If you’re wondering which brands found at Sephora test on animals, and which ones are cruelty-free, this is your definitive guide. At Cruelty-Free Kitty, we’ve contacted over 1200+ brands to find out their animal testing policy, and we only include brands that fulfill our strict criteria. Whether you’re looking for makeup, skincare, hair products, or even fragrance, here are all the cruelty-free brands available at Sephora.
Welcome to our 2024 update of our list of cruelty-free Sephora brands.
This list is constantly updated, and none of the companies below sell their products in China or test on animals where required by law.
If any company on the list starts selling in China, it loses its cruelty-free status, and is then removed from the list. At the moment, only NARS has decided to expand to the Chinese market, which means NARS is no longer cruelty-free.
In this list you’ll also find a handful of skincare brands, as well as some hair and nail polish brands. Every brand on this list is 100% verified cruelty-free.
As for companies that do test on animals, the list is long: Lancome, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Benefit, Estée Lauder, Clinique, the Sephora brand, Bobbi Brown, Givenchy, Make Up For Ever, Marc Jacobs Fragrances — not to be confused with Marc Jacobs Beauty –, and more. Those are definitely not cruelty-free and they do test on animals, in most cases in China.
The list below is constantly updated. More brands will be added as I get in touch with the companies.
Click on your favorite brands to check out their new products. The links open in a new tab.
Cruelty-Free Makeup At Sephora
Is The Sephora Brand Cruelty-Free?
The Sephora makeup brand itself is NOT cruelty-free. Sephora doesn't test on animals except when required by law, and their products are being sold in China, where animal testing is required by law.
Brands Owned By Non-Cruelty-Free Parent Companies
Some brands on the list above are owned by parent companies that test on animals.
For example, Hourglass is owned by Unilever and Urban Decay is owned by L'Oréal.
Some people choose to support such companies and some don't. There are pros and cons, and this is a personal decision you can make. It's important to note that these cruelty-free brands are still cruelty-free, no matter their parent company. The brand that owns them doesn't have an impact on their actual cruelty-free status.
If you wish to buy from only brands that have a cruelty-free parent company, you can refine the list using the filter options at the top.
Suzi, my friend just received a response from Stila’s social media stating that they don’t sell in China and are on PETA’s cruelty free list – can you confirm if they’re telling the truth? I’ve checked the Chinese Sephora site and although Stila is still listed as one of their stocked brands, the only product showing is an empty powder compact… so I’m tentatively hopeful!!
I don’t know the circumstances, but they did pull out of China. I’ll have an upadate soon. 🙂
I was going to make a list like yours, but I saw your website and I realized you already had this beautiful idea!! 🙂 So THANK YOU for this useful information!
I don’t know if this was already asked… but why is First Aid Beauty not guaranteed to be cruelty free?
I made a post recently: https://staging.crueltyfreekitty.com/news/first-aid-beauty-cruelty-free/
I believe they’re cruelty-free since they were in a Petit Vour box! Thanks for letting me know they’re at Sephora, I’ll contact them right now.
Is there a reason why NYX is never included in this?
They’re not available at Sephora.
According to Peta Stila don’t test on animals 🙂
How come Ardency Inn isn’t on here?
You’re right, I just added them!
I read that in October of 2016 you stated Laura Mercier was cruelty free but on here I don’t see it on either the cruelty free or non cruelty free categories. I was wondering what is the final position of the brand?
Unfortunately they sold to Shiseido shortly after that post and I haven’t been able to reach them. For now, they’re not cruelty-free.
That happened back in 2012 though, and they immediately pulled out of China to retain their cruelty-free status. They’re Leaping Bunny certified as well!
I noticed this and I just contacted them. They allegedly pulled out of China and are now on PETA’s list. Once I find out for info, I’ll post an update.
Ole Henriksen I believe is owned by LVMH, and they aren’t cruelty free.
I just wanted to add that a couple of their new k-beauty brands are also cruelty free: Neogen and Blithe.
Look into Skyn Iceland skincare products. They are a vegan, peta approved company sold at Sephora.
Thank you so much for keeping this list updated, it’s worth its weight in gold when I am standing in Sephora! I’m wondering about Laura Mercier and two brands not sold at Sephora: By Terry, as well as CHANTECAILLE. I’ve read several places that they’re both committed cruelty free brands — do you have any confirmation about this? THANK YOU!!!!
Too Faced was purchased by Estee Lauder last month, so parent company tests on animals.
This is what their site says: “We do not test our products on animals nor do we permit others to do
so except where it is required by law. We are deeply committed to the
elimination of animal testing and we are playing a leading role in
developing alternative methods through our support of the “Fund for
Alternatives to Animal Testing” in the United States and the Opal
Program in France. Additionally, 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 foremost priority.
We are hopeful that alternative testing methods will be adopted
worldwide and we will see an end to animal testing.”
I’m hoping they stop selling in areas where it’s required by law then
I don’t think they sell in China since I’ve seen them on other cruelty-free lists. I’ve never been able to hear back from them though.
Tarte sold to a company is China KOSE, which does test on animals….
Hello, I love your site. Do you have any information about Glamglow? I received a sample of their product in my sephora play box but haven’t been able to find any information and their animal testing status.
Thanks Jessica! Glamglow sells in China, so unfortunately they’re not cruelty-free.
Love this website so much!!! Keep it on!!
Thank you! 😀
Thanks you for bringing up this point. It is so important for people to realize that not testing on animals and cruelty free are really two different things. However, making the switch to “cruelty free” brands is an amazing thing for everyone to do, even if it is just a start. It makes the transition to supporting vegan and not tested on animal products much easier! So please if you are reading this and considering making the switch, dont be discouraged by the lack of clarity in the definition.. switching to cruelty free is the right thing to do!!
I’m already vegan & cruelty free. My bigger concern is that others may wrongly think that cruelty free is also vegan, particularly if they are new to the arena.
On her main list she has the differences listed
Time to update Too Faced? ?? Heard they were acquired by Estée Lauder.
Agree!
Both Becca and Too Faced have now been purchased by Estee Lauder. This makes me very sad
thank you for an amazingly comprehensive list. We have Beauty without Cruelty in South Africa who also have a very informative website. Are Clarins not on the cruelty free list due to testing in China?
Yes unfortunately.
I think you are missing the point on the brands that are sold in China. The Chinese government reserves the right to test on animals if it passes through the borders but the brands sold there do not test on animals on their own. You should be more clear. It is not the fault of the brands if the government chooses to do this. Asian beauty trends are one of the main driving forces in the industry today brands that elect to sell there can be both ethically and business conscious. You must clarify this. You are sending clients into Sephora under the impression that over half the present brands are not mindful when many of them contribute more to the environment and cruelty free laws than brands sold in China. Additionally, most of the brands you have listed are small companies that can’t yet afford to put their products in China and if they had the resources I am confident that most of them would.
They do have to finance the animal testing they’re agreeing to, though.
I really think *you* are missing the point on brands selling in China. They know the requirements of selling there means their products will be tested on animals. And then they agree to sell there.That means they’re okay with animal testing. There’s no other way to look at it.
Kat Von D is cruelty free as well 🙂
Yass!
Oh… and Besame Cosmetics are cruelty free! =) They sell perfumes and colour cosmetics.
I just heard back from them, I’ll be adding them!
I don’t think Butter London is cruelty free. 🙁 Otherwise, excellent list, thank you!!
Hi Sarah- Philosophy’s policy is to test on animals where required by law. They’re not sold in China right now, but their policy opens themselves up for it. All other brands claim not to test on animals where required by law.
Oh I see! Thanks for explaining x
Not to be a pain, but did Butter London finally get certified; I remember reading a previous article and was just curious. Thank you for your hard work.
What about Alterna?