Let me start with a quote from L'Oreal newly-created animal testing 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."
No wonder misleading rumors about L'Oreal being cruelty-free are spreading. The above statement would imply that L'Oreal doesn't test finished products or ingredients on animals at any stage of production, that their suppliers don't test raw materials on animals, and that they have pulled out of China.
False! Read the following sentence:
"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.
But wait! There's more deception!
The whole change in L'Oreal's animal testing policy took place with March 2013 as a cut-off date. The company now claims not to test its finished products or raw materials on animals after this date. They claim:
"When a supplier proposes us an ingredient, we ask to examine its safety dossier. If the dossier contains data generated by means of animal testing before March 2013, L’Oréal can retain the ingredient. If the data was generated after March 2013 and was for a cosmetics application, L’Oréal cannot retain the ingredient. If the data was generated after March 2013 but was for a usage other than cosmetics, then L’Oréal can retain the ingredient."
Basically, L'Oreal claims not to use any ingredients that have tested on animals IF those ingredients have been tested on animals after March 2013 AND IF they have been tested for cosmetic reasons only. Dear readers, THIS IS THEIR LOOPHOLE.
This is what allows L'Oreal to use animal-tested ingredients in their formulations for new products. These new products consist of anti-wrinkle products, acne treatments, sunscreens, and other skin-correcting or skin-protecting "miracle" products; L'Oreal surely knows what strings to pull to have these products fall under the "medicated ingredients" list.
L'Oreal actually has a history of disguising its cosmetics as drugs, and has been sued by the FDA over misleading ads regarding this. The FDA claimed that L'Oreal products "were intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body, rendering them drugs under the Act (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act)." This is proof that some of L'Oreal's products were indeed marketed as drugs.
Whether or not there's a link, one thing's for sure: the company clearly states to be using ingredients that have been tested on animals for medical reasons, even after their cut-off date of March 2013.
There's also this statement: "Also, in response to questions raised by the scientific community and by civil society, local authorities could choose to reexamine the safety data of a known family of ingredients, and could require new safety data." This is meant to cover their asses, but it also means: If an ingredient that has a proven safety records needs to be re-tested, they will gladly comply by testing it on animals, which is unacceptable for a truly cruelty-free company.
All in all, L'Oreal is not and has never been cruelty-free. L'Oreal doesn't claim not to test new ingredients on animals. L'Oreal still sells in China. L'Oreal still kills and tortures animals every day by funding animal testing, be it in China or, presumably, for new ingredients. This is one of the the biggest lies relating to animal testing that I've seen.
Out of all the companies that have masqueraded as being cruelty-free -- and the list is long -- L'Oreal wins the grand prize.
Image via Pierre Metivier.
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Shame on l’oreal I will spread the word and never buy thr produts again!!!!!!!!!!
I heard that when they bought the Body shop they were cruelty free like the body shop was.
So disappointed to hear what they are doing and won’t buy any of their products in the future.
Dear Suzana
Thank you so much, my hairdresser uses L’Oréal colour which I wouldn’t use, nearly dud when I read their very convincing lie. Thankfully, I checked here first
Thank you for caring this much, we need more like you!!
Kind Regards Lindsey xx
Thank you for this article.
I will never buy Loreal again. I will throw mine away. Those poor animals.
I will never buy loreal anymore I am shocked and will throw any products of loreal straight in the bin!
I just bought some L’Oreal products ( 2 skin products…expensive) I want to get my money back from them. I am sure they won’t do it but I will send the products back to their company. how awful.
Looks like their FAQ has been updated… The quotes used in this blog are no longer present in L’Oreal’s FAQ.
Also, https://www.loreal.com/sustainability/l'oréal-answers/the-question-of-animal-testing
“Today, L’Oréal no longer tests its ingredients on animals and no longer tolerates any exception to this rule.” – direct quote
I’ve only recently developed an interest the use of makeup, and chosen to research cruelty-free brands before I start purchasing, so I am asking about this out of genuine curiosity, as I am not yet well-informed on this matter myself. As a new consumer, the L’Oreal FAQ seems plausible and makes sense to me. Am I missing something? (assuming so due to their trends in misleading people… but maybe…) If there is any new information on this, such as another blog or an update to this one, I’d appreciate it, thanks!
Side Note: I don’t support them selling in China, but they have yielded progress in removing animal testing with safer alternatives. This leads me to ask, how else could they do this effectively, where the government listens and attempts this? (I’ll research this myself, but I’m asking here as well, because lots of the people here are better informed about this topic already.)
So at this point, it doesn’t make any difference what L’Oreal says or does, since no matter what, they’re lying? Oooo-Kay….
https://www.loreal.com/sustainability/l'oréal-answers/the-question-of-animal-testing/what-about-in-china
And please don’t forget that PETA is problematic to many people as well.
So disheartened after complaining to the Advertising Standards Agency here in the UK, they said they would not be doing anything about the radio ads that L’oreal are running here claiming to be cruelty free unless more people complain.
I’ve just heard this radio ad too, I’ll be contacting the Advertising Standards Agency as well. Surely it shouldn’t matter how many people complain, just the fact the ad is misleading should be enough.
Thanks so much for writing this.
I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the new L’Oréal advert on Classic FM about their so called ‘now cruelty free’ animal testing policy. WHAT?? Just cottoning on to the genuine cruelty free established market do your research before buying their products. Their record eaks for itself. Unlike the poor animals used for testing.
Hi, I was traveling on the tube the other day (in London) and saw an advert for L’Oreal claiming “30 years ago we completely stopped testing our products on animals, before it became law.” I took a photo to complain to the agency for misleading customers. Of course, the agency sees nothing wrong as the claim will not make customers buy the product. I believe that’s not true so I’m pursuing to challenge this. Anyways, I was surprised how bold that statement was and that they are allowed to say that.
You’re still doing an amazing job and your lists are my new best friend
They are also saying that they use human cells to manufacture “skin” to test the products on. This was on a radio ad in the U.K. just yesterday (May 2019). They claim to have not tested on animals for the past thirty years. So misleading. The ad counsel should get that for this.
I would like to say why doesn’t someone sue them for giving out false information, but of course L’Oreal is such a ginormous company that they would destroy anyone who tried this 🙁
I heard an ad on the radio too, with Katie Piper. I don’t know how much good it will do but I have complained to the Advertising Standards Agency about it a few days ago.
They are claiming to be vegan and so is garnier too on products. Making my blood boil, ugh.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/25/loreal-is-making-lab-produced-human-skin-to-curb-animal-testing.html
Thank you for this information. I was going to buy a new face cream because I thought they were now not testing on animals. I was fooled by an advert promising to help my tired, 30-something skin with a cream that had red ginseng in it. My own vanity was going to take over for a minute but your post came up as I did a quick Google search and it stopped me buying the product. Any equivalent product recommendations gratefully received!
Good info, thanks for spreading the word!
The vast majority of ingredients in cosmetics has been tested on Animals at some point, that’s why we know it is likely to be safe to test on humans. Even the most anti-testing company is using ingredients that they know are safe because of decades of animal and human testing. Talc? tested on animals. Glycerine? Tested on animals. Bees wax? Tested on animals. L’Oreal is just putting a line in the sand to say there is a point after which new ingredients are not allowed to be tested.
In China, L’Oreal does not do the testing or advocate that any of their products are tested on animals. It is the Chinese health authorities that test the product. Legally the Chinese government forces this testing on anyone wanting to sell in to the billion plus consumers in China. Such a choice is fine for a tiny few million dollar beauty brand, which you are free to buy.
Correct, it is the Chinese authorities that do the testing, but it IS L’Oreal that PAY for those tests to be carried out because they want their products to be sold in China. China does not pay for the testing themselves, they don’t do the beauty companies any favours. It is what it is. The choice is do you or do you not want to give your money to a company that FUNDS animal testing whether it be China or anywhere else.
Hi Suzana! I’m writing an essay on animal testing, and want to cite your website as a source, but I was wondering what sources you personally used to get this information. I looked at L’Oreals FAQ section on animal testing, but I couldn’t find the exact information you provided. I also looked into the link you provided about being “sued by the FDA” but the article states that L’Oreal was issued a warning letter. Not trying to be rude or start drama, just genuinely interested in what sources you used to write this post.
I think that the FAQ page Suzi mentioned has since been removed and reworded. PETA still consider them to be on the DO TEST list https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/is-loreal-cruelty-free/ I hope this helps
Just A question, if L’oréal Isnt animal cruelty free, then would the brands that they own (such as Urban Decay) also not be animal cruelty free? Or do they have different rules for different brands that they own?
Their cruelty-free brands such as Urban Decay ARE cruely-free because they don’t sell to China. Some people still won’t buy them because they feel they are still giving their money to the “parent” company which is L’Oreal. That would be a personal choice for each person. Sometimes I’m on the fence about that, because sometimes I think, that if we promote the “real” cruelty-free company’s maybe the parent company will make “everything” truly cruelty-free. It’s a tough one for sure!!! But to be honest, nowadays, there are so many alternatives I don’t even considering owning anything from companies that belong to companies that sell their souls for even more dollars!
https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/is-loreal-cruelty-free/
You should read this 🙂
You should read this
https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/is-loreal-cruelty-free/
This confirms this article and those who are defending L’Oreal should read it but they will no doubt find another excuse to discredit Cruelty-Free Kitty and Peta. Thank for sharing Viky!
A true pioneer, L’Oréal has been reconstructing human skin models in laboratories to elaborate in vitro safety tests since 1979, as an alternative to animals. In 1989, L’Oréal completely ceased testing its products on animals, thus 14 years before the regulation required so. Today, L’Oréal no longer tests its ingredients on animals and no longer tolerates any exception to this rule.
Certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China. L’Oréal has been the most active company working alongside the Chinese authorities and scientists for over 10 years to have alternative testing methods recognized, and permit the cosmetic regulation to evolve towards a total and definite elimination of animal testing. Thanks to this, since 2014, certain products manufactured and sold in China like shampoo, body wash or makeup are no longer tested on animals.
What do you all think about this? I have never read this before on their website. I am curious to what y’all think?
I’m wondering what people think of this too!! It seems this statement says they no longer test…
L’Oreal has a new line with shampoos and conditioners that are labeled as vegan, such as the EverPure, EverSleek and EverCreem. The product itself says that it isn’t tested on animals but I don’t know what to believe anymore. Does anyone know if these products are truly vegan?
Just wondering where you are even actually gstting your information from cause there is no links or citing in any of this and the one link took me to another page that also had no citings of where any of these accusations being actual facts. Cite to me where an official of the fda says loreal still tests on animals in 2017 and your article would seem more factual than opinionated. Your just over analyzing quotes loreal has released.
Exactly. Emotional responses to an argument based on nothing but false accusations. LOreal was one of only 2 companies on Earth to received AAA status by the CPD in sustainability across its supply chain in 2017 and was no 1 on Newsweek’s green company of the year 2017. And then to claim products tested by pharmaceutical companies (ie to comply with medical legislation) is a ‘loophole’ – ridiculous. Has nothing to do with LOreal what pharma does. Does the author and her fans also refuse to use any medication? Because all rigorously tested pharmaceuticals are tested on animals.