Cruelty-Free Brands have become more ever present with each passing year and it is important to know the truth behind companies that say they are cruelty-free and the companies that actually are cruelty-free. Being cruelty-free means that there is no testing or experimentation that involves animals. There are many companies who claim to be cruelty-free that actually use third parties to test on raw materials, ingredients, and products. This way, they are not out-right lying, they are more-or-less omitting the fact that their hands are clean, but they use others to get their hands dirty.
Below is a list of cruelty-free brands you need to start supporting in 2020 and the years to come. That way, you can help in the efforts of protecting and saving animals. For the brands to make the list, they all must have:
No third-party testing on animals on behalf of the brand/company.
No testing on animals, whether for ingredients or finished products.
Suppliers that do not test on animals for anything.
Products that are not sold in Mainland China.
Animal testing that is not required by law.
True Cruelty-Free Brands
Please note, the following brands are a compacted list where there is an added effort to also list brands/companies that use only vegan products or have vegan options as well.
Beauty/Care:
Abba: Pure Performance Hair Care, who make 100% vegan products.
Alba Botanica: Products for face, body, hair, and the sun, who make 100% vegetarian with vegan options.
Andalou Naturals: The ultimate natural face, body, and hair brand, who are 100% vegetarian with vegan options.
Bali Balm: A lip balm that is 100% natural and the tubes are 100% recyclable, a brand who is 100% vegan.
BYBI: A skincare brand that is 100% natural and vegan.
Harvey Prince Organics: Eco-conscious body and fragrance products that are not only 100% vegan, but the products are also safe for pregnant women.
Isle of Paradise: Glow and bronzer for the perfect tan, from tanning experts. A brand that is 100% vegan.
Mane Club: A hair and t-shirt brand that is 100% vegan, who are also gluten, parabens, and sulfates free.
Range Beauty: Make-up and skin care brand owned by women, who are 100% vegan and fragrance, sulfates, and parabens free.
Skyn Iceland: Skin care products that are clean and help with stressed skin. They are 100% vegan.
The 7 Virtues: A natural perfume brand who are hypoallergenic, organic, paraben free, and 100% vegan.
Versed Skincare: Skincare products that are clean and 100% vegan.
Wild Spirit Fragrances: A fragrance company that believes that what is put on the body is just as important as what goes in the body. Their products are 100% vegan.
Youth to the People: Apparels and skincare. The skincare is blended with superfoods and clinical pro-grade vegan actives.
Household Products:
Astonish: Cleaning products that are biodegradable, use recyclable packages, created with plant derived surfactants, and are suitable for vegans.
Bio D: Natural cleaning products and furniture polishes that are in 100% recyclable containers and are 100% vegan.
Dr. Bronners: Is an all in one stop for hand soap, body soap, hair, home care, and baby care. A brand that is 100% vegan for the household products, but there are exceptions for the cosmetics.
Doing Research
It is important to do research when it comes to the brands and companies that state they are cruelty-free. A quick look at Kat Von D’s Vegan Beauty shows that her products are cruelty free. Her company is owned by Kendo which is also cruelty free! But, when learning about Kendo, they are owned by LVMH and they are not cruelty-free.
Another example of this is the brand Aveda. They are cruelty free, but they are owned by Estee Lauder, who are not cruelty-free. Lastly, Bare Minerals are cruelty-free, but the company that owns them (Shiseido) is not cruelty-free. Doing the research is important because it can help save an animal life or two.
A Few Great Resources
Aforementioned is a short list of great cruelty-free brands you need to start supporting in 2020 and after, but there are great resources out there that are not only extensive, but they can help you in your journey of a cruelty-free only brand lifestyle. Ethical Elephant offers an alphabetical Brand Directory that they update to keep people in the know of the truly cruelty-free brands. Another great resource is Cruelty Free Kitty, who have a List of cruelty-free brands, non cruelty-free brands, and cruelty-free shopping guides, and they update these lists and guides frequently. Unfortunately, there are companies out there that claim they are cruelty-free but are not. Here is a list of those companies. Last, on PETA’s website, they offer a complete list with contact information on the companies that do test on animals.
With these great resources, you can find your cruelty-free brands you need to start supporting in 2020 and after.