The following list consists of companies that are not cruelty-free. Its main source is PETA, and we’ve supplemented it with our own research. These brands engage in animal testing OR fund animal testing in some capacity, the most common example being by testing on animals where the law requires it. Also note that some of the brands listed here misleadingly label themselves as “cruelty-free”, a term that is not regulated.
Big Corporations Who Test On Animals
Most of these brands are owned by a few giant corporations: L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, Procter & Gamble, Clorox, Johnson & Johnson, S.C. Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, Reckitt Benckiser, Church & Dwight, Unilever, and Henkel.
These companies own the majority of the brands we commonly find in most retailer stores and drugstores, and they’re making no real efforts to change their unethical policies.
There are however two exceptions, the first one being Colgate-Palmolive, which have agreed to gradually change their policy. PETA currently lists Colgate-Palmolive as “working toward regulatory changes to reduce the number of animals used for testing”. This does NOT mean the company is or will be cruelty-free in the near future! It’s only a small step in the right direction, and the company still DOES test on animals at this point.
The second exception consists of a few select brands. While in most cases, brands that are owned by companies that test on animals are not cruelty-free, L’Oreal is one of the few companies to own brands that have kept their ethical stances and have remained cruelty-free under the ownership. The same goes for Too Faced and Becca (now owned by Estee Lauder but still cruelty-free) and Tom’s of Maine (Colgate-Palmolive). All the brands mentioned on this list, however, do test on animals.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. This list only includes companies that claimed they test on animals at some point, or sell in China; there are many other companies who remained silent about their animal testing policy.
Looking for cruelty-free brands?
For a list of cruelty-free brands, visit our list of 350+ vetted cruelty-free brands.
I was searching about brands that test on animals to avoid them. this is helpful, thanks for sharing
Thank you for this. I am writing a school argument about why animal testing is bad and this helped a lot.
Thank you for making this list I had no idea and never using any of these products again!
Hi!
I’m a former lawyer working in compliance, based in Europe, and I’m curious to know how cosmetics brands usually answer your question about being sure that their suppliers do not test on animals.
I know that the EU legislation requires animal testing for any chemical substance that gets produced or imported into the EU over a certain amount. The tests are for environmental and workers’ safety assessments.
The EU ban on cosmetic testing only applies to safety declaration (for cosmetic use), not chemical regulation compliance.
This means that any new-ish cosmetic ingredient is still required to get tested, except for well-known substances that require no additional data (i.e., vitamin C).
I’m curious if brands address this issue because some companies in your cruelty-free list definitely use recently developed cosmetic ingredients, and it sounds strange that these new molecules do not get a safety assessment.
This is disgusting how could do many brands do this and popular ones too even cleaning products
I thought wet n wild tested on animals
Hello,
Thank you for sharing this. I used to buy their products thinking they were effective and the only option. The more research and shopping I do, the more I realize there are MANY MANY AMAZING brands out there that do not subject innocent and helpless animals to the torture of animal testing, and are just as effective, if not better. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Watching videos of rabbits being restrained while a lab worker drops poison into their eyes is horrifying and enough to make you angry and sick. Spend your money wisely and choose cruelty free!
Thank you very much for your efforts and kind information. For me it’s not easy to give up sun protects (I don’t like minerals) as brands as Vichy or La Roche Posay…
Can you make a printable list of this as well, so when I’m shopping I can have a PDF or a printed version with me, please
I am shocked by the amount of products, I use, that are tested on animals!! I am discussed! I will work hard at products that are animal cruelty free! Thank you for this list!!
My heart is broken???????? I own so many of these products. I can’t use them. I WONT USE THEM! I can’t give them away. So….now what? I’m not even comfortable donating these products! Smh ????????♀️ do you happen to know if L’Oréal is “in the process “ of going cruelty free, and stop selling in China? Those greedy bastards! Thank you for reading my pathetic rant ????????????
Sincerely,
Nancy
Thank you for compiling these lists and helping us all be better consumers.
Thanks for all the research you do so we don’t have to. I’m so grossed out by all the brands I didn’t realize would be on here. I have some serious research to do myself to find replacements for what I was using before. Keep up the amazing work! ❤️
this website was really helpful and i cant beleive how sad it is that so many brands still test on animals
Thank u!
Dear Cruelty Free Kitty,
Hi. My wide eyed Vegan stare just got a little more dazed. So, today I’m ditching my…
Arm & Hammer detergent
Downy fabric softener
Bounce dryer sheets
and Colgate toothpaste
So sad. I’m fragrance & chemical sensitive. And broke. But, nothing is worth torturing animals.
Whatever discomforts my journey takes me on, It’s nothing compared to an animal alone in a sterile cage with no friends or toys or grass to play on…while the evil scientist makes them violently ill. No, I won’t miss my former brands.
Also, I’ve tried Blueland surface cleaners, but they weren’t effective for me. Also sheets laundry detergent, also didn’t like.
But, Method surface cleaner & glass cleaner are very effective, great light natural scent, leaping bunny certified, and safe to use around pets and kids. Also, affordable economy size refill, and, much less expensive in certain stores. So, maybe I’ll try their laundry soap.
It’s really not that difficult. Once we realize that we’ve been tricked into paying for cruelty. Success is always the best revenge!
Luv ya Kitty Kitty!
Best always, Liz
ZERODESTRUCTION
Hello
I am an art student who is currently working on an art project around banning animal testing and saving animals. Is there any way I could set up an interview or speak to someone such as a manager or higher up in the company asking a few questions in order to help with my project? This would extremely help to aid my project and would mean a lot!
Many thanks
Louie Harvey
Thank you for all your hard work ????
Thank you 1????
Thank you for sharing this information we really appreciate it! We are big fans, we follow you on tiktok and pinterest!
I am sick at this list.
I am slowly leaving those on the list.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks. I keep checking back. This is insanely cruel. I used to only shop luxury make up but they are not getting a dime from me now. Why do they insist on torturing animals! They should torture themselves!! This is so cruel. Why would anyone shop from them when there is literally bloodless beauty out there! Insane. Thanks for spreading awareness.
I hate cruelty to innocent animals, if they want to do testing, then they should do it on themselves.
Thank you very much for the information. I don’t see Loreal, isn’t he testing anymore? Thanks a lot
I’m so upset there are so many. I’m glad I haven’t bought that many of these as I am Australian I really want this to stop.
Wow This just upsets Me. What a crazy world we have animals should not be treated this way this is this is not OK
Bath and body works says they are cruelty free though 🙁
Why does it say Cruelty Free Kitty?? When it is THE OPPOSITE!!!! ????
This is showing the products that are NOT cruelty free. They also have a list of products that ARE cruelty free. Please go read from the beginning
I will not be buying any of these products that test on animals. If you can abuse a live animal for your gain to make money on your product then you are a heartless company with no remorse.