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.
It would be great if you could put the lists in alphabetical order
I’m Not 100% sure but I think that Omorovicza opened its store in China
This site has quickly become my favorite site! I’m always torn by I purchase a product that I don’t know for sure that is cruelty free or vegan, whether that is beauty products or household products. Thank you for spreading the word! Animal testing shouldn’t be allowed
Huda claims all over their blog to be cruelty free… I have my doubts since they also seem evasive… any insight?
“we don’t sell in China, but we ship to China”
“all of our products are certified as cruelty-free”
http://hudabeauty.com/huda-kattan/
I didn’t see Laura Mercier or Stellar Cosmetics on your list and when I did some research i found that both of these brands sold at Sephora are Cruelty -free, am i mistaken?
Hello, I love your website and find it more thorough than any other I’ve seen, including peta which is often lagging. I did want to get your input into nudestix. They say they have gone into China and bypassed animal testing therefore remaining cruelty free. What do you think about this?
Hi Suzi! I have a question about Perricone Md. This is what it says on their website:
Does Perricone MD test products on animals?
Perricone MD does not test on animals nor do we believe in the practice. We are one of many beauty brands that are sold internationally including in China and you may be aware that the Chinese government tests imported wholesale cosmetics by law, but products ordered from Perricone MD and shipped directly from us to our customers throughout the world are not tested on animals. Some of the products’ ingredients are not considered vegan in case this is a related concern.
So are they basically saying that even though they’re sold in China and know that China probably tests their products on animals, products shipped directly from them aren’t tested on animals so that’s okay? I think I read that you cross off any products that are sold in China. Thanks 🙂
Hi! I want to ask you some question about Viseart makeup, are they cruelty-free?
Is hudabeauty cruelty free ?
are philosophy perfumes cruelty free?
Stila was bought by estee lauder
Hi cruelty free kitty,
Just reading up on cruelty products that I will hope to be an ultimate goal! Anyway I got a question, some of the list eg tarte is said to be cruelty however some of their products are made in china? How is that considered cruelty free when that country by law requires animal testing? Any insight would be helpful thanks 🙂
Sephora also carries Neogen, which received Leaping Bunny certification in 2016.
Hello,
I want to say THANK YOU with all my heart! Thank you for taking the time to research diligently AND share this valuable information with everyone.
It’s people like you that also have a huge heart, filled with kindness, and pay it forward.
I truly appreciate all the work,dedication,devotion, and knowledge that you share with those of us who are also compassionate and love animals.
<3 Ever so grateful! 🙂
Huge hugs to you,
K. – Another animal lover in LV
Tarte skincare is 100% cruelty free and Vegan!!! 🙂
Tarte skin care is 100% cruelty free and Vegan!!
Hi! I saw on some other website that mentioned Viseart, It cosmetics, Smashbox, Kevyn Aucoin are cruelty-free brands too!!
Hi Suzi, I read that Hourglass was bought by Unilever – is that true? Thanks!
Hi there, I really find this blog very informative and helpful when shopping to avoid companies who test on animals. One thing that strikes me odd as I scroll through your website is a recurring ad the pops up for L’Oreal mascara. Why does this ad keep popping up as they are not cruelty free??? Also what is confusing is parent companies that own all kinds of brand names like the Body Shop I believe is owned by a bigger company (may even be L’Oreal? Do you have a list of parent companies or sister companies?? Thanks.
Hi Suzi! Thanks so much for all the wonderful info on your site! Just wondering, Sephora have just stated on their Instagram (in a comment) that their brand is cruelty free and their products “have never been tested on animals”. I’m wondering if you’ve heard anything about them recently ceasing selling their Collection in China (yay!) or if (unfortunately more likely) they’re kinda misrepresenting themselves on social media (not so yay). Thanks!
thank you for taking the time to writing this up. I LOVED IT.
Hourglass is being acquired by Unilever. So sad 🙁
Does Giorgio Armani beauty test on animals?
Do you know if the Estee Edit tests on animals? I know they’re under Estee Lauder but they’re shutting the line down and while getting a bunch of high end makeup for dirt cheap would be nice, I’m trying to turn my makeup collection cruelty free. Thanks!
As far as I am aware Estee Edit shares the same animal testing policy as their parent company. However, if you want to be sure I would definitely recommend reaching out to them directly! Make sure to ask them about their finished products, ingredients, suppliers, as well as third party testing. Another thing to consider is whether or not they sell in mainland China, where animal testing is mandatory by law.
I’m so sorry I posted earlier today recommending Dr. Brandt Skincare as a cruelty-free option but I just read elsewhere on your sight that, although the company may advertise itself as cruelty-free, it sells its product in China which means that it is tested on animals there (very disappointing, and I will not be purchasing again). Please disregard my earlier comment…Thank you for your website and doing this research for us!
Dr. Brandt Skincare is another cruelty-free skincare brand according to their website. I like their Glow retinol eye cream (despite the price tag), although I haven’t seen it at Sephora in the past couple of months.
This list is really helpful! Hope we see more companies go cruelty-free!
Nars is sadly no longer cruelty free 🙁
You forgot to include Korres Skincare (exclusive to Sephora, don’t sell in China and follows strict EU guidelines!
Isn’t philosophy cruelty free??
Farmacy is not listed. It is made in Korea, but is it still cruelty free?