Monday round up 3: Vegan toiletries and skincare

I thought this week I would do a toiletries/skincare round-up. Vegans need toiletries too! Below is a list of the brands I use regularly, but I may update it with more brands and photos.

I have psoriasis which means that I have to be careful what kind of toiletries and skincare products I use. Sometimes a product I have used before will suddenly irritate my skin/scalp, so this is by no means a list of products that are guaranteed to suit psoriatic skin. I also have combination skin, which makes finding skincare all the more fun.

Simple: I have been using this brand since before I was vegan and have not had any issues with it. I have continuously used the face wipes, body wash and liquid hand soap, and have intermittently used the toner, cleansers and moisturisers depending on what's going on with my skin. It is available in most supermarkets here in Ireland and is very affordable.

Superdrug: Superdrug is handy for cheap vegan essentials. I mainly use their toothpaste, aqueous cream, sunscreen and nail varnish remover, but they also have other essentials such as soap, skincare, haircare and pretty much anything you could want. Superdrug own-brand stuff is great and cheap but there are only a handfull of Superdrugs in Ireland, so if my nearest one doesn't have in what I'm looking for (which has happened) then there isn't another nearby and they don't have an online shop set up for Ireland.

Lush: Lush is not always cheap but they have great quality vegan products. My favourite product from Lush is Dream Cream, which I use for my psoriasis. I also love their Vanillary solid perfume. Most spray perfumes irritate my skin and sinuses, so this solid perfume with a more natural scent is the only perfume I wear. I bought the vanilla dusting powder to use as a deodorant, but I have found that it works better as a dry shampoo, although I have to be careful not to leave too much of it on my scalp after brushing it out because it can make my scalp itchy. I have also used the Dream Wash, which is good for very irritated skin as it has calamine lotion. My latest Lush purchase is the Seanik shampoo bar.

Naked: I use the sensitive shampoo and conditioner, sometimes the curly/wavy hair conditioner and the curl cream, and they haven't irritated my scalp. They are available in bigger Boots chemists and are about €5 a bottle. Sometimes they have 3 for 2 offers which is handy.

Crystal Spring: My favourite deodorant is the Salt of the Earth unscented deodorant spray. I also use the rock crystal, but it is slightly less convenient as you have to moisten it under the tap. I was always sceptical of crystal deodorants but they basically make your skin saltier than normal so that conditions aren't ideal for the bacteria that make sweat smell. They can be found in Holland and Barrett and other healthfood shops.

Crazy Rumours: Fun flavoured lip balms, good quality moisturising, don't irritate my lips. I bought my first Crazy Rumours lip balm in VX in London but now they are available in Holland and Barrett. Not super-cheap but affordable enough to have a couple for different pockets or bags. I have amaretto and raspberry sherbert flavours.

Barefoot SOS: I bought the Barefoot SOS rescue cream to use as a facial moisturiser for dry, psoriasis patches on my face. Alot of moisturisers for psoriasis are a bit too thick for delicate skin around the eyes, but this one is great. It is not cheap (€15-20) but as I only use tiny bits of it at a time it is lasting me well.

Barry M: I don't wear makeup but I like to paint my nails every once in a while. Barry M nail varnishes are vegan, come in lots of nice colours, are available in Boots and Superdrug and are inexpensive. To get it off I use Superdrug nail varnish remover.

Coconut oil: I use it for my skin and hair, I might put it on overnight or for a few hours on a day that I am at home to give my face, hair and scalp some proper moisturising. 

Any great cheap, UK/IE available vegan brands that I am missing? Let me know!