Is There Such Thing as Cruelty-Free Drugstore Skincare? (yes)
Finding cruelty-free drugstore skincare products can be difficult since (sadly) some mainstream brands still test their products or ingredients on animals. However, there are a growing number of cruelty-free options becoming available at drugstores as people continue to advocate for animals to be humanly treated and other testing methods to be used.
What does “cruelty-free” mean?
First and foremost, it's important to understand what it means for a product to truly be cruelty-free. Essentially, a product and its ingredients must not have been tested on animals at any point during the development process. This includes both finished products and individual ingredients.
What’s more, is that cruelty-free brands cannot sell their products in countries where animal testing is required by law. For a cosmetic company to be truly cruelty-free, a product also cannot be animal tested on the company’s behalf. There are a number of countries that still require animal testing for certain types of personal care products, including China and some countries in the Middle East. In these countries, it is mandatory for certain types of products, such as cosmetics, to be tested on animals before they can be sold. Cruelty-free brands will choose not to sell their products in these countries in order to maintain their commitment to not testing on animals.
In order to establish the safety of a product, many brands choose to use alternative methods of testing, such as in vitro testing or computer modeling, to ensure that their products are safe for personal use.
How to identify a product as cruelty-free
There are a few different certifications and labels that identify a product as cruelty-free. The most well-known is the Leaping Bunny certification. This certification is awarded by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). To receive this certification, a brand must pledge to not test on animals and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance. The CCIC has a comprehensive list of brands that are certified cruelty-free on their website in case you want to double-check brands there.
Another certification to look for is PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program. Like the Leaping Bunny certification, the Beauty Without Bunnies program requires brands to pledge not to test on animals and undergo regular audits. Similar to the CCIC, PETA also maintains a list of cruelty-free brands on its website.
While these certifications and labels can be helpful, they are (unfortunately) not foolproof. Some brands can claim to be cruelty-free without actually obtaining one of these certifications, while others may have the certification but still engage in questionable practices. It's always a good idea to do your own research and look for additional information about a brand's animal testing policies.
So, where can you find cruelty-free drugstore skincare products? Here are a few options to consider:
This well-known brand has been cruelty-free since its creation and is certified by both the Leaping Bunny and PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies. The Body Shop offers a wide range of skincare products, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and more.
This budget-friendly brand is certified cruelty-free by PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies and offers a range of skincare products, including cleansers, exfoliators, and moisturizers, all at extremely affordable prices. This brand specializes in duping more luxury products.
This natural skincare brand is certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny program and offers a variety of products, including all the classic skincare products, all formulated with honey for optimal hydration. However, since most of their products are formulated with honey, they are not vegan.
This natural beauty brand is certified cruelty-free by PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program and offers a number of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.
This natural skincare brand is certified cruelty-free by PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program and offers a full range of products, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and anything you could need to build a skincare routine from scratch.
In addition to the big-name sellers, many smaller, independent brands also offer cruelty-free skin care products. These brands may not have the same level of recognition as larger companies but are a good option for those who are looking for more personalized, specialized, or luxury skincare products. Smaller brands are able to offer a wider range of products, formulated to address more niche and specific skincare concerns, such as acne, aging, or sensitive skin.
Supporting smaller, independent brands is a way to help support small businesses and the local economy. Many of these brands are committed to ethical and sustainable practices and use eco-friendly, sustainable packaging and ingredients.
By choosing cruelty-free products from smaller, independent brands, you can help support companies that share your values and contribute to a more ethical and sustainable skincare industry.
There are many smaller, independent brands that offer cruelty-free skincare products.
Here are a few examples:
Beautycounter is a California-based company that offers a wide range of skincare, makeup, and personal care products that are formulated without the use of harmful ingredients. The company is certified cruelty-free by PETA and is committed to using natural, plant-based ingredients and sustainable practices.
Kjaer Weis is a New York-based luxury beauty brand that offers a range of makeup and skincare products that are formulated with natural, organic ingredients. The company is certified cruelty-free by PETA and is committed to sustainability, using recycled and reusable packaging materials.
XYZ skin is a newer skincare company based in the USA that is already making waves within the skincare community. They offer three luxury facial oils/serums at only $15 per product. Their products are 100% cruelty-free and can be found on Amazon Prime.
The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand that offers a range of effective, science-based skincare products at affordable prices. The company is certified cruelty-free by PETA and is committed to using natural and synthetic ingredients that are safe and effective.
Youth to the People is a California-based skincare brand that offers a range of clean, vegan skincare products formulated with superfood ingredients. The company is certified cruelty-free by PETA and is committed to using sustainable, eco-friendly packaging materials.
These are just a few examples of smaller, independent brands that offer cruelty-free skincare products. There are many other brands out there, so it's a good idea to do your research and choose a brand that aligns with your values and meets your skincare needs.
