There is no greater philosophy behind the idea of cruelty-free beauty although it’s not always clear what the term cruelty-free means. It seems to be interpreted by people in many different ways.
Some of you, who have already seen my list of companies that are and aren’t cruelty free, ask me why companies that other bloggers consider as cruelty free, are on my red list of companies that I do not consider ethical.
Cruelty-free cosmetics, have been produced in a way that doesn’t harm any animals in the world. Whether these are mammals, fish or reptiles, no living being should be exploited for human good looks.
Animal Testing
The number 1 criterion for establishing if a brand is cruelty free, is it’s policy on animal testing. This is something that companies either do not mention at all or publish a lengthy, not always entirely truthful essays on, explaining their respect towards animals. A cruelty free brand should not conduct, fund or allow tests of products on animals at all. Here’s a catch…
Trade in China is no, no
If a non Chinese brand is selling makeup or perfume products in China, they have to agree for these products to be tested on animals. It is a legal requirement for imported products to be tested on animals in order for them to be available on Chinese shelves. Therefore, if a company sells in China, it supports animal abuse and values money more than animal welfare. Hong Kong is an exception in this case.
The ingredients are tested seperately
It is equally important who the brand in question collaborates with and whom they pay for services and products. Ingredients tend to be purchased from third party suppliers who might have completely different animal testing policies. A beauty company can only be considered cruelty-free, if it requires it’s suppliers to not test on animals neither.
Support of the cruelest of all trades
The use of fur and animal hair in cosmetic accessories is where my criteria differs from other bloggers and where most of you guys show concern. I believe that fur is the most unnecessary, unjustifiable and cruel fad of today’s world, that is still legal in so many countries. There is no need for any type of animal hair in the beauty industry which tends to be used for false lashes, make up and shaving brushes. Why use badger hair to powder your face when there are plant based or synthetic alternatives? A beauty company who contributes to the fur industry in any shape or form, cannot be labelled as cruelty free simply because fur is cruel. To read more about the fur industry read my post on ugly people here.
Animal derived ingredients
A vegan certification is not a necessity but is definitely a factor that adds to the cruelty-free status. ‘Animal derived ingredients’ is a very general phrase and initially all that comes to mind is milk but trust me, there is more. Hormones found only in urine of pregnant horses, protein from animal tissue, substances from shark livers, oils from whale’s stomachs, mammals’s sweat and many more! In fact, ensure to check the ingredients list of a product if there is no certification on it. Companies that are fully vegan are tagged on my list with a (V)
