1. Benefit: Not Cruelty-Free
I don't know exactly what it is about Benefit, but it's one of those brands people always assume is cruelty-free. Despite their claims, this is a brand that can't be considered cruelty-free.
Benefit's animal testing policy, however, is clear about the fact the company tests on animals where required by law. We also know that Benefit products are sold in mainland China, as Chinese Sephora stores carry the brand.
From the FAQ: We do not test our products on animals nor do we permit others to do so except where it is required by law.
If you like Benefit, try these cruelty-free alternatives:
- Too Faced (parent company not cruelty-free)
- (parent company not cruelty-free)
2. Nuxe: Not Cruelty-Free
Nuxe is marketed as a natural brand that uses safe ingredients and botanical extracts. It makes some sense for a small, natural company to be cruelty-free, but Nuxe is anything but that! They're big. They're not all that natural. They also sell in mainland China, and not only online, as confirmed by their Paris headquarters. This is not a cruelty-free company.
If you like Nuxe, try these cruelty-free alternatives:
- (parent company not cruelty-free)
3. L'Oreal: Not Cruelty-Free
L'Oreal has recently published that they've taken major steps towards ending animal testing within their company, which has led to a mass disinformation. This is why I felt the need to dedicate a full post to L'Oreal's animal testing policy, and how their change in status does not mean that the company is cruelty-free. Their fine print clearly mentions loopholes: they still test new ingredients on animals, and they still continue to retail their products in China and test on animals.
From the FAQ: 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. (...) An exception could be made if authorities required it for human safety or regulatory purposes.
If you like L'Oreal, try these cruelty-free alternatives:
4. Rimmel London: Not Cruelty-Free
Maybe it's because it's one of the smallest drugstore brands, or maybe it's because it's a British company, but many people assume that Rimmel London is cruelty-free. Looking at their website, there's a message saying "Rimmel London against animal testing. Find out more." When you click that, you have to click again (it's like a russian doll; they don't want to admit to the testing) and what you find out is that Rimmel does test on animals when required by law. Boo!
From their animal testing page: The only exceptions are the very few countries where, by law, the regulatory authorities require us to submit our products or ingredients to them for testing on animals as a mandatory part of their regulatory protocols in compliance with their local regulations.
If you like Rimmel, try these cruelty-free alternatives:
Wet'n'Wild(no longer cruelty-free)- Flower (Walmart stores)
- NYX (parent company not cruelty-free)
5. Organix: Not Cruelty-Free
This is a hair care brand that loves greenwashing as well as convincing its customers that they're cruelty-free. On social media, they swear up and down that they don't test on animals, but when you ask them about selling in China, they go very quiet. PETA has removed Organix from their cruelty-free list and moved them to the list of companies that do test on animals. Below is their official stance. You can read more about Organix and animal testing in this post.
From the official website: Given that there are countries that require animal testing by law, we do our best to respect governing law and regulations set by that governing body.
If you like Organix, try these cruelty-free alternatives:
6. Yves Rocher: Not Cruelty-Free
Yves Rocher doesn't test on animals unless required by law, and they do sell their products in mainland China. Hence, they can't be considered cruelty-free.
If you like Yves Rocher, try these cruelty-free alternatives:
7. Younique: Not Cruelty-Free
Younique is NOT cruelty-free. They currently claim that they don't test on animals, and neither do their manufacturers. However they can't be considered a cruelty-free company. Here's their animal testing statement before it was deleted:
This means that Younique isn't able to confirm that their ingredients aren't tested on animals, which is one of the big pillars of being a cruelty-free brand. Younique is also currently expanding to new markets, which could possibly include China.
If you like Younique, take a look at my cruelty-free makeup guide here with over 100 cruelty-free brands to choose from!
BONUS: MAC and Mary Kay are not cruelty-free!
I get so many comments about both of these brands being cruelty-free, when neither of them are.
Are there any other non-cruelty-free companies you feel you should warn people about?
Which Brands Are Cruelty-Free?
Download our list of 600+ verified cruelty-free brands straight to your device. Bring it with you everywhere you go, and never worry about supporting animal testing again. Click here to download
Hi. I have been using CLARINS & just found out through this that they test on animals. That was my first question to the salesperson. Can you recommend a best cruelty-free second.
Hi! I’m new here but I saw the new law(January 2020) and from now on China doesn’t require companies to test on animals to sell there. That’s why a lot of companies started selling there in the last 3 months. Do any of you know how to know if a company is now cruelty free and footed the new law? Thanks you ????
Hi Sofia, unfortunately brands still can’t sell to China and be considered cruelty-free. Here’s why: https://staging.crueltyfreekitty.com/news/china-post-market-animal-testing-update/
The Body Shop is owned by Estee Lauder so they are not technically cruelty free. Would love to find an alternative. They used to be my GO-TO
How do you check for an update on whether or not a company will or has posted a new announcement of an in depth cruelty free review? Or is that unknowable for consumers? I can see why a company would say they are working on such a review but never actually reporting/announcing any such news
do you know any japanese beauty products that are cruelty free? all i see is cruelty free “in japan” but not a lot of information regarding globally.
Maybelline isn’t cruelty free either
I was shopping at Sephora yesterday, I told a lady who works at Origins that I was looking for a cruelty free brand. She claimed Origins is cruelty free, but I already knew they aren’t. I let her try a sample of the foundation on my arm, I felt kinda pressured to try something I had no interest in. I had no wish to buy from Origins, not until they are cruelty free. “Except where required by law” is a typical bs marketing statement.
I have a friend of a friend who is selling Senegence and telling everyone that it is vegan and cruelty-free. Is this true? I think they may be one that just puts it out there but hasn’t really done the research to verify!!!!
You can’t say urban decay is cruelty free in this article and in another say since it’s parent company L’Oréal is not…
China wanted to buy the stray dogs ad cats from Egypt to eat them . And they cook them alive to enjoy better meat taste . And the Chinese people here take dogs off the streets and in Egypt torture them and cook them alive assuming that the meat tastes better when the animal is tortured.
Wet n Wild isn’t cruel-free. They sell in China!
Arbonne claims to be cruelty free but I keep hearing otherwise. Are they or not?
Hey! With regards to Yves Rocher, if I buy their products in Italy or the UK for example (I live there), does that mean that the products have not been tested on animals?
Dear Zuzana
Thank you this bolg article, very helpful. Also I will share this blog to all my friends hope more ppl know about this! ❤️
Hi, your info is good, I know some of the companies you mentioned. I use an organistaion called Naturewatch foundation, to get updates ect….. on cruelty free products. They have changed how I look at compaines. So it’s good to see more people like yourself doing the same. Give them a look, they are a UK based organization. Sorry if you live in the UK already, hope this doesn’t come across the wrong way.
Kind regards
Tracey
Also, everyone keep in mind cruelty-free is not the same as vegan. When a product is cruelty-free it simply means the end result of the production process isn’t texted on animals but many steps beforehand can be. If it’s certified vegan that means nowhere in the process of creating the product is it tested on animals. That’s kind of how some companies get around it and save face.
Is Rituals cruelty free brand?
Hi! Just wondering is Arbonne cosmetics cruelty free? I know it’s one of those MLM marketing scam makeup brands, a girl on Instagram tried to sell me Arbonne makeup claiming they are natural, cruelty free, etc. they were not all that natural at all, and they were SUPER expensive. Just curious if they’re at least cruelty free?
OMG! But Nuxe’s web says they don’t test neither the products or ingrdients! Is it possible for them to say that in their web but to be testing? I’m confused… Thanks for the work you’re doing with your blog. It is great!!
Yves Rosher post on their web-site following:
The brand Yves Rocher was committed early in the fight against animal testing.
In 1989, the brand decided to be a pioneer in the cosmetic industry to stop animal testing for finished products, and replace them with alternative methods.
Keeping this commitment:
– We do not test on animals, nor our finished products or their ingredients
– We support research programs on alternative methods to animal testing
– We do not use raw materials of animal origin, except honey and beeswax
The fight against animal suffering is and will remain a strong commitment in the Yves Rocher brand.
What about Cathy Doll?
We love NYX. We noticed that some of their products are made in China. Does that make their status as cruelty free questionable?
Hi my name is Mary and I am 52 years old. In the past year I have decided to go completely cruelty free with my home and makeup. I have found a brand of makeup that I really love and was supposed to be cruelty free but after purchasing it and using it for several weeks, I noticed that the bunny symbol isn’t on the bottle. I went on line and it is deemed cruelty free. I’m getting frustrated and I can see why people do not follow through with cruelty free products. Same thing happened to me with some cleaning products. After spending time and money, I realized the product was NOT cruelty free. Finding makeup is the hardest challenge. Any suggestions to make this mission less frustrating?
What annoys me is when you type in like ‘cruelty free designers’ and like Tommy Hilfiger comes up because he doesn’t use fur, and Gucci has gone fur free, like yeah that’s great but you still test your makeup and perfumes on them so your not cruelty free ?
Hi
Have you heard of glitter explosions
They say they are vegan and cruelty free and I need to check because my daughter will only use cruelty free and I want to buy it for her birthday
Could you let me know what you know about them
Thank you
Kerry
So basically if a product or brand can sell in China, it’s not cruelty free?
If a company sells in a physical location in China they must test on animals beforehand and the products can be taken off the shelves and tested at the government’s discretion. If the product is sold online in China they don’t have to do that. So general answer is yes, detailed answer is it’s a little complicated and some companies do use legitimate loopholes.
Hi,
The Body Shop is now owned by a Cruelty Free company so you should update that.
Body Shop is now owned by L’Oréal. I was surprised to learn this.
Is there a list for hair care products ??
Smashbox needs to be added. I’ve seen so many people claiming it’s cruelty free or having the assumption it is when it’s not. It’s a deception on smashboxes behalf.