The term “cruelty-free” has become somewhat of a catchall phrase in recent years, but what does it actually mean? In the simplest terms, cruelty-free refers to products that have not been tested on animals at any stage of their production. This distinction is important, as whilst animal testing has been banned in the EU since the 2010s, this does not make every company that sells within its borders cruelty-free; some products might have been tested prior to shipment or animal tests might have been conducted in other areas of the world which still require them.
Defining what actually constitutes “cruelty-free” is murky and complex. It requires looking beyond the website of the brand, as those will always tell us that “we LOVE our furry friends.” The following explanation might seem obvious to some, but as I know people who formerly thought animal testing simply involves putting mascara on rabbit’s eyelashes or patting eyeshadow on their fur, I will outline the procedures for your benefit. Animal testing is a scientific experiment that causes pain and distress for a live animal. It is as extremely cruel as it is ineffective (assuming that animals react like humans do, which often they do not) and has more efficient alternatives which are becoming even more useful as we speak.
The good news is that many of the products you use on a daily basis are very likely to be cruelty-free. This is partly because, as greenwashing and “eco-conscious” trends have overtaken the mainstream, brands have followed suit. While many companies have made attempts to convince consumers of their ecological initiatives—think cardboard tubes wrapped in plastic or compostable packaging that requires special facilities to be effective—the proactive stance against animal testing has only recently become popularised.
While I think it’s never been easier to make the transition to cruelty-free cosmetics than it is today, I understand that it is a confusing and overwhelming task. Researching the status of each brand while conflicting information exists online makes the whole process even more difficult. However, I think that we, as consumers, have an obligation to be aware of the implications of our purchases. Since there as so many cruelty-free brands available, there is no reason not to shift our shopping habits to more ethical ones.
- Slowly evolve your makeup bag
When I first made the transition to a cruelty-free makeup collection, I watched several YouTube videos walking me through that process. My favorite approach by far involved going through each product and putting a sticker on the bottom to indicate its cruelty-free status. The products that did not pass the test would be used up but when it came time to replace them, I would find an alternative from a different brand. This slow transition allowed me to avoid overwhelm or unnecessary waste, whilst also giving me enough time to find substitutes for the non-cruelty-free cosmetics I was phasing out.
- Figure out which brands have a green light
There are many different ways in which brands denote their cruelty-free status. The tricky part arises as not all of those certifications are created equal. You’ve probably seen some of them on the products you own: Leaping Bunny, PETA, or perhaps some other logo. Including such a certification on the product usually involves paying a fee for its services.
Personally, I tend to look to online resources which compile such information without financial incentives. The main source for me is Logical Harmony, but for a more local content creator’s recommendations I also follow Bottled Blue (formerly Cruelty-Free Becky).
With this point in particular, do your own research and decide what you’re comfortable with.
- Vegan does not equal cruelty-free
It might seem like an oxymoron, yet the term vegan does not indicate a lack of animal testing. It only refers to a lack of animal-derived ingredients (think beeswax, fish scales, carmine, etc.) in the actual product. Although I personally disagree with this distinction—how can something that requires animal testing by definition be vegan?—this is a tactic to confuse consumers who are trying to make more conscious choices. As a general rule, also avoid vague or hard-to-substantiate phrases such as “eco,” “bio,” or similar buzzwords.
While one could argue that our individual choices might not be effective in the grand scheme of things, or that I’ve not even mentioned some of the other ethical concerns connected with the cosmetics industry, I think its important to acknowledge our contributions to the production chain and how those can be shifted to a more mindful approach.
Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk on Unsplash