For the majority of these cases, the brands are sold in China, where animal testing is mandatory by law for foreign cosmetics. It's important to read the fine print when reading brand policies, as many of them will claim to be cruelty-free but then include a clause about "except when required by law". If they are sold in stores in China, this clause then means that they are not a cruelty-free brand.
I've also included alternative cruelty-free suggestions for each brand. Feel free to leave your favorite cruelty-free dupe suggestions in the comments below!
1. NARS
NARS was once a cruelty-free staple brand for so many. Unfortunately, earlier this year, they updated their animal testing policy to reflect their decision to join the Chinese market. From now on, NARS is going to test on animals where required by law, meaning they are no longer cruelty-free.
One good thing that has come out of this horrible decision is that there has been so much media attention brought to their decision, which is helping to increase awareness about animal testing!
For cruelty-free alternatives to NARS, check out , , , and .
2. L’Oreal
L'Oreal has a notoriously misleading animal testing FAQ. They claim “L’Oréal no longer tests any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world. Nor does L’Oréal delegate this task to others.” However, they do sell their products in China where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. They address this loophole in their policy as well: “An exception could be made if authorities required it for human safety or regulatory purposes.” In order words, they do fund animal testing of their finished products in China, where the practice is required by law.
L'Oreal owns tons of other brands, some of which are sold in China and share the same policy to test on animals where required by law, and some of which remain cruelty-free despite the policy of their parent company (like Urban Decay and NYX).
For cruelty-free alternatives to L'Oreal from the drugstore, give a try! Their products are on point and they are more affordable than L'Oreal.
3. Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder claims that they are "committed to the elimination of animal testing", yet they do test on animals where required by law. Since they sell their products in the Chinese market, where animal testing is required, and they aren't a cruelty-free company.
Like L'Oreal, Estée Lauder also owns several other brands which are subject to this same policy.
Their Double Wear Liquid Foundation is incredibly popular, but fortunately there are some great cruelty-free alternatives! The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation and Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation are both similar options.
4. MAC
MAC Cosmetics is probably one of the most popular and well-known makeup brands of all time, and they used to be a cruelty-free brand, which can lead to some confusion as to their current policy. They are owned by Estée Lauder, whose animal testing policy is not to test on animals unless required by law (as mentioned above). Because MAC is sold in China, where animal testing is required, MAC isn’t a cruelty-free company.
If you're looking to replace your MAC eyeshadows, I can't recommend Makeup Geek enough. Their eyeshadows are AMAZING! As for MAC's lipsticks, NYX has some great shade dupes, and as a bonus, they are a whole lot more affordable.
5. Benefit
Benefit is one of those brands that everyone seems to think is cruelty-free, but unfortunately, they are NOT a cruelty-free company. Their policy is not to test on animals unless required by law. Their products are also sold in mainland China, where animal testing is required. Benefit also currently sells its products in Sephora stores across China and shows no intention of pulling out of China.
If you are drawn to Benefit because of their adorable retro packaging, you will LOVE the cruelty-free brand theBalm Cosmetics!
6. Lancôme
Lancôme is owned by L'Oreal and inherits the same policy to test on animals where required by law. Since Lancôme is sold in stores in mainland China, it cannot be considered a cruelty-free brand.
Some of Lancôme's most popular products are their mascaras, but I think the cruelty-free mascaras from Tarte and Pacifica are easily just as good if not better!
7. Make Up For Ever
Make Up For Ever is a popular French brand owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton / Moët Hennessy) which is sold at Sephora and used by many theatre and makeup artists alike. Sadly, they test on animals. They sell their products in China, where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. Because of this, Make Up For Ever isn’t considered to be a cruelty-free brand.
8. Maybelline
Another heavy hitter drugstore brand, Maybelline also shares the same policy as their parent company L'Oreal. They sell their products in China, where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. Because of this, Maybelline isn’t a cruelty-free brand.
For an affordable cruelty-free alternative to Maybelline and other drugstore brands, ELF has tons of great options!
9. Rimmel London
Rimmel London claims to be "against animal testing", but in reality, they are not cruelty-free as they sell their products in China. When asked about why they are selling their products in China while they claim to be against animal testing, they state that "Chinese consumers have made it clear they want Rimmel London. It would not be right to deprive them of the products they want to use and enjoy. Our industry continues to work together in encouraging the Chinese authorities to accept more modernized non-animal safety testing methods." Rimmel's parent company Coty shares the same policy.
For a dupe for the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retroglam Mascara, I highly recommend the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara! Not only is it vegan, but it also won our best cruelty-free mascara reader poll!
10. Revlon
Like L'Oreal, Revlon is a privately held company which tests on animals where required by law. Since they are sold in China, they are subject to animal testing and thus not cruelty-free.
If you love Revlon's famous lipstick formula, give Colourpop's Lippie Stix a try. I found the formulation to be very similar, and they are even more affordable than the Revlon ones!
11. CoverGirl
Covergirl went cruelty-free as of November 2018! Read the full article here.
Covergirl may use adorable kittens in their advertising campaigns to give off a cute and cuddly image, but they still test on animals! They sell their products in China, where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. Because of this, Covergirl isn’t considered to be a cruelty-free brand. Its parent company Coty shares the same policy.
12. Clinique
Clinique is NOT a cruelty-free brand. Clinique is owned by Estée Lauder and its official animal testing policy is not to test on animals except when required by law. Clinique is sold in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law.
For a dupe of Clinique's ever-popular Chubby Sticks, try Tarte’s LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint. They are equally hydrating and beautiful!
13. Almay
Almay is owned by Revlon and shares the policy of their parent company to test on animals where required by law. They are also sold in China, where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. As such, they are not a cruelty-free brand.
For a cruelty-free alternative to their "dermatologist-tested" eye makeup, give SheaMoisture's products a try! As a bonus, they also contain more natural ingredients.
14. Max Factor
Max Factor is another drugstore brand which is primarily sold in Europe. They are also sold in China, where animal testing is required, and they are therefore not a cruelty-free brand. Their parent company Coty shares the same policy to test on animals where required by law.
For a cruelty-free (and equally affordable) alternative to Max Factor, check out the brand Barry M!
15. Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown states that they test on animals where required by law. Since they sell their products in China, this means they are subject to animal testing and thus they are not a cruelty-free brand. They are owned by Estée Lauder, which as mentioned above, shares the same policy to test when required by law.
For cruelty-free alternatives for Bobbi Brown's cult classic Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, try the Tarte Clay Pot Waterproof Shadow Liner and the Colourpop Crème Gel Colour.
16. Chanel
Like many of these brands, Chanel's animal testing policy is nowhere to be found on their website. But their products are indeed sold in mainland China, where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. Because of this, Chanel tests on animals and cannot be considered cruelty-free.
If you're looking for high-end designer beauty but don't want to support animal testing, Marc Jacobs Beauty is a great luxury cruelty-free option!
17. Bourjois
Bourjois is a popular French cosmetics brand. They were previously owned by Chanel but were acquired by Coty in 2015. They share the same policy as their parent company to test on animals where required by law. They sell their products in mainland China and as such, they are not cruelty-free.
For a similarly priced (but cruelty-free) European drugstore brand, try GOSH Copenhagen! I especially love their Velvet Touch Lipsticks.
18. Giorgio Armani
While their website says "Giorgio Armani does not use animals to test its products", this is very misleading. They are owned by L'Oreal, and they share L'Oreal's policy to test on animals when required by law. Since Giorgio Armani's products are sold in mainland China, this, of course, means they are not cruelty-free, as they are therefore subject to animal testing.
For a cruelty-free dupe for the "holy grail" Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, try the Catrice Nude Illusion Foundation!
19. Tom Ford
Tom Ford is owned by Estée Lauder, and it shares their animal testing policy to test when required by law. They are not considered cruelty-free, since they sell in China, where animal testing is mandatory.
The Milani lipsticks are great cruelty-free affordable alternatives for the Tom Ford ones. They are just as creamy and opaque, and at a fraction of the cost!
20. Yves Saint Laurent
As with Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent is also owned by L'Oreal, and adheres to L'Oreal's animal testing policy. As YSL products are sold in mainland China, they unfortunately are not cruelty-free.
The is an excellent cruelty-free dupe for the YSL Touch Éclat and it's about $36 cheaper!
21. Sephora Collection
While there are many cruelty-free brands sold in Sephora stores, sadly Sephora's own brand is NOT cruelty-free. Sephora sells its products in China where animal testing is required by law for foreign cosmetics.
While it is hard to suggest an alternative brand since Sephora's brand covers such a wide range of products, there are comparable options from e.l.f., NYX and Milani.
22. Shiseido
Shiseido is a luxury Japanese beauty brand over a century old. It is also the parent company to brands such as NARS and Bare Escentuals (aka bareMinerals). Shiseido's policy states that it does not test its cosmetic products or ingredients on animals except when absolutely mandated by law, and upon further searching through their website (which is not made easy), I found another clause that states "in China, in order to guarantee the safety of imported cosmetics, safety studies including animal testing may be required".
For a cruelty-free but equally upscale option, try the brand Charlotte Tilbury. The formulas of their cream eyeshadows and lipsticks are also very similar to those of Shiseido.
23. Burberry
There is misinformation about whether Burberry tests on animals, and unfortunately the truth is that they do test where required by law. Since Burberry is sold in mainland China, they cannot be considered cruelty-free.
For a cruelty-free alternative to their unique eyeshadows, I would recommend the cruelty-free brand , which sells equally deluxe eyeshadows.
24. Dior
Dior is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton / Moët Hennessy). Like many other luxury brands, Dior tests on animals. They sell their products in China, where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics. Because of this, Dior isn’t considered to be a cruelty-free brand.
A good alternative to the Diorshow Mascara is the Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. Its thick mascara wand and formula are very similar to Dior's.
25. La Mer
La Mer is an incredibly expensive luxury makeup and skincare brand owned by Estée Lauder. Like their parent company, they test on animals when required by law. Since their products are sold in mainland China, this means they are not cruelty-free.
Since La Mer's makeup is formulated with unique ingredients, it is a bit challenging to find exact dupes. However, I would definitely recommend the foundations and other products from 100% Pure, as they have luxurious formulations that are a bit more affordable.
26. Guerlain
Guerlain is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton / Moët Hennessy). They claim that they "are strongly opposed to animal testing and have developed recognized expertise in alternatives to animal testing". However, they sell in mainland China, which unfortunately refutes this statement. Therefore, they cannot be considered cruelty-free.
If you like Guerlain's Meteorites, you will definitely love Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Powders!
27. Avon
Avon claims to be the first major cosmetic company to end animal testing nearly 25 years ago, but in reality they're authorizing and paying local officials in China to test on animals for them so they can sell their products there. While they claim to have "a deep respect for animal welfare", it seems to be part of careful wording to distract from the fact that they are not cruelty-free.
Jordana's eyeliners are said to be good dupes for Avon's. They are easy to find in most drugstores and they are cruelty-free!
28. Mary Kay
Similarly to Avon, Mary Kay's representatives are sometimes responsible for misinformation regarding Mary Kay's animal testing policy. While they are very vocal about "not testing on animals", they actually do test on animals where required by law. In the late 1989, they announced a moratorium on animal testing of its products. Sadly, in 2012 they started testing on animals again when they made the decision to join the Chinese market. This means they are now no longer cruelty-free.
For a cruelty-free alternative to their SPF Foundation, try Balm Shelter from theBalm.
29. Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana is owned by Coty. They share their parent company's policy to test where required by law. As they sell their products in the Chinese market, they cannot be considered a cruelty-free brand.
Two similar options to D&G's popular Luminous Cheek Colour Blush are Marc Jacob's Air Blush and Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush.
30. Shu Uemura
Owned by L'Oreal, Shu Uemura shares their parent company's policy to test on animals where required by law. Since they sell their products in mainland China where animal testing is mandatory for foreign cosmetics, they are not a cruelty-free brand.
For cruelty-free (and easier to find) alternatives to Shu Uemura's iconic eyelash curlers, try the ones from Tarte and Tweezerman!
Cruelty-Free Alternatives
While these brands may have made the unfortunate choice to test on animals, there are SO many amazing cruelty-free brands to choose from. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Cruelty-Free + Vegan Makeup Brands to get started on building your perfect cruelty-free makeup kit!
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I will 100% be going through my makeup collection because I don’t support animal testing at all. Thank you
This is so sad!????????????????????????????????????????????
I wanna ask, vaseline and johnson baby are cosmetic from animal or not?
I have so many of the product brands that test on animals. I have been learning about the horrors of animal testing and I will no longer buy products tested on animals. I am thankful for your website and information. Especially, the fact that you have alternative products listed (some products that I have used in the past but will now continue to buy).
In the list it shows Amway , but the article doesn’t show ?
God Bless YOU!!!!!
Wouldn’t a better solution instead of boycotting this bra ds to lobby for the elimination of mandatory testing in China?
No, because if you boycott a certain brand, their sales and popularity are going down and they need to react. You can not boycott a certain country’s laws, especially if you are not from that country. Do you think that people that make the laws in China care what some random person from another country thinks about their laws? Probably not.
I’m glad that none of my make up brands are listed under non cruelty-free brands. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated and sad at the same time. It’s hard to accept that all these are unethical. It really breaks my heart.
I’m a long time vegan and thoroughly appreciate the research you did for this article.
I will be buying only cruelty free cosmetics and toiletry from here on out.
Shame on China for its insistence for animal testing.
It must come to an end!
Glad to see that people are buying cruelty free make up,I buy revlon hair dye vegan but not happy there make up is still animal tested.Buying vegan hair dye, you can use just what you need and it wont burn your hair.I
It is shocking that these huge companies are still not cruelty free. Surely they are wealthy enough to not sell to China. Disgraceful greed, how the hell do they sleep at night? Probably better than us who give a damn!
What you do is amazing, I’m so grateful to you and hopefully every person and company will catch on. Living in hope, love and light, Rachel ❤
DEAR ALY,
YOU HAVE HELPED ME SO MUCH.
I NOW HAVE A MUCH BETTER IDEA OF WHAT I NEED TO DO.
I AM ABOUT TO GO WITH ONE STRONG CRUELTY FREE COMPANY TO PURCHASE ALL MY SKIN CARE AND MAKEUP FROM.
STARTING OVER FRESH.
AFTER ALL I READ, THAT YOU POSTED, ALL I REALLY HAVE LEFT IS CHANTECAILLE, ANASTASIA, BESAME, PERRICONE MD, KIEHL’S & CATRICE TO LOOK AT.
EVERYTHING ELSE INCLUDING THE FRENCH MAKEUP & PACKAGING LIKE CLINQUE … WHICH I LOVE GREAT PACKAGING… IS NOT CRUELTY FREE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS OF HOW I CAN GET JUST ONE GREAT COMPANY FOR MY SKIN CARE AND MAKEUP PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
I NEED A KILLER CONCEALER.
I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GO TO SAKS FIFTH AVENUE AND HIT ALL THE CRUELTY FREE COUNTERS!
I’ve been getting tons of ads for Perfect One USA coming across my Facebook feed – do you know anything about them? Are they cruelty free?
How dare you guys do that to poor animals! just so you can get rich you’re pathetic! I will never buy your crap
This is a subject that I think is worth doing something about.I MADE A LIST OF PRODUCTS THAT STILL TEST ON ANIMALS……………I WILL NOT USE THESE PRODUCTS ANYMORE!!!!!!
Hi there guys!
Just to let you know that Avon is now owned by the company, Natura, who also owns The Body Shop. I am unsure on the separate company in China but I do know that both Avon UK and USA do not test on animals, and even do a vegan friendly range of both skincare, and makeup.
I hope this helps.
P.S. I have no idea on the quality of their makeup range yet but Lush do some amazing skincare, hair care and bath products which are cruelty free.
Thank you for this article, this information is so important. Unfortunately I have a number of these brands in my make up bag but they will be getting put straight into the bin! I have recently found a vegan brand called Tropic and their skincare is amazing so I will be trying out their make up range.
So that confirmed that Tweezerman is cruelty-free?
On L’oreal’s website it says that they own Urban Decay. Even if Urban Decay’s products specifically aren’t sold in China, buying UD cosmetics puts money in L’oreal’s pockets to continue to test on animals. Is this not true?
Hey ..just started to know all about cruelty free and vegan life style..there is this brand called focallure..iss it cruelty free?!
Thank you so much for your article!!
However, I don’t understand if CoverGirl is CF ( cruelty free ), or not ?
Thank you in advance ????
Yes, Covergirl went cruelty-free!
Thrive cosmetics? IL Makiage? Niche y Dia? Wander Beauty?
I didn’t read every brand review, but what I’d did read and some comments seems to focus on China. As recent as last month, March 2020, China passed a law banning animal testing for cosmetics or at least banning the restriction in requiring animal testing.
These are just my findings. If this list involves something or someplace other than China I can’t speak to that. But Nars was previously cruelty- free(which is not a regulated term anyway) until they sold to China. This new ban should solidify that position.
Yeah, I’m kinda iffy about the whole of L’Oreal being included. A friend used to head up their sustainability and social impact department and while she was there spearheaded the initiative to stop animal testing in China. Because they have offices there, sell there, and have employees there, they’ve been able to influence the government there to accept cruelty free requirements for product testing. In 2017, the Chinese government agreed to move over to the American standard for 3 types of tests because of the lobbying of L’Oreal. L’Oreal itself has been cruelty free in every other country for 35 years—well before it was popular. Look—my dog was rescued from Chinese animal testing, so obviously this is something I’m passionate about. But I also think it’s important to support the companies fighting for change and not just the ones who refuse to sell there.
I mean, you know that Smashbox and Too Faced are part of Estee Lauder as well, right? So when you buy this products you’re also givin money to the “mother-company”.
You mentioned that CoverGirl no longer sells their products in China since they have been acquired by Coty. However when talking about Dolce and Gabana, whose parent company is also Coty, you mention that they sell products in China. Which of the claim is correct? Do brands owned by Coty sell or do not sell their products in China.
I’m so glad I read this. I honestly thought all those big companies would be cruelty free. I’m so disgusted! Thank you so much for this article.
In first list there is Amway but when I scroll there is none. Is Amway did test on animal because I read it in their website that they did not test on animal anymore.
Sorry but your info on Avon is wrong. Avon in China is a completely seperate company from New Avon USA. Avon USA does not test on animals and customers do not receive products tested on animals. Not sure where you got this “scandalous” idea that Global Avon is being paid by New Avon to test.
Creating a separate company as a loophole doesn’t make you cruelty-free.
Arbonne skincare and make up is certified cruelty free on peta’s list and does not test on animals. In my opinion as a pro make up artist and skin care specialist. The botanically based products are better than La Prairie and Le Mer. In addition, Arbonne voluntarily bans 2000 harsh chemicals are voluntarily which is stricter than the European Union which bans 1300, and North America only band 8-12…. the best part is the price because it’s sold directly from consultants to clients. If you want to research, Arbonne’s ingredient policy is completely transparent.
To everyone who has read her comment, be forewarned that Arbonne is an MLM. MLMs have caused many people to be in massive debt by joining a company under the guise that they “run their own business” when in fact it is a legalized version of a pyramid scheme. Don’t be fooled. There’s plenty of information online. No hate to Mindy, I just don’t want anyone to fall victim to an MLM.
Well. I think then law should use testing on inmates instead of animals.Their the ones who are Guilty but the Innocent Animals have to suffer.This is not right Whose idea was it to start testing on animals anyway? Give it to the prisons let them test these products on their prisoners.Maybe this will detere some of these monsters from hurting ,killing raping etc if they know what’s coming if they go to prison.
Well, aren’t you fooled! Just because the Covergirl brand isn’t sold in China anymore, doesn’t mean its parent company Coty doesn’t sell in China. After seeing they are “leaping bunny” certified, I don’t think I can trust the leaping bunny symbol.
Parent companies are also the reason NARS started being sold in China as well. There are 7 big big corporations that own a majority of
the brands you see in today’s stores. Smashbox is owned by Estee Lauder as is Too Faced. So ultimately by buying these products, you are still supporting the big conglomerate that owns them. That’s why in my opinion they absolutely cannot call themselves cruelty free and why if Covergirl is considered cruelty free, why I won’t entirely trust the leaping bunny anymore. Here’s a business insider article showing who is owned by whom:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/companies-beauty-brands-connected-2017-7
The Loreal is rather a cruelty free brand, including being one of the largest activists against animal testing around the world, MAINLY in China! More than 10 years working with the Chinese authorities to abolish animal testing. They opened an Episkin centre in Shanghai in 2014; to produce reconstructed skins and develop in vitro tests, which are an alternative to animals, offer this technology to the Chinese authorities.