No Animal Testing List

Posted on: January 31st, 2011 by veggiebeauty 5 Comments

I am no longer calling my cruelty-free list ‘cruelty-free’..it is called no animal testing list, this should clear up any confusion people are having. Cruelty-free has been the blanket statement used to define animal testing free brands.

As a vegan, I do not believe in buying items animal byproducts because I don’t want to contribute to any animal suffering. That is my own personal version of ‘cruelty-free’ and is what I practice. I’ve always been upfront about the importance of using vegan items. I went vegan in January 2011 and learn new things every single day.

To clarify, I only personally buy and support vegan cosmetics and try to purchase carnuaba/palm oil free items. I am in the works to make my own vegan mascara this summer and this is why I started making my own lipsticks without carnuaba wax. I am doing my best to do the right thing, and I do think every consumer is responsible to do their own research into product ingredients. That is why I took the vegan products list down off my site and why I am working on revamping and reorganizing my animal testing list. It will take time, but I am trying my best. I appreciate your support and patience.

*ATTENTION: I am taking down any companies I’m not completely sure on until I learn more information on a whether companies are selling in China or not. I try my best to do research, but until companies are more transparent and honest, I can never be 100% sure of their cruelty-free status. I will do my best to post updates and my research so you can decide for yourself what you believe. If a company is vague or not forthcoming on their cruelty-free status and if they are indeed selling their items in China, I will not keep them on my list. I personally am going to be buying from more indie brands and smaller companies, because I feel I can trust their word more than larger companies and corporations. Sad, but true.

Companies I am currently investigating and therefore taking my off list until I hear different; this does not mean I believe they are testing on animals. I simply want to do more research into their status on selling items in China and if they intend to, as this means their cruelty-free status will become null and void. Please do not ask me if I know if any of these companies are cruelty-free or not. I will post any and all responses I receive whether directly from the company or through a subscriber who contacts the company inquiring information:
Bonnebell, Wet n Wild, ALDI, CoverFX, Gosh, Barry M, Sleek, Dermologica, Essence, Jane Cosmetics, INGLOT, Prestige, Physician’s Formula, Stila, It’s a 10, Paul Mitchell

UPDATE 8-8-12: http://www.bynubar.com/store/pages/International_Distributors.html
Nubar does distribute in China, so I’m taking them off my list as a precaution.

UPDATE 6-27-12: Added back Too Faced and ELF and also added a afew new companies PIXI Beauty, Makeup Up Geek, Sula Beauty, and The Village Company to the list. Click links to see their official statements regarding whether or not they currently sell their items in China. I am taking CVS off the list because their statement has changed from the last time I checked it and it appears they may be involved in testing.

UPDATE: 6-27-12: I was contacted by a representative from NYX and asked to amend a previous error I had made regarding a correspondence someone had sent to me. It was actually EOS’s statement regarding their involvement with selling items in China.

This is the statement that I hadn’t clarified if it was from NYX or EOS; it is indeed from EOS. I found out this info via facebook from one of my good friends, Grace through a friend of hers. That error is mine, and I will admit to it:

Dear Georgette,

Thanks for writing us. To answer your questions 1-4, the answer is no. For question #5, while we do not currently sell our products in China, they are currently available from third parties in limited distribution. As we continue to expand our business internationally, we are aware that some countries require that local labs perform tests on animals as a prerequisite to give permission for products to be sold within their countries and we actively support efforts underway to change these practices.
Regards,
Jonathan T.

This was an official and vague, but clear statement I got from another one of my subscribers from NYX when she asked about them testing in China. Now, I didn’t receive this message officially, but I know and trust the person who sent it to me:

Hi Gabby,

We do not test on animals as noted by our PETA cruelty free symbol. We do sell in China.

Many Thanks,

NYX Cosmetics

This was the response I got from their representive:

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Mason O’Brien and I am contacting you from mml pr. We represent NYX Cosmetics. We wanted to provide some information in response to your blog post about the brand and its testing on animals. NYX does not test any of its raw materials or finished products on animals. The brand feels very strongly about not testing on animals, so much so that they specifically prohibit sales of their products in Mainland China where testing on animals is a requirement to sell in the market.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could update your post to reflect NYX’s stance on animal testing.

Please let me know if I can provide any further information or answer any questions.

Sincerely,

Mason O’Brien

I’ll leave it up to you what you want to believe, but inconsistant and vague statements always give me pause and concern. This is not the first time NYX has sent me false or contradicting information. They had claimed in the past that all of their ingredients were vegan and/or synthetically derived which was obviously not true. If this was an error on the part of the PR representative, that could very well be true, but this is something that should be taken more seriously by companies. Know what’s in your products and why they are being used. Don’t make things up if you don’t know.
UPDATE 6-14-12: A subscriber of mine, Georgette, contacted Tarte, Milani (who owns Jordana), Sonia Kashuk, Illamasqua, and Sleek to learn about their stance of selling products in China, where animal testing is required.. Here is the info she found out and why I am adding them back to my no animal testing list.

UPDATE 6-13-12:

I had inaccurate info on Hard Candy; they aren’t owned by Urban Decay any longer, they once were but were bought out. Here is the info from Hard Candy’s facebook page, and confirmed by leaping bunny:

URGENT!!! We do not, have not and will NEVER test on animals! Leaping Bunny is incorrect – Hard Candy is NOT owned by Urban Decay. Hard Candy has ZERO affiliation with Urban Decay. We will be contacting Leaping Bunny immediately to retract this harmful and damaging statement. Again, Hard Candy does not test on animals. EVER!!!

Here is info from someone who contacted Hard Candy about their selling in China status. I found this on the Leaping Bunny facebook page: “they do NOT sell in China they only sell in these places: Hard Candy We do not sell in China. We are available exclusively in the States, Canada and Puerto Rico.”

UPDATE 6-4-12: I am adding two more companies to my cruelty-free list. Lily of the Desert has a wonderful range of vegan and aloe vera based products. I discovered them through vitacost. Not only do they not test on animals, they use many organic ingredients and all of their items are vegan.

UPDATE (6-4-12): This is a sad day…what most vegans looked to as a high end vegan makeup oasis is gone now. Urban Decay have decided to start selling their products in China. This has be certified by the Leaping Bunny list. So they are no longer cruelty-free and they have sold out their company. I had a gut feeling ever since they lied about using Lanolin oil in their eyeshadow primer. I am of course taking them off my list and will no longer support them in any way, shape, or form. I’m extremely disappointed in them.

UPDATE, Laura Mercier is off of the list: (2-22-12): Laura Mercier Cosmetics are manufactured by Gurwitch Products, LLC, a company that is itself majority-owned by Alticor. Annual sales approach $120 million. Janet Gurwitch remained CEO of the company until 2008; co-founder Gary Kusin has moved on to become CEO of Kinko’s. Sharon Collier is the company’s current CEO. Sharon Collier is no longer the CEO of Laura Mercier She left in 2010. The new CEO comes from AVON ( Mark Brand of Avon ). Alticor is also known as Amway.

UPDATE: (2-21-12): My response from leaping bunny on the Mary Kay issue and the reason I’m removing L’Occitane and Yves Rocher.

Hi Kristy,

Thank you for your question and your support of Leaping Bunny.

Mary Kay is actually no longer certified by the Leaping Bunny Program either. We have removed Mary Kay from our list after receiving this response from a representative there when we questioned them about selling in China where animal testing is required:

“When Mary Kay learned of requirements by regulatory agencies in China, we were obliged to follow the law, as we do in every country where we operate. But our commitment to the elimination of animal testing has never changed or wavered. We are working very closely with the Chinese government to demonstrate that alternative testing methods ensure safe and effective products.”

There are several other companies that we are looking into that may have to be removed from our list because of them potentially selling in China. Once we have a complete list of companies, we plan on making a formal statement. Companies removed thus far include Mary Kay, L’Occitane, Yves Rocher, and Caudalie. We’ll be sure to keep you posted!

Thank your for your commitment to compassionate consumerism.

Best,
Kim

UPDATE (2-19-12): I’m removing Mary Kay cosmetics from my list because there is a rumor that they have been issuing animal testing in China because Chinese law requires animal testing for products marketed to be sold there. Estee’ Lauder and Avon have been doing this as well. All three companies have the “don’t test unless required by law” on their cruelty-free statements. I knew about Estee’ Lauder and Avon, but the Mary Kay statement change is a more recent development. I also checked leapingbunny.org and they have taken down Mary Kay off of their website. I don’t have 100% proof, but the information is conflicting and I’d rather play it safe than sorry regarding animal testing. Again, it is your choice to believe what you want, but in my experience, companies that list “unless required by law” are still involved with animal testing.

If you are new to cruelty-free research, its hard to know which list to read and to trust. No list is 100% accurate (although I highly recommend checking out leapingbunny.org) nor does it include every single cruelty-free company. I strive to have my list be the most accurate and updated list available.

I always check the following before approving a company for this list:

The actual company doesn’t test on animals
The parent company doesn’t test animals
Any 3rd party manufacturers do not conduct animal testing on the companies’ behalf.
(NEW 6-14-12) 5. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country?

*Disclaimer: Ecotools are owned by Paris Presents, who do make animal hair brushes. So technically they aren’t 100% cruelty-free, but if that were the case, I’d have to take off every company on that list that uses any animal bi-products or animal hair. I encourage everyone to buy ONLY synthetic brushes. To use any other kind of brush does contribute to animal cruelty. I personally think if Ecotools were not so widely available, many more animals would be harmed and killed for animal hair brushes. The same goes for the ELF studio brushes, which are widely available, affordable synthetic brushes. If you don’t feel comfortable supporting a company that uses an animal hair brushes or byproducts, I do have many vegan companies on my list as well to choose from.

If you find this list to be inaccurate or have a cruelty-free statement from a company or an update you’d like to share with me, you can contact me at: veggiebeautycosmetics@gmail.com. Contact a company directly by email or by calling if you are not sure about an ingredient or their stand on being cruelty-free.

Household Cleaning Products: Seventh Generation, Method, Earth Friendly Products, Full Circle Products, Mrs. Meyers (8-24-12)

Nail Polish: SpaRitual, Zoya, Scotch Naturals, No Miss
Here is more info on vegan nail polishes…it still includes OPI and a few 3rd party testing brands, but has correspondence from many companies on their cruelty-free statements/vegan status of their nail polishes. I do not endorse or assure any info from other sites, I’m simply providing a link to further your own research: http://veganclaws.com/vegan-nail-polish-resource/

Hair-Dye: Prevanna (may contain silk-pearl powder), Special Effects, Manic Panic, Light Mountain Henna, Tints of Nature

Hair Styling/Shampoo/Conditioners/Body Wash & Soap: Alba, Apala Beauty, Avalon Organics, Beauty Without Cruelty, Dr. Woods,Dr. Bronners, Kiss My Face, Jason’s Natural Cosmetics, RenPure Organics, One Bath and Body, Organix, It’s a 10, Dr. Bronner’s, Lush, Nature’s Gate, Giovanni, Yes to Carrots (not vegan) (Cucumbers, Tomatos), Shikai Hair Products, Pure Life Soap, Co., Lily of the Desert, Level Naturals (added 6-14-12), Devita (added 6-14-12)

Oral Hygeine: Kiss My Face, Bonicca, Jason’s Natural Cosmetics, Trader Joe’s, Eco-Dent

Deodorant: Jason’s Natural, Crystal Deoderant, Nature’s Gate, Kiss My Face, Thai Crystal

Fragrances: Tallulah Jane Natural Perfume (vegan), One Hand Washes the Other (vegan), Haus of Gloi (vegan), Solstice Scents (some products contain animal byproducts, but she has a vegan list on her site), Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (some perfumes contain beeswax absolute)

Synthetic Makeup Brushes (*see disclaimer): Advanced Beauty Tools, Alima Pure, Bdellium Tools*, Cozzette (100% Vegan) Everyday Minerals (100% Vegan), Ecotools*, Furless, Vegan Vibrance Makeup Brushes (USA), OCC Brushes

Independent Cosmetics: The All Natural Face, Cupertino Soap Company, Mad Style Cosmetics, Glamour Doll Eyes, One Hand Washes the Other, Just Pure Minerals, House of Gloi, Scaredy Cat Cosmetics, Shiro Cosmetics, Providence & Grace, Meow Cosmetics, Medusa’s Makeup, Hippie Butter, Morgana’s Cryptorium, Zosimos Botanicals, You Stink Soap (uses sustainable palm oil, per their policies section)

Vegan Lip Balms: Booda Balm, Crazy Rumors (does contain carnuaba wax), Merry Hempsters, Hurraw Lip Balm, EcoLips (Bee Free)

*Disclaimer: Dr. Bronner’s isn’t 100% vegan, as they use beeswax in a couple of their products, but their vast majority of products are vegan, hence the reason I’m including them in this section. Always check ingredients to make sure a product is 100% vegan, because some vegans don’t consider beeswax to be a non-vegan item and some do. I personally don’t consider ANY animal byproducts to be vegan, except for mineral oil as that product is not currently harming any animals (I make no claims as to is safety though).

Vegan Cosmetics and Skincare: Alima Pure, Avalon Organics, Beauty Without Cruelty, Emani Minerals, Everyday Minerals, Gabriel Cosmetics, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), Fyrinnae, Dr. Bronner’s*, Illuminaire, Leap Organics, Motives Cosmetics, One Bath and Body, Out of Africa Products, Pink Quartz Minerals, Pumpkin and Poppy Cosmetics, Promega5, Sevi, Shiro Cosmetics, Pur Minerals, ZuZu Luxe

NOTE: Please be aware of products that are said to be made in China if you don’t want to support the Chinese government who still supports animal testing. My understanding is that items that are manufactured in China are not required to be tested, just items that are sold and distributed in that country. It is up to your discretion as a consumer to make these kinds of choices for yourself, which is why I’m keeping items that are made in China on my list.

Blum Naturals *added 8-22-12

Bonicca

Dessert Essence

DeVita Naturals *added 8-20-12

Dickinson’s Toners

Dr. Hauschka Skin Care

ELF (click for link to their statement regarding their status of not selling in China, although they are manufactured there)

EcoLips

FACEatelier

Gosh

Hard Candy (they are only sold in Wal-Mart, so if you don’t want to support Wal-Mart, don’t purchase from them. That said, Hard Candy is made in the USA)

Hourglass

Illamasqua

Kiss My Face

Jason’s Natural Cosmetics

Josie Maran Cosmetics

Lavera Cosmetics

Lush

Nature’s Gate

Makeup Geek

Milani & Jordana (owned by The New Milani Group)

NVEY ECO – Pure Organic Makeup Artistry

OCC (vegan)