Most people assume that companies stopped testing cosmetics on animals decades ago. This is largely due to the well publicised triumphs achieved by anti-vivisection movements during the 1990s. This was a time when animal rights organisations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) were protesting against the giant corporations testing on animals. They released thousands of distressing images and video footage that documented what exactly went on behind closed doors. As a result, a huge number of companies either went under, due to consumer backlash, or changed their research methods.
Focus has shifted slightly now, with the spotlight now on climate change and other "green" issues. However, the testing of beauty products on animals such as rabbits and mice has not ceased.
How to Find Out Which Companies Test on Animals
There are a number of lists available that provide details on which companies still test on animals. The most reliable one is kept by PETA, as they update it every two to four months. Many popular cosmetic brands grace the "bad" list, including Clairol, Cover Girl, L’Oréal (manufacturer of Maybelline, Lancôme and Garnier), Max Factor, Oil of Olay and Cheeseborough Ponds (manufacturer of Ponds and Vaseline).
PETA, and other organisations like it, also maintain a list that provides information on which companies do not test on animals. Avon, Bobbi Brown, Clarins, Clinique, Estée Lauder, Revlon, Urban Decay and Victoria’s Secret are all currently on the "good" list. These documents are a useful resource for anybody who is unsure about whether a specific beauty or make-up company tests on animals.
A "Cruelty-Free" Label Does Not Always Mean a Cruelty Free Company
"Cruelty-free" labels on products are a fairly good indication that that particular product was not tested on a laboratory animal. Even though the rules and guidelines governing which items can sport a "cruelty-free" sticker are fairly lax and unreliable, most companies know that the consumer backlash would be terrific if they lied about their animal testing policies.
However, just because one product bears a label stating that it was not tested on animals, this does not mean that other items in that company’s range weren’t used in experiments on animals. For example, Clairol do not test their Herbal Essences range on animals, but the rest of their cosmetic line is still researched in this way.
Top Animal Loving Beauty Companies
A select group of cosmetic companies have become world renowned for their "animal friendly" products and the stance that they take against testing beauty products on animals. Some of the most popular are listed below.
The Body Shop
One of the five values that The Body Shop was founded on is "against animal testing." The other four, for interest's sake, are "support community trade", "activate self-esteem", "defend human rights", and "protect our planet". Since 1990, the company has not used a single ingredient that was tested on animals. They also actively campaign against testing cosmetics on animals and embrace the use of alternative tests.
Urban Decay
Popular make-up company Urban Decay has always been strongly opposed to animal testing. This company also won an award from PETA recently for "best cruelty-free cosmetic line."
Lush
Lush is well known for using fresh, natural ingredients in all of their products. According to their website, they also believe in only buying their supplies from "companies that test for safety without the involvement of animals." Lush tests all of its own products on humans, rather than animals.
Although animal rights organisations continue to work hard for their cause, media and public attention is not currently focused on animal testing. One may hope that, as more people become concerned with what goes into their products and how they are made, they will become aware of the still-too-common testing of beauty products on animals and will decide not to purchase from those companies. Follow these links to read more about animal friendly products and cruelty free corporations.
