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)
  • Stacie Spearman says:

    What about Davines hair care? I love this. Thank you so much

  • Stacie Spearman says:

    Thank you,! What about Davines hair care?

  • Carolyn says:

    I’m wondering about Burt’s Bees and Body Shop. Don’t they both sell in China?
    Will you update your lists taking them off the cruelty free status?

  • Carolyn says:

    I’m wondering about the canadian brand CAKE. Supposedly owned by Marc Anthony.
    I can’t find either on any of your lists.

  • Ashely says:

    On the makeup revolution products it says cruelty free, and some are vegan too.

  • Elizabeth says:

    Hello!
    OGX doesn’t text on animals, it clearly states that on the bottle.

  • Vero says:

    I’m reading this on 8.22.18. this list says stila is cruelty free and 100% vegan. But you’ve stated before still is not 100% vegan. Is this a mistake, or the proper update?

  • Kayleigh hartley says:

    I see that Hempz didn’t respond . What is your opinion on them being cruelty free ?

  • Kim says:

    You might want to update theUlta list. I was there today and they have a sizable Pacifica section. There’s also a company called Fizz &Bubble that labels their products as cruelty free. I also believe Morphe eyeshadow is CF.

  • Jamie says:

    Hi, I LOVE your posts! I have recently become very motivated to go 100% cruelty free and I have been going through my makeup collection and getting rid of any makeup products whose company does test on animals. I was wondering if Utla’s personal cosmetic brand is cruelty free or not?

  • Jordan says:

    Hello,

    I was wondering if you could tell me if the following two companies are cruelty free?
    -The Honest Company
    -Fragonard

    Thanks,
    -J

  • Jillian says:

    Burt’s Bees isn’t cruelty free! They use honey and steal the bees wax from bees making sure that their bees are overworked.

  • Savannah Carlson says:

    I need help I am for animal free products MOST by 75percent of my makeup is animal cruelty free but my main daily mositurers aren’t and they work so so so well on my skin should I switch to something else or just keep those moistures??

  • Mae says:

    I have emailed NYM’s several times and they claimed to be cruelty-free. Is there an update on your part?

    NYM’s reply to my query: ‘We REFUSE to test on animals, as well as our manufacturers. We also do not have any third party testing for our line products.’

  • Juliana says:

    Thank you so much, I never buy a new brand without checking your site.

    Question about dermablend, the makeup, not the skincare products; i was sure they were cruelty-free, but I don’t see them on any of the lists here (CF / Not CF / Unclear / No response). Any chance you have more info to clarify?

  • Andrea says:

    Hello,

    I tried researching whether or not Kate Spade perfumes are cruelty free but I can’t find anything. Does anyone know??

    Thanks!

  • Alex says:

    Should Joico be under cruelty-free? Their website says “Joico Laboratories does not use animal tests to confirm the safety of Joico products except when absolutely required by law.” (http://www.joico.com/about/)

    Curious mostly because I use their products and will stop purchasing if this isn’t viable.

  • Cersei says:

    Hello! I was wondering about Nyx recently. Every single Nyx product, regardless of how small the surface area, used to have the Peta bunny. It also would say cruelty free below it, and made in Taiwan. Well, now not a single one has either and they do say made in China. Did Nyx join the dark side?

  • Andrea Hull says:

    Hi I thought Hempz was vegan? I hope so! And thanks you for doing this blog! ❣️

  • Arya says:

    why is “Butter London” on this list since you made a post a couple of years ago explaining their cruelty-free logo is a sham?

  • Jacqueline says:

    Mally is also a cruelty free brand

  • marina says:

    the body shop is no longer owned by l’Oreal!

  • Chloe says:

    Mally is cruelty free and doesn’t sell to China.

  • Miranda says:

    Isn’t OGX cruelty free? Their product bottles say “not tested on animals.”

  • Melissa says:

    Another addition in the fragrance realm is the brand DefineMe, which is vegan & CF! Yay!

  • Marta says:

    Has this list been updated ? I wanted to inquire about No7? I noticed other commenters were also interested. There’s a sale going on currently so it would be great if they were !!

  • ashbb says:

    Hi – thank you for these guides. Love them and send them out to friends and family. My question is regarding SheaMoisture. I’ve started to buy their products for my hair because I believed they were cruelty free. I just read on logical harmony that sheamoisture does not police their 3rd party producers. They are not listed on your hair products at Ulta, and I’m not looking to nitpick the list (I see a lot of that on the comments – I am not doing that). I just want to know between the two websites, is there anyway to confirm the information regarding SM and their third party policy? As always, thank you for your website. Love it. Appreciate it. Huge fan.

  • Sue says:

    You have Boots listed as “not enough information given”. However, I recently emailed the company and received a reply the next day stating, “Thank you for contacting Boots.

    In response to your question regarding animal testing, we do not use animals to test our products, 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.

    Some of our products contain Lanolin, derived from sheep’s wool, and Bees Wax and as such, are animal by products. Of course, the animal is completely unharmed.” I copied this directly from the email I received. Hope this helps. 🙂

  • Lydia says:

    The tiny moly website states they do not test on animals. I’m so confused. Help? Where did you get this information from?

  • Allison Martin says:

    I’m not sure if you knew this because I didn’t see it on the list but Bodycology is a brand of lotion that says that it’s “Finnished product is not tested on animals”. It never says anything about not testing one of the earlier products on animals. It is made in China so I am guessing that it is also sold in China too. For those who didn’t know, products sold in China are required by law to test on animals.

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