New cruelty-free shoppers need to be careful! For one reason or another, the following brands have gained the reputation of possibly being cruelty-free, although they are not. I’ll give you cruelty-free alternatives for each and every one of them!
Edit: I added 2 brands to this list so there’s now 7.
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:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills
- theBalm
- Too Faced (parent company not cruelty-free)
- Tarte (parent company not cruelty-free)
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:
- Dr. Hauschka
- Paula’s Choice
- REN (parent company not cruelty-free)
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:
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
- e.l.f.
- Flower (Walmart stores)
- NYX (parent company not cruelty-free)
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:
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:
- The Body Shop (parent company not cruelty-free)
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 ther 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!
Are there any other non-cruelty-free companies you feel you should warn people about?
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119 Comments on "5 Brands Most People Assume Are Cruelty-Free But Aren’t"
E.O.S sells in China, but they used to be cruelty-free.
A lot of people like to assume their favourite brands are lovely and animal friendly when sadly 8 times out of 10 this isn’t the case.
I notice you mentioned REN as a CF substitute but they have just been bought by Unilever, one if the biggest testers of animals on the planet. This is such a shame as I really liked REN so won’t be buying from them again now that they’ve sold their soul.
It came as a shock to me too. I’ll definitely give another update about REN in the upcoming months to see what happens, but their cruelty-free status (as a brand) should stay.
A very long time ago, I read something about benefit not testing on animals (a VERY long time ago), which led to my using them in the first place. I think they even had it printed on their packaging, but that is definitely no longer the case.
Nyx is owned by Loreal, is it not? How is that a cruelty free alternative?
NYX is still cruelty-free as a brand!
Different people have different “rules” or guild lines of what is and whats not cruelty free. NYX is still on the Peta not testing list with a note that their are owned by L’oreal. In my eyes, NYX is supporting L’oreal, so I don’t buy from them. But this is a really blurry line.
In my eyes Peta is supporting L’oreal.
Exactly, when you buy NYX, the money you think you are paying for a cruelty free product ends up in L’Oreal’s full of blood hands!!! I don’t buy NYX or Burt’s Bees either anymore because of their owners.
Ok that’s like saying you shouldn’t go to a supermarket and buy vegan food because it goes to the supermarket. Like don’t be so nit-picky.
Mother companies and sister companies can be different in many ways including being cruelty free or not. Many companies are owned by L’Oréal and they don’t test on animals. Look at Urban Decay, they don’t test on animals but are owned by L’Oréal. NYX is its own company, it can make the choice of being cruelty free or not.
I have been giving NYX a TON of business since I dumped MAC and Bobbi Brown.
I also love Kiko, Milani, Jordana, Makeup Geek, Jordana, and e.l.f.
I agree, I also love how wet and wild is stepping up those game too! Their Catsuit lipsticks are the bomb!
Thank you for this! I buy Organix products a lot, so that won’t be happening in the future. I’d much rather spend my money on Giovanni or Alba Botanica.
I love both of those! 🙂
Thanks for posting this! Most of these I was aware of, but I’m disappointed to see OGX/Organix there, as I had enjoyed using their products. It’s such a shame when companies change their policies and/or get bought out by larger companies. I always research brands before purchasing, but will have to make sure I check for updates on brands I already use. xxx
http://www.justemma.co.uk – a fashion, beauty & lifestyle blog
I don’t get why Wet N Wild is “cruelty free”, yet alot of their products are made in China ! doesn’t make sense to me ??
Products made in China are NOT tested on animals by default! They’re cruelty-free as long as the company doesn’t retail in mainland China.
Wet N Wild is sold in China
They’re online only.
That’s still selling in China, no? It doesn’t matter though anyways because makeup made & sold in china doesn’t have to be tested on animals! 🙂
China requires a law where in order to sell to consumers within their territory, the product must be tested on animals. However, products made in china are not required to test, unless they decide to sell there also.
More & more these days, when I pick up a product & see the word China anywhere, I have a sudden urge to put it right back down….
AVON!!!! Read this! They pay for the tests, which in my book is the same as testing yourself. They also sell in China, so there you have it! http://www.peta.org/action/action-alerts/avon-mary-kay-estee-lauder-and-revlon-are-paying-for-tests-on-animals/
I stopped buying Avon 15 years ago because of their animal testing reputation, much to the shagrin of 1 friend who sold it, and still does. I remember their announcement shortly after that, that they had decided to stop animal testing. It’s a shame they are doing this again, even after they’ve lost so many customers due to this cruel practice. If companies would just take a stand against this in places like China, refusing to sell products there until changes are made pertaining to the laws requiring animal testing, but I guess greed has no bounds. 🙁
How about Organics and Kiehls
Kiehl’s has never been cruelty-free as I had looked it up previously. I think they are definitely one of those companies that seems to be but are not.
Agreed!
I noticed you mentioned Marcelle as an alternative to L’Oréal products. As someone who lives in Montreal, where their products are made, I see them in every drugstore and I have never noticed a cruelty-free logo on their products, neither have I seen it mentioned on their website. Did you have to contact the company personally to get the information? I find it odd that a company wouldn’t pride itself by advertising that they are cruelty-free.
Yes, I contacted them.
Please mention Younique, the MLM scam/makeup brand that says they don’t test on animals but I found out this is NOT true. Thanks ??
Hey CynfullyMe! Don’t hesitate to reply here or e-mail me at suzi@crueltyfreekitty.com with any info you found.
Hi Suzi, great post. I hope you wouldn’t mind me using this information. I’ve Joined Maëlle who are PETA approved and Leaping bunny certified. Would you do a review on Maëlle? I know you dislike the MLM companies but I have made some income just through selling their products. I have yet to recruit but that’s not my goal right now. I want to promote good makeup/skin care and I feel that Maëlle tick those boxes. What do you personally think? TIA
Girl, you know how I feel about those. 🙂 Every MLM wants to pretend they’re not like those other MLMs, which should tell you there’s something off. It’s your right to do whatever you want to do, but Maelle is no different. Arbonne is also certified cruelty-free and vegan, still a pyramid scheme though.
Just because someone sells in china automatically means they aren’t cruelty free?? Can someone explain this?
because China requires all products sold there to be tested on animals. They are taking steps to stop it, but havent yet. So, if a company decides to sell in china, they are also deciding to test their products /ingredients on animals to comply with Chinese law. Also, products can be made in China but not tested on animals, if they are not sold there.
This is on the first page of results when you google ‘is Benefit sold in China’: http://marketingtochina.com/what-is-benefit-cosmetics-strategy-in-china/
How do the companies which “require” animal testing know the product has been testing on animals in the first place? Does the company have to declare or show some sort of proof? If so, what kind?
I am a Younique presenter and I am extremely proud to say that our products are cruelty free plus we have products that are gluten free and vegan friendly. If anyone would like to look at our website, please visit http://www.youniqueproducts.com/GinaOslick15239. I can also be found on Facebook.
It doesn’t matter where the products are manufactured. If they’re SOLD in the Chinese market, that’s when the products have to be tested on animals.
origins is another one that I assumed was cruelty free but sadly their website states that they test “when required by law” so I stopped buying from them.
A lot of people think Bourjois are cruelty free and are surprised when I tell them otherwise, I don’t know why they are one in particular people assume don’t test!
Teri-May xxx
http://www.acupoft.co.uk
All the no animal testing sites (Bunny Free, Cruelty-Free and Cruelty-Cutter) does not list “theBalm”. Does that mean the company does in fact test on animals?
If you’re still interested TheBalm are listed as being cruelty free on Logical Harmony.
Tarte’s parent company – Kose is not cruelty free and so by default neither is Tarte.
Thanks for the lovely words and most importantly, I’d really love to hear your experience! Please e-mail me at suzi@crueltyfreekitty.com.
So basically, China’s laws are screwing things up for everyone else? I absolutely love OGX, and want to encourage them to become a vegan company… do people really think that stopping buying a vegan product from a non-vegan company will encourage them to stop animal testing? I’m just trying to think very logically. Cheers
For me, it’s a personal preference to not spend my hard earned money on products that have been tested on animals just so billion dollar companies can continue to make billions of dollars. Knowing the level of cruelty required to bring these products to market is not something that I can, in good conscience, participate in.
Thumbs up for this!
Are Anastasia Beverly Hills and NYX cruelty free? ABH Dipbrow Pomade apparently is made in China and I just realised that an hour ago and I used this product a million times! (feel bad).
Urban Decay iconic Naked Palette (the original, I wouldn’t know about the other Naked palettes since I don’t own them), is also made in China… and some of the NYX blushes are also made in China. How can products made in China cruelty free?
Products made in China are not necessarily sold in China. The Chinese government only requires animal testing on products sold in China, which means that ABH and NYX are indeed cruelty free because they just have products made there, not sold there.
Rule of thumb is that if they sell in China then they do, or at least hand products over to other companies to test them.
Do you know if Honest Beauty is cruelty free? I emailed them but have not heard back yet.
They told me they would verify and get back to me, but never have.
On their website it says they’re cruelty free. Do you think they’re telling the truth?
Thanks Marge! 🙂
I’m new to this page, so glad I found it! VERY glad I read this article… I have bought Organix for the family for years since they carried the bunny logo. Time to change that!
(I personally use Natures Gate, cruelty free & vegan, but the family doesn’t like it… gotta find a different brand for them!)
When was this list updated last? I was just looking at benefits FAQ page, and it does not say what you quoted.
Benefit still sells in China, China requires makeup brands to test on animals, ergo benefit tests on animals. Sadly. I use to love Benefit.
I use Arbonne products which are cruetly-free and vegan and know they will be opening a location in Taiwan and selling there. Does Taiwan have the same stance as China in regards to animal testing as I cannot find anything on this. If they are I will have to find new products.
Hi Cheryl! Taiwan doesn’t have the mandatory animal testing laws that mainland China has. Just watch out for them having distributors in mainland China.
Thank you, I will.
That’s a great point!
Younique uses being cruelty-free as a marketing tool, but it clearly states on their website that they test on animals.
And I 100% agree that multi-level marketing is a scam. I want to write a post about it pretty badly but my goal isn’t to offend anyone.
Of course they changed their statement now. It used to be in their FAQ and you can probably find it using waybackmachine (or send them an email and ask them if they test on animals where required by law).
how is multi-level marketing a scam? it’s just a business model. I think you’re thinking of pyramids which are illegal. there’s a huge difference–learn them. with pyramids, there’s no product, no service. there’s nothing wrong with MLM, if it’s done with integrity, and there’s a product and a service. and, on this site, we’re worried about whether or not there’s animal testing and cruelty.
If you don’t want to read my opinions about MLM/pyramid schemes, by all means, don’t read my blog. But don’t tell me what I am or am not allowed to talk about on my own blog.
I care about more than animal testing, and I’m sure many other people here do too. There’s a lot of human exploitation going on in MLMs which isn’t something I want to be silent about.
I’m very interested in reading more of your opinions of these companies. Have you or are you planning to write any articles about them? Thanks!
Thank you, will do!
I agree with regard to MLM’s. Vulnerable women get sucked into these schemes and many lose so much money. Don’t get me started in the aggressive sales tactics and pushers who think their products are oerfect one size fits all. These sales models should be illegal in my opinion.
But do they make money by selling products, or by recruiting other sellers? If they’re making money, they’re most likely recruiting others (and those people need to recruit more people to make a living, making it a neverending cycle that only truly benefits those at the top). It’s a flawed system. You’re making your family and friends lose money in order to keep your rank.
Would love to know if you think Perfectly Posh is cruelty free. They actually do not *have* to recruit to get basic commission which is 20-25% but then you do get bonuses or 1-5% off downline. So many are scams with pushing people to have so much product and keep recruiting. SAHM trying to bring in extra income and keep their independence. Sucks. But Posh seems pretty decent so far. New… so crossing fingers doesn’t go the way of many.
Pur cosmetics is also certified cruelty free…I love all their products!! Vegan friendly, cruelty free, paraben free U.S. company….and they work like a dream!!
Cruelty free but not all products are vegan.
Revlon and Almay have told me they’re cruelty free, but we know they’re not. I asked them once, and they swore they were CF, but we know the difference. Why are these companies a bunch of liars?
Yes they’re not giving you a complete answer. They test on animals where required by law.
On Benefit’s FAQs, they answer a question about animal testing and it does not say “except where required by law”. I think that is where the misleading comes from. I have not personally contacted the company, that is just what their website says. https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/us/en/help/faqs
They animal test they sell in china
Guys, i hot confused with my cosmetic at home. Could you tell me whether NYX and Korres are cruelty free? And i mean everywhere not just for some countries.
Thanks
Korres is, nyx is but owned by animal testing company.
I definitely think something changed within the company, but I’m not able to find out what. Maybe time will tell!
I just checked the FAQ section for benefit and they say they are cruelty free. I could have misread but I’m pretty sure I understood they are. I could be wrong but could you double check on it? I took a screenshot of their response from their FAQ page but couldn’t see a way to post it on here. Thank you 🙂
They sell to China not cruelty free
They. Aren’t owned by nestle but some Brazilian company go search body shop owner.
Body shop is not owned by Nestle anymore Loreal bought them out. http://www.babymilkaction.org/archives/15235
Wow, thanks a lot for this! I always used to think L’ORÉAL was cruelty-free because of all the things I’ve heard about it, and I really feel bad that I’ve been buying my products from them for so long. Thank you for informing us about this! It was really helpful, as well. 🙂
Hi Lex, Thanks so much for your comment! I’m so glad it was helpful! 🙂
I’m really sad that Yves Rocher is not cruelty free. Now I have to try something else.
L’Occitane en Provence are another company that aren’t cruelty free. They sell in China and explain this on their website.
Really disappointed with Yves Rocher. I tried their foundation before and it’s one of those few foundations that suit my skintone and have a natural finish.
I kept thinking benefit and soap&glory are cruelty-free. They are not!