Cruelty Free Cosmetics
There Are Some Things About Makeup you probably don’t want to know - such as the animal testing performed by some cosmetic companies. I don’t blame you. It is heartbreaking to hear how animals suffer for something as trivial as a lipstick or blush ingredient. But to be an informed consumer, you need to be aware that animal testing exists. The “basic four” animal tests commonly performed by companies involve dripping caustic substances into restrained rabbits’ eyes, smearing ingredients onto guinea pigs’ raw skin, pushing substances down mice’s throats, and forcing rats to inhale cosmetic ingredient fumes. Animals subjected to these tests commonly shake, vomit, bleed from the nose, mouth, or eyes, and can convulse before dying.
The good news is such tests are not required by US, Canadian, or British law for cosmetic or household products, nor have animal tests been shown to guarantee a consumer’s safety.
Fortunately, more than 550 companies have banned all animal tests and use modern testing methods, including cell cultures, chemical appraisals, or human volunteer testing. Many of these modern products carry claims such as “not tested on animals” or “cruelty-free.” Because knowledge gives me the power I need to be a smart consumer, I research a company’s animal-testing policies before I fall in love with its makeup.
There are a number of sources of information you can refer to for advice on products and to find out whether a company uses animal testing. The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, for example, produce a list of international companies that do and don’t test on animals, as well as providing information on ordering The Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers - a guide filled with cruelty-free items.