Looking for Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands, Blogs and YouTube Channels?
NOTE: This post is outdated and the information listed here may now be incorrect. Please do your own research about each company to find out their cruelty free status.
It’s been about a year since I decided to go cruelty-free with the cosmetics brands I purchase and review. I have to say, I feel very good about this decision and it was a little bit easier than I expected, but getting harder it seems lately!
I had been thinking about it for a LONG time before I decided to do it. The main reason I put it off for so long was because I was convinced I would just die without certain products. I was wrong. There is pretty much nothing that is irreplaceable in terms of makeup for me. Sure I miss some things and yes, it’s easier to just be able to walk into a store and buy whatever I want without having to think “is this brand testing on animals?”, but for a huge animal lover like myself, it’s really 100% worth it.
A few things have changed in this past year in terms of products I won’t review anymore. OPI and Essie, (both of whom were bought out by companies that do still test on animals) are off my list. Also just last week I was told that Avon and Mary Kay are no longer cruelty-free since they just started selling in China and the law there requires animal testing. They have both been moved onto the PETA “do test” list now.
But the BIGGEST disappointment, which I just discovered while doing some research for this post, is that NARS is owned by Shiseido, who does animal testing. I had no idea about this until now, and I am extremely disappointed. NARS themselves says they do not test, but for me, I don’t want to give money to a company who’s money in turn goes to the parent company that still tests. BUMMER.
Figuring out the tricky language companies use in their animal testing statements can be difficult and downright frustrating! Most companies have a FAQ section or an area on their website where they address the question if they test on animals. A lot of them say “we voluntarily ceased testing finished cosmetic products on animals in 1989″ or whatever year. Notice where they say “finished cosmetic products” not ingredients or unfinished products. That’s where the trickery is because it most likely means (in my eyes) that they still test in other areas. That’s pretty different from a company like Urban Decay who says “Urban Decay is, and always has been, a cruelty-free company. You’ll notice that every box bears our cruelty-free credo: “We don’t do animal testing. How could anyone?”. There isn’t anything in their statement to lead you to believe they might test. It’s plain and simple that they do not and never have tested.
For me when a company gives these ambiguous statements (cough, Coty, Inc., cough) I consider them to not be cruelty-free and won’t purchase from them. There are people/bloggers though who claim to be cruelty-free but will still buy from the cruelty-free subsidiary. This is how PETA goes about creating their lists and their way of thinking is that by supporting the companies that don’t test, you are showing the parent company that you prefer spending your dollars on those companies rather than animal-testing ones. This is one of those areas where you have to decide for yourself which way you want to go if you are considering going cruelty-free. For me, right now anyways, I feel as though giving any money or attention to a company who is owned by a non-cruelty-free company isn’t what I want to do. The bottom line is I don’t want my money going towards L’Oreal in any way shape or form, and if I buy Essie, it will.
One thing I want to mention is that yes I do get most of this information from the PETA website, which has the most up-to-date info on these companies usually. I don’t agree with everything PETA does and am not a member, but I do find their lists comprehensive. So please, NO PETA bashing in the comments because that’s not what this post is really about.
Here is a partial list of companies that do test or are owned by those that test. Note: a TON of them are owned by Procter & Gamble (all pharmaceutical companies test, trust me on that…) and L’Oreal.
- Aveeno (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Avon
- Bare Escentuals (owned by Shiseido)
- Burt’s Bees (owned by Clorox)
- Calgon
- Chapstick (owned by Pfizer)
- Christina Aguilera Perfume (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Clairol (Procter & Gamble)
- Clean & Clear (owned by Johnson & Johnson)
- Cover Girl (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- DDF Skincare (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Dolce & Gabbana (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Dove (owned by Unilever)
- Fekkai (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Gucci Fragrances (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Herbal Essences (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Korres (owned by Johnson & Johnson)
- Lacoste Fragrances (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- L’Oreal (also includes the following L’Oreal owned companies: Essie, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Kerastase, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Maybelline, Helena Rubenstein, Kiehl’s, LaRouche Posay, Vichy, Yves St. Laurent, Shu Uemura, Redken, Viktor & Rolf, The Body Shop & Lancome)
- Lubriderm (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Nair
- NARS (owned by Shiseido)
- Natural Instincts (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Neutrogena (owned by Johnson & Johnson)
- Nice & Easy (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Mary Kay
- Max Factor (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Olay (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- OPI (owned by Coty, Inc.: also includes Nicole by OPI and Sephora by OPI)
- Pantene (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Ponds (owned by Unilever)
- Purell (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Shiseido Cosmetics
- RoC (owned by Johnson & Johnson)
- Rimmel (owned by Coty, Inc.)
- Sally Hansen (owned by Coty, Inc.)
- Sebastian Professional (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- SK-II (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Skintimate (owned by S.C. Johnson)
- Suave (owned by Unilever)
- Sunsilk (owned by Unilever)
- Vaseline (owned by Unilever)
- Vidal Sasson (owned by Procter & Gamble)
Here is a partial list of companies that do not test on animals and are not owned by those that do (according to both the PETA lists and/or the company websites):
- Afterglow Cosmetics
- Aveda
- Barry M Cosmetics
- Bath and Body Works
- BB Couture
- Benefit Cosmetics
- Bloom Cosmetics
- Bobbi Brown
- Bonne Bell
- Borghese
- Boscia
- Bourjois
- Bumble & Bumble
- butter LONDON
- CARGO
- Carmex
- Caudalie USA, Inc.
- Chanel
- Cheeky Cosmetics
- China Glaze
- Clarins of Paris
- Clinique
- C.O.Bigelow
- Coach
- Color Club
- Conair
- Cover FX
- Crabtree & Evelyn
- Daisy Fuentes
- Dermalogica
- Dior
- Donna Karan
- DuWop Cosmetics
- Dr. Hauschka
- Eco Tools
- e.l.f. Cosmetics
- Eyeko
- Estee Lauder
- FACE Atelier
- Givenchy
- Gosh Cosmetics
- Hard Candy
- Hourglass Cosmetics
- Illamasqua
- Il-Makiage
- IT Cosmetics
- Jane
- Jesse’s Girl Cosmetics
- Jo Malone
- Josie Maran Cosmetics
- Jurlique Pure Skin Care
- King of Shaves
- Kiss My Face
- La Mer
- L.A. Girl Cosmetics
- Laura Mercier
- Lavanila
- Lime Crime
- Liz Claiborne Cosmetics
- Liz Earle Beauty Co.
- L’Occitane
- LORAC
- LUSH Cosmetics
- M.A.C. Cosmetics
- ManGlaze
- Manic Panic
- MD Skincare
- Mehron
- Merle Norman
- Michael Kors
- Milani Cosmetics
- Misa Cosmetics
- Murad, Inc.
- Nails, Inc.
- Nordstrom Cosmetics
- Nubar
- NYX Cosmetics
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
- Ojon
- Origins
- Orly International
- Patricia Wexler
- Physicians Formula
- Pixi
- Prescriptives
- Prestige Cosmetics
- Revlon
- RGB
- Rusk
- Salma Hayek Nuance
- Seche
- Smashbox Cosmetics
- Soap & Glory
- SpaRitual
- Stila Cosmetics
- Sugarpill Cosmetics
- Tarte Cosmetics
- Thierry Mugler Beauty
- Too Faced Cosmetics
- Tom Ford
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Urban Decay
- Victoria’s Secret
- Wet n Wild
- Yes to Carrots
- Zoya
I wish that there were a lot more beauty bloggers and YouTube folks that were cruelty-free, but sadly there aren’t that many. Yet. Maybe one day! For now though here is a list of bloggers and YouTube people who are cruelty-free.
- Vintage or Tacky
- My Beauty Bunny
- Pixiwoo
- Oxford Jasmine
- The Beauty Diaries
- Karrisx
- Cruelty-Free Face
- Vegan Beauty Review
- Klaire de Lys
- Michelle 218
In conclusion, and after looking at literally a gazillion websites that all have conflicting information about many of these companies, I think the decision on who is REALLY cruelty-free and who isn’t is a mystery to most of us. We make decisions about them based on what the company tells us (which can often be a lie to cover their own asses), their PR Reps tell us, PETA tell us or what other people tell us. Basically it’s all up to each of us to decide for ourselves after doing our own research. And trust me, even after doing that, you might be left with more questions than answers!
-Kelly
It may have changed recently, but (some, or maybe all, I can’t recall, for sure the anti-bac) Bath and Body Works products come with a tagline of “Finished product not tested on animals”. I used to work there about 4-ish years ago.
Sara´s last post…Sara says: THIS IS WHY YOU SLEEP WITH A TEDDY BEAR
Hi Sara,
Right that’s what I mean about that confusing wording…UGH.
Pixiwoos are great but I don’t think they’re cruelty-free. They say they are but they also are doing a series of tutorial for The Mirror sponsored by Avon and use those products a lot.
Alisa´s last post…My CNE Nails
Hi Alisa,
Yeah I do know that, but then again this just changed very recently also. Most of what they use are “cruelty-free” brands though…
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t judging you. Just wanted to point that out.
The language that is used can be touch to decipher. I admire you for trying as hard as you are.
Alisa´s last post…My CNE Nails
Tough, not touch
Alisa´s last post…My CNE Nails
Oh no worries, I didn’t think you were!
I dont see Chanel on either list. Do you know where they fall?
The Polish Jinx´s last post…Juicy Couture with Deborah Lippmann Holiday 2011
Hi The Polish Jinx,
Oops I meant to include that on my do not test list. Again, depends on what you look at as so many people say they do test and so many say they don’t!
But they do sell fur! So does Burberry.
And any company selling fur can’t really be called cruelty free. No way.
Hi Heather,
When I say cruelty-free I am speaking strictly about cosmetics, not clothing. That’s a whole other issue.
Hi Heather,
Yep they do.
What about Chanel?
Hi Jaa,
I just added them forgot to include! But know that a lot of people think they do test still and a lot think they don’t…
This is a great resource for those who are as committed as you about only promoting cruelty-free brands. I admire you for sticking to your decision and for helping those who wish to follow suit.
Swatch And Learn´s last post…Quo by Orly Turquoise Moonlight Swatches & Review
Thank you so much for this list. I have been trying to go cruelty free for a while.now but information can be so conflicting! Extremely glad to see the majority of my favourite brands on the cruelty free list! Will be avoiding the ones that aren’t from now on.
Excellent post! I made a cruelty-free commitment some time ago, but then just found out that Essie and OPI are owned by parent companies that DO test
Although I love both of those brands, I’ve decided that I will no longer support them. I just like to support now on all the AMAZING brands that don’t test like Butter London! Nubar! Chanel! Zoya!
There are so many other options for polish fanatics
Thanks for posting this. I have mostly the same feelings as you on animal testing. It’s a really tricky subject! The one exception I grant for myself is with NARS, because I love it too much. I feel guilty knowing that NARS belongs to Shiseido, but at least they don’t test themselves. However, NARS artists have also told me that the new NARS skincare line uses “shiseido technology”, which is a huge red flag for animal testing. Therefore, I never buy their skincare!
One company I’m surprised to see on your “don’t test” list is Benefit. Previously, they wrote that they “don’t test finished products” which sounded really suspect. Now, they’ve updated their animal testing Q&A with a lengthier response that sounds ambiguous to me still. They know the PETA list exists but it sounds like they’re making excuses as to why they’re not on it. Do you have any other information that would confirm that they are actually cruelty free?
Hi Dovey,
I researched about Benefit a lot online and it’s a difficult one to decide on. For me I decided to still support them until I see evidence that is more conclusive. They are definitely one of the ones that are harder to figure out though, and there is a lot of conflicting stuff online about them. That’s why this is such a personal choice because the actual proof is nearly impossible to get!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your response! I completely understand what you mean by personal choice. There’s so much grey zone out there. I think important thing is to try our best =) I really appreciate how you tactfully approach the issue of animal cruelty on your blog. Hopefully more people and companies will catch on!
Thanks for the post, Kelly. I became cruelty-free after discovering your blog, so I have been for probably 1/2-3/4 of this year. I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything!
It’s very interesting post , but i know that Chanel (animal testing in pregnancy), Dior, Revlon, Givenchy and Benefit test on animals..And if not mistaken Bourjois was acquired by L’Oreal.. I could be wrong but for safety I do not buy these brands..
(Sorry for my english, i’m italian) XD
Hi Irene,
How do you know this?
About a year ago I decided to buy only brands that don’t test on animalas. I found a list with information about many brands..I also saw a video where a girl talking about Chanel, and that’s where I learned that tests on pregnant animals..
These information could be wrong, but this is what i know
Hi Irene,
Yeah that’s the thing, half the lists and people say some companies do test and half say they don’t. I guess the only people who really know are the people who work there and are privy to that information, which I can tell you (because I work at a Biotech company that DOES test on animals) they keep very hush hush. You just have to go with what you believe and feel comfortable with.
Kelly, thank you for your list! I made a commitment to being cruelty-free a long time ago (but I only just recently posted about it on my blog). I do the best I can, but things change and I am always learning something new! I am saddened to find out that NARS and Bare Escentuals are not cruelty-free. I mistakenly thought they were. I just bought two polishes from NARS’ Night Collection. If I had known I would not have purchased, and now I will not show swatches on my blog. Thank you for your commitment to cruelty-free beauty!
Playing with Polish´s last post…Glitter Gal Marine Blue
Hi Playing with Polish,
NARS themselves are cruelty-free, but as mentioned are owned by a company who isn’t. Bare Escentuals also claims to be cruelty-free, but again, owned by Shiseido :/
Bare Escentuals is a fairly recent purchase by Shiseido. Before the buy out (maybe a year ago if that), as far as I know, there was no animal testing, so if you have older BE products, there shouldn’t be a moral dilemma.
Heya!
CosmeticCouturier on youtube is vegan and crueltry free.
Also any knowledge on Guerlain?
Hi Nora,
They are owned by LVHM who supposedly don’t test, but again, not 100% sure on that. I have actually never used Guerlain so I didn’t include them on here!
Thanks a lot.
Also some links:
http://legothique.com/
http://fashionedinfinland.blogspot.com/
I was going to say the same thing nora said – cosmeticcouturier is cruelty free and is vegan. she is very clear in her videos on which products are vegan and which are CF. She also is wonderful about giving out cruelty free dupes for a lot of the animal testing lines.
I am not 100% cruelty free but if i have a choice between a CF line and another that does test for the same product, I’ll def. go with cruelty free. The only bad thing about being CF is the price. Most prestige brands are CF but not many drugstore lines are CF. They need to have more drugstore lines that are CF for people on a budget.
courtney´s last post…Ulta Haul: September 2011. Too Faced, China Glaze and NYX
Hi courtney,
I totally agree about the drugstore issue. If Cover Girl, Maybelleine and L’Oreal went cruelty-free it would be freaking amazing. Somehow I don’t think they ever will unless completely forced by law.
Well, there is actually some good news there! Come 2013, if these companies want to continue selling products in the EU they will be required by law to become cruelty free! http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/animal-testing/index_en.htm
Hi kirsty,
Sadly they pushed it back a year! It was supposed to be 2012 :/ Hope they don’t keep doing that…
the only downside to that 2013 law is you know those brands will continue to test- theyre just going to test HERE and then change the packaging for EU.
I know, the date changing is a total let down, but they can’t keep pushing it back forever.
I also hope it wouldn’t be as simple as just changing the packaging, but that they will have to PROVE that they no longer test on animals, but you do make a fair point, breeoxd
Borghese also has the cruelty-free label and it’s on their website. Thanks so much for this list!
Sheila Gage´s last post…Hard Candy Sky as a Chanel Riva Substitute?
Hi Sheila,
Thanks I will add them.
Thank you so much for doing posts like this one. I agree that it is _so_ hard to really know which brands are cruelty-free and which aren’t. It really makes me happy, though, to see famous bloggers (like you) and vloggers announce what brands they support, because I find your opinion really makes an impact and I am sure many animals have already been saved because of people like you.
Sana´s last post…037 – NOTD: Manhattan Lotus Effect in 13 + S-he Stylezone in 454
I’m pleased to see that many of the products I use are cruelty free. However, those products that I’ve been using that aren’t cruelty free will have to go in the trash. Thank you so much for posting this. It is enormously helpful.
I also wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog.
Hi Michelle,
Don’t toss ‘em! No point in throwing away products you spent money on already and that are good. I certainly am not getting rid of all my OPI, I just don’t buy new ones
Topshop also offers cosmetics that are cruelty free. They recently opened up a store in Chicago, and I made sure to ask the cosmetics rep about that. Thanks so much for doing a post like this! I went vegetarian because I love animals and getting this info makes me want to completely avoid brands like Essie & OPI.
Being a follower of your blog, I have renewed my feelings about being cruelty-free. You had mentioned, in an earlier post, that Rimmel is not cruelty-free. I can’t stop thinking about that and haven’t bought anything from them since. I’d like to continue to move towards purchasing products that are cruelty-free too. Your post today will help me out a lot. Thanks, Kelly.
Kimberly´s last post…What Do You Want On Your Tombstone, Wet ‘n Wild?
I just got a lovely & informative packet from PETA. Dior,Givenchy,Benefit,Guerlain,Nars,Chanel,Borghese & Bourjois are NOT on the cruelty-free list. It’s an awesome list but sadly not lengthy enough. Thanks Kelly.
Hi Ter G.,
As mentioned the lists here are partial lists.
Ter G./ bobbysgeel,
I can’t tell from your message if you’re saying those companies DO test or DON’T test- could you please clarify? That would be really good info to know.
And is that last one supposed to be Bourjois? Thanks for posting.
Ter G./ bobbysgeel,
Never mind, I just reloaded the page and got a different post from you!
the interwebz can be very strange, indeed…
Thank you for this list, Kelly! (and everyone else who added!) Great info!
Hi VV,
Love your blog and respect your opinions and ideals. I do have a question: Doesn’t the company that you work for (or used to work for) test on animals? And does working for this company conflict with your stance against using cruelty free products? Please understand that I mean no disrespect and that I am just asking out of curiosity (I actually work for the same company).
Please keep up the good work with your blog!
Hi billie,
Yep and yep. See my original post which I linked to at the beginning of this post. Believe me, if I could change working there, I would!
Thank you SO much for this Kelly!!! I’m seriously going to print this out and make it my bible. This is so disappointing I own so many things by L’Oreal and other drugstore brands. I agree with you 100%, even though some companies are cruelty free the companies that own them AREN’T and they are getting money! You’ve really inspired me to make a greater effort to never buy from companies that test on animal again…and you know what, I really want my blog to be a cruelty free blog now!!!
Amanda´s last post…Time is ticking by…
Hi Amanda,
That’s the best thing ever that I have inspired someone else! Thanks
I was really disappointed when DDF was sold to a animal-testing company. I was about to make a purchase when I discovered that the buyout had taken place. So, I didn’t buy another bottle of their moisturizer (the only one that doesn’t cause break-outs for me). and that was the end of DDF in my house. The same thing happened to my Herbal Essences shampoo. I loved it when it first came out, then they sold out to the animal-testing company. There are more examples but, I need to break up a Yorkie/Shih Tzu argument (I’m dogsitting the Shih Tzu for my brother and sister-in-law following the birth of my nephew). Make that a Yorkie/Shih Tzu/ Labrador argument (my Lab just jumped in to push the Shih Tzu off my Yorkie).
Melissa´s last post…ms73: Follow @VampyVarnish and RT to win the Wet n Wild On The Prowl fall 2011 nail collection http://t.co/CkEeRR5
Kelly, it makes me happy to know that you and so many others (all of you above!) out there care about animals as much as possible. I’ve got my own little fur-baby and I look at her sweet little face and couldn’t imagine willingly letting someone cause her harm. Thank you for helping renew my stance on this (I get lazy…and cheap…sometimes but there’s no excuse for that) issue!
Something I struggled with a long time ago when I wanted to go CF was what to do with the products I had that weren’t CF. I had to accept that once the money was spent it’s spent. I came to feel that throwing out the products I had that were not CF was like spitting in that poor animal’s face. First I purchased something that caused you harm, then I threw it away? So I used up what I had and as I replaced items I purchased CF items only.
I feel the same way about my diet. I purchase the best possible meats and dairy I can, making sure that while that animal lived it lived well. I don’t waste the animal products I buy for the same reason I didn’t throw out the products I bought.
Hi Deborah H.,
I didn’t throw my stuff away either because there really is no point after I already bought it. I just won’t buy any more of it!
This is a great post! I have a cruelty free beauty blog too (thx for including me in ur list btw!) and my info does conflict with urs in some areas and I totally agree; it absolutely depends on where u get ur research and info from. But at the end of the day, the only way I think u can be 100% certain is if they carry the leaping bunny logo which means they’re A)BUAV approved (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection or B) Approved by PETA
great to see there r more of us than I originally imagined!
Sam
xoxo
Samantha´s last post…Turn Around Bright Eyes
I am so disappointed at so many of these brands. I didn’t know that majority of the products I’ve used tests on animals. I’m a huge animal lover and I’m totally against animal cruelty. Now I feel like I shouldn’t be purchasing these products, but some brands are life long used items for me and it might be hard for me to change. I’m stuck in a rock and a hard place =/ Thanks for posting this. Now I’m more aware.
Gladys´s last post…Glitter Gal Swatches and Review
Gladys,
It’ll help to start with the easiest things, whatever they may be for you. For me it was nail polish, toothpaste and deodorant. Then came lip products. I always used Clinique, MAC & Dior for my eyes so that wasn’t difficult and I don’t use foundation or other make up.
Start with what you can. And research, research, research! Check out the MUA boards for recommendations and reviews once you find a product you’re interested in. You’re not alone in this search/change. So glad to hear you want to make the steps towards CF living!
<3 a fellow VV fan & animal lover, Deborah
Excellent post, thanks for sharing!
Jelena´s last post…Holiday makeup – August 2011
Kelly, thank you so much for posting this. Clearly, you’ve done your homework and I appreciate your research very much. I must say I’m surprised and disappointed with how many companies still test on animals and so by how many are owned by P&G. Holy crap!
I love your blog now even more now. Keep up the good work.
Thanks!
Leone (TieDye64)
Thanks for putting all this information together in one place. It’s definitely confusing to figure out which companies do/don’t test and so thanks for working so hard to sift through all that information and put this together– a great resource for those trying to go cruelty-free.
Cat´s last post…Football Friday: a-england Tristam
Thanks for the list! and here’s something I found that hopefully we can all look forward to, because I too love Nars cosmetics.
http://www.us.shiseido.com/about/specialty/approaches/animaltesting.htm
Hi Joyce,
Yeah we’ll see! That ban was supposed to take effect in 2012 but was just pushed back to 2013. I wonder how many more times they will push it back?
Thanks for the list. I’ll bookmark this page for future reference. I’m parabens free (ish lol) AND ill try my best to be cruelty free so lotsss of products are off limits for me. Do you know if thebalm is cruelty free? I know the eye shadows are parabens sulfate free (their lipstains are not tho)
Thank you so much for putting the word out there about animal testing! I’ve been cruelty-free for about a year and a half and totally agree with all your reasonings! Thanks!!!
Kelly–Burt’s Bee’s doesn’t test on animals. They state it plainly on their website and on the back of every single product.
I congratulate the people who can go fully cruelty-free. I can’t because of my medical conditions.
Hi Kate & Zena,
Yep I know but if you read what I wrote you would see they are owned by Clorox who does test. The list I wrote says “companies who do test or are owned by those who test”
it seems as though your “do not” list is double than your “do test” list. I am glad to see that!
Hot topic. I am by schooling, board testing and years of employment, a clinical laboratory scientist. I have seen too much up close and personal of animal testing. Even in my college schooling one has to go through to get an internship, we had to take serology which included we had our own rabbit. Noting like what I saw at the teaching hospitals during my internships with monkeys, cats, mice and so on. I was catered by headhunters for jobs in the chemical, cosmetic and drug company industries that would have paid a ton more than working were I did – in hospital laboratory.
I did not see you put OPI into the list of ‘they say they don’t do animal testing’ …yet Coty that owns OPI does do animal testing.
Apparently what OPI ‘says’ vs. what PETA says differs. I know the same issue came up when L’Oreal bought Essie and L’Oreal was involved with animal testing. Later L’Oreal came out with a statement to clear it’s situation stating that they were going to continue making Essie the same way with no animal testing, but other parts of L’Oreal are involved in animal testing. That made it’s way around blogs and was in my local newspaper as well.
Peta has 2 really good 27+ page lists of those companies that do in cosmetics and those that do not in a separate 20+ page list. The same site also has a searchable window enter any company name to have PETA search for you that way. I know most blogs don’t want links but this I think is a case where the info is important to pass on.
The link for both do and don’t as well as a link to another pdf PETA article for cruelty free search databases can be found at: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx. Peta also offers something you can send for to help you with your shopping to stay within your own personal wishes with regard to issues that PETA monitors.
Hi Beachgal,
The links are on my original post about this topic which I linked to but thanks. OPI
doesnt test but Coty does so I don’t support them. Peta keeps them on their do no list because technically they don’t.
Wow..I just posted a comment on your e.l.f. review about my eye makeup and using a bare escentuals primer…and how I wanted to try the e.l.f. one. I will definitely want to switch to away from b.e. now…I thought they were cruelty free.
I started following your blog after you’d made the decision to only use cruelty free (which was one of the reasons I bookmarked it). I really appreciate it because I also find the language confusing…thanks for the list of other bloggers as well!
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Wonderful to see this post! It is very hard to change over all at once, and I have a lot in my house that i probably shouldn’t in terms of cleaning and baby products. However, I do get excited when I find cruelty free free products tha I love, such as Paul Mitchell. It is disheartening to see well intentioned companies being bought by corporations that are not cruelty free, but I also wonder why. Did they just become big enough to forget their initial values, or were they really hit by the recent economic downturn and just wanted to continue. Sorry for tye ramble, but it’s good to see the information getting out!
Hi Kelly!
Thank you so much for this post. I tweeted you a few days ago asking what to do with your OPI and Essie polishes. I am from Chile, and sadly we don’t have a tenth of the brands you mentioned in your list, so it’s a huge odyssey to find/purchase cruelty-free beauty products. As a matter of fact, the most popular brand here is either Maybelline or L’Oreal, mainly because they are very cheap and sold everywhere, in comparison with brands such as Clinique, MAC or Bobbi Brown. For example, a 239 MAC brush here costs approx US$52. I can hardly find China Glaze or Orly polishes in my town
It’s a very upsetting situation
I wish we could have more options to choose from!
I admire your values and I plan to make my blog and life cruelty-free, I reviewed an OPI polish, I guess it will be the first and last u.u
While I like the pressure boycotts puts on companies to end animal testing for non-essentials like cosmetics, it seems a bit OTT to exclude brands owned by pharmaceutical companies, since it’s not like they have any legal choice but to do animal tests for some drugs. Do you all also refuse to take part in any modern medicine? That, after all, is also a valid choice. It seems far worse to willingly support a company that sells fur than one that sells medication. It all goes to the same corporate bottom line, and fur is totally unnecessary for health and well-being. Also, it is very easy for a company to say they are cruelty-free, but honestly, have you or they checked their supply chain? I seriously doubt that ANY of the brands mentioned above source every since compound from companies that do no animal testing. Also, if you mention that any company that sells in China is required to do animal testing, I’m sorry, but that would wipe out a good number of the other brands on your cruelty-free list, including Chanel, Estee Lauder (owner of numerous brands on your safe list), and Christian Dior. I can only hope that the expense and hassles of animal testing will lead to more developments in computer modeling that will eventually render them unnecessary for most purposes.
Hi AS,
You can read my original post for more info on where I stand in terms of testing for medicine. And this isn’t about clothing it’s about makeup since this is a makeup blog. That’s where a lot of my money and blog attention goes so that’s where I made the decision
to go cruelty-free. Like I said, it’s up to the individual to decide how far they will go.
Still thinking about this…I think it’s reprehensible to test beauty products on animals. First of all, if you’re too stupid to use products correctly, maybe that’s evolution taking place. Second of all, there are terrific alternatives to torturing animals. My Labrador got a bath this past weekend. For the first time, I looked at this bottle of John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo. At the very bottom on the front it says “Tested on Humans First.”
Anyway, I’m quite certain that, at this point, we are aware of what chemicals are toxic and in what quantity. Torturing animals to prove what is already known is so barbaric and ass-backwards.
I stopped buying OPI and Essie. As mentioned earlier, I also no longer buy Herbal Essenses or DDF. One would hope having a sense of morality would put an end to testing. Unfortunately, the real answer is economics-based. You have to hit the companies in their wallets – make it count on the accounting sheets.
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There’s been so many new ways to test products. I don’t understand why these companies still do test on animals. Thank you for posting these lists. I’m not cruelty-free but I’m trying. I think other countries have to stop insisting on this testing. Then maybe many of these companies will be cruelty-free.
Dear Kelly,
thanks for putting all the information here!
I can also recommend you another blog:
http://www.pseudoerbse.de/blancetnoir/
The author is really dedicated and puts so much effort into it. She also made a list with concerns and companies which are safe (the ones with a green circle, they don’t test ingredients nor products and no subsidiary or supplier of them does so) and the ones who test directly or indirectly on animals (the ones with a red circle, well the rest).
It’s in German though, but it’s absolutely worth a try.
Best wishes,
Sorry, i forgot to add:
http://www.pseudoerbse.de/blancetnoir/?page_id=725
This is the link with the list.
Thank you so much for this post VV, and I am happy to know that Klaire de Lys is cruelty free as well, big fan of both of you ladies
Liz Earle Beauty Co. was bought out by Avon as of March last year.
http://blog.lizearle.com/lizearle/2010/03/a-new-partnership.html
hi Kelly! I’m a longtime lurker,first time commenter. Thank you for posting this. I’m rather surprised that Lush cosmetics was not on your list! Lush does not buy from companies that test on animals and is not and will never be owned by a parent company that tests on animals. I’ve been with the company 2 years now and have seen their dedication to that end. Lush will hold back production of a product if they cannot source their ingredients properly. So,yeah I work there,but I shopped there before I got the job and know now that for anyone looking for handmade, cruelty free,vegetarian (and mostly vegan) products can go to Lush.
Again,thanks for posting. Really opened my eyes.
Hi Althea,
They are on the list
okay. My bad. Major comment fail. Apparently I can’t read. SORRY!!!
My problem with the whole cruelty – free is how hypocritical it can all be. Most of the chemicals that even the cruelty – free brands use were tested on animals. They may not be testing NOW, but they were tested in the past. How do we handle that moral ambiguity? There are a lot of everyday products that were tested in the past, but don’t need testing now, so cruelty – free companies feel free to use them. How is that different than them testing themselves? In that case, they are pushing the responsibility off to the companies who sell them their materials and making themselves look a little better in the process.
I really don’t know how to resolve this particular dilemma.
Hi Gwen,
Right. I choose to use the ones that don’t test now because there isn’t anything I can do about the past!
Very true. I suppose that’s all any of us can do, isn’t it? Deal with the ones who are willing to walk the walk now and who aren’t just paying lip service to the idea.
I would live to know your thoughts on this exchange I had with sally hansen after reading your blog. You rock BTW!!!!!!
From Facebook wall—-
What does it mean when a company says “We do not test our finished products on animals”-Coty Inc. Your parent company. That would leave me to assume that the products ARE tested on animals before they are ” finished” am I wrong???Are animals used in any part of the process of creating a product? Not talking about “finished” products. Can I safely continue to buy stuff? Are all phases of product developement animal free or just at the end? Like · Comment · 10 hours ago ·
Sally Hansen- Coty does not test on animals. Animals are not tested on during development nor tested on with finished products. 3 hours ago · Like
Mike Munkie Colleary– i understand that the amimals are not tested on with “finished products” my question is weather or not they are tested on with non finished products.so there is no animals involved in anyway shape or form??? 2 hours ago · Like
Sally Hansen —-There is no testing on animals at any time. 2 hours ago · Unlike ·
Mike Munkie Colleary— So I can continue to buy your products knowing that no animals were used in any way by you or any companies you are conected to?
Are they lieing to us????
Hi mike,
My take is this. Whoever runs their Facebook page probably isn’t the person who really has the answers so they are just replying with what they think you want to hear or what they’ve been told to say. If they didn’t test at ALL, they wouldn’t have the statement about “finished products” on their website.
You can add Deborah Lippmann to the list, I know on the boxes it lists that they do NOT test on animals.
Is bb couture products cruelty free? Having hard time finding info. I assmue since you worked with them that they are.
Hi mike,
Actually I have no idea, never even thought about it! My collection with them came out before I made the cruelty-free decision but I can try to find out…
Just checked and yes BB Couture is cruelty-free (whew).
Yay! Love there stuff
couldn’t find them on the list, so i would like to mention Nivea (and parent company Beiersdorf) for being against animal testing: http://www.nivea.co.uk/about-us/beiersdorf/animal-testing-uk
Thank you so much for doing this research! I would love to make the change. I am most disappointed about OPI and Dove testing on animals!
Thanks so much for this post! I decided to go Cruelty Free about 6 months ago… and it’s tough sometimes. Well, inconvenient more than tough. Especially when one can mostly afford just drugstore makeup. I’m still on the search for a mascara that will work for me from one of the cruelty-free drugstore brands — no luck so far! (I go thru mascara quickly and do throw mine out every 6 months so I am hesitant to spend high-end prices on this one item!)
Thank-you for this list! Buh bye Nars, I love animals more than your colors.
I would add some italian and european brands!
CRUELTY-FREE
- Essence
- Catrice
NO CRUELTY-FREE
- Deborah (L’oreal)
- DEBBY (L’oreal)
- Pupa
- Layla
Hope to being useful for european polishers! ^^
gnoma´s last post…Wet n Wild – caribbean frost Essence – out of my mind
Cruelty-free are German, no cruelty-free are Italian, what an unrespectful and hypocrit country I live in… Mmmmh, I’m thinking about few brands more:
CRUELTY-FREE
- IsaDora from Sweden
- Mavala from Switzerland
- H&M from German
- KIKO from Italy (finally one brand good!!!)
gnoma´s last post…Wet n Wild – caribbean frost Essence – out of my mind
Sorry again, other brands:
CRUELTY-FREE:
- Tony Moly from Korea
- Ciatè from UK
- LA Splash from US
MAYBE YES, MAYBE NO:
- Missha fro Korea
I WOULD TO KNOW ABOUT THEM:
- Sinful Colors from US
- Kleancolor from US
- Ozotic from Australia
- Picture Polish from Australia
- Sonia Kashuk from US
gnoma´s last post…Wet n Wild – caribbean frost Essence – out of my mind
Hi gnoma,
The list I included was a partial list since I can’t include them all. Also I posted mostly brands I use on my site, but thanks!
Don’t worry, it was just for european readers and I took advantage of topic to make some search I did care since a lot
gnoma´s last post…Catrice – Beam me, Scotty!
Thank you for this super useful post!!
Maybe you don’t know NEVE MAKE UP! It’s a mineral and cruelty free Italian brand. Their products are very nice and have good quality! They don’t make nail polish, but maybe it would be useful to add it on your Do Not Test list, since there are fans from everywhere here on your site!
Ere Kanezawa´s last post…Sinful Colors 835 Dancing Nails Review + esperimento Matt Effect
Excellent post, Kelly!!
Hi Kelly,
The problem I struggle with is the definition of “cruelty free”. Here are my thoughts …
Our cosmetics all have their own ingredient lists. Each ingredient has a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) associated it. Every MSDS sheet will show you the toxicology (Section 11) upon animals (and humans) i.e. Leathal Dose (LD), oral toxicity, dermal toxicity, etc. Most all of these raw materials have at some point been tested on animals (and/or humans) by somebody/company. The dilemma is …
If a particular company uses those raw materials are they considered cruelty free even though they themselves did not necessarily do the study? If a study was done 50 years ago to determine whether a specific ingredient was safe and is now used as a raw material because it is generally accepted as safe, is that company cruelty free? It seems no company is truly cruelty free if they use these raw materials since at some point they were tested on animals.
This becomes especially difficult since something as simple as water has its own MSDS sheet. It has been tested on animals. Water is not cruelty free.
Obviously this may sound a little extreme, but these are the things I struggle with.
Loodie´s last post…Look mom I can see through my nails!
Hi Loodie,
Oh I know at some point in time pretty much everything has been tested on animals. But nothing I can do about the past so I focus on those who are not now still testing and testing on new ingredients, if that makes sense. Since I write about and give publicity to cosmetics companies (not water or fashion) I am choosing to be as cruelty-free as I can with the cosmetics that I both buy and promote on my site. It’s a small thing, but the best I can do for now. And obviously one cannot live without water or medicine, which I feel a little differently about (read my original article for more on that)!
Thank you for doing this!! I do my best to make sure most of the items I purchase are cruelty free and owned by a cruelty free company. I am really disappointed in NARS!
MAC, Dior, are owned by companies that do test on animals.
I was a little concerned about NARS (I only own 1 item now) because a SA that I have been going to for years moved to the NARS counter & she wanted me to try some things – so I emailed NARS – here is their response.
Dear NARS Client,
Thank you for contacting NARS Cosmetics.
Nars does not test on animals, nor do we have any other parties, including our suppliers, conduct animal testing on our behalf. Nars uses only the highest quality ingredients which have a proven safety record and are widely used in the cosmetics industry.
If you require further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
Erin
NARS Cosmetics
Hi Gail,
Yep, but as I mentioned in the article, I don’t buy from companies who are owned by those that test (NARS is owned by Shiseido who does test).
What do you think of this response from Shiseido – I asked at my local counter & they said no – so I emailed them – Not sure what to think
Thank you for contacting Shiseido Cosmetics.
We welcome comments and questions from our valued customers. Shiseido Cosmetics prides itself on addressing individual concerns with a personal response. As such, please keep in mind that as a global company we receive a tremendous amount of customer correspondence. We appreciate your patience in awaiting our reply.
In direct response to your inquiry, thank you for sharing with us your concerns about the use of animals in product safety testing. Shiseido’s mission is to provide safe and effective products to consumers, while at the same time, understand and respect the principles behind animal protection. No animal testing is conducted on Shiseido products available in the United States, including products made in Japan that are marketed here. We hope this information clarifies your concerns.
Thank you very much for your kind interest and patronage.
Sincerely,
Maria
Consumer Relations
Hi Gail,
This sentence is very shady “No animal testing is conducted on Shiseido products available in the United States, including products made in Japan that are marketed here”. Why didn’t they just say there is no animal testing on any of our products and ingredients anywhere? And they are still on PETA’s “do test” list so they’re off mine.
It is shady thats why I wanted you to read it – Oh well I tried to find out more info – they are off mine also.
Thank you for this post. In this day and age animal testing is completely unnecessary! Here’s to hoping companies get the message and start using more humane alternatives.
minicolor´s last post…Tony Moly Mini Berry Lip Balm SPF15, PA+
I think there is some ambiguity about Estee Lauder as well – their corporate website indicates that they don’t test, except when required by law. Meaning they test at least some of their products or ingredients.
Maggie´s last post…Tom Ford lipstick.
I think cruelty free is a sham. There are companies out there that own actual chemical patents for products. Let’s say they have spend time and money researching formulas for makeup, skin care and nail polish-other companies must pay to use these formulas or risk law suits (Mary Kay was found guilty of this and ordered to pay restitution) . They developed these formulas testing on animals. A company pays to use the formula in their product, and because they don’t test on animals they are able to call themselves cruelty free. But the formula was developed by testing on animals.
I would say almost all of the things we use today for our beauty routine were at one point in time tested on an animal. Maybe it was done 15 years ago, and they’ve been tweaking it ever since without animal testing.
Hi Ruthless,
Yep but as I have said many times, nothing we can do about the past! I can’t do anything about something that was tested 15 years ago, only new products/ingredients.
I’m also not sure about any cosmetic company that has its products made in China, since the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), the Chinese watchdog for the cosmetics industry which does not accept data from non-animal testing. So an ingredient going into a product that will be made in China and available to the Chinese market is obliged to undergo animal testing.
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/May/04051102.asp
Maggie´s last post…Tom Ford lipstick.
Ah, finally got a response back from PETA regarding the EL issue:
“Estée Lauder announced an end to animal tests in 1990 and has been on PETA’s list of companies that don’t test on animals since that time. But recently, the company weakened its policy by adding the stipulation that it won’t test on animals unless “required by law.” PETA is currently trying to clarify the company’s policy, but it is our understanding that Estée Lauder is paying for tests on animals in China. This means, of course, that Estée Lauder no longer qualifies to be listed as cruelty-free, and we have removed it from our list of companies that have permanently banned all tests on animals.”