The following list consists of companies that are not cruelty-free. Its main source is PETA, and we’ve supplemented it with our own research. These brands engage in animal testing OR fund animal testing in some capacity, the most common example being by testing on animals where the law requires it. Also note that some of the brands listed here misleadingly label themselves as “cruelty-free”, a term that is not regulated.
Big Corporations Who Test On Animals
Most of these brands are owned by a few giant corporations: L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, Procter & Gamble, Clorox, Johnson & Johnson, S.C. Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, Reckitt Benckiser, Church & Dwight, Unilever, and Henkel.
These companies own the majority of the brands we commonly find in most retailer stores and drugstores, and they’re making no real efforts to change their unethical policies.
There are however two exceptions, the first one being Colgate-Palmolive, which have agreed to gradually change their policy. PETA currently lists Colgate-Palmolive as “working toward regulatory changes to reduce the number of animals used for testing”. This does NOT mean the company is or will be cruelty-free in the near future! It’s only a small step in the right direction, and the company still DOES test on animals at this point.
The second exception consists of a few select brands. While in most cases, brands that are owned by companies that test on animals are not cruelty-free, L’Oreal is one of the few companies to own brands that have kept their ethical stances and have remained cruelty-free under the ownership. The same goes for Too Faced and Becca (now owned by Estee Lauder but still cruelty-free) and Tom’s of Maine (Colgate-Palmolive). All the brands mentioned on this list, however, do test on animals.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. This list only includes companies that claimed they test on animals at some point, or sell in China; there are many other companies who remained silent about their animal testing policy.
Looking for cruelty-free brands?
For a list of cruelty-free brands, visit our list of 350+ vetted cruelty-free brands.
Borghese is on your list.
Borghese DOES NOT test on animals and is in fact cruelty free.
Bourjois however does test on animals.
In fact Borghese has vegan options
Dr Jart’s website says “Dr. Jart opposes animal testing. no Dr. Jart products have been tested on animals.” http://us.drjart.com/products/8#
Why are they on the cruelty list?
Hi! Bliss is now saying they are cruelty free, any truth to this? https://www.blissworld.com/our-story/
I have realized this too I wonder if they are being truthful?
Hello!
Bliss now says they’re cruelty free. Any idea on this?
Hi, does innisfree, skin food, nature republic and biore cruelty free? Thanks!
you mention that L’Occitane were using or are using animal testing, and if i look at the organization website, they denying it.
https://help.loccitane.com/selfloccitane/webanoengb/template.do;jsessionid=9319893736428BB5EBA6D15306FB1831?id=3212&name=Does+L%27Occitane+test+on+animals%3F
L’OCCITANE does not and has never tested its products, its active ingredients or its raw materials on animals at any point in the product development or manufacturing process.
Hi!
I just want to say thank you for creating this list. I’ve always been conscious of using CF products but sometimes I’d be a bit slack and buy them because I either didn’t check or I just assumed they would be CF. However, as of this year I’m aiming to be completely CF but as you can tell from this list, it’s actually pretty difficult to find a brand that doesn’t test on animals! I’d love to be able to share a link to this post with my followers on my Instagram and blog, if that’s okay with you!
Thanks,
Chloe
Thanks for the info. After finally finding the best shampoo and conditioner for my unruly hair (after much trial and error) I now discover that they are tested on animals! I’m horrified! Come on Aussie, do the right thing!
Hi Suzi! Wonder if Pat McGrath Labs’ policy has changed. Used to test when required by law … but website says “Pat McGrath Labs does not test our products or ingredients on animals” ?
Thanks for any insights!
I can never find info on fenjal products or W5 or Corn sold in Lidl.
Waitrose are Leaping Bunny certified.
The White Company claim to be BUAV approved.
Superdrug B products are made in China, so probably not cruelty free.
What about car manufacturers? Why are they not listed? I am of course referring to these headlines. Surely it’s not just German car manufacturers doing this?
“VW suspends media chief amid scandal over fume tests on monkeys
Move follows report carmaker used animals to demonstrate diesel emissions technology”
Does the toothpaste brand zendium test on animals?
Hey! How about Skindinavia? Couldn’t find anything on their website wich usually means their not cruelty free, but yeah. What do you say?
I have a question. H20 Plus is currently listed although on their website they say: “H2O+ Beauty does not test on animals nor do we ask others to test products or ingredients on animals on our behalf. H2O+ Beauty does not sell products into countries that require animal testing for cosmetic products.” Which was updated in March of 2017. Could I get more detailed info as to why they’re listed? This is my current skincare preference but I’m trying to go Cruelty-Free for 2018. Thanks!!
As everyone has the ability and option to improve themselves through choice and avoidance of negative influences, then it becomes a choice based on compassion for the animals used; a choice based on wanting humane and ethical treatment for helpless animals that do feel sensations and do suffer in pain. If one person can choose to not hurt an animal unnecessarily, then it is positive as a conscious choice for no animal testing to be done. There are better and different research testing methods that involve no animal testing and that would really help the cosmetics companies in the most ways to allow humane 21st Century advancement.
One point. I would hope that pet food manufacturers do test on animals. After all it will be animals that eat it.
Dog food should be tested using dogs
Cat food should be tested using cats
This of course after other non animal tests to establish that the food is appropriate in terms of nutrients etc.
Thank you for compiling this list. I am making a YouTube video about Asonor/ZZ Snore and how they use retired greyhounds to test their stop snoring devices under anaesthesia. Terrible. I will use your list in my video to make other aware.
Wow, Puffs tests?? Is Kleenex cruelty free? Idk what to do about tissues! I know that Costcos brand is…guess I might be switching to those
Thank you so much for compiling this list! It’s so nice to have a concrete reference of brands to stay away from. For an update, I have contacted Sephora and was told that they do NOT test on animals and are cruelty free! I can send for verification.
It would be more helpful if there was a list of companies you can buy from as well.
Hy!
I saw on your list that Clarins is listed as non cruelty free as skincare brand, but it’s not listed on makeup. Does it means they do not test makeup products on animals, just skincare?
Sorry if it’s a stupid question, but I want to start using only cruelty free makeup so I’m interested for this info.
Thank you
Hi! Thank you so much for this blog! All of your hard work! I can’t seem to find anything on marc anthony true professional hair care… Do you know if they are cruelty free? Thanks!
Thanks for the list, it’s so helpful! Noticed L’occitaine are on there but they say ‘L’OCCITANE does not and has never tested its products, its active ingredients or its raw materials on animals at any point in the product development or manufacturing process’. Is it because they use products with Honey in? Might be worth removing from this list as although many vegans don’t consume honey, it’s not technically animal testing, rather using animal products. Just wanted to check that?
LimeLight by Alcone is completely cruelty free and most of their products (including all skincare) are Leaping Bunny approved.
Korres is sold/manufactured in Brazil via Avon, who tests on animals.
Hey,
I just email Wella and they are claiming that they do not test on animals since being bought out by “Coty Professionals”. How can I make sure that a company is vegan friendly, in the reading of ingredients, as well as animal testing?
Actually simple is a cruealty free brand, it just lacks the proper label
Hi…is Michael Kors cruelty free?
Is oriflame vegan?they said we dont test on animals