Cosmetics not tested on animals: why choose them?

Today we are fully aware of the other side of the coin when it comes to animal testing in cosmetics. Yet 80% of countries in the world still turn a blind eye to this practice. Luckily, many craftsmen now offer Cruelty Free cosmetic products to protect animals, and for all those who don't want to apply anything on their skin! When you have the opportunity to do otherwise, why deprive yourself of it?

Using products that are good for you, for the planet and that do not involve any living being in their manufacture is what we have been striving towards for the past few years. If this trend continues to progress, we hope to say goodbye to this repulsive practice. So, how can we continue to make ourselves beautiful without cruelty?

"IT'S BECAUSE ANIMALS DON'T CAUSE THAT THEIR CAUSE MUST BE PLEADED." - SZCZEPAN YAMENSKI

What does the law say about animal testing in cosmetics?

Since an EU law of 2013 it is forbidden to carry out animal tests for the cosmetics industry. If products or simply certain ingredients have been tested on animals, they cannot be sold in the EU. This law is valid for all cosmetic products: hygiene products (toothpaste, shampoo, soap) and make-up.

However, there are a few subtleties... Animal testing in cosmetics is still required for the production of certain substances.

"Data from animal tests carried out before the respective dates of application of the marketing bans can continue to be used for the safety assessment of cosmetic products".

You therefore understand at this point that all products that have been tested on animals before 2013 will continue to be marketed in spite of this.

There are also exceptions for certain substances, which continue to be tested on animals. Among them are :

Multi-use substances (preservatives, sunscreens, perfumes, solvents...) also produced for the food industry, pharmacology, chemistry, and also cosmetics.
Substances used in production processes in companies and which leave something to be desired in terms of the safety of exposed workers.

There are also derogations for certain companies which give them the right to carry out animal tests for chemical cosmetic ingredients manufactured at more than one tonne per year in Europe.

So, in all this, it is hard to know who to trust and who to buy cosmetics from, is it not? At the risk of finding components tested on animals in our cosmetics, it is imperative to inform oneself and read the labels in order to choose the best products.

What does the name Cruelty Free mean?

Cruelty Free means "cruelty-free". It is an appellation that guarantees the consumer that his product is 100% not tested on animals:

The finished product does not contain any ingredients tested on animals.
Suppliers produce a certificate confirming that they do not carry out any animal testing.
The brand agrees to be checked at any time.

Cruelty-free cosmetics don't mean vegan. They do, however, prevent animals from suffering in laboratories. For example, you might find honey or donkey milk in your favourite cosmetic products without these products having been tested on animals.

Being vegan is a true ideology and a complete way of life. So you don't have to be vegan to choose products that are made without animal cruelty.

You may sometimes read on some packaging that the brand does not carry out any animal testing on the finished products. Yes, but what about the ingredients that go into the finished product? If you can't find more information, it means that the brand is not completely clean on the subject. Open your eyes, and wide open!

How can I be sure to choose products that are not tested on animals?

Some cruelty free brands (which do not test their products on animals) have been bought by large companies that do not apply this rule.

Beware of misleading labels and claims! We avoid relying on the pretty little packaging with a nice look that gives us a green image, which does not always guarantee that the product is not tested on animals.

We grant you that, it's hard to find your way through all this. But then how can you be sure to choose vegan and cruelty free products?

Some labels allow you to identify products that are not tested on animals. You can rely on the little logos:

CCF
Cruelty Free & Vegan Peta
HCS or Leaping Bunny
IHTK
One Voice
Vegan Society
Certified Vegan

Some brands that are NOT ORGANIC, with products not tested on animals have been listed, and we give you the list (not exhaustive) just here for your convenience:

Acorelle
Alessandro
Beauty Blender
By Terry
Cattier
Dr. Hauschka
E.L.F.
Essence
Formula X
Foreo
Hema
Herôme Cosmetics
Innoxa
Kiko
Kure Bazaar
Lavera
Lush
Mavala
Nude by Nature
Pulp of Life
Too Faced
Zoeva

Where to buy organic cosmetics not tested on animals?

No doubt about it, consuming organic and natural products are much better for your health and your skin. But organic does not necessarily mean not tested on animals! What you have to pay attention to is the label. Organic labels such as Nature et Progrès, Ecocert, Cosmebio and BDIH does not necessarily mean that the products are not tested on animals, and may sometimes contain animal substances.

To buy with confidence, we advise you to contact animal-friendly brands and companies that offer vegan AND non-animal tested products. While the list may seem short, there are still plenty of cruelty-free product choices.

And finally, once you've found the products that suit your skin, your health and your lifestyle, there's no need to look elsewhere. The slightly restricted choice means you don't have to spread yourself too thin, and you can test the best products. Then you have everything to gain.

As a shopper among friends, some will want to take you to beauty stores that offer cosmetics tested on our animal friends.

Far from wanting to give up the idea of taking care of yourself and putting on make-up, all you have to do is follow your desires and read the labels! Some will also be influenced by your choices, and that's how we move towards more responsible consumption.

Rare are the people who will judge you to make this choice, on the contrary, they will ask themselves the question and will probably turn to products that are not tested on animals as well. Having a positive influence on others is fun and rewarding, isn't it?

The Internet is still the best way to get organic cosmetic products that are not tested on animals, as not all brands have physical stores. To be in a totally animal-friendly approach, we advise you to turn to vegan and cruelty-free brands.

Natural, vegan and non animal-tested products from Sybarite

At Sybarite, we place great importance on selling products that are not tested on animals. With good organic and natural products, we reinvent male beauty, tending towards healthy and responsible consumption. Here is the list of artisans that we advise you, who offer cosmetic products not tested on animals :

100% vegan natural cosmetics brands

Here are some interesting natural cosmetic brands you can rely on that offer products that are not tested on animals and 100% vegan :

Clémence & Vivien - 100% vegan
Cocoon Apothecary - 100% vegan
Concrete Minerals - 100% vegan
Coutivier - 100% vegan
Cover Fx- 100% vegan
Crazy Rumors - 100% vegan

DermOrganic - 100% vegan
Dr. Bronner's - 100% vegan
Druid - 100% vegan
Druids - 100% vegan
Lamazuna 100% natural and vegan
New World Soap Factory - 100% Vegan
The Garden of Lilith 100% Vegan
Les Happycuriennes - 100% vegan
Les Huilettes - 100% vegan
Light Mountain Natural Hair Color - 100% vegan
Lip Glossary - 100% vegan
Liquid Flora - 100% vegan
Lulu & Boo - 100% vegan
LVX - 100% vegan
Misa cosmetics - 100% vegan
Modern Minerals - 100% vegan
Le Moly - 100% vegan
My Beauty Bunny - 100% vegan
My Konjac Sponge - 100% vegan
Mu London- 100% vegan
Nabla cosmetics - 100% vegan
Naty Babycare - 100% vegan
Natura Wash - - 100% vegan
Nature's Gate - 100% vegan
NCLA - 100% vegan
North Coast Organics - 100% vegan
Not A Sponge - 100% vegan

To find out even more, some associations offer lists of products that do not include animal testing:

The truth about the tests in China

For a very long time, China has been one of those countries that test their domestic and international products on animals. Today, testing is no longer systematic. Since 2014, China has allowed certain international brands to market their products without mandatory animal testing. However, they are not banned!

Indeed, the law does not extend to all cosmetic sectors. Among them, products that may have an impact on an individual's body in the long term, or "therapeutic" products such as sunscreens, deodorants, depilatory creams...

All cosmetic products manufactured outside China, imported and intended for sale in physical shops must be tested on animals. If the brand does not have a physical point of sale in China, but an online shop, the product may not be tested.

In summary, all brands physically located in China, with the exception of Hong Kong, test their products on animals.

On the other hand, today China is gradually moving closer to banning animal testing for cosmetic products. The country is trying to find alternative methods of testing cosmetics without including animals. Awareness or pressure from the big cosmetic groups? In any case, the result is positive!

What are the alternatives to cosmetic testing in 2020?

There are alternatives to cosmetic tests on animals. The simplest today is to reconstitute human cells, the cornea, or even the human epidermis with the "in vitro" technique. There are also advanced "in silico" computer modelling techniques and some studies using human subjects who volunteer. These methods are also less expensive and faster.

The PETA association is doing very important work on this subject, and its affiliates are funding the development of methods that do not involve animals.

In 2023, the members of the European Parliament's Environment Committee want a worldwide ban on animal testing in cosmetics.

Soon to be the end of animal testing? In the meantime, you can take action at your own level not to contribute to animal testing by consuming vegan cosmetics that are not tested on animals.

The number of people who want to use healthy products that are not tested on animals has been increasing over the years. Solutions are developing and more and more brands are offering good products without including animal suffering. All you have to do is choose them carefully, according to your values and needs.

Today, you have all the keys in hand to take care of yourself without contributing to animal suffering! Opt for products that are not tested on animals: it costs you nothing, and it prevents you from costing the lives of your animal friends.