Cruelty-free skincare sends a strong signal about how beauty and ethics should go hand-in-hand. By helping reduce unnecessary animal testing overseas and encouraging cleaner ingredients that are better for skin, cruelty-free beauty sends an important message about its importance in today’s culture.
Cruelty-free skincare means neither the final product nor its raw materials were tested on animals; however, some cosmetic companies use an unfair tactic to claim they offer cruelty-free offerings by using suppliers who may have conducted animal testing in the past.
Why Choose Cruelty-Free Skincare?
The cruelty-free beauty movement upholds values of compassion and respect for all beings while encouraging an ethical consumer choices. This ethos results in products free from harsh chemicals and which meet strict safety standards – such as Jojoba oil and Aloe Vera extract which naturally nourish and soothe skin, while Oceanly(tm) reef safe sunscreens avoid harmful chemical sunscreen ingredients like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate that damage coral reefs and marine life.
When selecting cruelty-free skincare, look for certifications such as Leaping Bunny or PETA that guarantee that no animal testing was performed during any stage of production. Even though a product claims to be cruelty-free, some manufacturers outsource manufacturing and may still contain ingredients which were tested on animals prior to labelling as cruelty-free – although more high-end brands are making all of their products entirely cruelty free.
Less Harmful Ingredients
Companies that produce cruelty-free products usually remove harmful ingredients that could wreak havoc on skin, such as parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. As a result, these products will be safer for you skin – helping prevent acne breakouts, allergies and irritation.
Cruelty-free skincare brands utilize ingredients that are safer for the planet, such as vegetable-based oils instead of petroleum-based ones, natural preservatives like rosemary extract or grapefruit seed extract, natural dyes that are safer than synthetic ones and plant-based surfactants or natural emulsifiers.
Natural formulators must understand that there is a distinction between “vegan” and “cruelty-free,” two ethical standards with different certification processes. For a full explanation, listen to Episode 79 of our podcast where we interview Covalo, a supplier of sustainable beauty ingredients that verifies and certifies vegan/cruelty-free claims.
Reduced Risk of Acne Breakouts
Choose cruelty-free skincare to prevent acne breakouts. Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells; to prevent this, regularly cleanse your face with gentle soaps while avoiding products which irritate or dry out your skin.
Shopping cruelty-free skincare products is also an excellent way to help reduce animal testing. Many companies that consider themselves cruelty-free have adopted alternative testing methods that are more accurate and reliable than traditional animal-testing practices, including in vitro testing, computer modeling and human cell-based assays.
Opting for cruelty-free skincare products helps minimize environmental harm. This is due to their more eco-conscious practices such as eco-friendly packaging and responsible sourcing of ingredients; plus their use of natural and less harmful chemicals compared to their non-cruelty-free counterparts.
Less Chemicals
Companies are now increasingly offering cruelty-free versions of their products, which means no animals were tested on during development and there are fewer chemicals added – this usually results in safer, less irritating skincare solutions.
Also, many cruelty-free brands prioritize sustainability by reducing waste and using eco-friendly packaging. Furthermore, many cruelty-free brands utilize natural and non-toxic ingredients like aloe vera for its cooling and soothing properties or shea butter’s moisturizing benefits as part of their sustainability goals.
This trend demonstrates a growing awareness of animal rights and environmental responsibility that can make an impactful statement about how each one of us can play our part to make this world better for all! Your choice to purchase cruelty-free products is an effective way to combat animal testing while supporting more ethical cosmetic dermatology companies – ultimately leading to clearer skin, less flare ups from pre-existing conditions, and reduced flare ups! Surely that’s something we can all rally behind?
