Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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.

List of Brands That Test on Animals

Product Type

Price Range

A
American Crew

Body Care

Fragrance

Skincare

Hair Care

For Men

Hair Removal

Body Care Fragrance Skincare Hair Care For Men Hair Removal
Amway

Body Care

Household

Supplements

Fragrance

Hair Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Household Supplements Fragrance Hair Care Makeup Skincare
Aquaphor

Body Care

Baby

Skincare

Body Care Baby Skincare
Arm & Hammer

Body Care

Oral Care

Pet Care

Cleaning

Body Care Oral Care Pet Care Cleaning
Aveeno

Body Care

Sunscreen

Baby

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Baby Hair Care Skincare
Avene

Body Care

Sunscreen

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Skincare
Axe

Body Care

Hair Care

For Men

Deodorant

Fragrance

Body Care Hair Care For Men Deodorant Fragrance
B
Bath & Body Works

Body Care

Fragrance

Candles

+ See Shops
Body Care Fragrance Candles
Bioderma

Body Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Skincare Sunscreen
Biologique Recherche

Body Care

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Skincare
Biotherm

Body Care

Skincare

For Men

Body Care Skincare For Men
Borghese

Makeup

Body Care

Skincare

Makeup Body Care Skincare
C
Calgon

Body Care

Fragrance

Body Care Fragrance
Canmake

Body Care

Fragrance

Hair Care

Makeup

Nail Polish

Sunscreen

Body Care Fragrance Hair Care Makeup Nail Polish Sunscreen
Caress

Body Care

Body Care
Caudalie

Body Care

Sunscreen

Fake Tan

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Fake Tan Skincare
CeraVe

Body Care

Hair Care

Sunscreen

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Sunscreen Skincare
Cetaphil

Body Care

Baby

Skincare

Sunscreen

+ See Shops
Body Care Baby Skincare Sunscreen
Chanel

Body Care

Nail Polish

Fragrance

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Nail Polish Fragrance Makeup Skincare
Chapstick

Body Care

Sunscreen

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Skincare
Clarins

Body Care

Fake Tan

For Men

Makeup

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Fake Tan For Men Makeup Skincare Sunscreen
CND

Body Care

Skincare

Nail Polish

Body Care Skincare Nail Polish
Coppertone

Body Care

Baby

Sunscreen

Body Care Baby Sunscreen
Coty

Body Care

Hair Care

Fragrance

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Fragrance Makeup Skincare
Crabtree & Evelyn

Body Care

Hair Removal

Tools & Accessories

Candles

Fragrance

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Hair Removal Tools & Accessories Candles Fragrance Hair Care Skincare
Curel

Body Care

Skincare

Body Care Skincare
D
D’Alba

Body Care

For Men

Fragrance

Hair Care

Makeup

Skincare

Sunscreen

+ See Shops
Body Care For Men Fragrance Hair Care Makeup Skincare Sunscreen
Decléor

Body Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Skincare Sunscreen
Degree

Body Care

Deodorant

Body Care Deodorant
Demeter

Body Care

Fragrance

Candles

Body Care Fragrance Candles
DHC

Body Care

Hair Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Makeup Skincare
Dr. Brandt

Body Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Skincare Sunscreen
Durex

Body Care

Body Care
E
Elemis

Body Care

For Men

Skincare

Body Care For Men Skincare
Elizabeth Arden

Body Care

Fragrance

Sunscreen

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Fragrance Sunscreen Makeup Skincare
Elta MD

Body Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Skincare Sunscreen
Erno Laszlo

Body Care

Sunscreen

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Skincare
Estée Lauder

Body Care

Fragrance

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Fragrance Makeup Skincare
Etude House

Body Care

Nail Polish

Hair Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Nail Polish Hair Care Makeup Skincare
Eucerin

Body Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Baby

Body Care Skincare Sunscreen Baby
Evereden

Fragrance

Hair Care

Sunscreen

Baby

Body Care

Skincare

Fragrance Hair Care Sunscreen Baby Body Care Skincare
F
Femfresh

Body Care

Period Products

Deodorant

Body Care Period Products Deodorant
Frederic Malle

Body Care

Fragrance

Household

Body Care Fragrance Household
Freeman Beauty

Body Care

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Skincare
Fresh

Body Care

Fragrance

Skincare

Body Care Fragrance Skincare
H
Himalaya

For Men

Baby

Household

Body Care

Hair Care

Oral Care

Skincare

+ See Shops
For Men Baby Household Body Care Hair Care Oral Care Skincare
I
Irish Spring

Body Care

Body Care
Isdin

Baby

Body Care

Hair Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Baby Body Care Hair Care Skincare Sunscreen
Ivory

Body Care

Deodorant

Body Care Deodorant
J
Jergens

Body Care

Skincare

Baby

Fake Tan

Body Care Skincare Baby Fake Tan
Johnson & Johnson

Body Care

Skincare

Body Care Skincare
Joy

Body Care

Skincare

Hair Care

Sunscreen

Cleaning

Body Care Skincare Hair Care Sunscreen Cleaning
Jurlique

Body Care

Hair Care

Candles

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Candles Skincare
K
Kao

Body Care

Skincare

Hair Care

Household

Body Care Skincare Hair Care Household
Kiehl’s

Body Care

For Men

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care For Men Hair Care Skincare
Kose

Body Care

Sunscreen

Hair Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Hair Care Makeup Skincare
L
L’Occitane

Body Care

Fragrance

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Fragrance Hair Care Skincare
L’Oréal

Body Care

Fragrance

Hair Care

Hair Dye

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Fragrance Hair Care Hair Dye Makeup Skincare
La Mer

Body Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Makeup Skincare
La Roche-Posay

Body Care

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Skincare Sunscreen
Lab Series For Men

Body Care

Sunscreen

For Men

Hair Care

Hair Removal

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen For Men Hair Care Hair Removal Skincare
Lady Speed Stick

Body Care

Deodorant

Body Care Deodorant
Laura Mercier

Makeup

Body Care

Fragrance

Skincare

Sunscreen

Tools & Accessories

Makeup Body Care Fragrance Skincare Sunscreen Tools & Accessories
Loewe

Body Care

Fragrance

Household

Body Care Fragrance Household
Lubriderm

Body Care

Sunscreen

For Men

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen For Men Skincare
Lux

Body Care

Body Care
M
Maleleuca

Body Care

Cleaning

Laundry

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Cleaning Laundry Makeup Skincare
Mamonde

Body Care

For Men

Makeup

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care For Men Makeup Skincare Sunscreen
Mary Kay

Body Care

Sunscreen

Fragrance

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Fragrance Makeup Skincare
Miller Harris

Body Care

Fragrance

For Men

Candles

Body Care Fragrance For Men Candles
Missha

Makeup

Body Care

Skincare

Hair Care

Sunscreen

Nail Polish

For Men

Makeup Body Care Skincare Hair Care Sunscreen Nail Polish For Men
Mitchum

Body Care

Deodorant

Body Care Deodorant
Muji

Makeup

Body Care

Fragrance

Skincare

Hair Care

Sunscreen

For Men

Household

Candles

Supplements

Makeup Body Care Fragrance Skincare Hair Care Sunscreen For Men Household Candles Supplements
MUJI

Body Care

Hair Care

Household

Makeup

Oral Care

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care Household Makeup Oral Care Skincare
N
Necessaire

Body Care

Hair Care

Sunscreen

Deodorant

Body Care Hair Care Sunscreen Deodorant
Neutrogena

Body Care

Sunscreen

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Makeup Skincare
Nexcare

Body Care

Skincare

Body Care Skincare
Nivea

Body Care

Sunscreen

Deodorant

For Men

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Deodorant For Men Hair Care Skincare
Nuxe

Body Care

Hair Care

For Men

Deodorant

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care For Men Deodorant Skincare
O
OGX

Body Care

Hair Care

Body Care Hair Care
Ojon

Body Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Makeup Skincare
Olay

Body Care

Sunscreen

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Skincare
Old Spice

Body Care

Deodorant

For Men

Body Care Deodorant For Men
Oriflame

Body Care

Sunscreen

Deodorant

Fragrance

Hair Care

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Deodorant Fragrance Hair Care Makeup Skincare
Origins

Body Care

Candles

Makeup

Skincare

Body Care Candles Makeup Skincare
P
Palmer’s

Body Care

Hair Care

For Men

Baby

Fake Tan

Skincare

Body Care Hair Care For Men Baby Fake Tan Skincare
Palmolive

Body Care

Cleaning

Hair Care

Body Care Cleaning Hair Care
Penhaligon’s

Body Care

Fragrance

Candles

+ See Shops
Body Care Fragrance Candles
Peter Thomas Roth

Body Care

Sunscreen

Hair Care

Skincare

Body Care Sunscreen Hair Care Skincare
Procter & Gamble

Body Care

Period Products

Deodorant

Baby

Household

Hair Care

Makeup

Oral Care

Skincare

Body Care Period Products Deodorant Baby Household Hair Care Makeup Oral Care Skincare
Purex

Body Care

Household

Body Care Household
R
Reckitt Benckiser

Body Care

Hair Removal

Household

Skincare

Body Care Hair Removal Household Skincare
S
S.C. Johnson

Body Care

Household

Pet Care

Skincare

Body Care Household Pet Care Skincare
Skinfood

Makeup

Body Care

Skincare

Hair Care

Sunscreen

Makeup Body Care Skincare Hair Care Sunscreen
Soft & Dri

Body Care

Deodorant

Body Care Deodorant
Softsoap

Body Care

Body Care
SVR Laboratoire Dermatologique

Body Care

Deodorant

Fake Tan

Skincare

Sunscreen

Body Care Deodorant Fake Tan Skincare Sunscreen

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The more people go cruelty-free, the sooner we can end animal testing. Thank you for sharing.

+ Show Comments (756) - Hide Comments (756)
  • Diamond Mercades says:

    Thanks so much really. Your research helped me out a lot. I transitioned to vegan 2 months ago. But it has been a challenge because I am a cosmetologist and a makeup artist so your list of makeup and all of your products that are cruelty free and 100% vegan its just amazing so thank you so much! I didn’t want to just eat plant-based I wanted to totally change my entire life to vegan and hopefully others that I come in contact with so thank you

  • Shay says:

    How, exactly, do some of these companies test on animals? Such as the animal food products: how is the testing cruel? And Pampers and Puffs–diapers and tissue paper? How are those tested in a cruel way?

    I am all for switching. I’m just honestly curious because I don’t understand how tissue papers can be tested in a cruel way…???

    • Charlotte Fowler says:

      most likely its the chemicals in them. For example, disposable nappies have absorbent chemicals and that is what is tested. Some tissues have essential oils etc and those will be tested. So what we get is harmless but they most likely tested other things that were chucked because they harmed the animal they tested on. Also animals used for animal testing are often kept in very bad conditions so its cruel all round.

  • susan says:

    there are prisons overflowing with murders, rapists & pedophiles… Test on them, not innocent animals. Wouldn’t the testing be more accurate on a human? Test on the death row inmates!

  • Mady Powell says:

    Is anyone aware if Micheal Kors nail polish is vegan and cruelty free?

  • Mickey says:

    What are your sources? Several assumed brands that actually are cruelty free.

    • Suzi says:

      Mickey, you must be thinking of brands that don’t test on animals unless required by law, which I don’t consider to be cruelty-free. Feel free to clarify and I’ll look into it.

  • thelizzyukz says:

    This is really helpful. I’m planning to go cruelty free over the next year and this is really going to help to work out which companies to avoid. Unfortunately I can’t go cruelty free right now as I don’t have much money at the moment to get rid of all the products but once I used them up I’ll look for a cruelty free brand to replace them.

  • Suzi says:

    It didn’t decrease! I just need to add the other brands that unfortunately test on animals to this list as well. 🙁

  • Fred says:

    NOT COLGATE! There is at least one error on this list. As a long-term employee who is very familiar with the processes and procedures at the Colgate Palmolive Science and Technology Center, I am absolutely certain and can assure everyone that Colgate does not use animals for product testing.

  • Maureen St. Pierre says:

    I thought I was doing quite good until I scrolled down to Vaseline, then Dove soap. Really? I still use them and then, because I am home sick with a cold I looked up Vicks. VICKS – I have been rubbing myself with Vicks all this week. I cannot do that any more. What alternative is there for that. Also so many soaps. For some things there does not seem to be an alternative but I am definitely going to stop using what I have mentioned. Anybody tell me an alternative to Vicks?

    • Dani says:

      For anyone reading this at a later date and wondering the same, here are some essential oils that can help. Use either;
      >Lemon or Peppermint (for cough and congestion)
      >Frankincense (for clearing nasal passages and lungs)
      >Lavender (for sinus congestion)
      >Eucalyptus (nasal congestions and upper respiratory infections)

      MAKE SURE TO ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOTTLE! Mix a few drops of oil in large glass bowl of hot water and drape a towel over your head to catch the steam. Keep face far enough away that the steam doesn’t burn your skin and breathe in through the nose for approx 10 mins (or longer if needed)

  • Nancy Merritt says:

    Or, Mark, we could test on you. I would feel bad…. especially when you writhed in pain, vomited your guts out, or had your vocal cords cut so they couldn’t hear your cries. Now, I’m really not serious, but your reasoning is lazy and selfish. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing, The question is, are you a good man? Do some research and find out what is done to these animals!

  • Giuseppe Gagliardi says:

    Hi, I ma having serious problems with cruelty free brands, I use a retinol cream for face and one for eyes but tried Oz and Paula’s choice and my skin breaks down (today is like I have been bitten my mosquitoes)…any idea of where to start? I am a guy, cruelty free cosmetics has been the hardest thing since I turned vegan a year ago…thank you girls

    • Tamra Lynn Compton says:

      Hi. You should truly look into Murad products. They are clinical, effective, affordable and tested on people, not animals.

      • Jo Anna says:

        But they are full of nasty chemicals! Use cruelty free, organic products….much healthier!

        • Kristie says:

          Organic is also out of a lot of people’s price range because, while finding cruelty free brands can be affordable, organic is not so much. Organic is great and all, but don’t shame people who don’t go organic when it may not be in their price range.

          • Diane Smith says:

            Good to do some research on prices. Prices have dropped on many cruelty-free products. Dr Bonner’s seems expensive but it is diluted by water when you use it. It goes a long way!

        • Rachel Fitzgerald says:

          Hi, chemicals can seep through the skin and then get into the blood stream, be careful with what you use when washing your hair – as nasties can get into the scalp and go into your brain! No nasty chemicals – all good. I still don’t trust a lot of these companies at any rate, always need professionals in order to go through the policies which the ordinary person just cannot understand. Sick and tired of this sort of thing, can read, but not any long, arduous policies, if you know what I mean! Happy organic (Organic Certified) and cruelty free hunting! No animal abuse, no excuses.

          • Mellon says:

            Go into the brain, hey? I guess you’ve never heard of something called the skull? Or the blood brain barrier? Seriously, stop spreading misinformation. You’re only making yourself look silly.

    • Ronny says:

      Try Natural coconut oil

    • Lynette says:

      Try Radha Beauty Rosehip seed oil. It’s a natural Retinol and great moisturizer

  • E Ferrie says:

    how does blue buffalo test on animals? that’s sick.

  • Suzi says:

    Shea Moisture is cruelty-free, yes!

  • i like bath and body works says:

    Why would they test pet food products on animals? I’m not a vegan nor a vegetarian but it’s a little sad and interesting to discover the products that do test on animals. They probably start their pet food business because they love pets and they feel that connection that I do. Oh and they decide to test animals like they don’t care. It’s also astonishing because Blue Buffalo always advertises that their dog didn’t like the chick-peas in their food, so they switched to Blue for real meat. Yes, dogs would prefer real meat then chick-peas, but we would all rather at least you have food then potentially kill animals. Even as a non vegan, it confuses me. It doesn’t go into a puzzle.

  • hannah says:

    also,, burberry are not cruelty free, makeup brand, i didnt see it on the makeup, so maybe you should add that

  • Traxy says:

    Yves Rocher do not test on animals. From their website:

    “The brand Yves Rocher was committed early in the fight against animal testing. In 1989, the brand decided to be a pioneer in the cosmetic industry to stop animal testing for finished products, and replace them with alternative methods. Keeping this commitment:

    – We do not test on animals, nor our finished products or their ingredients
    – We support research programs on alternative methods to animal testing
    – We do not use raw materials of animal origin, except honey and beeswax

    The fight against animal suffering is and will remain a strong commitment in the Yves Rocher brand.”

  • Kaila Neeley Williams says:

    Can someone please advise why Benefit is on this list? And on the PETA list? I looked them up because I really love their products and this is what it said. “Benefit does not test our products on animals.

    Since 1989, the Perfumes & Cosmetics companies of LVMH group (including Benefit Cosmetics) have not performed any tests on animals for our products – this was implemented long before the 2013 official ban set by the European Union.

    We are deeply committed to the elimination of animal testing. We’re playing a leading role in developing alternative methods through our support of the “Fund for Alternatives to Animal Testing” in the United States. We also actively participate in validation studies of new alternative tests in the framework of the European cosmetics association, Cosmetics Europe. We are one of only a few companies to have invested in creating our own internal department to test raw materials and ingredients to further ensure the quality of our products and the satisfaction of our customers, which is our top priority.

    We are hopeful that alternative testing methods will be adopted worldwide and we will see an end to animal testing.”

  • Marta says:

    Hey Suzi! Your website is great. I wanted to learn about cruelty-free and cruelty-free shopping and you’re helping me a lot. I wanted to ask about brands like Essence, Makeup Revolution and Catrice Cosmetics. Are they cruelty-free?
    Thanks 🙂

  • Suzi says:

    Regarding “how can you not test food on animals”, the tests are SOMETIMES done in extremely inhumane conditions where the dogs are kept in small cages, poor conditions, and die as a result.

    There’s no real need to test pet food on animals though, as there are alternative methods. Some pet food companies don’t use animal testing at all.

    • Laura Carter says:

      That is good information thank you. Sadly I’m not surprised about the dogs. :(. I will give my friend your reply. Have a great Sunday!

  • Alexandra says:

    Shouldn’t Purina be added to the “DOES test on animals”/brands-to-avoid list? They’re owned by Proctor & Gamble which performs animal testing.

  • Makenna says:

    Sooo helpful!!! Thanks for posting…at first I was just looking for makeup products but it is never bad to have too much information!

  • Dupont says:

    Eucerin and Nivea belong to Beiersdorf they pretend they don’t test on animals, where is he truth ?

  • Jess Barber says:

    If you “feel bad” why wouldn’t you change? You clearly don’t feel bad.

  • Suzi says:

    Hey Christina, you’ve read my mind! I’m working on a list of green brands as well as a generic/store brand post. I’m hoping to get both of these published this month. 🙂

  • Anne says:

    Thanks for this list! Keep sharing and exposing their unethical and immoral businesses!

  • Gordon Walker says:

    I will routinely check this list before buying products, thanks for providing it.

  • Diana B says:

    Great list! However, I do have a question about OPI. I read that they used to test on animals a long time ago but then stopped several years ago. I also heard that they were bought by a company that DOES test on animals- but they still do NOT test their products on animals. It is the same situation with Body Shop products; the company that owns them tests on animals, but the Body Shop does not. I have switched from OPI and Loreal nail polish to Sally Hansen, and Gosh because they do not test on animals, and because I want to be 100% that any brand I use, is cruelty free. <3

    • Suzi says:

      OPI is unfortunately sold in China to the best of my knowledge. This is why they’re not cruelty-free in my book. 🙁

  • Suzi says:

    They both still test on animals, unfortunately. Some companies will use loopholes and deceptive phrasing.

    • Dan Famechon says:

      I’m in the middle of a shitfight ATM, bc I know they do & I’m sure my boss is torn but I can’t ignore it & my boss is making it sound like I’ve stores the hornets nest(I prob have!! These big companies don’t like people like me!!) I guess all I can do is stick to my guns & maybe we will lose the contract with them , but people are too conscientious these days & they will find out.

  • Madeline Lane says:

    Oh really? Pet food companies test on animals?? No shit Sherlock.

    • Mellon says:

      Madeline…Instead of being an ignorant twat-waffle, maybe use your brain. It’s not a matter of feeding animals the food and calling it a day. Feeding trials are done in laboratories, where animals are kept unhealthy and confined in small cages. Also, said animals are brutalized for no reason. That is NOT cruelty-free, by any stretch of the imagination.

    • Sarah Taylor says:

      Madeline. Your a bit of a dick.

  • Buni says:

    Thank you so much for this list! So disappointed in many of these brands that I thought were cruelty-free… (especially TRESemme). May I ask where you got the information that Dr. Jart tests on animals? On their site it says that they do not.

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