A-Z of Cruelty-Free

Animal Testing. It’s still happening. In our fast-paced world, because of our constant demand for new things, better things, cheaper things, these sort of issues fade into the background. They don’t receive much media attention, so a lot of people aren’t aware of them. It was actually only a few months ago that I realised a lot of the brands I used to buy and use test on animals.

What is animal testing? 

The practice of testing cosmetics on animals to ensure they’re safe for human use. Animals are tortured just so our faces and bodies can ‘look nicer’. Chemicals are shoved down their throat, rubbed onto their shaved skin and dripped into their eyes. AND these animals either die during these tests, or are killed afterwards.

What is an ethical, and unethical, brand? 

Brands deemed unethical brands, when it comes to animal testing, are usually just brands that sell in China. China’s law still requires cosmetic brands to test their products on animals, so for a brand to be ethical (and abstain from animal testing) it has to refuse to sell in China. Which, we think is a step they all should be taking.

There’s so many different brands out there that don’t test on animals, it’s hard to believe it’s still happening. To help you out (because it’s not easy sometimes to figure out what to buy!), I’ve compiled a list of brands to steer cleer of and brands to rejoice over, plus a few tips on where to find them.

What brands should you avoid?

Chanel, Dermablend, EOS, Garnier, L’oreal, MAC, Max Factor, Maybelline, Neutrogena, Nivea, Olay, Revlon, Rimmel London

Notably, most (if not all) of the ‘avoid’ brands will look familiar to you; that’s because they’re the big ones, the ones found in supermarkets and chemists with huge shelves stocked to the ceiling. In order to actually avoid them, you have to look elsewhere, which deters a lot of people. But it’s easier than you think!

Where can you find ethical brands?

Lush and The Body Shop are chain stores, and can be found at most large shopping complexes. Sukin, an all natural/organic skincare company (and my personal go-to brand), can be found in most big brand chemists and pharmacies. Grown Alchemist, Chi Chi, Wet ‘n’ wild, Urban Decay, Nars, e.l.f., NYX, Burt’s Bees, Smashbox – these are around as well (if you’re Australian, think Target, Myer, Kmart, Priceline, Glossier, etc. If you’re American or elsewhere, think your standard chain department stores and chemists.)

Online shopping is another option. Spend a little time in brick-and-mortar stores, try a few products, get a feel for the different colours and types that work best for you, and then find them online. There’s nearly always an ethical alternative to your setting powder by L’oreal, or waterproof mascara by Maybelline. For skincare, online reviews are invaluable to help you find the best products. (But honestly, just head straight for Sukin. Unbeatable).

And finally, if you’re stranded in the middle of a department store, in desperate need of that lipstick you just ran out of, or that blush you simply can’t find anywhere else – look for products with the little bunny sticker:

CRUELTY-FREE BRANDS:

Please note: some of these brands may not be vegan.
( ** – brands with two asterix’s do not test on animals, but their parent companies do. )

A

Aesop
Ardell
Australis
A’kin and Al’chemy

B

Bare Minerals**
Bali Body
Beauty by nature
Beauty without cruelty
Bondi Sands
Butter London
Burts Bees**

C

Chi chi

D

Dermalogica
Designer Brands

E

e.l.f cosmetics
ecoTools
Essence
Eyeko

F

Face of Australia
furless

G

Grown Alchemist

H

Hourglass

L

Limecrime
Lush

N

Natio**
Nars**
NYX**

O

Oh Deer Sugar

R

Real Techniques

S

Soap and Glory
Sugarpill
Sukin
Smashbox

T

Too faced
theBalm
The Body Shop**

U

Urban Decay**

W

Wet ‘n’ wild
Willa