5 Things to Consider When Switching to Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands & Products – Glam Radar

So, you’re interested in switching, partly or wholly, to cruelty-free beauty brands and products. Or you aren’t. Okey dokey. Either way, I believe in everyone’s right to make informed decisions about the issues they feel are important. Here are five points I considered when I was switching to ‘cruelty-free’ beauty brands and products:

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1. I keep saying I want to switch to ‘cruelty-free’ beauty brands and products. What do I even mean by that?

Well, we’re off to a difficult start here, because ‘cruelty-free’ is an ambiguous term with a broad spectrum of possible meanings, both for consumers and brands. When I say that a brand is ‘cruelty-free,’ I mean that the brand does not currently conduct, pay for, or allow animal testing of its raw ingredients or finished products. However, others would argue that a product is not ‘cruelty-free’ unless it is also vegan, which means that it contains no animal by-products. Still others would argue that a product is not ‘cruelty-free’ unless it has also been produced with attention paid to human rights. It may mean something totally different to you.

You may argue that these are subtle differences, but after reading many *AIR QUOTE* …passionate *AIR QUOTE* …debates on this issue online, I’ve learned to be specific about what I mean by what I say. When I do use the term ‘cruelty-free’ (like, ahem, in the title of this post) it’s shorthand for my particular viewpoint. You may like to consider what it means to you, if anything at all. It’s also important to remember that your definition of ‘cruelty-free’ may be very different from that of your favourite brand, as beauty brands’ use of the term is not regulated by our government in Australia.

2. More importantly, is it even possible to avoid animal testing?

To completely avoid animal testing, you would have to live in hand-built hut in a forest on a vegan diet with no access to technology or medical intervention. It’s more achievable to avoid beauty brands that conduct animal testing, but unfortunately the issue is still complex. Only new cosmetic ingredients require animal testing, but all cosmetic ingredients have been tested on animals at some time in the past [The RSPCA Australia website has useful article that explores some of these issues]. I see animal testing of beauty products on a spectrum:

  • Cruelty-free beauty brands choose to only use ingredients that have already been tested by another company before a certain set date in the past;
  • Some otherwise cruelty-free beauty brands are owned by a parent company who conducts animal testing;
  • Some beauty brands do not conduct animal testing on their raw ingredients or finished products unless required by law. However, these companies have chosen to sell their products in a jurisdiction that requires animal testing;
  • Some brands conduct or pay for animal testing of raw ingredients or finished products.

At the moment, I draw the line at beauty brands that currently conduct, pay for, or allow animal testing on their raw ingredients or finished products for any reason. However, I do access ‘cruelty-free’ beauty brands that are owned by a parent company that conducts animal testing. Eventually, I’d like to avoid these parent companies entirely, but seriously, they own… a lot of brands. Like, a lot. You may like to consider where you’ll draw your line in the sand…

3. Where does ‘cruelty-free’ fit on my priority list?

…Or that line may be flexible, depending on the circumstances. While you may be interested in finding and buying ‘cruelty-free’ beauty products generally, there may be other factors that trump buying ‘cruelty-free’ at times. For example, at the moment I’m using a prescription acne treatment that I’m sure has been tested on animals; yes, it’s technically medicine… but it’s not exactly vital, is it. You may like to consider where a product’s ‘cruelty-free’ status fits on your priority list.

3. How much research am I going to do?

So, um, yes. At first, I assumed that I had a solid understanding of which beauty brands conduct animal testing (I’m not sure how I imagined I’d developed this understanding. Possibly by osmosis). Anyway, it turned out that I… didn’t. Over time, I’ve done more and more research. On one hand, BORING; on the other, you’ll soon become fluent in beauty brand jargon. Thankfully, I’ve now done enough research to feel confident about which beauty brands I’d prefer to avoid when I’m on the beauty floor of a department store (which I often am).

Finding and buying ‘cruelty-free’ beauty products will inevitably require some research on your behalf. However, you may like to consider how much research you will do. You may prefer to research every beauty product you plan to purchase. You may feel comfortable developing an awareness of the main animal testing offenders. You may be very optimistic and just… hope for the best (…Not really recommended).

5. What will you do with my existing beauty products?

I’ve read about some people throwing away beauty products (or at least vowing to) that have been tested on animals when they make the switch to cruelty-free beauty brands and products. If I’ve inadvertently bought a beauty product that has been tested on animals, I’m likely to use it anyway (I figure the damage has already been done by buying the product) or give it away to somebody who doesn’t feel the same way I do about animal testing. If you’re making the switch to cruelty-free beauty brands and products, you may like to consider what you’d like to do with your existing beauty products that have been tested on animals.

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This was a very long way of me saying that everybody is different and it’s all about finding what works for you. I’d love to hear from you on this topic and feel free to ask me any questions (not that I’m promising I’ll be able to answer them).

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