Do you have vegan face? How to avoid a lacklustre complexion (2024)

The vegan is a complicated figure. He or she is much maligned in many quarters: for being faddy, neurotic or picky. Vegans are presented as weak, anaemic — literally and figuratively — and joyless. Some of them probably are, others would likely beat you in an arm wrestle.

And so it is unfortunate that vegans — already so tortured — must now see off yet another hardship. Moreover, this one is rooted in science: dermatologists report that the rise of veganism is causing an according rise in what they are calling “vegan face”.

Simply, vegan face is a name for a slack, wasted look that is caused by an absence of protein in your diet. The skin is dry, sallow and flaky. Protein literally props up the face: it makes it look plump (in a good way) and fresh-faced and wakeful.

Not all vegans are lacking in protein but cutting out all animal products leaves a huge protein deficit, and it can be hard to replace the full complement. Hence, vegan face.

“We noticed a lack of elasticity,” observes Inge Theron, founder of Face Gym, which has devised a facial specifically for vegan face. “Collagen and elastin are made up of protein and those are the two most important substances for youthful, toned and sculpted skin so it’s very important to substitute with supplements. If your body doesn’t get the protein that it needs, it can cause your skin to become dry, sallow, crepey and lacklustre, with saggy jowls and a loss of muscle tone and elasticity.” Face Gym was inspired in part because many of its own team had turned vegan (Theron promises she is a “huge advocate of the vegan movement”).

The Vegan Face facial centres on “boosting collagen, reducing inflammation and supplementing your skin with omega-rich prebiotic vegan skincare.” It also involves the FaceGym Pro machine (not as draconian as it sounds), a piece of apparatus which will “lift, tone and sculpt your facial muscles, a laser to remodel the collagen, and our radio frequency machine to plump the skin, giving you a radiance and glow that can be lost from reducing your protein intake.” After a bespoke analysis, you’ll also take home a face oil, and advice on diet, supplements and nutrition to ensure your face does not slacken again (facegym.com).

Do you have vegan face? How to avoid a lacklustre complexion (2)

FaceGym’s Vegan Facial helps to lift, tone and sculpt your facial muscles

There are layers within layers: some vegans might worry that a facial, designed to solve their vegan face, might contain products that are not suitable for vegans.

FaceGym’s treatment is vegan friendly, and concerned vegans can be assured that Chelsea facialist Nataliya Robinson’s vegan peel also avoids using any animal by-products.

Robinson exfoliates the skin then applies a care solution that includes blueberry, orange, lemon and sugar cane, which smoothes texture and hydrates the skin. Then she performs a deep cleanse to unblock pores, applies a chamomile compress to calm down the resulting inflammation, and then soothes the complexion with seaweed. She rounds off with a massage, with homemade oils (nataliyarobinson.co.uk).

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Once vegan face has taken hold of your complexion, can you fight it? “The effects of veganism are reversible,” Theron reassures, “if you fuel your body with rich, plant-based protein, fermented plant and pre- and pro-skin biotics and look at collagen supplements.

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Radio frequency is a huge collagen booster, so we use this a lot on our vegan customers as it’s simply unbeatable for plumping, lifting and toning and generates a big dose of collagen after every use, which means you don’t see the full effect immediately — instead, your skin just gradually gets better and better.”

Of course, you ought also to take matters into your own hands and maximise your protein intake — try the holy trinity of tofu, quinoa, beans — and use strong exfoliaters to slough off all the dry skin cells.

Theron recommends avocado, nuts, lentils and split peas. Moreover, monitor your face carefully: the cheeks should be pillowy, not deflated, and you shouldn’t look, constantly, as though you’ve just had A Very Heavy Night. If this is the case, up your intake and face the consequences.

Do you have vegan face? How to avoid a lacklustre complexion (2024)

FAQs

Do you have vegan face? How to avoid a lacklustre complexion? ›

But switching to a vegan diet is not without its problems. Many find their skin becomes clearer, but only after they've got used to eating enough alternative protein, say in the form of avocados or split peas. A lack of protein can make skin look sallow, gaunt and washed out, while hair can lose its shine.

How to get rid of vegan face? ›

Once vegan face has taken hold of your complexion, can you fight it? “The effects of veganism are reversible,” Theron reassures, “if you fuel your body with rich, plant-based protein, fermented plant and pre- and pro-skin biotics and look at collagen supplements.

Do vegans look older or younger? ›

The way the body ages is not solely determined by what we eat, but biology, environment, and mental health also play an essential role. For this reason, it is impossible to say that vegans age well over meat-eaters or vegetarians, as there are so many other factors to consider.

Does your skin change when you go vegan? ›

Veganism can have benefits for the skin, such as a high intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and reducing dairy consumption. However, a vegan diet can also lack certain essential nutrients needed by the body, which can negatively affect the skin and cause other health problems.

Why is my skin breaking out on vegan diet? ›

Nutrient Imbalances: Vegan diets, while rich in some nutrients, might lack others like vitamin B12, which is crucial for skin health. Processed Foods: Some vegan diets rely heavily on processed foods, which can be high in sugar and unhealthy fats, contributing to breakouts.

What happens to your body when you first go vegan? ›

At the start of a change to a vegan diet, you could experience a variety of differences to your body. These may include being hungrier, getting gassier, a change in your skin or body odor, weight loss or gain, better or worse sleep, headaches, tiredness, or having more energy. As you can see, it can go many ways!

How long does it take for your body to adjust to a plant-based diet? ›

Adjusting your body to a plant-based diet might take up to four to six weeks.

Do vegans live longer than non-vegans? ›

Vegan diets tend to be rich in nutrients that may protect against illnesses and boost your lifespan. Many people who follow this eating pattern also make lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly and avoiding processed foods, that may aid longevity.

Does being vegan change how you look? ›

Going vegan is a simple way to feel and look better fast. After just a few days, you might notice a “vegan glow” when you look in the mirror. Antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables, which assist in shielding skin from cellular damage, probably contribute to this effect.

Is veganism healthy long term? ›

While several studies have shown that a vegan diet (VD) decreases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, veganism has been associated with adverse health outcomes, namely, nervous, skeletal, and immune system ...

Does going vegan change your hormones? ›

It also affects nervous reflexes and hormonal reactions to metabolites in the blood. Shifting from a traditional protein-rich diet to a plant-based diet signals a hormonal chain reaction. So-called mood hormones, growth hormones, and sex hormones are all independently affected by diet.

Does being vegan change your body shape? ›

Short-term changes (within weeks)

Individuals on plant-based diets tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and lower overall body fat percentages compared to omnivores. For many, weight loss is an early and noticeable outcome of veganism, especially if transitioning from a standard American diet.

Does your body detox when you go vegan? ›

This may not be something you want to hear, but with increased amounts of fruits, veg, legumes, and beans, you're likely going to be visiting the bathroom more often than you had before. When you switch to a vegan lifestyle, your body detoxifies itself, which means excreting toxins in alllll the ways.

What happens to your skin when you stop eating meat? ›

It's worth mentioning that some individuals who regularly eat meat can actually experience acne breakouts if they suddenly stop consuming meat. The body is complex, and there's no way to know for sure how eating meat or cutting it out will affect one's skin until enough time has gone by.

Do vegans have less wrinkles? ›

A systematic review published in 2020 found that whole-food vegan diets can help slow formation of wrinkles. This is attributed to the high antioxidant content of the whole-food plant-based diet which prevents cellular damage.

Do vegans have clearer skin? ›

Eating a plant-based diet can help clear up acne and other skin conditions, as it is naturally low in saturated fat and high in antioxidants. Additionally, avoiding animal-derived ingredients and products that are tested on animals can help reduce the amount of toxins and chemicals that can irritate your skin.

How do I stop being vegan? ›

7 tips to reintroduce meat into your diet
  1. Talk to a dietitian. It may be helpful to consult a registered dietitian who can help you make the transition. ...
  2. Start easy. ...
  3. Sipping on chicken or bone broth is another way to ease back in. ...
  4. Sneak it in. ...
  5. Try bacon – in moderation. ...
  6. Choose sustainable meat. ...
  7. Find a community.
Mar 12, 2023

How long does bloating last when going vegan? ›

Bloating may last a few days for some, and may persist for a few weeks in others as the body adjusts to the increased fiber intake. It could also be a sign of an underlying condition, such as leaky gut or irritable bowel syndrome.

What happens when you go vegan for 30 days? ›

All those vitamins and minerals and enzymes and prebiotics (fiber) entering your system go right to work for you. Many people also find that they settle into their “natural” healthy body weight after embracing a whole food plant-based diet.

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