Q. I am so confused about cruelty-free. There are brands who state they don’t test on animals, yet their parent company do. How do I know which brands don’t and which one I should steer clear of?
A. This is always such a tough subject for me to answer because I know I’ll contradict myself to a degree.
The way I “gauge” which brand I use all depends on the individual company themselves, whether or not they do or do not test.
For example…
L’Oréal, Maybelline, Max Factor all test. So products what wear any of their logos I won’t use.
Products such as M.A.C, L’Occitane and Bobbi Brown are brands who state that don’t yet, they parent company do. These brands are the ones I still buy.
But I know what you’re thinking: why do I still buy products from companies who’s parent company still test? Truth is, you can take the whole cruelty-free as far as you want. If you feel like it’s wrong to buy products from a brand who’s parent company doesn’t set an example in favour of cruelty-free, than that’s your decision.
I should also make a point that I don’t judge people on whether or not they choose to buy animal tested products. It’s their decision and I don’t think they’re evil or immoral if they do.
But if you’re like me and are happy with the brand stance on cruelty-free, regardless of what the moral standards of their parent company than GREAT! Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal cruelty-free world but doing your part and not buying from brands that freely state they do test on animals is as good as you’re going to get, because over time it does get exhausting.
Ways I keep up to date with the latest cruelty-free brands is by visiting the Peta Cruelty-Free Database which has the biggest list of brands that do and don’t test on animals. Again, it’s up to you on how far you want to take it.
Other ways I find out is by doing a quick Google search. When I see a brand that I’m not too sure of, I open Safari on my iPhone and type in “[BRAND] test on animals” and it usually comes up with a quick blurb on whether or not they don’t.
I have found that there have been brands that are deceiving; they state they don’t but you hear on the grapevine somewhere they do (Revlon is always one that gets me). Do some extra research when you get home and you can make the decision yourself.
Also, keep an eye out for logos on packaging which does help…
The Leaping Bunny and the Cruelty-Free Bunny logos are the most popular. Brands undergo rigorous tests and regulations before they’re allowed to have these logos on their packaging, so you know that these products are cruelty-free.
I recently received a comment about Urban Decay sale to L’Oréal and how they’ll no longer be cruelty-free.
This is one issue I’ve still got mixed feelings for. From my understanding, although L’Oréal have bought Urban Decay, the brand will still wear the cruelty-free bunny logo and will still maintain cruelty-free practices with their products.
How much truth there is to that is really up the consumer. Personally, I’m not sure if I will or won’t buy Urban Decay. When I think about how many Urban Decay products I do own and use daily, it looks as though I will buy them again.
But only time will tell on how long they remain cruelty-free.
Lastly, always remember…
What is YOUR take on cruelty-free? How far do you take it?