Pretty simply, ‘cruelty free’ implies that products were developed without any kind of animal testing.
The cruelty free movement has been growing in recent years, as beauty professionals and consumers are becoming more aware of the harm that testing and production can cause. In some cases, this includes environmental harm; in others, it might be harm to people and animals. Either way, we want to reduce any damage where possible.
Importantly, ‘cruelty free’ does not necessarily mean ‘vegan’, which relates to the actual ingredients of the product. A vegan product will be free from animal-derived ingredients and byproducts - e.g. beeswax, lanolin, honey, carmine. Cruelty free is a little murkier and difficult to identify, especially when brands try and hide their testing practices.
There’s no universal definition for ‘cruelty free’, so keep an eye out for specific certifications. Strangely, a product can be vegan and not cruelty-free, as it’s a little more pricey to test on humans than it is on animals. There’s plenty of bland legal discussion about the topic as well, as Chinese manufacturers must conduct mandatory animal tests on all cosmetics, with a growing list of products exempt from these rules. In California, beauty supplies tested on animals cannot be sold.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PRODUCTS ARE CRUELTY FREE?
To figure out whether your favourite brands refuse animal testing, first check their website/socials. It’s a great selling point to be cruelty free, and they’ll probably advertise it somewhere to attract more customers. Otherwise, send an email and ask! There’s no harm in striking up a conversation with the brands that live on your trolley.
Check out PETA’s handy list ’o see every registered company and their status as cruelty free and/or vegan. Cruelty Free Kitty is also a stellar place to start. https://crueltyfree.peta.org/ https://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/
With so many alternatives on the market, you’re free to pick and choose your favourite cruelty free items if you so choose.
