To wonder why more people don’t choose cruelty free cosmetics etc over non cruelty free options?

[UptownFunkYouUp]

As title really. Many leading cosmetic brands are not cruelty free, but some are, and many less mainstream but readily available ones are too. In a nation of animal lovers it always surprises me that what seems like the majority of consumers don’t put a bit more effort into making cruelty free credentials a priority when shopping for make up, cosmetics, household cleaners and so on. Perhaps it’s an awareness thing, perhaps antipathy? AIBU?

yabu

its an awareness thing, people are not educated in the way of what is in cosmetics and what brand uses animals to test the cosmetics and their ingredients.

About time that people make informed choices,

It’s convenience I think.
I am well aware of brands to avoid etc, and try really hard to be mindful of animal testing, palm oil, the environment, needless plastic etc.
But sometimes I am time and resource limited and I just need to nip into Tesco and grab something quickly.
I hate myself for my hypocrisy, but avoiding everything I want to, Lolita me massively.
I.e. like when I was vegan for a while. But then wanted to avoid sugar and palm oil and be conscious of foods miles etc. It was doable but added signifantly to the mental load. As well as the time, and financial one.

I'd imagine most people just don't think about it tbh. I know that prior to starting to make the transition to veganiam it wasn't really something I thought about either.

Speaking from personal experience i know it can be difficult trying to figure out what is and isn't cruelty free and often nobody seems to have a clear answer. I know for instance that MAC definitely isn't cruelty free and that Kat Von D is. But I'm a bit unsure on the likes of Urban Decay, Sleek, Collection, etc. Some places online seem to say they are and then others say they might not be because of x, y and z.

But other than that YANBU.

Limits me - NOT Lolita ! Goodness knows where that spell check came from

I think most people have the idea that cosmetics and toiletries are now cruelty free. Possibly because the Body Shop were so in the forefront in the 90s and have now —sold out— fallen out of the limelight. They were massive campaigners about cruelty free that their lack of voice now comes across like the issue is no longer.

Lush are similar now, but not as public nor widespread.

*veganism.

Also where do you draw the line? Are companies who don't conduct animal testing themselves or fund it still cruelty free if they may contain ingredients from companies who do test on animals? Where's the distinction made?

I’ll probably be told I’m wrong , but when I was using cruelty free stuff I found the decent stuff to be pricey. The ‘budget friendly’ brands I found to be of pretty poor quality, when you compare it with brands like Maybelline (especially when it’s on offer)

I tried Sleek for example and found a lot of the products abysmal - a highlighter was full of glitter which went everywhere.

Nyx is raved about (though I think the parent company isn’t CF?) I tried to like it but I just didn’t rate the products.

Nowadays, the only stuff I use on a daily basis is an eyebrow pencil anyway (I work nights now, and lifes too short to make an effort for the 2 people I work with) and the only one that works for me is Maybelline satinbrow.

When I used to wear everything, CF stuff just ate my money. If I’m ever back to wearing full face, and budget allows it, I will stick to CF as much as possible.

No cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients have been tested in animals in Europe for over 20 years.
The European brands which cannot claim to be cruelty free under the vegetarian society criteria are those which use technology which was designed and tested under legislation for pharmaceuticals (for example liposomes for dermal administration of drugs).
If you choose a non-European brand then you can't be so sure.

The other legislation which may catch personal care and cosmetics (coincidentally) is the REACH testing which is for all large batch chemicals: primarily to assess worker safety and potential impact on the environment. To be tested under this legislation the quantities manufactured have to be significant.

It’s just not a priority for a lot of people.

If something is cruelty free and I was interested in buying it anyway then that’s a bonus, but it doesn’t form any part of my decision making process.

I’m not an animal lover in the way a lot of people are though- if a product supports a woman’s or children’s charity through its profits (TOMS for example), that would mean I’m more inclined to try it out.

I thought animal testing for cosmetics is illegal in the EU? So, I avoid everything made in China, but do buy anything EU made. Thought it just isn't much of an issue now.

YANBU. I too believe it’s an awareness thing. People think that it’s regulated to minimise cruelty and don’t understand the nature of animal testing. Most big brands participate in animal testing in order to sell in China (its a regulatory thing) and with marketing and advertising they go for those brands like L’Oréal. It’s also just easier too. It’s the same with eating meat and modern farming... just easier to ignore.

For those interested there’s absolutely loads of great cruelty free / vegan brands. My favs are Tarte, Zoeva and NYX. Here’s a great list and most are stocked on beautybay www.crueltyfreekitty.com/ultimate-guide-to-cruelty-free-makeup/

pitapizzapie the brands that also trade in China aren’t considered fully cruelty free, as part of their funds are still going towards it (I think). Estee Lauder is one.

I can’t remember which now, but I remember reading about a major brand which pulled it’s trade from China for this reason.

I assumed large brand cosmetics were no longer tested on animals so i’ve never checked if my favourite brands do.

But what I'm buying, here in the EU, when EU made, is not tested on animals. I suppose the laws in China are up to the Chinese. But I can choose not to buy Chinese products. I'm not going to get too het up about Chinese arms of international companies keeping to Chinese laws, in China.

Anything else is a bit "cultural imperialism".

Totally agree. It's not difficult nowadays, there is a huge range of cosmetics and household products not tested on animals- you can quickly check the Peta site,the leaping bunny logo or Cruelty free kitty, it takes seconds. A lot of supermarkets stock own brand cruelty free products. Most people that choose cruel products are just lazy, self centred types who won't put themselves out a jot to make the world a better place.

Surely you don't have to be an animal lover to work out how disgusting it is that a terrified creature has its skin scraped raw then make up put on it or sprayed its eyes, or be forced to eat it, imagine it done to your kids, the animals will feel the same pain.. I can't understand how someone could not think about something like that. You'd have to be so cold hearted.

FYI L'Oreal don't test on animals - not very well known but true.
www.loreal.com/sustainability/l'or%C3%A9al-answers/the-question-of-animal-testing

Unfortunately Pandarodic their products are tested to be sold in China so they infact do. That statement on their website is very misleading. The only way companies can truely claim they don’t test on animals is if they boycott the Chinese marketplace and most don’t because it’s huge!

I found this on their website “L'Oréal does not test any its products or any of its ingredients on animals. Nevertheless, because our products are sold in China, L'Oréal still figures on the PETA list. In China, the health authorities still require and carry out animal testing for certain products.”

Honestly, it’s never been a priority 😬 sorry
Where do you draw the line... I think I remember watching a YouTube video called The truth about "Cruelty Free" makeup where the vlogger spoke about slavery/ child labour in corporations which pride themselves on being so called cruelty free

@pandarific I'm afraid @DorritoPaws is correct. Check out peta's website for clarification.
www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/is-loreal-cruelty-free/

I think at one point it was the difficulty and cost of getting cruelty free products. That is not the case now.
Superdrug, morrisons and coop's own brands all are cruelty free. A few of Aldi's products are also now CF. There are now plenty of high street make up brands who are CF.

A lot of people don't care though and don't see an issue with causing animals harm for their benefit. It's the same with using fur in fashion which is categorically not needed.

Prisons are full of 'people' who deserve to have horrific testing conducted on them, not animals who are equally as receptive to pain and suffering as humans.

I cant believe that more people don’t make sure things they buy are cruelty free
As someone said , you just have to check the peta website
I always check also who owns the companies as often the bigger owner isn’t cruelty free so I don’t buy the product - but go by the peta website and you’ll be fine

Can I recommend ELF cosmetics? They are cruelty free, decent price and really good. I get all my make up from them now. They are stocked in Superdrug and recently Boots have started stocking them. Or if you buy online you get a (really good) free gift if you spend over £25.

It’s interesting how some people are saying it’s no longer an issue, or they are confident their preferred brands don’t test. I do think it can be a bit confusing getting a straight answer one way or another but I agree with others that the PETA website is a good resource, plus I used to rely quite a lot on the BUAV leaping bunny that some products display on the back. There are some fantastic Facebook groups too, which as well as being a good place to ask about specific products are good for finding new product recommendations. I have been buying cruelty free exclusively for around 5 years or so now and it’s so much easier these days, and quite fun discovering lots of new brands. There are quality products at all price points now too. For me it really is a no brainer.