Kat's Guide to Vegan Sunscreen

If you're new to veganism or cruelty free living and are serious about making a change, you start thinking about everything you buy - yes, even sunscreen! Protecting our skin from harmful UV rays is SO important, so I wanted to put together a list of some vegan and cruelty free sunscreen on the market.

How does sunscreen work?

First, let's take a look at the two kinds of sunscreen - mineral and chemical.

• Chemical sunscreens penetrate the top layers of skin so they can absorb the harmful rays. The issue with that of course, is that chemicals are penetrating the skin. Ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate.

• Mineral sunscreens on the other hand stay on the surface and reflect those rays right off. These ingredients are more natural and therefore less harmful long term. Ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Both are deemed safe by the FDA but there could be negative long term effects with chemical absorption.

UVA vs. UVB

The two main ultraviolet rays you often hear about are UVA and UVB.

• UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and lead to the long term effects of sun damage, like wrinkles.

• UVB rays are responsible for burns and blisters.

Both can lead to skin cancer. Read more about this from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

What is SPF?

Sun protection factor. This measures the fraction of UV rays that reach the skin. The higher the SPF, the more it will block the UV rays, and the longer it will take for your skin to burn.

• SPF 15 blocks 93%

• SPF 30 blocks 97%

• SPF 50 blocks 98%

To work out which SPF is best for you, take the number of minutes it takes for your skin to burn without protection, and multiply it by the SPF to get an idea of how long your skin will be protected. Keep in mind though that depending on what you're doing, the sunscreen can rub off so it is best to reapply it throughout your time outside. Don't forget that your feet, ears, lips and scalp can also burn so take measures to protect these areas as well.

What about skin tone?

The more melanin present in your skin, the better protected you are - but that doesn't mean you won't get any sun damage at all. The Fitzpatrick Scale, a classification of skin types, was created in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick. The scale is by no means a replacement for medical advice, but more of a reference point. It looks like this:

• Type I: very fair/ivory skin color - always burns, never tans

• Type II: fair skin color - burns often, sometimes tans

• Type II: fair/beige skin color - burns sometimes, but tans

• Type IV: olive/light brown skin color - rarely burns, tans well

• Type V: dark brown skin color - very rarely burns, tans easily

• Type VI: deeply pigmented to darkest brown skin color - never burns

Those on the fair end should always use SPF 30 or more. Those on the darker end should still wear SPF 15, as skin cancer present in African-Americans is usually diagnosed at a later stage.

Cruelty Free & Vegan Sunscreen

All the brands below are truly cruelty free, but some cannot be called vegan because they use honey or beeswax in some of their products. I've included these because most of the sunscreens are vegan, and are indicated on their website. Also some folks are ok with ethically sourced beeswax and honey!

Pacifica

Vegan and Cruelty Free

Price range: $4-$16

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Bare Republic

Vegan and Cruelty Free

Price range: $10-20

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Thrive Skincare

Vegan and Cruelty Free

Price range: $20-50

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Coola

Cruelty Free, Some products not vegan (beeswax)

Price range: $10-55

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Suntegrity

Cruelty Free, Some products not vegan (beeswax)

Price range: $20-55

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Supergoop!

Cruelty Free, Vegan with 2 exceptions (100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick and Sunnyscreen™ 100% Mineral Stick contain Beeswax)

Price range: $10-70

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Andalou Naturals

Cruelty Free, Sunscreens at the link below are vegan

Price range: $15-20

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MyCHELLE

Cruelty Free, Some products not vegan

Price range: $12-30

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Alba Botanica

Cruelty Free, Some products not vegan (honey and beeswax)

Price range: $10-20

Website (found in stores like Target)

Kiss My Face

Cruelty Free, Some products not vegan (honey and beeswax)

Price range: $10-22

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Sun Bum

Cruelty Free, some products not vegan

Price range: $4-$18

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Babo Botanicals

Cruelty Free - some products not vegan

Price range: $10-56

Shop

#vegan #veganproducts #veganskincare #veganingredients #crueltyfree #crueltyfreeliving #crueltyfreelifestyle #veganshopping #vegansunscreen #crueltyfreesunscreen #veganblog #crueltyfreeblog #crueltyfreelifestyle #noanimaltesting #veganliving #veganlifestyle #katskulture

What Chemicals Are Lurking In Your Hair Products?

How many times have you stood in the shower, glancing at the ingredients on your shampoo bottle, and actually knew what you were reading? When it comes to food, it's important to know what we put in our bodies. But it's just as important to know what we put on our bodies.

I want to use these weird times we are in to educate. As human beings and consumers, we have a responsibility to take care of our bodies and the environment in which we thrive. You only have one body (unless you're a body snatcher) and one planet (unless you're a space martian), and a little knowledge can go a long way. Now more than ever it is apparent that some things are completely out of our control, but if we take the right steps we can create a healthier world.

SO, let's chat about hair.

Most of us cannot get a haircut right now. Our roots are growing, our ends are splitting, it's a hair-tastrophe. I think it's safe to say most of us have no clue what those chemicals listed on our shampoo bottles really are. So let's break down some of the important ones that you should know about.

parabens

• What they are: synthetic chemicals derived from a naturally occurring chemical, PHBA.

• What they do: Parabens are preservatives added to products to extend their shelf life. They can effect hormones and the reproductive system (in women and men) because parabens act like estrogen in the body - they have been linked to breast cancer. On top of the harm parabens can cause to our bodies, they have also been found in marine life (no doubt from entering the water via our shower drains).

• What to look for: propylparaben, butylparaben, benzylparaben, methylparaben, anything with "paraben" in the name.

• Conclusion: Check your labels and avoid this.

formaldehyde

• What it is: a chemical derived from petroleum and used in many products, from building materials and pesticides, to...beauty products?

• What it does: You guessed it, if you're morbid like me (and study death science recreationally) then you know formaldehyde is an ingredient in embalming fluid. It is used as a preservative, and is an irritant and can cause cancer when exposed to high levels. But wait, there's more. There are some preservatives that are "formaldehyde-releasers" meaning they release formaldehyde over time.

• What to look for: formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, glyoxal, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, polyoxymethylene urea, methylene glycol, bromopol.

• Conclusion: Check your labels and avoid this.

polyethylene glycol (PEG)

• What is it: a synthetic petrochemical made of a mixture of compounds.

• What it does: PEGs act as emulsifiers and soften hair. They can be found in styling products, hair dyes, and a lot of other beauty products. The issue is that PEGs can contain ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane which are known carcinogens - aka they cause cancer.

• What to look for: polyethylene glycol, PEG, PEG is sometimes followed by a number.

• Conclusion: Check your labels and avoid this.

cocamide DEA/cocamide MEA

• What they are: cocamide diethanolamine (DEA) and cocamide monoethanolamine (MEA); chemicals made using coconut oils.

• What they do: they are foaming agents and stabilizers, contributing to that foamy lather. Just because coconut oil is involved does not mean it is good for you - the end result is a carcinogen.

• What to look for: cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, lauramide DEA, linoleamide MEA, oleamide DEA, stereamide MEA, TEA lauryl-sulfate, DEA-cetyl phosphate

• Conclusion: Check your labels and avoid this.

sulfates

• What they are: a cleaning agent; a surfactant.

• What they do: These chemicals act like a detergent and are added to products like shampoo to create that nice lather that makes you feel squeaky clean. They are derived from petroleum and coconut or palm oil. They strip your hair of dirt and oil, however they also strip the good natural oils and can dry your hair out. They are known irritants and may not be good for those with sensitive skin.

• What to look for: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium myreth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate, (things ending in -ate are a good tip off).

• Conclusion: Not necessarily dangerous to our health, but could be damaging to hair, so find what works best for your hair-type.

dimethicone

• What it is: a silicone.

• What it does: This and other silicones are added to shampoo to lock moisture in and give that nice silky shine. Though it locks moisture in, it also can lock moisture out. Dimethicone is not water-soluble so it may also cause buildup on your hair over time, weighing it down and causing damage in the long run.

• What to look for: Dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, stearyl dimethicone, dimethiconol, and phenyl trimethicone. Honestly look for anything ending in "-cone."

• Conclusion: Not necessarily dangerous to our health, but could be damaging to hair, so find what works best for your hair-type.

sodium chloride

• What is it: table salt.

• What it does: It is added to shampoo to thicken it. However, it can be an irritant and can dry out your hair and scalp. Sodium chloride can damage hair, strip it of oils and even of it's color. This will undo keratin treatments as well.

• What to look for: sodium chloride

• Conclusion: Not necessarily dangerous to our health, but could be damaging to hair, so find what works best for your hair-type.

Should you use natural hair products?

Natural products do not contain these harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals, and are therefore much more gentle on your hair. There is a lot of controversy and studies circulating about these chemicals and additives, and if they really pose a threat to our health, but I personally would like to come in contact with as few dangerous chemicals as possible. This may not be everyone's view, and honestly, people with different hair types may have different results! It really comes down to what you are comfortable with. Make informed decisions.

Please note that even natural hair products have a list of ingredients that look like a bunch of similar chemicals. The importance is in knowing what ones to avoid, and understanding that some of these chemicals are much more mild, gentle, natural, and safe for long term use.

If you decide to switch to natural shampoos and conditioners, please know there is going to be a transition period. After years and years of all the product buildup, your hair needs time to adjust to this new routine. Your hair may seem extra greasy because your head is overcompensating with natural oils. Or your hair may seem extra dry. It's basically going through a detox. Give it some time with these natural products - and if you're stuck in quarantine, NOW IS THE TIME! No one will see you and think you haven't showered in weeks (hey, maybe you haven't).

So next time you are buying hair products, keep an eye out for some of these hidden nasties and don't forget to make sure it's certified vegan and cruelty free too! Check out these brands below:

• The Seaweed Bath Co

• Pacifica

• Beauty Without Cruelty

• Hempz

#katskulture #vegan #veganblog #vegangirl #veganbeauty #crueltyfree #crueltyfreeblog #crueltyfreebeauty #haircare #naturalhaircare #veganlifestyle #lifestyleblog #veganculture

Seitan Reuben Sandwich

Here's a vegan spin on a little treat I like to have for St. Patrick's Day*.

*I had plans to make a bunch of veganized Irish food, until everyone raided the grocery stores and started to quarantine, so the rest may be delayed based on what I can get my hands on.

OK GUYS - this was my first time ever making homemade seitan, so be kind, I am still learning. And let's be real, I do NOT remember what corned beef tastes like whatsoever, so I am using "vegan corned beef" very lightly. I took inspiration from different recipes I found on the internet and went with it.

I think what really made this great was using homemade vegan Worcestershire sauce (which traditionally contains fish), using apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and dijon mustard, simmered on low heat for just a few minutes. Seriously, while my seitan was cooking, it smelled exactly how I remember my mom cooking up some sort of beef wayyy back in the day when we ate meat - it was pretty bizarre.

What is seitan?

Seitan ("say-tan" or "say-tahn" as I say) is basically wheat gluten and water, which forms a dough that can be seasoned and cooked in many ways to mimic meat. The texture is pretty convincing as a meat substitute. Bread it, grill it, bake it, marinate it, and the list goes on.

Next time a fellow American thinks you're gross for eating seitan, remind them that wheat gluten has been around and used in other cultures for centuries. We're talking since at least the 6th century.

Though seitan is not a complete protein (it lacks lysine), it's still high in protein - you can easily make up for this by adding a complete protein to the meal. It's also lower in carbs, calories, and fat. Not everyone should have seitan however, since it is pure gluten. Anyone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease should avoid seitan. I would say to have it in moderation as well, like most other meat substitutes.

The process of making wheat gluten from wheat flour can take some time. Luckily you can buy vital wheat gluten, which is the powdered form of wheat gluten and can be used to make seitan. I've seen it in the organic/healthy aisle at most local grocery stores, but I bought this bag of Anthony's Premium Vital Wheat Gluten from Amazon. You can also buy already prepared seitan, however I did once and I was not a fan. I really enjoyed making it myself and can't wait to experiment with it more. Next time, I am going to form the dough a bit better because it was very hard for me to make consistent and thin slices.

INGREDIENTS

Seitan Dough

• 1 cup + 1 tbsp vital wheat gluten

• 1 cup water

• 1/4 cup almond flour (I used almond flour because it's what I have on hand - generally I see chickpea flour used in other recipes)

Soaking Broth

• 5 cups of vegetable broth (I used Orrington Farms vegan broth base)

• 1/4 cup red wine

• 1/3 cup soy sauce

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 3 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce

Cooking Sauce

• 1/2 cup onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp vegan Worcestershire (up to preference)

• pinch of clove spice

• pinch of allpice

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Reuben Things

• rye bread

• sauerkraut

• dressing (vegan mayo, ketchup, vegan Worcestershire sauce, diced pickles)

LET'S COOK

Make The Seitan

1. In a bowl, add the vital wheat gluten and flour, then add the water and mix to form dough.

2. Move the dough to a flat surface and begin kneading. Make sure to knead for at least 5 minutes. Make sure the dough is springy - you may need to add a bit more vital wheat gluten.

3. Let the dough rest while you prepare the broth. Pour all ingredients into a big pot. Please note that the dough is going to EXPAND, so use a big enough pot.

4. Bring the broth to a boil and reduce heat to a very low simmer.

5. Cut the dough into 3 or 4 pieces to allow them to soak up the broth better and place them in the pot.

6. Let them simmer for about an hour, uncovered.

7. Remove from heat, let the pieces soak and cool off some, then remove and slice away!

You'll be left with a decent amount and can use just some or all to continue on with the next part for the reubens.

Sauce the Seitan

1. In a skillet over medium heat, saute the onions.

2. Prepare the mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and spices in a small bowl.

3. Once onions start to become translucent, add the garlic cloves.

4. After a minute, add your seitan slices. Once they start to get some brown spots flip them over and let the other side cook.

5. Once the slices seem done, pour your sauce mixture over and flip the seitan slices to coat. Remove from heat.

Reubens - ASSEMBLE!

1. In a small bowl, mix a scoop of vegan mayo, a slightly lesser amount of ketchup, a few drops of vegan Worcestershire, and some diced pickles. (Alternately, leave the pickles out and just put a layer of pickles on the sandwich).

2. Take 2 slices of rye bread and spread a thin layer of vegan butter.

3. On a pan over medium heat, toast the rye bread slices.

4. Remove and assemble the sandwich with a layer of seitan, cooked sauerkraut, and the dressing.

Sláinte!

#seitan #praiseseitan #hailseitan #vitalwheatgluten #irishvegan #vegan #veganfood #veganblog #veganfoodblog #vegangoth #vegangirl #veganlifestyle #veganlife #plantpowered #plantbased #poweredbyplants #plantbasedfood #plantbasedblog #chicagovegan #crueltyfreeblog #crueltyfreelifestyle #crueltyfreeliving #meatless #dairyfree #meatfree #crueltyfree #katskulture