7 Makeup Brands That Are Cruelty-Free

by | May 1, 2022 | Style & Fashion, Sustainability, Minimalism and the Environment

High-End, Luxury, Moderate, Vegan Options, New on Market. Concerned consumers are looking beyond the familiar brands of yesterday. Here’s why.

 

Kindness and compassion may be trending today, but they’ve always been core values in Judaism. Although other humans are the primary focus, Judaism also mandates that we treat animals “humanely” as well. While this can take a wide variety of forms, from the Biblical injunction to shoo away a mother bird before taking her eggs, to refraining from eating animal products entirely, one way in which people today are showing compassion is through the cosmetics we purchase.

In the early era of mass-marketed cosmetics, and before the creation of the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), cosmetics contained harmful, untested ingredients which often caused anything from mildly uncomfortable to severe and even disabling side effects in humans, most of whom were women. To minimize or eliminate completely these untoward effects on humans, testing began on animals. From rats, rabbits, primates, canine and feline non-volunteers, came an era of unspeakable practices that was no less than torture on these helpless subjects.  

As our knowledge and awareness has grown, we have become more concerned about what happens to animals during and after testing on them. In almost all cases, after testing, even with no severe consequences, the animal is euthanized. 

After a few outspoken animal rights activists and organizations brought awareness to the forefront, government agencies began pressuring the cosmetic industry to severely curtail animal (though not prohibiting)  testing and to use chemicals and components that are already known to be safe. The FDA has several pages of information dedicated to animal testing and cosmetics.

Bartleby Research has a collection of enlightening essays on animal cruelty and the cosmetic industry. Informative and additional articles can be found at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Ethical Elephant and Cruelty Free Kitty.  

PETA is probably the most well known and oldest organization. They have compiled an 82-page comprehensive guide to companies that don’t test on animals, available in a downloadable PDF. They have a set criteria for different aspects: vegan, no testing, and do testing on animals. 100 percent ‘no testing’ receives the ‘Beauty Without Bunnies’ logo to display.

Who decides which products and companies are the best? Each organization has their own criteria and methodology. Some listings are the company themselves or divisions  with cruelty-free brands. Many small independent companies are completely without animal testing, as well as completely vegan. 

Here is a list of the seven brands that show up most often on cruelty-free cosmetic lists. 

  1. NYX – Cruelty-free since 2010, affordable and good quality, NYX is the brand of choice for beauty bloggers and makeup artists alike.
  2. KVD Vegan Beauty – Formerly Kat Von D, this brand is dedicated to high-quality, cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics.
  3. CoverGirl – Every woman who has ever shopped for makeup is familiar with this drugstore staple, but what you may not know is that CoverGirl became entirely cruelty-free in 2018, earning the gold standard of cruelty-free certifications: Leaping Bunny.
  4. Too Faced – Although acquired by Estee Lauder in 2016, this company continues to stand by its commitment to never test on animals.
  5. E.L.F. Cosmetics – A long-time staple of the budget-friendly cosmetic consumer, E.L.F. has updated its formulas to be 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
  6. Milani – While not entirely vegan, this social media sensation drugstore brand is considered cruelty-free and high-quality to boot.
  7. Urban Decay – Although its parent company, L’Oreal, does sell other brands in countries that require animal testing, Urban Decay is 100% cruelty-free and remains a favorite among beauty bloggers for over 25 years.

For more comprehensive lists of all cruelty-free cosmetics companies, regardless of quality, check out these:

PETA – 15 Great Cruelty-Free Companies

Ethical Elephant – List of Luxury & High-End Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands That Are Worth the Splurge

Cruelty Free Kitty – The 14 most common cruelty-free drugstore makeup brands that are either ‘Leaping Bunny’ certified,’Beauty Without Bunnies’ or both. 

Glamor Magazine – Their 13 best picks, all Leaping Bunny certified

Byrdie online – 12 best drugstore makeup brands also with Leaping Bunny approval

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