I don’t think I have come across someone who would turn away a beauty product that is cruelty free over a product that is not cruelty free. But how do you define cruelty free? I define it as brand that does not do the following:
- Test on animals at any point during production;
- Have suppliers raw materials or ingredients on animals;
- Have third-party animal tests on their behalf; or
- Test on animals where it is required (i.e. China)
So which drugstore beauty brands are cruelty free? The search was not as easy as I thought it would be, but I did locate some drugstore brands.
I do not know why, but I was under the impression that the major drugstore brands would be cruelty-free. Boy was I wrong. Here is a list of drugstore beauty brands and information on whether or not the beauty brands tests on animals:
ARDELL – This beauty company signed PETA’s cruelty-free pledge. The products produced by Ardell are cruelty free and vegan;
ELF – This beauty brand signed PETA’S cruelty-free pledge. The brushes which are made out of animal hair are vegan;
ECOTOOLS – The beauty company signed PETA’S cruelty-free pledge. And their brushes are vegan;
HARD CANDY – This independent beauty company is cruelty-free and not sold in China. The company swears they do not test any of their finished products or raw materials used in the manufacturing process on animals. Nor do they require or even ask third parties to conduct this testing on their behalf. Hard Candy is an exclusive product of Wal-Mart.
L’OREAL – Surprisingly enough this beauty company tests on animals. Their products are sold in China.
MAYBELLINE – Again, I am surprised. This beauty company’s products are tested on animals. Their products are also sold in China;
MILANI – This beauty company’s products are cruelty-free and do not have a parent company;
NYX – the beauty company is cruelty free. Their products are not sold in China. But here’s an odd part. NYX is owned by L’Oreal; a beauty company which tests on animals;
REVLON – This beauty company tests on animals. Their products are sold in China;
RIMMEL LONDON – This beauty company tests on animals when required by law. However, this particular beauty company is owned by Coty’ a corporation which tests on animals and sells products in China;
WET N’ WILD – The beauty company does not test on animals at any point of their production. Also, they do not purchase materials from any vendor who tests on animals.
It is so very easy to overlook a beauty company’s back story by getting caught up in the company’s pretty packaging or price point. But, once you become aware of the beauty companies which take that extra mile and vow to never test their goods on animals, it will make the purchasing process that much easier. And do not think that you are out of luck because companies such as Maybelline and L’Oreal test on animals. In 2019, over 350 beauty corporations pledged not to test their beauty products on animals. So let’s all celebrate our animal friendly drugstore beauty brands.