Today, I wanna talk about something that’s been bugging me for a while – figuring out which cosmetics are actually cruelty-free. I mean, who wants to use makeup that’s been tested on some poor animals, right? So, I dove deep into this whole thing, and let me tell you, it was a journey.
First off, I started with the basics. I hit up the PETA website ’cause I heard they had a list of companies that don’t test on animals. I found this huge database with, like, over 6,300 companies! I was stoked to see some of my favorites on there, like Dove, e.l.f., and Aveda. Made a mental note to stick with these guys for sure.
But then I realized it wasn’t as simple as just checking that list. I learned that the “cruelty-free” label only means the final product and ingredients aren’t tested on animals. It doesn’t necessarily mean the product is vegan, meaning they can still contain animal-derived ingredients. So there’s that. And the opposite is true too – “vegan” doesn’t automatically mean cruelty-free. Ugh, so confusing!
Next, I stumbled upon this EWG’s Skin Deep database. This thing is a goldmine! It’s all about finding products that are safe and don’t have harmful chemicals. I started searching for my everyday stuff, like moisturizers and shampoos, and was pretty surprised by some of the results. Definitely gonna use this site more often.
I also found out that some big-name companies, like Estée Lauder and its subsidiaries (Clinique, Bobbi Brown, and others), still test on animals. Seriously? In this day and age? That’s a hard pass for me. I decided right then and there to ditch any products from those brands.
My Action Plan
So, here’s what I’ve decided to do to make sure I’m only using cruelty-free cosmetics:
- Stick to the PETA list: I’m gonna keep using that database as a starting point to find brands that don’t test on animals.
- Check for vegan labels too: I’ll be looking for products that are both cruelty-free AND vegan to be extra sure.
- Use the EWG database: I’m making it a habit to check this site to avoid harmful chemicals and find safer options.
- Support cruelty-free brands: I’m gonna make a conscious effort to buy from companies that are truly committed to being cruelty-free.
- Spread the word: I figure the more people know about this stuff, the better, so I’m gonna keep sharing what I learn with my friends and family.
It’s definitely a bit of work, but honestly, it feels good to know I’m not contributing to animal testing. And with so many great cruelty-free options out there, it’s really not that hard to make the switch. Plus, there are a lot of zero-waste cosmetic brands out there that use eco-friendly packaging. I’m gonna try to explore that too! It’s a win-win, I think!
