Briefing on Cruelty-Free Beauty and Household Shopping

What Does "Cruelty-Free" Mean?

"Cruelty-free" refers to items not tested on animals in any part of the manufacturing process. But let's step back a minute: What is animal testing, exactly? Basically, scientific tests that experiment on animals in a way that may lead to the creature's pain, suffering, or harm can be considered by the cruelty-free community to be animal testing. In many of these tests, skin and eye irritation experiments in which chemicals are rubbed on shaved skin or dropped directly into the eyes are done without pain relief on small rodents like bunnies, guinea pigs, and mice. Naturally, an animal cannot tell us when it's hurting, and in some cases, the animal may even die or suffer permanent physical damage. These types of experiments, given current technologies, are often outdated, cruel, and completely unnecessary, at least within the United States.

Upsetting Cosmetic Animal Testing Statistics

Per the Humane Society of the United States, about 500,000 animals suffer and die because of cosmetics testing every year.
While 37 countries specifically ban testing, major markets like China had it as a requirement until very recently. This may be why many American cosmetics businesses selling overseas have not abandoned the practice.
Per Cruelty Free International, the U.S. is the top animal-testing country, followed by Japan, China, Australia, and France.
What's possibly worse than all of that is that animal testing is often considered wasteful, unreliable, and inaccurate. Many drugs that have seen success in animal testing fail in human trials - about 90%, actually, per Cruelty Free International.
There are many alternatives to animal testing, like computer modeling and human cell culturing.

There has been a push for laws to ban animal testing, but it's been a long fight. In the meantime, many consumers - vegan and non-vegetarian alike - have made the choice to watch brands and boycott items that test on animals. How can you stop animal testing? Consumers can take at least some responsibility by voting with their dollars, buying items that are cruelty-free and avoiding those that aren't. But there's an unfortunate catch: Labeling of "cruelty-free," like the words "organic" or "natural," often happens on items that simply shouldn't use the term but get away with it because there's no legal definition for it. Some businesses that call themselves "cruelty-free" are still businesses that use animal testing. What's a consumer supposed to do?

What Is "Leaping Bunny Certified"?

When people want "cruelty-free" items, they are looking to be sure that the item has not be tested on animals in any part of the manufacturing process, involving either the final item or the ingredients, and the group that ensures that is the Coalition for Consumer Details on Cosmetics. The Leaping Bunny program is the brainchild of eight different animal protection groups, including the Humane Society of the United States and Beauty Without Cruelty, and it awards items with a specific logo. Their standards are fairly strict, and the program offers a cruelty-free app that helps you find Leaping Bunny brands while shopping.

Another group to look at when finding safe businesses to buy from is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which compiles its own list of businesses that test on animals along with ones that don't. PETA has their own cruelty-free logo, which is also a bunny. There's a great deal more on the PETA cruelty-free list than the Leaping Bunny list because PETA's list is drawn from a declaration of integrity; in other words, PETA is less strict than the Leaping Bunny program. But PETA also goes out of its way to point out problematic businesses conducting tests. Another group to watch is Cruelty Free International, which does not point out specific businesses/items but does serve as an advocacy group.

A Quick Briefing on Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands

Do you like wearing makeup? Testing on animals doesn't have to be a part of that equation at all. Let's take a look at the cosmetic brands that test on animals along with the best cruelty-free makeup brands 2019 has to offer! We're going to be focusing mostly on cruelty-free drugstore makeup brands along with others that are commonly offered. Many think that to go cruelty-free, one must spend a ton of money or go far out of the way to find good choices, but it's just not true! While you're shopping for makeup, you can save on many of these better brands online applying Sacodes's deals, like getting coupons for the vegan, cruelty-free e.l.f. makeup brand, which is already pretty low-cost to begin with!

Leaping Bunny Certified, Animal-Cruelty-Free Makeup

These are the top recognized Leaping Bunny brands that are easy to find in stores. While these brands make great cruelty-free drugstore makeup, this is hardly the full list of choices, especially since most businesses on the Leaping Bunny certification list are small, local businesses. Check the official Leaping Bunny list of brands that don't test on animals to find more.

BH Cosmetics - Completely approved, with no animal testing at any stage of the process, BH Cosmetics also follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure safety and offers some completely vegan items, like brushes.
CoverGirl - Very recently, this mega-conglomerate of makeup pulled its items from China shelves and became approved by Leaping Bunny. This was a very exciting step, offering availability of choices to most average American consumers. One catch, though, is that the parent business of CoverGirl may still be doing animal testing. Within the business, though, there is no CoverGirl animal testing of any kind.
Naked Cosmetics - This is a cruelty-free cosmetics business that dates back to 2005 and prides itself on its as-natural-as-possible makeup.
100% Pure - "We have never and will never test on animals," the team says on their site, going into open detail about their process. Many of their items are also vegan.

Makeup Brands That Don't Test on Animals But Don't Have Leaping Bunny Certification

A business may make makeup that doesn't test on animals, but for one reason or another, they may not have the Leaping Bunny certification. Some have the PETA certification instead. Leaping Bunny requires a few things that are not possible for some brands: first, to pull items from countries that require animal testing, which, until recently, included China, and second, that every single ingredient sourced in the process also does not use animal testing. That being said, many on this list have pledged to stop animal testing. Makeup brands, however, have been known to sneakily put a bunny on their containers despite not having the Leaping Bunny certification or PETA recognition at all. Definitely do your research!

E.l.f. - Despite not having official certification, one can easily call e.l.f. cruelty-free. They've pledged their dedication to the cause through PETA. Most of their items and all of their brushes and eyelashes are also vegan.
Wet n wild - This business has not been certified but is recognized by PETA and offers many vegan items.
BareMinerals - This business has been recognized by PETA and not Leaping Bunny for being cruelty-free, but their parent business, Shiseido, has been known to test on animals.
Too Faced - This is among the few Estée Lauder makeup brands to have been recognized with a PETA certification.
Urban Decay - This business is owned by a parent business, L'Oréal, that does conduct animal testing, but Urban Decay itself has a clean record.
Anastasia Beverly Hills - This is one of several cruelty-free brands that can be found at the makeup store chain Sephora.
Tarte - While its parent business, Kose, is not cruelty-free, Tarte Cosmetics is recognized by both PETA and third-party group Logical Harmony.
Becca - Another Estée Lauder business, Becca is certified as cruelty-free by PETA.
Stila - Stila has been considered cruelty-free after pulling out of China a few years ago.
L.A. Girl - Recognized by PETA and not owned by a parent business that tests on animals, L.A. Girl is a good choice for bold looks.
NYX - Is NYX cruelty-free? While it was bought by non-cruelty-free brand L'Oréal, the business has remained committed to being cruelty-free.
IT Cosmetics - The business has confirmed that it doesn't test on animals and doesn't sell in countries where that kind of testing is required.
Milani - This brand is good about not only their items but the sourcing of their ingredients. They have some nice vegan items, too.
Buxom - Certified by PETA, Buxom is a great cruelty-free Sephora brand, but they're owned by Shiseido, which does do animal testing.
Smashbox - It's certified by PETA but owned by Estée Lauder.
Fenty Beauty - It's not on the official PETA list or the Leaping Bunny list, but industry experts recognize the business's status as being cruelty-free, and they also don't sell in China.
Huda Beauty - Also on neither list, this business is still recognized for being cruelty-free by some experts in the industry.
No7 - Not on PETA's or Leaping Bunny's lists, this business reportedly does not test on animals.

Makeup Brands That Test on Animals, Per PETA

These are cosmetic businesses with makeup items that test on animals as of 2019, though it's possible that China's new laws may eventually change these businesses' policies. Check for updates and more items on PETA's list of businesses that test on animals.

Almay - Despite their site claiming "Almay does not conduct animal testing and has not done so for over 20 years," the business admits selling items around the world that are "subject to local rules and regulations," and it has been included on PETA's list of beauty items that test on animals. Almay's animal testing makes it widely considered to be not cruelty-free, as is the case with parent business Revlon.
Maybelline - Does Maybelline test on animals? Unfortunately, yes, Maybelline and its parent L'Oréal have been known to test on animals.
Clinique - For both parent business Estée Lauder and makeup business Clinque, animal testing has occurred. Both are found on PETA's list.
M·A·C - Does M·A·C test on animals? Per their FAQ, they don't own animal testing facilities, but their presence in China makes the situation a bit more complicated than they let on. The often philanthropic and progressive business suffered a social media firestorm from angry vegan shoppers.
Lancôme - Parent business L'Oréal and cosmetic business Lancôme do not conduct testing "unless required by law."
Avon - Avon also came under fire for their animal testing. While they don't conduct these tests in the U.S., they do in other countries
Mary Kay - Does Mary Kay test on animals? Per PETA, it does. The business was among the first to advocate for in-vitro testing overseas, so it may be possible that the business will switch over now that China's laws are loosening.
Origins - As it is one of Estée Lauder's businesses, it is on PETA's list. This is a great example of it sometimes being difficult to work out what makeup businesses test on animals, as they focus so much on nature and "doing good."
Bobbi Brown - Another one of Estée Lauder's businesses, Bobbi Brown says that it does not text on animals "except where required by law."
Benefit Cosmetics - Because of sales in China, this business has been known to test on animals.
Nars Cosmetics - The business's policies actually inspired a formal boycott.

"Gray Area" Brands

Note that many brands may not be on PETA's list but have disputed or convoluted claims to being considered cruelty-free. For instance, there's Rimmel London: While not on PETA's formal list of businesses that do test on animals, the business has been caught by other watchdog groups selling their items to markets like China. Businesses like Morphe have given "conflicting or misleading" details about their status, official listed in a gray area. Other brands like Laura Mercier, LORAC, and Younique are also in that gray area of potentially animal-testing cosmetics.

Our Favorite Animal-Friendly Makeup

Here are some of the top cruelty-free makeup items we've found:

The Best Cruelty-Free Mascara: In Cruelty Free Kitty's poll of 10,000 readers, one mascara overwhelmingly won: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
The Best Cruelty-Free Foundation: Live Better By ranks the vegan, cruelty-free e.l.f. Acne Fighting Foundation as the top liquid choice and bareMinerals Original as the top powder foundation.
Better, Animal-Conscious Blush: Glossier's Cloud Paint has gotten the best reviews in the makeup world recently, and they're a very animal-welfare-conscious brand.
Cruelty-Free Makeup Brushes: We love Eco Tools because it's a business with a full line of completely cruelty-free, vegan brushes.
Best Vegan, Cruelty-Free Lipstick: Stylists rank bareMinerals BarePro Lipstick, Lush Vegan Lipstick, and e.l.f. Velvet Matte Lipstick among their favorites.

Vegan, Cruelty-Free Makeup Choices

Brands like Urban Decay, Tarte, wet n wild, Too Faced, and theBalm offer vegan items along with having a line of entirely non-animal-tested makeup. Other businesses like e.l.f. and Pacifica offer 100% vegan choices for their whole line. Check out Logical Harmony's list of cruelty-free items to find which ones are 100% vegan.

A Note About Shops and Subscription Makeup Boxes

Stores, shops, and subscription boxes often will have some items that are cruelty-free and others that aren't; the perfect example of this is Sephora. While the Sephora brand itself is on PETA's bad list, you can find many cruelty-free brands at Sephora. Similarly, you can find many different choices at Ulta Beauty as well. As far as what's in subscription boxes, you'll need to research each brand. Birchbox has supposedly been making strides but is not considered cruelty-free as of now.

Other Cruelty-Free Items

Naturally, those in the beauty and cosmetics industry aren't the only businesses that test on animals. Toothpaste, shampoo, and first-aid supplies are all items tested on animals frequently, as upsetting as that fact may be. Here are some other items to remember along with the readily offered cruelty-free drugstore brands you can swap them for.

Cruelty-Free Skin-Care Items

Replace the common items in your skin-care routine with ones that are better for animals (and, often, you). Going cruelty-free can sometimes get costly, but don't forget that Sacodes can help you find deals. For instance, you can get coupons for Lush if you want a new, cruelty-free, vegan routine for skin care.

Cruelty-Free Face Wash

✅ 100% Pure offers face wash and is Leaping Bunny approved, as are the Yes To brand and Alba Botanica. These aren't Leaping Bunny certified but are recognized by PETA: Pacifica, First Aid Beauty, and Lush. Animal testing aside, many of these brands also offer a host of vegan items. More costly brands Mario Badescu, Physicians Formula, and Glossier are also safe.

❌ Common brands including Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Olay, Aveeno, Avon, Kiehl's, and Neutrogena are all on PETA's list of businesses that test on animals. Cetaphil, while not being on the official PETA list, has been reported as being part of a pharmaceutical business that does use testing. Biore, CeraVe, Fresh, GlamGlow, and Soap & Glory are also in a gray area.

Cruelty-Free Moisturizer

✅ Burt's Bees lotions are Leaping Bunny certified, and on the more costly end, you can find Osea and Andalou. Without being certified, St. Ives and Dove both offer cruelty-free body lotion.

❌ Lubriderm is on PETA's bad list. Jergens and Bath & Body Works reportedly may sell in countries where testing is required.

Cruelty-Free Body Wash

✅ Yes To, Alba Botanica, Method, and Dr. Bronner's are all OK, per Leaping Bunny. Lush and Dove offer cruelty-free choices too.

❌ Ivory, Dial, Olay, and Johnson & Johnson items are all on PETA's list for testing on animals.

Cruelty-Free Sunscreen

✅ Kiss My Face is not only Leaping Bunny certified but also among the group's founding members. The second certified business is Goddess Garden. Aside from those, PETA recommends Alba Botanica Sunscreen, Nature's Gate and Trader Joe's Nourish Spray Sunscreen.

❌ Bain de Soleil and Coppertone are on PETA's bad list. Nivea sells in China. Other businesses, like Banana Boat and Le Tan are in the gray area.

Cruelty-Free Perfume

✅ The Body Shop is Leaping Bunny certified. Lush, Tsi-La, and Aromi are also all cruelty-free.

❌ Perfume businesses like Calvin Klein Cosmetics, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Versace, Victoria's Secret, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Estée Lauder are all on PETA's list for applying animal testing.

Cruelty-Free Deodorant and Antiperspirant

✅ Humble is Leaping Bunny certified. Lavanila, Lush's deodorant bars, and Schmidt's are great replacements as well. More commonly offered, Dove reportedly has put a ban on animal testing.

❌ Common deodorant brands often do animal testing. Old Spice, Secret, and Arm & Hammer area all on are PETA's bad list.

Cruelty-Free Lip Care

✅ Lipster, Hurraw!, and Crazy Rumors offer Leaping Bunny certified lip balm. Lush, Tarte, and Bare English & Co. also offer nice lip items that are cruelty-free.

❌ Two of the most common brands of lip balm - eos and ChapStick - are not cruelty-free.

Cruelty-Free Shampoo and Hair-Care Items

Another thing to remember is that shampoos, sprays, dyes, and gels are rarely cruelty-free hair items. But don't worry! We've done the research for you.

Shampoos That Don't Test on Animals

✅ Both Yes To and Wen offer Leaping Bunny certified shampoo not tested on animals. Paul Mitchell, Lush, and JASON are also considered OK, though not certified. Meanwhile, Only Buy Vegan ranked Mukti Organics as offering the best cruelty-free shampoo and conditioner.

❌ Brands like Head & Shoulders, Aussie, Garnier, Suave, Pantene, L'Oréal, and Redken, are all on PETA's list for animal testing. None of these businesses can be considered for cruelty-free hair-care items.

Cruelty-Free Hairspray

✅ It's a 10 Haircare is certified, and other beloved brands like Paul Mitchell, Ouai, Kenra and Oribe offer cruelty-free sprays.

❌ As we mentioned in the shampoo section, many of the most common brands of hair items have and do test on animals, like Redken, L'Oréal, Aussia, Pantene, and Garnier.

Miscellaneous Bathroom Items

When shopping for simple things like spray cleaners or bandages, remember that many of these businesses test on animals. These are some of the worst offenders, as many of these tests can be extremely hurtful and abrasive.

Cruelty-Free Toothpaste and Oral Care

✅ Davids Natural Toothpaste, hello's flouride-free toothpaste, Dr. Sheffield's natural toothpaste, and SprinJene's toothpaste are all Leaping Bunny certified, while Tom's of Maine earns PETA's approval. Many of those businesses also have safe mouthwash items.

❌ It's somewhat absurd that this is even a part of the conversation, but most of the most common toothpaste brands are specifically on PETA's list for testing on animals: Crest, Equate, Aquafresh, Sensodyne, and Colgate all test on animals. Mouthwash items like Listerine, Scope, and Biotene are also on the bad list.

Cruelty-Free Cleaning Items

✅ Dr. Woods is Leaping Bunny certified. PETA recognizes Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer's, Method, and ECOS.

❌ Frebreeze, Fantastik, Mr. Clean, OxiClean, Tide, Kaboom, Finish, Drano, and many other Procter & Gamble brands are on PETA's list.

Conclusions

Being mindful of which items use testing as a part of their manufacturing process can help us avoid making the process worse and protect the lives of innocent creatures. Start making the switch to cruelty-free, and remember that you can save on dozens of these brands with Sacodes