Finding cruelty-free drugstore brands isn’t easy. Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart are flooded with non-cruelty-free makeup and most of the big brands such as L’Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, and Rimmel London test on animals.
However there are plenty of cruelty-free alternatives out there! I’ve put together this list to help you make the right choices. Once you’re aware of the animal testing policies of these companies, you’ll find that it’s very easy to find good budget-friendly brands and products at your local drugstore.
The most common cruelty-free drugstore makeup brands are Covergirl, Milani, Hard Candy, Pacifica, Jordana, and Sonia Kashuk; the complete list can be found in the table below.
As for cruelty-free skincare brands and personal care products, I personally do all of my shopping at Target, and I would recommend doing the same if you want the widest variety of brands that don’t test on animals. Target carries Yes To Carrots, Dr. Bronner’s, Alba Botanica, Kiss My Face, Avalon Organics, Jason, Giovanni, and Desert Essence. All of these companies except for Yes To Carrots are Leaping Bunny-certified.
Cruelty-Free Drugstore Makeup
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111MedCo
Body Care
Skincare
Body Care
Skincare
3INA
Makeup
Nail Polish
Tools & Accessories
Skincare
Makeup
Nail Polish
Tools & Accessories
Skincare
A
Ace Beauté
False Lashes
Tools & Accessories
Makeup
False Lashes
Tools & Accessories
Makeup
Acure
Body Care
Sunscreen
Deodorant
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Sunscreen
Deodorant
Hair Care
Skincare
Aegean Beauty
Body Care
Hair Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
Body Care
Hair Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
Alaffia
Body Care
Baby
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Baby
Hair Care
Skincare
Alba Botanica
Body Care
Deodorant
Fake Tan
Hair Care
Hair Removal
Skincare
Sunscreen
Body Care
Deodorant
Fake Tan
Hair Care
Hair Removal
Skincare
Sunscreen
Alder New York
Body Care
Skincare
Tools & Accessories
Body Care
Skincare
Tools & Accessories
Alleyoop
Body Care
Deodorant
Makeup
Skincare
Body Care
Deodorant
Makeup
Skincare
Altruist
Skincare
Sunscreen
Skincare
Sunscreen
Andalou Naturals
Body Care
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Deodorant
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Deodorant
Hair Care
Skincare
Anthony
Body Care
Fragrance
Skincare
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Deodorant
Body Care
Fragrance
Skincare
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Deodorant
Arctic Fox
Hair Care
Hair Dye
Nail Polish
Hair Care
Hair Dye
Nail Polish
Ardell
False Lashes
Makeup
False Lashes
Makeup
Aromatica
Body Care
Period Products
Hair Care
Makeup
Oral Care
Skincare
Body Care
Period Products
Hair Care
Makeup
Oral Care
Skincare
Astonish
Cleaning
Laundry
Cleaning
Laundry
Attitude
Body Care
Skincare
Hair Care
Sunscreen
Oral Care
Baby
Pet Care
Cleaning
Deodorant
Laundry
Body Care
Skincare
Hair Care
Sunscreen
Oral Care
Baby
Pet Care
Cleaning
Deodorant
Laundry
Auromere
Body Care
Skincare
Hair Care
Oral Care
Body Care
Skincare
Hair Care
Oral Care
Avalea
Body Care
Skincare
Body Care
Skincare
AXIS-Y
Skincare
Sunscreen
Skincare
Sunscreen
B
Babo Botanicals
Baby
Body Care
Hair Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
Baby
Body Care
Hair Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
Badger
Skincare
Hair Care
Hair Removal
Baby
Body Care
For Men
Sunscreen
Skincare
Hair Care
Hair Removal
Baby
Body Care
For Men
Sunscreen
BaeBlu
Body Care
Fake Tan
Makeup
Nail Polish
Skincare
Body Care
Fake Tan
Makeup
Nail Polish
Skincare
Balm Balm
Body Care
Fragrance
Baby
Skincare
Body Care
Fragrance
Baby
Skincare
Barry M
Makeup
Nail Polish
Makeup
Nail Polish
Beast
Body Care
Hair Removal
Candles
For Men
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Hair Removal
Candles
For Men
Hair Care
Skincare
Beekman 1802
Body Care
Sunscreen
Candles
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Sunscreen
Candles
Hair Care
Skincare
Being Frenshe
Body Care
Candles
Fragrance
Hair Care
Household
Body Care
Candles
Fragrance
Hair Care
Household
Ben Nye
Makeup
Tools & Accessories
Makeup
Tools & Accessories
Benecos
Body Care
Skincare
Nail Polish
Oral Care
For Men
Deodorant
Hair Care
Makeup
Body Care
Skincare
Nail Polish
Oral Care
For Men
Deodorant
Hair Care
Makeup
Benton
Body Care
Skincare
Body Care
Skincare
Billy Jealousy
Fragrance
Skincare
Hair Care
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Tools & Accessories
Fragrance
Skincare
Hair Care
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Tools & Accessories
bioClarity
Body Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
Body Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
BKIND
Body Care
Hair Care
Nail Polish
Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Nail Polish
Skincare
Blinc
Makeup
Skincare
Tools & Accessories
Makeup
Skincare
Tools & Accessories
BLK/OPL
Makeup
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Tools & Accessories
Skincare
Makeup
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Removal
Tools & Accessories
Skincare
Blueland
Body Care
Cleaning
Household
Laundry
Body Care
Cleaning
Household
Laundry
Bomb Cosmetics
Body Care
Candles
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Candles
Hair Care
Skincare
Bondi Sands
Body Care
Tools & Accessories
Fake Tan
Skincare
Sunscreen
Body Care
Tools & Accessories
Fake Tan
Skincare
Sunscreen
Boots
Body Care
Fragrance
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Care
Makeup
Oral Care
Skincare
Body Care
Fragrance
Sunscreen
For Men
Hair Care
Makeup
Oral Care
Skincare
Botanic Tree
Body Care
For Men
Fake Tan
Skincare
Body Care
For Men
Fake Tan
Skincare
Branch Basics
Body Care
Household
Laundry
Body Care
Household
Laundry
Bubble
Skincare
Sunscreen
Skincare
Sunscreen
Bulldog
For Men
Skincare
For Men
Skincare
Burt’s Bees
Body Care
Hair Care
Baby
Makeup
Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Baby
Makeup
Skincare
butter LONDON
Makeup
Body Care
Nail Polish
Makeup
Body Care
Nail Polish
Byoma
Body Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
Body Care
Skincare
Sunscreen
C
C.O. Bigelow
Makeup
Body Care
Skincare
Hair Care
Sunscreen
Nail Polish
Oral Care
For Men
Hair Removal
Household
Tools & Accessories
Candles
Fragrance
Makeup
Body Care
Skincare
Hair Care
Sunscreen
Nail Polish
Oral Care
For Men
Hair Removal
Household
Tools & Accessories
Candles
Fragrance
Cake
Body Care
Fragrance
Hair Care
Skincare
Body Care
Fragrance
Hair Care
Skincare
I’m surprised that Essence Cosmetics isn’t on this list!
Oops! There’s no reason for that since they’re cruelty-free and a drugstore brand. Adding them.
They’re definitely NOT cruelty-free!!
It varies from brand to brand, but for elf it’s all plant derived. W/ the exception of their older/ cheaper brushes all of elf is actually vegan!
Thank you so very much..im weeding thru all the makeup i have and buying all new items that are not tested on animals…next is all my house and body care items :). I cant wait till more companies decide to go cruelty free…i would rather see “tested on humans” than animals…test on death row criminals or something to that matter…not animals…they are innocent and cannot speak out for themselves to say NO YOU CANT DO THAT TO ME!!!…
Thank you for the list. It would be nice for the sake of looking on a small phone screen if the chart ONLY contained the list of companies which ARE cruelty free. It would make comparing while in the store much easier. Thanks!
Thanks, I’ll definitely try to make these posts more mobile-friendly!
Hi! I noticed that you don’t include Boots No.7 on your cruelty-free list. This line maintains that they do not test on animals and do not out source animal testing to third parties. As a bonus, it’s available at Target!
Rimmel London claims to be free of animal testing except in countries where it’s mandatory.
https://us.rimmellondon.com/coty-page/animal-testing
Correct. Which this means they’re NOT cruelty free!
How about Profusion cosmetics?? I see on their website they say they are both cruelty free and vegan but I don’t see them on your list/ at logicalharmony.net
According to what I read on wiki, I believe the Airspun powder is Coty’s (Coty Inc, who tests on animals). It has the original packaging, hence the different logo. Unfortunately. 🙁
You can look up and compare the logos on older packages of Airspun [with the blocky-looking logo, not the newer script-looking logo], and several Coty perfumes/colognes, such as Coty Muguet des Bois — they’re the same.
Just to let you know, L’Oreal doesn’t test on animals anymore, and it’s actively trying to change the way China tests products: http://www.loreal.com/sustainability/l'oréal-answers/the-question-of-animal-testing
“An exception could only be made if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes.”
That means they do when it’s required by law. Selling in China, where it is required by law, is a choice — one one is forcing L’Oréal to sell in China. Since they sell there, nothing they say in regards to not agreeing with animal testing makes any difference — they still fund animal testing by choice.
Is airspun cruelty free?;o
I live in Harrison, AR. Not one animal testing free product is sold in the local Walgreens, as far as makeup is concerned.
No Wer n Wild, Jordana, or Milani? I’ve never seen a Walgreens w/out at least Wet n Wild!?
I know it’s late, but I just wanted to add that my understanding is that China’s law doesn’t require the companies themselves to test the products. Instead, either the government or a third-party handles it (not sure which). Thus is significant because some companies use this technicality to try to make it look like they’re not testing on animals. You’ll see statements like “X company does not test our production animals but we comply with all relevant laws for the safety of our customers.” They make it sound unavoidable, but in reality,they choose whether to see in markets that require animal testing. That’s why it’s really important to carefully read all the company’s statements and look for outside confirmation if needed. Unless the testing statement is something like “We don’t test in animals nor do we allow others to do it on our behalf,” there’s a good chance something questionable is happening.
Is Coty Airspun Cruelty Free ?
Unfortunately no. Coty is not a cruelty free brand. Apparently they even make their products in China now instead of in the USA. Recently found this out and am so disappointed because i love airspun 🙁
“Coty, a company that tests on animals and retails brands in China.”
^^ Found this under the NYC brand description. So sorry, not cruelty free:(
I had a question about the parent companies. If they have a child company that DOESN’T test on animals, why do they? I mean I would love the parent companies if they didn’t test on animals 🙁
A late reply, but my guess is that the parent company bought an already-cruelty-free company, and chose to keep it cruelty-free.
I see they don’t test on animals but are they vegan products?
For anyone who has sensitive eyes and also hates that disgusting oily feeling of makeup removers.
Marcelle’s Instant eye-makeup remover (oil free) is literally the best remover I have tried in life. It gets rid of makeup soooo easily and it feels GOOD on the skin. No oily mess and it doesn’t irritate and i seriously cannot emphasize how good it is along with how AFFORDABLE it is.
Attitude is on my cruelty-free list!
Hi Kay – L’Oreal still tests on animals in some cases, such as where required by law.
Hi Jennifer! China has a law that requires all foreign cosmetics to be tested on animals. This means that any brand selling in China can’t be cruelty-free.
Hi,
I have received a reply from Target last year about their “Up & Up” brand and also from Walmart regarding their Equate brand. Both companies stated that these brands are cruelty-free. They also confirmed that their products are made in the USA and not sold in China, only distributed in the United States.
I do not have the emails anymore from them unfortunately.
Adry
So this is a lot of work and dedication, and I think you very much. I am transitioning, and my question today is what about the Up-n-Up and Kroeger store brands that mimic mainstream producst at a reduced cost? Walmart too I suppose, although I don’t know what their store brand is off the top of my head.
Thank you Sophia! Really glad it’s helpful to you!
Is Tarte still cruelty free? It’s surprisingly hard to find cruelty free brands here in Northern Europe:/ Fortunately we can order most of them online at least 🙂 And Thanks for your good work ❤️
Tarte is still cruelty-free but their parent company isn’t. 🙂
I am so glad you brought this up. My husband and I aren’t vegans, neither are our children, but we are planning on establishing two hives on our property. Bees are dying out and we are planning on eating their honey, but I would never rip wings off of any animal. We have chickens and we eat their eggs and let me tell you, they couldn’t care less. They only go broody so many times a year and the rest would go to waste, but then I am not vegan nor vegetarian. That doesn’t mean I condone testing on animals for my beauty purposes.
That still counts as testing, and is never okay. I’d happily go with a different brand!
They sell in china. Hate when a company would mislead, it’s really a disgusting practice!
it’s crazy how much i’ve gotten into (and LOVE) making my own products for skincare and home cleaning things once I decided to avoid animal testing by using this method!
No problem! Urban Decay was bought by L’Oreal a few years ago. This doesn’t affect UD’s cruelty-free status and they’re still certified by the Leaping Bunny, but its parent company L’Oreal is NOT cruelty-free. I hope this helps! Feel free to ask if there’s anything else you want clarified!
L’oreal has actually recently become cruelty free. So anything under L’oreal should also be treated as cruelty free.
L’Oreal is still not cruelty-free, unfortunately.