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.
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
Hi Diamond, thank you so much for your kind words! You’re lovely. Best of luck with your transition!!
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…???
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.
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!
Is anyone aware if Micheal Kors nail polish is vegan and cruelty free?
What are your sources? Several assumed brands that actually are cruelty free.
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.
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.
It didn’t decrease! I just need to add the other brands that unfortunately test on animals to this list as well. 🙁
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.
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?
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)
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!
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
Hi. You should truly look into Murad products. They are clinical, effective, affordable and tested on people, not animals.
But they are full of nasty chemicals! Use cruelty free, organic products….much healthier!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Try Natural coconut oil
Try Radha Beauty Rosehip seed oil. It’s a natural Retinol and great moisturizer
how does blue buffalo test on animals? that’s sick.
Shea Moisture is cruelty-free, yes!
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.
also,, burberry are not cruelty free, makeup brand, i didnt see it on the makeup, so maybe you should add that
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.”
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.”
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 🙂
Yes to Essence and Catrice! I’ll do my best to look into Makeup Revolution. Thanks for all your kind words, I’m so glad to help. 🙂
Makeup Revolution doesn’t test on Animals and don’t sell in China.
Make up revolution is only sold in the UK and is cruetly free.
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.
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!
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.
Er, Purina is not owned by P&G. Iams used to be (but isn’t anymore anyway).
Sooo helpful!!! Thanks for posting…at first I was just looking for makeup products but it is never bad to have too much information!
Thanks, glad you find it helpful! 🙂
Eucerin and Nivea belong to Beiersdorf they pretend they don’t test on animals, where is he truth ?
If you “feel bad” why wouldn’t you change? You clearly don’t feel bad.
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. 🙂
Thanks for this list! Keep sharing and exposing their unethical and immoral businesses!
I will routinely check this list before buying products, thanks for providing it.
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
OPI is unfortunately sold in China to the best of my knowledge. This is why they’re not cruelty-free in my book. 🙁
They both still test on animals, unfortunately. Some companies will use loopholes and deceptive phrasing.
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.
Oh really? Pet food companies test on animals?? No shit Sherlock.
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.
Madeline. Your a bit of a dick.
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.
You’re very welcome and I’m glad it’s helpful! Dr. Jart tests on animals in China, unfortunately.