Home Blog Makeup Complete 2021 Guide To Cruelty-Free Brands at Ulta (50+ Brands)

Complete 2021 Guide To Cruelty-Free Brands at Ulta (50+ Brands)

by Suzana Rose

Apr 10, 2022

I'm happy to share my guide to cruelty-free beauty at Ulta! Ulta has an overwhelming choice of brands and products, so it's not an easy experience for a cruelty-free shopper. But what's great about this retailer is that they offer products for every budget, which is why I really wanted to do some research.

I split everything into categories: Makeup, Skincare, Hair Care, Bath & Body, Nails, and Fragrance. For each category, I'll give you a list of cruelty-free brands, brands that test on animals, brands with unclear policies, and brands that didn't share their policies.

At the begging of the post, I gathered ALL the cruelty-free brands in one list. At the end of the post, I did the same with the brands that test on animals.

All Cruelty-Free Brands At Ulta
  • AG Hair
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills
  • Andalou Naturals
  • Ardell
  • Babo Botanicals
  • bareMinerals*
  • BECCA*
  • Butter London
  • Buxom*
  • Cargo
  • Carol's Daughter*
  • Catrice
  • China Glaze
  • Covergirl
  • Derma E
  • Dermadoctor
  • Dermalogica*
  • DevaCurl
  • Dose of Colors
  • dpHUE
  • Drybar
  • Elemis
  • Essence
  • EVA nyc
  • First Aid Beauty
  • Frank Body
  • Grande Cosmetics
  • Hask
  • IT Cosmetics*
  • It's A 10
  • Japonesque
  • John Masters Organics
  • Juicy Beauty
  • Julep
  • LA Girl
  • Lanolips
  • Le Couvent Des Minimes
  • Kenra
  • Mario Badescu
  • Michael Todd
  • Murad*
  • NYX*
  • Nip + Fab
  • Nubian Heritage
  • Olivella
  • Orly
  • Ouidad
  • Pacifica
  • Patchology
  • Perfekt
  • Pravana
  • PUR Cosmetics
  • Pureology*
  • Rodial
  • Seche
  • SheaMoisture
  • Smashbox*
  • Stila
  • Tarte*
  • The Body Shop*
  • Too Faced*
  • Tula
  • Urban decay*
  • Whish
  • Yes To
  • Zoya

*Brands marked with an asterisk are cruelty-free, but their parent company still tests on animals. For more information on the exact parent companies that own each brand, keep reading.


Makeup Brands

makeup-ulta

Ulta offers more cruelty-free makeup brands than non-cruelty-free ones. This makes it super easy to not only find cruelty-free brands, but also score amazing products at every budget. Here's the full list, followed by brands that test on animals and brands with undetermined policies.

Cruelty-Free Makeup At Ulta

Makeup Tested On Animals At Ulta

  • Almay
  • Physicians Formula (no longer cruelty-free)
  • Benefit
  • Clinique
  • L'Oreal
  • Lancome
  • Maybelline
  • Revlon
  • Rimmel
  • Tony Moly

Companies With Unclear Policies

  • Honest Beauty • No mention of ingredients, suppliers, and third parties
  • LORAC • Can't guarantee suppliers don't test on animals
  • Makeup Revolution • No mention of suppliers or required by law testing

Companies That Didn't Reply

  • Mally Beauty
  • ULTA Brand
  • Lipstick Queen

Skincare Brands

ulta

When it comes to the skincare section, you have to be more careful if you want to support cruelty-free brands. Even though there are still lots of options, most brands test on animals, especially because they sell in China. Here's the breakdown:

Cruelty-Free Skincare At Ulta

Skincare Tested On Animals At Ulta

  • Aveeno
  • Bio Oil
  • Bliss
  • Clarins
  • Clarisonic
  • Clean & Clear
  • Clinique
  • Dr. Brandt
  • Elizabeth Arden
  • Exuviance
  • Garnier
  • La Roche Posay
  • Neutrogena
  • Nuxe
  • Olay
  • Peter Thomas Roth
  • Simple
  • Strivectin
  • Vichy

Companies With Unclear Policies

  • Boots • Not enough information given
  • Cetaphil • Not enough information given
  • Foreo • Unclear if they sell cosmetics in China or just beauty tools, unresponsive
  • Philosophy • Not sold in China but tests where required by law as per Coty's policy
  • St Tropez • No mention of suppliers or required by law testing

Companies That Didn't Reply

  • Anthony
  • Formula 10.0.6

Hair Care Brands

hair-ulta

The list is starting to become scarce, but there's something for everyone's hair needs, from salon brands to budget ones. Watch out for the many haircare brands that are tested on animals.

Cruelty-Free Hair Brands At Ulta

Hair Products Tested On Animals At Ulta

  • John Frieda
  • Joico
  • Matrix
  • Nexxus
  • Nioxin
  • OGX
  • Phyto
  • Redken
  • Sebastian
  • Tigi
  • Tresseme
  • Wella

Companies With Unclear Policies

  • Alterna • No mention of suppliers
  • Living Proof • No mention of suppliers
  • Not Your Mother's • Not enough info, but they're applying for Leaping Bunny certification

Companies That Didn't Reply

  • Abba
  • Batiste
  • Fairy Tales
  • Sexy Hair

Bath & Body Brands

nubian-heritage-abyssinian-oil-chia-seed

A teeny, tiny selection of cruelty-free bath and products is available at Ulta!

Cruelty-Free Bath & Body Brands At Ulta

Bath & Body Products Tested On Animals At Ulta

  • Jergens
  • Mederma
  • Nivea

Companies With Unclear Policies

  • Soap & Glory • Claims not to test but doesn't address specifics

Companies That Didn't Reply

  • AHAVA
  • Cake Beauty
  • Dionis
  • Fake Bake
  • Maui Babe
  • Vita Liberata

Nail Polish Brands

nails-ulta

There'e cruelty-free nail polish for every budget.

Cruelty-Free Nail Polish At Ulta

Nail Polish Tested On Animals At Ulta

  • Essie
  • Lancome
  • Maybelline
  • Nicole by OPI
  • OPI
  • Revlon
  • Sally Hansen

Companies That Didn't Reply

  • Morgan taylor
  • CND
  • Dermelect
  • 2B Colours

Fragrance Brands

pacifica-cruelty-free

For perfume, I'll make it easy: The only cruelty-free fragrance brand at Ulta is Pacifica. Their entire collection is 100% vegan and they have a huge collection of great scents.

Edit: I was told the brand Le Couvent Des Minimes also offers perfume!

The fragrance brands that aren't cruelty-free will be listed as part of the full list of companies that test on animals at Ulta, at the bottom.


Ulta Brands Tested On Animals

  • Almay
  • Amazing Cosmetics
  • Aveeno
  • Benefit
  • Bio Oil
  • Bliss
  • Burberry
  • Bvlgari
  • Calvin Klein
  • Chloe
  • Clarins
  • Clarisonic
  • Clean & Clear
  • Clean
  • Clinique
  • Covergirl Now CF!
  • DKNY
  • Dior
  • Dolce & Gabbana
  • Donna Karan
  • Dr. Brandt
  • Elizabeth Arden
  • Escada
  • Essie
  • Estee Lauder
  • Exuviance
  • Garnier Now CF!
  • Givenchy
  • Gucci
  • Guerlain
  • Hugo Boss
  • Issey Miyake
  • Jergens
  • Jimmy Choo
  • John Frieda
  • Joico Now CF!
  • Juicy Couture
  • Kate Spade
  • L'Oreal
  • La Roche Posay
  • Lancome
  • Marc Jacobs Fragrance
  • Matrix
  • Maybelline
  • Mederma
  • Michael Kors
  • Neutrogena
  • Nexxus
  • Nicole by OPI
  • Nioxin
  • Nivea
  • Nuxe
  • OGX
  • OPI
  • Olay
  • Paco Rabanne
  • Peter Thomas Roth
  • Phyto
  • Prada
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Redken
  • Revlon
  • Rimmel
  • Sally Hansen
  • Sebastian
  • Simple
  • Smashbox Now CF!
  • Stila Now CF!
  • Strivectin
  • Tigi
  • Tony Moly Now CF!
  • Tresseme Now CF!
  • Vera Wang
  • Versace
  • Vichy
  • Vince Camuto
  • Wella
  • Yves Saint Laurent

Don't forget to pin this list for later!

Please leave me your thoughts in the comments, and don't hesitate to bring up any brands I might have overlooked.

Do you shop at Ulta? What are your favorite cruelty-free brands available there?

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

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+ Show Comments (146) - Hide Comments (146)
  • MelissaM says:

    I HIGHLY recommend checking out Paula’s Choice. I’m not sure which product would be most compatible but they have many options for pretty much any/ every need, & you can receive a free consult w/ one of their reps by calling. They also have samples available at minimal cost (& three free w/ any purchase) & a customer-friendly return policy should something you purchase not work out for you. Their website is detailed w/ descriptions of which products are best for which skin rype(s), preferences, etc. Hope that helps!

  • Selena Persaud says:

    If you look on Smashbox’s website, it says they are cruelty free. Correct me if I’m wrong, I was just wondering if that was right.

    • MelissaM says:

      They are unfortunately NOT cruelty free as they test “when required by law”. I believe they are no longer selling in China but unless they change their policy re: testing “when required” they cannot be considered cruelty free.

  • They test where required by law/sell in mainland China unfortunately, so they’re not longer cruelty-free.

  • Melanie says:

    Hi, I wrote to Tree Hut asking if they are cruelty free and they answered:

    “We absolutely do NOT test on animals. That’s part of our promise. None of our products are tested on animals and they do not contain animal byproducts. Even our glycerin is plant derived.

    Q: Are you finished products tested on animals by your company, a parent company, a 3rd party or any other company?
    A: No

    Q: Are any of the ingredients in your products tested on animals by your company, a parent company, a 3rd party or any other company?
    A: No. No. No.

    Q: Does your company require ingredient suppliers, 3rd party suppliers, or any affiliate companies to undergo a certification process to ensure they don’t test on animals? How does your company make sure its suppliers don’t test on animals?
    A: We don’t associate with 3rd party vendors thata do test on animals, as we ask upfront and the agreement we sign states this

    Q: Do you have a parent company? If so who are they, and are any of their products or ingredients tested on animals?
    A: Yes, Naterra International, Inc., Noting tested on animals, as we are in our won plant, and no animal testing is done and we don’t associate with 3rd party vendors thata do test on animals.

    The only change is that Soon, Tree Hut will be sold in China, via e-commerce ONLY. No animal testing required for that”

  • They’re on PETA’s list, it’s my bad. I mistakenly put them on the wrong list and I removed them.

  • Hi Mandy, I just updated this list! There’s also IT Cosmetics that was recently acquired by L’Oreal.

  • Nicky Tilley Manulik says:

    Courtney from Phyrra.net heard back from Fiona Stiles and they are C.F.
    http://phyrra.net/2016/03/fiona-stiles-is-cruelty-free.html

  • DVL says:

    Some info on Vita Liberata (see the last question, it looks like they do not sell to China because ofthe testing laws) http://www.irishtimes.com/business/companies/ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-international-finalist-alyson-hogg-vita-liberata-1.2256036

  • Xochitl Duarte says:

    Why is Pravana on this list but not on the main list? I saw them on an article you posted so I bought a shampoo but now I am confused b/c they aren’t on the main list?

  • Sarah says:

    Both Smashbox and Amazing Cosmetics are cruelty free!

  • Melissa Shadle Powell says:

    NYX is cruelty free and owned by Loreal who tests on animals. Does that truly make NYX cruelty free?
    Wet N’ Wild is cruelty free. Can you find out about ELF?

    • Xochitl Duarte says:

      That’s up to your own discretion. By definition it is but it’s your decision. ELF is 100% cruelty free

  • Ihateyou says:

    Ulta doesn’t carry Cargo.

  • Nicole Tingler says:

    Do you have information about No7? They are sold in Ulta. And if Formula 10.0.06 have replied?

    • Aly M says:

      I want to know, too. I saw this on Ulta’s site: We do not use animals to test our No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Eye Cream, nor do we have animal testing conducted on our behalf by anyone else. Instead, we ensure product safety through state-of-the-art testing methods on human volunteers.

  • eneums says:

    Paul Mitchell should really be added. They were one of the first major companies to take a stand against animal testing and they abandoned a major campaign to sell in China (took a huge financial loss) after they were unable to lobby for China to make an animal testing exception.

  • KML says:

    Both Paul Mitchel and Goldwell are CF

  • squinn says:

    Thanks for compiling this list. How about the company EOS?

  • Shila Carroll says:

    What about C. Booth?

  • Cecilia Ocampo says:

    Hi,
    THANKS for the list! Are these brands’ ingredients also NOT tested on animals?

    • MelissaM says:

      Correct. For something to be cruelty-free that includes the ingredients (though it doesn’t necessarily mean that the ingredients are vegan.)

  • Caroline Rohwedder says:

    I didn’t see Paul Mitchell listed, it is only sold in Ulta stores and not online but I believe it is cruelty free?

  • eluna says:

    I just bought a couple NYX products and after taking a closer look at the packaging I saw that it’s made in China and has no mention of not testing on animals. Is it still cruelty free?

  • K.B. says:

    Why isn’t Paul Mitchell on the list as a cruelty-free brand?

  • So helpful! And also a bit saddening because looking at this I use quite a few brands that still test on animals. Fack…

  • Jen says:

    Fabulous post, Suzi! Thank you SO much! I’ll definitely be referencing this a lot in the future! ♥

  • What a perfect timing: I’m spending my holidays in the USA and I already checked: there are Ulta branches…so yay…

    Batiste has a cruelty free bunny here in Germany, too.

  • Hey Caitlin,

    Here’s their CS reply:

    ” We do not support animal testing in any stage of our product development, including the ingredients that go in them, and we do not provide authorization to any third parties to perform animal testing on our products. PÜR is PETA authorized and our products carry the PETA cruelty-free logo. ”

    No distributors in China.

  • emmy.js says:

    Hello 🙂

    With regards to the Batiste dry shampoo, this is not tested on animals as the new packaging now states this on the back in the UK. So it is great news as i love their product!

    • Thanks, I’ve heard other sources state this as well. I’m still hesitant to add Batiste as they’re owned by Church & Dwight, and they’re not on PETA or the LB. Plus I’ve never heard back from them.

  • Annick Prévost says:

    What about Lumene? They’re sold at Ulta and have a BB cream I was thinking about getting. Thanks for this list btw! 🙂

  • PanyaV says:

    Going by the brands listed on Ulta’s website, and there are lots missing from your list here. There are also some that are confusing — e.g. Le Couvent des Minimes is on your no-test list, but they sell fragrance at Ulta and you say Pacifica is the only non-testing fragrance brand.

    • Didn’t know that brand sold fragrance but I’ll add them now. I did my best to reach out to the most popular brands, but obviously if a brand isn’t on this list I’m not aware of the status at the moment. Which brands do you think should be added?

      • Miss V. says:

        Personally, I’d like to know about Ulta’s own brand. I have several Ulta body sprays and have been bouncing around trying to find out if they’re cruelty-free. Thought for sure this would be the article where I’d get the answer, but no. LOL So, pretty please?

      • Mayda says:

        Vitabath please. I can’t find anything about them! 🙂

  • G. says:

    Thank you so much for this list, this is super helpful!
    Also, I thought Laura Geller was cruelty free? I’ve seen them listed as CF elsewhere.

    • They might be, I just wasn’t able to hear from them and they’re not LB certified.

      • Sue says:

        What about “Soap & Glory”? When I googled it, I found a statement saying that they are cruelty free but went on to say that they couldn’t guarantee that every ingredient they use had not been tested on animals at some point during production. Kind of wishy-washy info. Makes me think twice about purchasing their brand. :/

  • Ky says:

    I thought Sally Hansen was cruelty free. 🙁 Darn it.

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