Cosmetic Companies That Don't Test on Animals

I originally wrote the following article as an assignment for a client, but was a little surprised to discover the client didn't actually want me to name names -- advertisal relationships and all. Rather than rewrite an entire article to avoid offending a makeup line by stating the facts about its safety testing, I decided to throw it up on my blog. I also have another reason for sharing: The information I learned in my research made me examine the makeup I buy. With the selection of cosmetic lines that don't test on animals, there's really no reason I should be supporting a company that still tests on animals. 

If you're looking for that perfect volumizing mascara or blemish-concealing BB cream, but want to ensure the product is cruelty-free, good news: As of 2014, over 1,000 beauty and personal care companies don't test on animals, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The bad news is that some big-name brands still test on animals, and the testing practices of some cosmetic lines are unknown. When in doubt, look for the leaping bunny logo, which is the international cruelty-free stamp of approval from PETA.

Drug Store Brands

You don't have to go to a department store or beauty store to find cosmetics that don't test on animals. Drug-store staples, including Jane, The Body Shop by L'Oreal, Terra Natural and Physicians Formula are PETA-approved. Even the low-cost Wet n' Wild is cruelty-free. If you still love those scented Lip Smackers, never fear, Bonnie Bell makes the leaping bunny list, as does natural lip balm maker, Burt's Bees.

Middle and Higher End Brands

When those coupons and rewards offers come in the mail from Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret, you can buy their cosmetics with confidence that they are cruelty-free. Higher-end brands that don't test on animals include Smashbox, LUSH cosmetics, Urban Decay, Sephora Spa Essentials and Aveda by Estee Lauder.

Mineral Makeup

If you're a mineral-makeup beauty, you'll find many brands from which to choose, at all price points. Mineral cosmetics that don't test on animals include Affordable Mineral Makeup, Aussie Mineral Makeup, Bare Essentuals, Pur Minerals, L.A. Minerals, Luv Mineral Cosmetics, Everyday Minerals and Earth Goddess Minerals.

Testing Abroad

Some companies don't test the products they sell in the U.S. on animals, but do test the products sold in other countries on animals. In China, animal testing on cosmetics is a legal requirement. Avon, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay and Revlon all lost their long-held PETA-approval after testing and selling in China; however, in early 2014, Revlon and L'Oreal's Garnier announced they would pull their products from the country. On its website, Almay says it personally does not conduct animal testing, but adds that, "Regulatory authorities in a few countries conduct independent testing in order to satisfy their own mandatory registration requirements."

Confirmed Testing

Just because a cosmetic product doesn't carry the leaping bunny logo, it doesn't necessarily mean the company tests on animals. The company may not have gone through the process to carry the logo, even though they don't do animal testing. Some companies cannot carry the logo because of confirmed testing. According to PETA, Bobbi Brown, Maybelline and M.A.C. conduct animal testing. Procter & Gamble, which owns Cover Girl, claims that it completes 99 percent of safety testing without using animals.

To learn what animal testing entails, visit this Humane Society page.