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.
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For a list of cruelty-free brands, visit our list of 350+ vetted cruelty-free brands.
Hey! I was wondering if Batiste (dry shampoo) and Marc anthony Hair products were cruelty free ? Thanks xx
Not sure about Marc Anthony but I know Batiste is not cruelty-free. 🙁
Here’s a general guide to whether a product is tested on animals or not – if it’s made in China it IS tested on animals – it’s a legal requirement that products are tested on animals in China. This is not surprising considering they eat dogs and cats over there! So if it says made in China, it is definitely tested on animals and should be avoided. Don’t just check whether the company is cruelty free, check the country where it is made, and whether that country has laws that deem animal testing must legally be performed. And btw, thanks so much for this great list!!
This isn’t true regarding products made in China. They can be made in China and still cruelty-free.
How come?
Not true.
Hi guys,
Do we know what the status is with Laura Gellar?
Thanks for this wonderful site and for all the research you do. 🙂 also benefit have really pissed me off, their wording of their animal testing policy on the uk website is bloody clever and it says they don’t test on animals and that they don’t want to get the cruelty free stamp because it implies that none of the ingredients have ever been tested and no company can ever gaurentee that, when in reality, it’s because they sell in China. I brought stuff at the airport before knowing this and It’s really annoyed me. I’ve even recently emailed and gotten no response. Naughty people!
Is Limelight by Alcone not cruelty free?
Since their products are being tested on animals in China and they choose to finance those tests, MAC can’t be considered a cruelty-free company. The same applies to any brand who chooses to sell in China (like Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, and more).
I recently bought some skin care products in Yves Rocher and the website specifically said “test in vitro”. Now the list has confused me… Maybe that means that they only test some products but not all of them?
They test on animals where required by law, so they can’t be considered cruelty-free.
dr. brandt’s website says they do not test on animals. Do they sell to places who do animal testing? Also Dr. Jart claims they do not test on animals. Do they sell to places that do animal testing as well?
Where? PETA says they test on animals: http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_company.aspx?Com_Id=566
Can you please do some research to find out if Iconic London is cruelty free? I’d very much appreciate it!
I think the only ones that surprise me (though many sadden me–Demeter fragrances for instance, because they make my favourite perfumes), are Murphy Oil Soap and Woolite. Those products have been around for ages! Why on earth would they need to keep testing them, let alone on animals? It just makes no sense at all. I didn’t see anything about two of the components I use in my homemade laundry detergent, Fels Naptha (sp?) and Zote. Would they be listed under another brand name?
I used to be an Avon rep too. I wish now I could undo that, and not just because of all the money I lost when they signed up too many reps for my tiny rural area and everyone had to compete to make a single sale. Not only was I selling products that were funding animal testing for Avon’s expansion into China, but the clothes, shoes, etc are made by women and children in sweatshops who are treated terribly and paid terribly. I love Avon bubble bath and (I know this sounds funny) their deodorant, but I’m just going to have to find alternatives.
lol
Here’s the proof, directly from Avon’s official site:
“But if a compromise cannot be reached, we must comply with the [animal] testing required by local law. “
Thank you for the list,
I’ve just been on Neutrogena website they’re owned by Johnson and Johnson and they say they don’t test on animals. I’m curious cos I’ve seen them on every site bad site but they say they don’t do it. Also Marc Jacobs says they don’t test on animals. Thank you for the list. 🙂
I’m so angry right now because when I bought my oil skin at Kiehl’s. Before I purchase i asked a guy who’s seller said “yes. We are not tested animals”. I double asked “are u sure”. I didn’t know it’s should be show “not tested animals”. And now how wonder I figure out. Such as the lier.
Getting their animal testing policy is like pulling teeth. I tried contacting them several times and they won’t answer basic questions like required by law testing. I can’t say they test on animals though, but they won’t tell us much.
Daaamn, I thought Oriflame was completely cruelty free. It seems that after a bit of research they sell to countries where it might be required. I’m su bummed and disappointed in them…
The fragrances are also tested. That’s the case most of the time (Marc Jacobs is really an exception!).
The brand “dermacol” says that their final products aren’t tested on animals. So idk if you would like to add them on to your list.
Alberto V05 says on their bottles that they don’t test on animals, though?
The fact that labs are in different countries doesn’t change the fact that the company as a whole has still devices to operate in place where animal testing is required. They are choosing & paying for animal testing & this are not cruelty free in any way.
fresh’s website says they do not…
Unfortunately they do where required by law.
On the eucerin website it says they test in vitro. Are you sure they test on animals?
Thank you for this. What an eye opener.
It is so unnecessary and medieval to test products designed for humans on animals.
The pet food I do understand though, it is for the animals…. although there is so much shit in most animal food (much like human foods) few brands are truly good for them.
https://www.shiseidogroup.com/csr/challenge/experiment/
Great list, although according to L’Oreal’s official website they have finally ceased all animal testing. Now if only they would clean up their ingredients… I am an affiliate for Jurlique and I had no idea they test on animals. I have sent a query to them and if this is true I will no longer be a rep for them.
i’m not sure about Alberto V05. I know they used to be owned by Unilever, which does test on animals, but the most recent bottle I’ve seen says it’s distributed by High Ridge Brands Co, made in the USA, and not tested on animals. Does anyone know anything about this? I can’t seem to find much info online about it.
What about Elizabeth Arden and Clarins? They doesn’t appear here but either in the cruelty free list.
Please read: https://staging.crueltyfreekitty.com/news/does-mary-kay-test-on-animals/