Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
Cruelty-free cosmetics are products developed without animal testing. They are not necessarily vegan, which means free of animal-derived ingredients; many shoppers look for both.
Cruelty-free cosmetics are personal care and beauty products, such as makeup, skincare, haircare and toiletries, that have been developed and manufactured without testing on animals. The term is closely associated with, but distinct from, vegan cosmetics, which contain no animal-derived ingredients. Many people following a vegan lifestyle seek products that are both cruelty-free and vegan, in line with the principles of ethical veganism.
Cruelty-free versus vegan
The two terms describe different things:
| Term | Meaning | Example of a product that fails |
|---|---|---|
| Cruelty-free | No animal testing of the finished product or ingredients | A plant-based lotion tested on animals for regulatory approval |
| Vegan | No ingredients derived from animals | A lipstick never tested on animals but containing beeswax and carmine |
A product can therefore be cruelty-free but not vegan, vegan but not cruelty-free, both or neither. Definitions also vary between certifying bodies: some require that no ingredient has been tested on animals after a fixed cut-off date, and some consider whether the parent company sells products in markets where animal testing occurs.
Animal testing in cosmetics
Historically, cosmetic ingredients and products were tested on animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats to assess irritation, sensitisation and toxicity. Campaigns against cosmetic animal testing gained momentum from the 1970s and 1980s onward, and alternative methods, including cell-based tests, reconstructed human tissue models and computer modelling, have since been developed and validated for many purposes.
Legislation
European Union
The European Union introduced a phased ban on cosmetic animal testing:
- 2004 – testing finished cosmetic products on animals was banned in the EU.
- 2009 – testing cosmetic ingredients on animals in the EU was banned, along with a marketing ban for most tests.
- 2013 – a full marketing ban came into effect, prohibiting the sale in the EU of cosmetics whose ingredients or finished products had been tested on animals for cosmetic purposes, regardless of where the testing took place.
Campaigners have noted that some ingredients used in cosmetics may still be tested on animals under separate EU chemical safety legislation, which covers worker and environmental safety rather than cosmetic use specifically. This overlap has been a subject of ongoing debate.
Other countries
Several other countries and jurisdictions have introduced bans or restrictions on cosmetic animal testing, while others have no such laws. China historically required animal testing for many imported cosmetics; regulatory changes in 2021 allowed certain imported general cosmetics to avoid mandatory animal testing if specific conditions were met. Rules continue to change, so consumers often rely on certification rather than assumptions about particular markets.
Common animal-derived ingredients
Vegan shoppers often check ingredient lists for the following (see also hidden animal ingredients):
- Carmine (cochineal, CI 75470) – a red pigment made from insects
- Lanolin – a grease from sheep’s wool
- Beeswax (cera alba) and honey
- Shellac – a resin secreted by lac insects, used in nail polish
- Keratin and collagen – proteins often derived from animal tissue
- Guanine – a shimmer agent that can be derived from fish scales
- Squalene – sometimes derived from shark liver oil, though plant-derived versions (often from olives) are common
- Tallow derivatives – used in some soaps
- Milk, silk proteins and snail mucin
Many of these ingredients have plant-based or synthetic equivalents, and the ingredient name alone does not always reveal the source.
Labels and certifications
Several recognised schemes help consumers identify products. The best-known include:
- Leaping Bunny – an internationally recognised cruelty-free standard requiring a supplier monitoring system and independent audits.
- PETA’s cruelty-free and vegan logos – based on company declarations to the organisation.
- The Vegan Society trademark – certifies products free of animal ingredients and animal testing.
- Other national vegan labels – such as the V-Label in parts of Europe.
Unregulated claims such as “not tested on animals” on packaging may refer only to the finished product, not its ingredients. Certification schemes are discussed in more detail in vegan certifications and labels.
Practical tips
- Look for a recognised certification rather than relying on general marketing claims.
- Check ingredient lists for animal-derived substances.
- Contact companies directly for clarification about testing policies and ingredient sources.
- Consider brushes and tools, which may use animal hair; synthetic alternatives are widely available.
- Use up existing products gradually if transitioning, as many people do.