Sustainable buying habits and increased awareness of environmental issues have made some people think twice about using animal and animal byproducts. Many people are choosing to shop for cruelty-free products and are on the lookout for animal-friendly brands. Many companies label themselves "cruelty-free," but what does that even mean? 

You may notice this label on some of your beauty products. However, sometimes it can be a misleading statement. You may be wondering if searching for cruelty-free products, like body wash, is worth the effort. We are going to go over what it means to be cruelty-free and the benefits of products with this label. You will also learn about luxurious animal-friendly body washes and how to elevate your shower routine. 

What Makes a Product Cruelty-Free?

It's easy to get caught up in the plethora of seals, certificates, and elaborate descriptions touting the virtues of specific products. "Cruelty-free" is a commonly used promise on a wide range of cosmetics and beauty items, including clothing, skincare, and body washes. If an item doesn't have a "cruelty-free" label, you may see "not tested on animals," which means the same thing.

Products labeled "cruelty-free" promise not to use animals in their testing process. Products that utilize animal testing are not cruelty-free since testing cosmetics on animals may hurt or even kill the animals. There was a campaign for animal rights in the 1950s that inspired the cruelty-free movement. By the early 1970s, it had become a common phrase.

There are about 20 million animals experimented on and killed every year.  Three-fourths of those animals are used for medical research, and the other half is used to test various products. Animal lovers and others are firmly against this sort of testing, and certain brands feel the same.

Vegan vs. Cruelty-Free

You may be wondering if there is a difference between vegan and cruelty-free labels. The answer is yes. A vegan product does not include any animals or animal byproducts in the ingredient list. 

Many people associate the word "vegan" with products that have not been subjected to animal experimentation. However, it also means they don't contain things like honey, beeswax, and lanolin, which are just two examples of numerous animal-derived ingredients commonly found in products. 

If you want to make sure no animals are used in any part of the product or production process, you need to look for vegan and cruelty-free labels. Spogellé products are vegan friendly and cruelty-free. We do not believe in harming you, animals, or our planet in the making of our products. However, some of our products utilize the benefits of honey, so not everything is 100% vegan. 

Benefits of Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products

You don't have to be an animal activist to receive the benefits of using vegan and cruelty-free products. Here are some reasons to choose cruelty-free products. 

1. Cruelty-free products are generally better for you. Products not tested on animals also usually don't contain parabens, sulfates, and synthetic colors. When you opt for cleaner products, you are less likely to experience skin irritation. 
2. When you're searching for vegan or cruelty-free products, you will be making more mindful decisions overall. You will have to narrow down your choices based on these labels and will be able to see more clearly what will work best for your skin and routine. 
3. You will be helping animals when you choose these types of products. You send a statement to companies that animal experimentation is unethical, and you, as the consumer, are not willing to spend your money on products that aren't cruelty-free. This message can eventually lead to more businesses going cruelty-free, and fewer animals will be subjected to this testing.
4. Many brands that do not use animal products are also reasonably priced. It's possible to save animals and money at the same time by purchasing products that do not use animal testing, like Spogellé products. 
5. Testing on animals isn't necessary to ensure the safety of a product. There are more than 7,000 ingredients in beauty products that have been confirmed safe. Companies often want to sue animal testing for new ingredients, but new technology makes it possible to conduct product testing safely without using animals. Many countries have already banned animal testing completely like, the European Union, Switzerland, India, Israel, South Korea, and New Zealand. 

Best Cruelty-Free Body Washes

You can easily turn your shower routine into a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free experience. There are a number of nourishing body washes that aren't tested on animals. Here are a few different body washes to try. 

Freesia Pear Body Wash

Spongelle's brand new body wash is infused with freesia pear. It is a luxurious, creamy shower gel, and the ingredients are naturally derived and will nourish your overall skin health. 

The body wash provides a moisturizing cleanse with a combination of amino acids, glycerin, and pro-vitamin B5. All of these ingredients will help to soothe and nurture your skin's natural barrier. 

French Lavender Body Wash

The French Lavender Body Wash is another lavish, velvety shower gel. Lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy. The scent comes from the oils of the lavender plant, which may help promote calmness and wellness. Some people use lavender to help reduce stress, anxiety, and even mild pain. 

Using a lavender product when you shower may be just the thing you need to start or end your day. Plus, the body wash also comes in a unique bottle with a 1ml pump making it convenient to use

Sugar Dahlia Body Wash

The Sugar Dahlia Body Wash offers scents of citrus, midnight jasmine, ylang-ylang, freesia, and neroli. It creates a spa-like experience with swirls of thick, creamy suds that envelop you into the most luxurious bathing indulgence.

Coconut Verbena Wild Flower Bath Sponge

Try the Coconut Verbena Wild Flower Bath Sponge for a body wash and shower scrubber in one. The coconut and citrus scents will transport you to a tropical destination. The hydrating bath sponge and body buffer will gently cleanse and exfoliate your body, leaving your skin dreamy-soft. You'll never want to use a washcloth again. 

How To Use Body Wash

You may have been using shower gel for as long as you can remember, but are you using it right? Is there even a right and wrong way to use body wash? There aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to showering, but you do want to make sure you're actually getting clean.

Most people learn how to bathe from their parents at a young age. You know it's important to use soap on your entire body to remove dirt and other impurities. You also know that when you skip a shower, or two, you feel less than fresh. 

We have a few quick tips to keep in mind the next time you jump in the shower.  

• You don't want to use water that is too hot or too cold. You want to aim for warm water. While stepping into the hottest possible water may feel relaxing for a few minutes, it can have damaging effects. The hot water can hurt your skin's natural barrier, and you could end up with dry skin. 
• Stay away from shower products made with harsh chemicals or ingredients. When you use these types of products, you could be doing your skin more harm than good. Spongellé only uses ingredients that will benefit your skin. 
• Find hydrating and refreshing products that work for your skin type.
• Try to find a shower gel with a pump to avoid using too much product on your skin. 
• Focus on washing the dirtiest areas of your body. You don't want to get out of the shower until you've washed your arms, legs, underarms, groin, and feet.
• Even though you may be tempted to stay in the shower for an hour, keep it short. Spending a lot of time in the water may dry up your skin and hair. 
• Start at the top of your body and work your way down when using body wash. When you shower top-to-bottom, it allows the shower gel to work its way down. 
• If you are acne-prone, try washing your face, chest, and back after conditioning the hair. Conditioner can clog your pores, causing a breakout. 
• After you shower, gently pat yourself dry. You don't want to rub vigorously at your skin because you want to lock in the moisture. 
• As soon as you get out of the shower, use a body lotion to hydrate your skin.

Shower Time

Finding high-quality cruelty-free products may be easier than you think. Many brands, like Spongellé, care about the well-being of animals and offer premium products for your skin. When you choose a product that doesn't harm animals, you may also be using cleaner ingredients. 

Once you start using our luxurious body washes, you can reap the rewards of the nourishing skin benefits. Your shower experience will never be the same! 

Sources

Of Cures and Creatures Great and Small - Markkula Center for Applied Ethics | Santa Clara University

In Vitro Methods and More Animal Testing Alternatives | PETA

What Lavender Can Do for You: Origin, Uses, and More | Healthline