Vegan makeup and skincare products spread further thanks to push by Gold Coast companies to meet surging demand

A trio of Gold Coast companies are bringing out new products to feed a growing appetite from consumers for health and eco-conscious creams and lipsticks.

Gold Coast companies including Zuii Organic are at the forefront of a growing trend for vegan skincare and cosmetic products.

GOLD Coast companies are helping vegan skincare and cosmetic products throw off their “hippy” image as more consumers demand animal and cruelty-free products.

A Bit Hippy, Neek Skin Organics and Zuii Organic, are just some of the Coast brands bringing out new products to feed a growing appetite from consumers for health and eco-conscious creams and lipsticks, much of which comes from non-vegan consumers.

According to Grand View Research, the vegan cosmetics market is predicted to reach $30.7 billion in value by 2025.

“Spiralling demand for vegan cosmetics among Millennials is one of the primary growth stimulants of the market,” the research company said.

Angelique Ahearn, of NEEK Skin Organics, says vegan products are a ‘must have’ for skincare and cosmetic producers. Picture: Tertius Pickard

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Neek Skin Organics founder Angelique Ahearn said vegan products previously were not of interest to the major cosmetics and skincare companies.

“It was considered hippy but now major brands such as L’Oreal have acquired vegan companies,” she said.

“It has become a must-have product range.”

Ms Ahearn called the effect a “double-edged sword”: heightening awareness in the public of vegan messages while increasing competition in the sector.

“It has opened up awareness of animal cruelty and the effect plastic is having on the environment,” she said.

MooGoo owner Craig Jones launched vegan skincare company A Bit Hippy in 2013. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Ms Ahearn said the increasing number of companies operating in the space wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Competition has grown but so has the market, partially due to increasing demand from men. She has seen sales of her products, including vegan lipstick and vegan face cleanser, increase by 15 per cent in the past six months.

“It (competition) forces everyone to be more competitive. They are thinking about how best to market to these consumers with things such as eco-conscious packaging.”

Zuii Organics is one of those companies.

As well as introducing a new range of vegan eyeshadow products, the company has implemented a new organic packaging system, using paper and biodegradable bags.

Zuii Organic brand manager Abbi Kerr. Picture: Tim Marsden

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Brand manager Abbi Kerr called the change “just the beginning of our plans”.

“We also want our international distributors and stores to use this system,” she said.

A Bit Hippy brand manager Stephanie Esparza agreed it was essential for skincare and cosmetic companies to have a vegan range.

“Definitely it’s a growing market today. I guess if you want to stay on top of your game you need a vegan alternative to a lot of things,” she said. “More and more consumers are health conscious and that is helping to draw them to vegan products.”

A Bit Hippy was started six years ago by Craig Jones, who is the founder of the popular MooGoo Skin Care company, which uses animal-derived ingredients for its products.

Ms Esparza said the idea was for skincare products that were animal-free and also made without using any non-natural ingredients.

Gold Coast companies including Zuii Organic are at the forefront of a growing trend for vegan skincare and cosmetic products.

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“We are looking into different ingredients that can perform similarly to animal-derived ones,” she said.

“We are about to bring out a cream that has a red algae extract.

“It’s about exploring all of these plant-based solutions and benefits.”

Ms Esparza said sales had grown “exponentially” in the past month, following 45 per cent revenue growth in the past financial year.

“We are selling two units of our deodorant every hour.”