Stop Animal Testing Cosumetics & Its Alternatives

Upfront – I want to say that this Animal Testing Cusometics blog post is not about bashing any company/ anyone, it’s about the facts that are out there for us to read and become aware of. To get more information about our cruelty free products please read our latest blog post.

Since I started this company my stance has been and always will be:

CHOOSE NOT TO TEST ON ANIMALS

Before discussing and getting into the nitty gritty about China I want to tell you about cosmetics in the EU. Here are some details:

EU Ban on Cosmetic Testing/ Cruelty Free International

• Testing cosmetic products and their ingredients on animals was banned in the UK in 1998 and across the EU in 2013.
• The legislation is part of EU Regulation 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation).
• The ban was created because non-animal methods were developed to test the safety of the cosmetics.
• This means that it is illegal to sell or market a cosmetic product if animal testing has taken place on the finished cosmetic or its ingredients before being sold in the EU.
• Cosmetic products have been described as: everyday hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, as well as luxury beauty items, including perfumes and makeup.

The following countries have banned Animal Testing:

• The European Union, India, Israel, and Norway all have bans in place making it illegal to test cosmetics on animals within their borders or to sell cosmetics that have been tested on animals elsewhere.

Main countries that allow Animal Testing

• USA
• Japan
• China

So when I source my brands I do my utmost to get them from the EU where I know there is a ban in place. I also source from within China where I know that animal testing DOES NOT TAKE PLACE!

Aaaaaaah Gael but…..yes I know! And this is where we need to discuss China and its regulations on Cosmetics.

 It might be shocking to learn that animal testing is required by law in China for all foreign cosmetics companies.

Keywords here = FOREIGN COSMETICS

What does this mean? This means that all the big American and European cosmetics brands (foreign brands) that are currently sold in China, must undergo animal testing. Some of these big brands include MAC, Clinique, and even Benefit.

 Why are these brands selling in China?

I have one word for this: MONEY! China has become a very lucrative market, in fact last year alone, the cosmetics market scored over 26 Billion Dollars (scary right?).

So now….we get to the root of this debate. These brands sell inside China but in order to do so they are required to do Animal Testing – it is MANDATORY. Chinese law requires mandatory animal testing on all cosmetics products that are manufactured outside of China. This law does not apply to products sold online – only to those physically sold in shops. Which means that these products are NOT cruelty free? And this is the debate – how do you feel about this?

What types of tests are performed?

According to the Humane Society, the animals most commonly used in testing are mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, the majority of which are killed when testing is complete. Examples of cosmetic testing can include tests for skin and eye irritation, wherein chemicals are rubbed onto the skin or dripped into the eyes of animals, as well as “lethal dose” tests. These are tests when animals are made to ingest large amounts of a test chemical to determine the dose that causes death.

You know what I have a problem with? That there are tests available that don’t require testing on animals – why not pay for them and stop being inhumane/ greedy. The BIG brands that test on animals (money = greed) if others can do it why not you? And the WORST – is that the consumer continues to support these big brands so they just keep doing what they are doing. End. Of. Rant.

Brands that don’t test on animals

Are Vegan Cosmetics the Same As Cruelty Free?

Have a look at this clever schematic from www.ethicalelephant.com

So simply put, cruelty-free is generally used to imply a product or brand does not test its formulations, ingredients, or finished products on animals (but may contain animal ingredients). Whereas vegan generally means that the product or brand contains no animal ingredients – but may have been tested on animals.

Summary:

• The term “Cruelty-free” only implies to animal testing
• The term “Vegan” only implies to the use of animal-derived ingredients (like beeswax, carmine, lanolin, collagen)
• Cosmetics can be both cruelty-free and vegan
• Cosmetics can also be cruelty-free but not vegan
• A few cosmetics can even be vegan but not cruelty-free

As a consumer don’t put your hand up or shrug your shoulders in that ‘what can I do’ kind of vibe! If you are pro cruelty free products be aware of which brands test on animals and DON’T BUY THEM!

If any of these lists are incorrect (or out dated) I apologize I tried to get the most updated list but sometimes it’s not always possible (all info graphics taken from www.crueltyfreekitty.com amd www.ethicalelephant.com).

Wishing all you beauties a lovely week 🙂

Gaelxxx