In the world today, information is available to us at the touch of our fingertips. While the internet is a great source of happy and useful information, it also brings us information about unethical and concerning practices in a number of different industries, including the beauty industry.
Two terms you will often hear thrown around are cruelty-free and vegan, but at times the definition of one or the other may become hazy. This article will give you more information about the similarities and differences between the two terms, as well as any additional information you may need to know.
What Does Cruelty Free Mean to The Beauty Industry?
Cruelty free makeup and other beauty items generally refers to items that have never been tested on animals in any setting. This does not mean that there are no animal byproducts in the cosmetic.
Rabbits are some of the most commonly victimized animals in the cosmetic testing industry, though other rodents such as hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs are used as well. These animals commonly have cosmetics rubbed into their eyes and into shaved parts of their body to test for eye or skin irritation. Additionally, some cosmetic testing involves force feeding animals the product to see if there is any short and long term concerns as a result of consumption. Pain medications are rarely given.
Tragically, after a life of torture, most animals used in cosmetic testing are killed instead of given the opportunity to live the rest of their lives in peace.
Thankfully, many people are opting to go a cruelty free route in their makeup and other cosmetic products, which helps protect animals from needless pain and discomfort.
How Can The Cosmetic Industry Make Safe Products Without Testing On Animals?
There are a couple of ways that the cosmetics industry can ensure that they produce safe products for human use without testing on animals. First, there are many products that have been on the market for years, including mascara, lipstick, foundation, and blush. These products have been proven to be safe, so there is no reason to further test these products.
There are also more ethical, and reliable ways to test new ingredients and products and how humans may react. There are various materials that imitate the way that human skin and eyes may react to certain chemicals.
What Does Vegan Mean To The Beauty Industry?
Vegan makeup takes things one step further than cruelty free makeup does, by not only ensuring that make up is not tested on animals, but also contains no animal byproducts. Common animal products and byproducts found in makeup and other cosmetics include beeswax, honey, gelatin, fish scales, lard, keratin, and a host of other products. You can find additional information from PETA about other ingredients in cosmetics that are not vegan.
How Can I Make Sure That My Favourite Cosmetic Is Cruelty Free and Vegan?
Given the recent uptick in those concerned with the ethics of the beauty industry, most beauty companies who are following cruelty free and/or vegan standards are eager to show their mindful customers that their beliefs line up and will advertise themselves as such. When looking for products that are cruelty-free, look for the Leaping Bunny logo. This logo is backed by Leaping Bunny, an organization that holds cosmetic companies to their word that their products are cruelty free through auditing at least every three years.
In terms of 100% vegan products, it can be a little bit harder as there isn’t a organization dedicated to testing and holding companies to the vegan standard through regular testing like Leaping Bunny does. Look at the ingredients on the label and if you aren’t sure if it is an animal byproduct- check it against the above PETA list or other sources.
The Problem With Multi-Level Companies
One issue that ethically minded beauty lovers have run into is multi-level companies that have many products on the market. One company may be committed to providing consumers with cruelty free and vegan products, but their parent company may test on animals or benefit financially by using non-vegan products. If these features are important to you in your beauty products, that it is advised to avoid these products, even if the product you are using are cruelty free and vegan. Your efforts to prevent the suffering for animals are wasted if you continue to financially support a large company that on some level tests on animals or uses animal byproducts in their cosmetics.
This is why you should look for smaller vegan companies that aren’t owned by larger companies or have a proven track record all the way to the top that they are cruelty free and/or vegan. Beauty advisors at Sephora, Ulta, and other high end beauty stores can help you navigate some of these brands, and you may be able to find additional products at your local health food store, co-op, or organic salon and spa.
Conclusion
The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and with so many products on the market that are beautiful, eye catching, and just what you are looking for, it can be difficult to resist. However, rest assured that there are plenty of ethical brands on the market today that are committed to making beautiful, effective, and beneficial products that are not that way at the expense of our animal brethren.