Opting for cruelty-free skincare products helps support cosmetic companies that do not test on animals. Many cruelty-free brands also prioritize eco-friendly practices, like using recyclable packaging and sourcing sustainable ingredients.
Check for certifications such as Leaping Bunny or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies to ensure the product truly complies with animal welfare. Such third-party seals ensure both finished and raw materials have not been tested on animals before being sold for human use.
Paula’s Choice
Paula’s Choice is known for industry-leading innovation, accessible jargon-free science and high-performing cruelty-free products. Their products often come equipped with powerful content and digital tools like an ingredient dictionary and expert advice feature.
Cruelty-free brands typically forgo harsh chemicals in favor of more natural and gentler ingredients that are easier on skin conditions like eczema. Many of these ingredients also contribute to eco-friendlier practices by limiting chemical runoff that disrupts ecosystems and harms aquatic life.
By purchasing cruelty-free skincare, you are telling beauty companies that you support their efforts to increase animal welfare and avoid animal testing. Your purchases influence the entire industry – driving them to alter their policies for good.
Assuring that cosmetics are cruelty-free means looking out for internationally recognized certifications such as Leaping Bunny or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program on their label. In addition, ensure the brand does not own other companies which test on animals or use their products in animal testing.
The Inkey List
The Inkey List takes an approach that’s both straightforward and minimalistic to skincare, and their mission to demystify your routine. They make cult-favourite products easy to access as well as providing moisturisers, serum boosters and cleansers so you can layer up your regimen seamlessly.
Their Vitamin C serum boasts 30% pure, stabilized Vitamin C that’s been clinically proven to absorb 20% compared to cheaper, unstabilised formulas which only absorb 20% – providing a smooth and poreless finish on skin. Polyglutamic Acid serum also boasts 4 times more moisture retention capacity than its counterpart, providing smoother and plumper skin!
All their products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they renew their certificates regularly to ensure this status remains. In fact, PETA certified them cruelty-free! Furthermore, they use only sustainable natural ingredients from ethical suppliers.
REN Clean Skincare
Anyone with sensitive skin can appreciate how challenging it can be to find beauty products without irritating ingredients, like parabens and sulfates, that will cause their symptoms. Many cruelty-free options avoid these irritants altogether in favor of natural plant-based ingredients that contain antioxidants for healthy looking skin.
Cruelty-free products are great for both your skin and the environment. Opting to purchase such products reduces plastic pollution in landfills and oceans. Many brands also prioritize sustainability by employing eco-friendly packaging methods and using certified organic ingredients in their production.
As more consumers become educated on the ethics behind beauty products, it’s heartening to see major brands revamp their offerings and adopt cruelty-free testing standards. Keep in mind, however, that cruelty-free skincare may still contain animal ingredients like honey or beeswax; vegan skincare goes one step further and excludes these altogether.
The Body Shop
Contrary to conventional beauty products, cruelty-free skincare products do not contain animal ingredients or testing. Furthermore, cruelty-free brands tend to be safer and contain more nutrition. By opting for cruelty-free beauty brands you help contribute to an ethical movement within cosmetics industry and set higher standards within this space.
Cruelty-free beauty products can not only benefit both your skin and the environment. Animal testing consumes valuable resources and is ineffective; additionally, animal experiments may produce misleading results as humans and animals react differently to chemicals.
Founded by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop was one of the first cosmetics companies to forbid animal testing and introduce Fair Trade practices into its business practices. Unfortunately, however, L’Oreal purchased The Body Shop in 2006 despite commitments not to test products on animals (despite test ban commitment). After this sale, Whitbread notes that after it became more trend-led than before and struggled to connect with younger audiences due to increased competition from buzzy cleansers and skincare brands; consequently leading it to lose its identity altogether.
