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.
Can you please tell me if Sesderma, manufactured in Spain, tests on animals?
What is going on with dove now?
I can’t find if this eyeliner on Amazon is cruelty free or not. Does anyone know? :
2 in 1 Black and Brown Gel Eyeliner Set Water Proof Smudge Proof, Last for All Day Long, Work Great with Eyebrow, 2 Pieces Eye Makeup Brushes Included
by UCANBE
Do you have any source material as to how you found out that certain companies are guilty of animal testing? Oriflame for example, is one of the founding companies that hasn’t done animal testing since 1967, as THEY claim. So seeing them on this list, makes me really curious to read any source material that says otherwise? I’ve been using Oriflame for years because of the fact that they claim they don’t test on animals, so if that’s a lie, I’d really love to read articles in which this comes forward. So if you have any source material on this, I’d be very grateful!
You said that Loreal has started hollowing the ethical path. But then why is it still in the list of companies that do animal testing (is it because of its policies for China only)
On the bottle of body wash I got from Bath and Body works it states “We do not test on animals” is this not true???
I actually reached out to Bath and body works and they said they have never tested any of there products on animals and they have always been cruelty free in that regard, although they can’t guarantee that all there products are “vegan” based on ingredients differing from product to product. However they are cruelty free and even mentioned that the labels on there products even mention that they never test on animals as well.
Not sure where you’re getting your information from as it seems all scattered. So i’m just going to assume you’re an uncredible blogger and skewing your facts to get more clicks on your page.
It sucks because some of us genuinely want to know which brands are cruelty free and not, don’t make up nonsense and misguide people.
Did you ask them if they test on animals where required by law or allow third-parties to test on their behalf? This is their policy: “Bath & Body Works policy prohibits the testing of our branded products, formulations and ingredients on animals except in rare cases when required by government regulations. Through our involvement in the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, we are supporting research to develop alternative non-animal methods which we believe will ultimately result in the elimination of animal testing worldwide.”
Translation: not cruelty-free. Victoria’s Secret is in the same boat and owned by the same parent company, and they’re on PETA’s list of companies who test on animals.
I struggled w switching our bathrooms air frshners, due to roommates. I’m going try homemade with essential oils but they liked it.
Hi are m.assam cruelty free?
I posted on Lancome Facebook page and they responded:
Lancôme, a brand of L’Oreal, does not test any of its products or ingredients on animals and has been at the forefront of alternative methods for over 30 yrs. For more information, please click here:
https://www.loreal.com/sustainability/l'or%C3%A9al-answers/the-question-of-animal-testing?sf199031585=1
Can I trust it?
Hi there I am currently doing a college essay paper on stopping animal testing and so it would be really helpful if you could let me know where your sources are coming from. I’ve looked on some of these product’s websites but they don’t just come out and say they test on animals, so I was hoping you could tell me where you are getting your information from or refer me to someone.Thanks so much.
Is it true that BBW n caudalie tested on animals? Cause their claims “not tested on animal” on the label
wait, you state L’oreal in the list? Then why did you say that L’oreal is one of the few who DID NOT test on animals.
So the brand syoss, which is under the parent company Schwarzkopf & Henkel, is not cruelty free?
Fresh is listed on here, but on they deny animal testing in their FAQ in their website. Does anyone know anything about this?
Hi
You havw origins in your list but I just checked the website and says they do not test in animals!
Is that cause the mother beand is not cruelty free?
Thanks
I saw this on L’oreal USA website. http://www.lorealusa.com/csr-commitments/l’oréal-answers/the-question-of-animal-testing/what-about-in-china
Does anyone know if the hair care brand Creme of Nature is cruelty free or not? I cannot find it anywhere!
Dear Suzana, thank you for this list! I was sad though to find out that Biotherm is not cruelty-free…I was assured when I was buying their body lotion in Denmark that they do not test on animals but your information contradicts to that. Their body lotion was super good for my sensitive and prone to allergies and rashes skin… How do you make sure that Biotherm tests on animals? I would appreciate your answer!
DOES THYMES TEST ON ANIMALS?
“We at Thymes do not test products on animals. We guarantee the safety of our products by using ingredients that have been used reliably for many years, along with effective amounts of preservatives common in cosmetics. These preservatives are non-toxic and non-irritating, helping to safeguard the quality of the products you buy.” I will not purchase Thymes bath products since this company does not provide any CF information on their suppliers.
Does anyone know about sas & Company (who make Storm Flower perfume, by Cheryl Cole)? I did email them to ask if they test on animals but no response yet
Is OGX cruelty-free again? I don’t see it on either list
I thought Yves Rocher didn’t test on animals…? Or is it because they sell in China?
I’m so mad at Avon! As I never went deeply into the subject, I always thought the company is cruelty free as there is a note that they do not test on anmimals, but that is not the same as cruelty free. Another thing, they provided a notice that they need to test their products in order to enter into the China market. These companies should vanish for misleading their customers.
Could you please confirm about Eucerin? I used use their products before I went cruelty free and was double checking now, just because they have some pretty unique products that used to work for me really well. Their website states that they are cruelty free and describes some of their research methods, but makes no mention of ingredients or disclaimer “unless required by law”? I am struggling to find out more info.
Thank you for your work, it is massively helpful!
I have a question actually. I am totally 100% on board with cruelty free and I am trying to be more conscious of what I am supporting as far as my products go. However, how can pet food NOT be animal tested? I mean I know I personally would like my cat food to be cat-approved because that’s the only thing that makes sense. Also, how are diapers and tampons tested on animals? Some of these things on this list don’t have chemicals at all. So how does that work? Thanks in advance.
Does Weleda test on animals? Their website says no (vaguely), but other websites say they sell in China, but it doesn’t have to be tested. That seems like it isn’t cruelty-free. Am I wrong?
Thank you very much for providing this information. Now that I am aware I will no longer be purchasing makeup from these brands!
Why is PET food that’s tested on animals bad?
Thank you for that post ! It means a lot