protein line that cooks and tastes like meat. This is another possible option for the days I need a quick and easy meal.

In this collection of perspectives, we’ve heard from VRG volunteers with different backgrounds and experiences. Their insights shed light on the world of veganism, sustainable living, and the products they like. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based options, I hope their stories can provide valuable inspiration.

The contents of this website and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal and Vegan Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.