Major Companies Have Been Removed From Cruelty-Free Lists
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Jun 12, 2012
Alyssa B.
I randomly came across a cruelty-free blog, My Beauty Bunny, and their cruelty-free list. As I'm scrolling down the list to ensure that my favorite beauty brands are still cruelty-free, my heart dropped. Not only did it drop, it broke, ripped and all of the above. Since my first post about cruelty-free products, I've been committed to only purchasing and reviewing products that were cruelty-free to the best of my knowledge. And although I realize that for scientific and medical purposes animal testing may be necessary, for cosmetics it is not. And as I'm scrolling down the list, it got worse. Estee Lauder, Urban Decay, Avon, Mary Kay, MakeUpForEver, YSL and others have been removed from cruelty-free lists due to their decision to sell their products in China. Estee Lauder's subsidiary companies include but are not limited to Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, MAC Cosmetics, Origins, Smashbox, Tom Ford.
The Chinese government requires all cosmetics sold in China to be tested on animals before it is available to the Chinese consumer. Therefore, in order to sell their products in China, these companies are having to test on animals. When I first read this, I felt hurt, betrayed, angry, frustrated, and more. I felt like I was being forced to break-up with an old friend. I've been using MAC Cosmetics since I was 15. I'm now almost 23, and although 8 years years might not seem long to some, it is a long time in comparison to my lifetime so far. I used MAC products for prom, dance recitals, first dates and my mom used to give me MAC products each year for Christmas. I use Urban Decay's Primer Potion everyday and their Naked palette is one of my (and many other beauty lover's) favorite eyeshadow palettes. I've recently fallen in love with YSL's Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks, and I've been exploring MakeUpForEver's wide array of products. Smashbox is another company I've been loyal to throughout college. So basically, almost all of the beauty companies that I have known and loved, now test on animals.
When asked, MakeUpForEver responded
From info@makeupforeverusa.com
Hello,
Thank you for your interest in MAKE UP FOR EVER. We do not test products on animals. The laboratories and suppliers we work with do not conduct animal testing on the products or ingredients they create or supply on our behalf; except when required by law.
Thank you.
Other companies, such as Smashbox, have similar statements on their website saying that they do not test on animals unless required by law. And China has such a law. And therefore if their products are being sold in China, they are required to test on animals.
Urban Decay has boasted being a cruelty-free company sporting the Leaping Bunny logo, and even creating vegan cosmetics. Christine from Temptalia posted Urban Decay's press release regarding the issue. You may find it on her website here. In the statement, Urban Decay tries to justify their decision by stating "During Urban Decay’s infancy, we worked hard to inform consumers about animal rights in the United States and Europe. The battleground for animal rights is now in China, and we want to be there to encourage dialogue and provoke change." Since then, Urban Decay has removed their press release from their website and replaced it with a generic statement similar to Smashbox.
And now, I must say MAC, Smashbox and others never boasted about being cruelty-free, it was just convenient that they didn't test. But for Urban Decay to "sell out" like they did, leaving behind one of their core beliefs, it's just baffling. In fact, for years Urban Decay has been saying, "We don’t do animal testing. How could anyone?" The real reason for the switch is that these companies are profit-based corporations, and China is a large growing market which could make these companies a lot of money. I'm not blaming these companies for wanting to make money, that is what they're in business to do, but for Urban Decay to try and justify it using other reasons? That is just too much for me to handle. The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) released a statement on June 6th informing the public that Urban Decay is no longer licensed to sport the Leaping Bunny logo.
So what does this mean for me? After much debate, I've decided to no longer review or purchase from any of the companies who now test on animals due to Chinese regulation. It has been tormenting me for the last few days, but as a cruelty-free blogger, dog foster-mom, and animal advocate, it is my only choice. I won't be so extreme to burn any of my previously purchased products, because I paid good money for those items! But I will be looking for replacement for my old favorites. My only hope is that these companies will revoke their decision to move to China due to the response from their loyal customers. And maybe, some day China will revoke the requirement for animal testing.
Some of you may still be asking, is the cost of losing my favorite cosmetic brands worse than animal testing? Is animal testing really that bad? Well, yes it is, it really is that bad. Scientists are not just playing dress-up with bunnies and guinea pigs with mascara and lip gloss. Instead, these animals are experiencing excruciating pain.
On the Humane Society's FAQ page, they mention that animal testing includes such methods skin & eye irritation tests, lethal dose tests, force-feeding etc. These animals are often kept for weeks or months for observation and are killed by "asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation." The In Defense of Animals (IDA) delves into the specifics a little more on the cosmetic testing portion of their website.
The IDA states lists these facts on their website;
Product testing is commonly performed on animals to measure the levels of skin irritancy, eye tissue damage, and toxicity caused by various substances used in the manufacture of cosmetics. In the Draize test, caustic substances are placed in the eyes of conscious rabbits to evaluate damage to sensitive eye tissues. This is extremely painful for the rabbits, who often scream when the substances are applied and sometimes break their necks or backs trying to escape the restraints.
Lethal Dosage (LD) tests are used to determine the amount of a substance that will kill a predetermined ratio of animals. For example, in the LD50 test, subjects are forced to ingest poisonous substances (through stomach tubes, vapor spray inhalers or injection) until half of them die. Common reactions to LD tests include convulsions, vomiting, paralysis and bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth or rectum.
The IDA further states that animal testing isn't even that accurate. Results from animals are often not comparable to the effects of the product or ingredients on humans, especially regarding the lethal dose test. Alternatives to animal testing are not as popular because frankly, they're more expensive. These methods include in-vitro testing (using isolated cells in a test tube), computer simulation and others. More information regarding alternatives can be found on PETA's website.
On the IDA's wesbite, I found a great quote. "As Gordon Baxter, cofounder of Pharmagene Laboratories, which uses only computers and human tissues to create and test drugs once said, 'If you have information on human genes, what’s the point of going back to animals?'"
So what do we do now? You can help by only purchasing products from cruelty-free companies. You may also contact the brands that have recently switched, and express your concern.
Some of my favorite cruelty-free brands include, Revlon, Stila Cosmetics, NARS, tarte and Korres.
You can find complete lists at www.mybeautybunny.com and www.leapingbunny.org
What are your thoughts?
See my article on my blog at www.izntlifesojuicy.com
Jun 18, 2012
mallory w.
I feel like I'm surrounded by this everywhere. Urban decay has really made it hard to keep my food down, as said above they were so proud to be cruelty free, and now they are OK with it, if its by law? Come on give me a break. This does break my heart to know a few of my all time fav brands are no longer on the same side as me, but I feel sooo bad for the animals, I'll make do without my fav eyeshadow from ud, and further more if there ever comes a day where every company starts testing on animals I'd give it up or start making my own, i will never sell myself out over make up! And I'm so glad I'm not alone in this stand.
Jun 18, 2012
mallory w.
I do think its just as bad, if not worse when informed buyers keep buying these brands.
Jun 18, 2012
Alyssa B.
@Fancie B., When I first read about the issue, I also felt like there were no brands left. But after doing my research, confirming how harmful animal testing is, there is no question that I will be boycotting the brands. It would be against my personal morals, and after researching I have found a lot of great beauty brands that are still cruelty-free. Although this whole situation has definitely limited me, and my beauty blog, I can't support those brands until they stop animal testing.
Some of my favorite CF brands include NARS, tarte, Zoya, NYX and Stila. See my full list here http://www.izntlifesojuicy.com/p/cruelty-free-beauty-list.html. I try to update the list on a daily basis.
Jul 7, 2012
Alyssa B.
UPDATE! Urban Decay revokes their decision to sell in China. SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.izntlifesojuicy.com/2012/07/urban-decay-revokes-decision-to-sell.html
Jun 12, 2012
Rikki P.
I'm getting more and more irritated with this, ha. It's like one brand goes down and now everybody goes down with it.
But holy crap, Urban Decay made me angry the most.
And Revlon supports Internet censorship, so I wouldn't go for them either, ha. Unless you don't mind that whole say goodbye to your freedom of speech fiasco, then uhhh, be my guest.
Jun 18, 2012
Rikki P.
If many of us can do it already, it's realistic. People have been doing it for a long, long time already.
Almost nothing left? Absolutely untrue. There are websites with many, many, maaaaaany cosmetic brands that are cruelty free and/or vegan. I've found pages full, so "almost nothing left" is complete BS. And if uninformed people would stop being lazy and do their own research and/or if people that are informed would inform others, less people would be uninformed!
Jul 7, 2012
Jennifer B.
Yay I can hug my Primer Potion!! :)
Jul 7, 2012
Alyssa B.
WOW thanks for the info! Removed Revlon from my list... they were definitely misleading...
Sep 2, 2012
Samantha W.
This is why I am 100% Arbonne International!!! I am a consultant for Arbonne as well as owning my own freelance business. Our products contain NO parabens, preservatives, animal by-products, mineral oils, and are 100% vegan certified!!!
Jan 13, 2013
Yesenia P.
I've really been wanting to go cruelty free. As I need to purchase new toiletries I've been researching options. I'm going to do a lot of research and look for replacements to things I use from companies that aren't cruelty free.
Jan 20, 2013
Lori J.
Ladies, just to say, ubpp has lanolin in it... An animal by product... That was before the switch. Yes mind you lanolin is extracted from sheeps wool after its shaved off and does no harm to the animal it's still a by product that us taken from an animal. Going on and on about wanting cruelty free but supporting by products just seems a little silly to me. I can't use most department store brands due to my allergy to lanolin ( hives suck!!) I stand by the leaping bunny. Cruelty free is important to me. I mostly own elf cosmetics not due to price but because they don't use animal by products ( that I'm aware of) and they don't test on animals.
Also it's not just bunnies that are tested on. Shelter dogs are also selected as well. The most common breed of dog used? The humble beagle, due to their loyalty and willingness to love. You can beat a beagle to an inch if its life and they will still lick and love you. They forgive quickly. I own two both rescues. I can't believe they could be used with how sweet they are. Truely heartbreaking.
Now I'm not trying to rattle cages just saying that using cosmetics that have animal by products is okay but testing isn't?
Jan 20, 2013
Veganbeauty L.
Thanks for the post. Veggie beauty blog has a template to email companies. I find that what's what listed on companies websites have a lot or orwellian double speak, and a lot the vegan or cruelty free lists are outdated.It is best to email every few months. I don't get what "cruelty free" means anyway since a lot cruelty free products contain animal products and I doubt a cow walked up to a cosmetic company and offered their milk so a product could have milk protein, or a bee donated their honey for a skin or hair product.
Also, selling in China does not require animal testing, it's products manufactured in China for sale that require testing. So, a company could go to another 2nd or 3rd world nation to manufacture products and still keep costs low and maintain profit margins.
I apologize in advance for typos. I am on my phone.
Jun 12, 2012
Alyssa B.
Lol, it's depressing and aggravating at the same time. Didn't know about Revlon... But I love their products too much to dump them because of that haha
Jun 18, 2012
Fancie B.
This is really messed up. As an avid animal lover I'm stuck on what exactly to do. Would I like to boycott ALL these companies? Yes. But I just don't think it's realistic lol. You named practically every high end company and it's no surprise that some drugstore brands are under those companies too. It's like we can't even escape this if we wanted to. As much as I want to boycott buying, using and reviewing these products I know I can't. There'd be almost nothing left and uninformed consumers will continue to buy into these brands no matter what. It's almost depressing lol
Jul 7, 2012
Grace M.
NARS is owned by Shiseido...I just wanted to point that out. ;) Sorry to inform. Benefit is owned by Loius Vuitton, a company that sells leather, and buys products from suppliers that test. NYX is going to sell in China Next year...I have Stila on my cruelty free radar, just wanted to point out, they are like Urban Decay, dropped from testing...just so you are very informed. Revlon was never cruelty free. Their statement on their site has to do with humanitarian/employee rights. It confuses ppl.
Jul 7, 2012
Grace M.
Stay close to Leaping Bunny, and email brands that aren't on it. Don't trust a company when they say the aren't tested unless required by law, it means they are leaving it open so they can test.
Jul 7, 2012
Grace M.
http://veganbeautymarket.3dcartstores.com/
http://www.whiterabbitbeauty.com/
Jul 7, 2012
Grace M.
your welcome.
Jul 8, 2012
Jaclyn S.
it makes me so sad knowing all these brands test on animals :/ im not vegan or vegetarian
and until recently i didnt know a lot of animal testing but now that i know where my money is going, i feel way less tempted to buy from these brands. ESPECIALLY MAC and Bobbi brown since thats where i get my concealers
Jul 8, 2012
Angela W.
Sep 2, 2012
Shelley W.
With China spending more money on luxury products and cosmetics expect this to trend to only continue. I was just reading the other day that sales overseas has increased by 13% in cosmetics and luxury goods (clothing, handbags,accessories). They have outpaced the U.S. when it comes to purchasing and companies are taking note of this by expanding in China. I understand both sides of the argument and quite frankly its quite disappointing that these companies who started out cruelty free have now backpeddled from their mission statement to follow the all-mighty dollar. The upside of this....you will begin to see more companies(cruelty free) come to the spotlight to fill the shoes of those who jumped ship.
Sep 2, 2012
Kaitlin K.
This agrovates me. Animal testing should not go on!!! And could someone please tell me if E.L.F is completely cruelty free? Thanks :)
Dec 16, 2012
Annie Y.
great article. Sadly Urban Decay is owned by L'Oreal as of November 2012.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324469304578142314233384212.html
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just wonder how L'Oreal's been able to get around EU's ban on animal testing for so long.
Dec 16, 2012
Ari W.
eeek please dont post those pics...just link to them ::( i dont wanna see that