The Benefits of Going Vegan for Your Skin and Hair (2024)

FAQs

The Benefits of Going Vegan for Your Skin and Hair? ›

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.

Is a vegan diet the way to a better complexion? Going vegan can also improve your skin complexion. Cutting down on processed meat means less intake of saturated fats and sugar. A vegan diet is rich in anti-inflammatory food, which boosts skin radiance, improves hydration and plumpness.

Does going vegan affect hair? Eating a balanced, healthy vegan diet can have hair benefits. However, it's important to avoid nutrient deficiencies. The main nutrients to consider include vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, omega-3, biotin, iodine, vitamin E, protein, and zinc.

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.

Many people on a plant-based diet notice improved complexions, skin healing and moisturisation, which not only helps you to look younger but feel good about it too. Just because a diet is vegan is doesn't automatically make it healthy. It does take some commitment and planning to follow a healthy plant based diet.

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.

While studies have shown that a vegan diet (VD) may be associated with improved health outcomes [6,7], the negative health repercussions of these food preferences, on the other hand, are rarely highlighted, and veganism may be associated with negative health effects due to nutritional deficiencies.

Experiencing Headaches and Fatigue when Going Vegan

Headaches and fatigue might be a common symptom especially if you aren't eating enough calories.

Vegans should strive to include nuts, seeds, legumes, beans and soy in their diets to supply the essential amino acids necessary to stay healthy and have healthy, growing hair. Legumes are especially important, as they are one of the few plant sources of the amino acid, L-lysine, essential for hair growth.

You're likely to notice changes if you decide to go vegan and abstain from non-plant foods. If you stick with healthy food choices, you'll likely lose weight and snack less. You may also see improvements in your skin and energy levels.

What i noticed when I went vegan? ›

The Pros and Cons of Going Vegan

Let's look at the pros first: * It vastly reduced the amount of fats and sugars I was taking on. * My body became leaner and more vasculated. * Going vegan produced less food waste including a lot less packaging.

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.

Potential Nutrient Deficiencies — A vegan diet may lack certain essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. It's crucial to carefully plan your diet to ensure you get all necessary nutrients.

Benefits of veganism for the skin:

These foods are generally high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which can be beneficial for skin health. Vegans often have higher intakes of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber and phytochemicals, which can help maintain healthy skin.

Vegans tend to be younger than the general population, with the majority falling between 18 and 34.

Overall, vegan diets based mainly on whole or minimally processed plant foods may slow the aging process by reducing oxidative stress in the body. These diets limit foods highest in AGEs and are higher in antioxidant-rich, low-AGE foods.

Many plant-based diets also emphasize avoiding refined sugars and processed foods, which are often high on the glycemic index (GI)—another risk factor for acne! Going plant-based may reduce acne, inflammation, protect your skin with the help of antioxidants, and help reduce the signs of aging.

Health benefits, when done right

Promote weight loss. Reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Lower your chances of getting certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer. Manage diabetes by lowering A1C levels.

While vegan skincare doesn't necessarily equal all-natural or clean, it is typically better for the environment while providing similar skin results to non-vegan formulas. If you're just getting started with veganism and looking to make the switch, read our complete guide to building a vegan beauty routine.

Over time, your skin loses its volume and its youthfulness. A vegan diet tends to be higher in antioxidants and other nutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties. These are linked to better health and brighter, more glowing skin.