I love animals and always believed they shouldn't suffer for my vanity. When cosmetic testing on animals was outlawed, I rejoiced and mentally added a few more companies onto my "okay to buy from list". Then I didn't give the issue any more thought. With hindsight, this was naivete of me. Turns out there's cruelty-free and "cruelty-free".
Properly Cruelty-Free
Anything with a logo from an accreditation scheme, like Leaping Bunny. Other brands aren't accredited, but state bluntly: "At Soap & Glory, we absolutely do not test our formulations on animals, however we can’t say that each and every ingredient that goes into them has not, at some point historically, been cleared for human use, by animal testing".Even then it's complicated. Companies with impeccable cruelty-free credentials have parent companies with less impressive ones. Some people won't buy from these companies, but I do. Buying only from the cruelty-free subsidiary, but not others in the same group, tells the parent that consumers value cruelty-free. Helping ensure the subsidiary stays cruelty-free.
Not Really Cruelty-Free
Other companies have more ambiguous statements: "We do not test our products on animals nor do we permit others to do so except where it is required by law". The statement in bold italics shows animal testing is going on somewhere. For some, animal testing is "business as usual" and part of their research and development processes. For others, the desire to access the lucrative Chinese market has turned previously proudly cruelty-free companies into animal testers. All imported cosmetics sold from a physical storefront must be tested on animals. Paula's Choice has information on Chinese animal testing laws. Cruelty Free Kitty adds additional details. Both have brand lists. It was the selling into China that caught me out.
What Am I Going To Do About It?
In the future, I'm only buying cruelty-free. It's a good excuse for a tidy, a refresh and using things up - Project Pan!
There are excellent cruelty-free alternatives for most things. Apart from perfume. That's been a bit of a challenge. My favourite perfumes are now off limits, but the only high end perfume that's cruelty free is Stella. Which I don't like. Fortunately Gorilla Perfumes at Lush filled the gap with Sikkim Girls. Good to see they've moved on from the Cosmetics to Go days when you could have whatever you liked provided you liked patchouli.
There are excellent cruelty-free alternatives for most things. Apart from perfume. That's been a bit of a challenge. My favourite perfumes are now off limits, but the only high end perfume that's cruelty free is Stella. Which I don't like. Fortunately Gorilla Perfumes at Lush filled the gap with Sikkim Girls. Good to see they've moved on from the Cosmetics to Go days when you could have whatever you liked provided you liked patchouli.
What Do I Expect You To Do About It?
Whatever you feel is best. Everyone chooses their issues and this may not be one of yours. But worth a thought maybe? Mentioning it on the blog will help keep me honest and avoid temptation.
Hope you all had a great half-term. We saw family and I'll post about the Moomin's at the Southbank when I've picked through the photos.
Hope you all had a great half-term. We saw family and I'll post about the Moomin's at the Southbank when I've picked through the photos.
It is difficult do decipher exactly what logos and statements mean, unless you've done all the background reading. Posts which explain everything would be a great help x
ReplyDelete#MarvMondays
If you want to be completely certain, look for the leaping bunny or a clear statement, "not tested on animals". Superdrug, M&S and Sainsburys own brand stuff is cruelty-free as it has the leaping bunny logo on it. I buy lots from them as it saves research. (And nasty surprises as things change!)
DeleteThank you, I will look out for it in future x
Delete#DreanTeam
Thank you for coming twice!
Deleteit's flippin hard isn't it. I've really tried to be more mindful of what I buy and the same for things like washing up liquid and powder. sainsburys and morrisons and some of the other supermarkets have the leaping bunny included on products. #marvmondays
ReplyDeleteIt is! I buy loads of Sainsburys, Superdrug and M&S stuff because they're leaping bunny and I don't need to worry. Otherwise it's standing at a counter frantically Googling which isn't always possible!
DeleteIt sounds complicated with all the jargon and little disclaimers? It makes it hard for everyday consumers like us to know what we're purchasing. I am a big animal lover myself and I wanted to thank you for sharing such important information. This is such an important issue to highlight. Thanks for linking with #bigpinklink
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard. I'd consider myself reasonably informed, but the selling into China completely caught me out and many of my favourite brands have a presence there - fair enough as they have to eat, but it makes my life harder. I did a lot of reading around before I wrote this so you didn't have too.
DeleteFortunately, my local supermarket's own brand stuff is leaping bunny so I've found alternatives for most things.
I had no idea about brands having to be tested on animals before they could be sold in China! To be honest its not an issue I've really given much thought on - I wouldn't actively buy brands that I knew tested on animals but I don't often check the packaging. Thanks for sharing, its certainly something I will give more consideration to. #twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteI didn't either until I randomly read something and was mortified as I'd been buying animal tested products without realising. Fortunately, I've found alternatives for most things - Sainsburys, Superdrug and M&S own brand stuff is leaping bunny. But a few favourites are off limits now. :( Thank you for reading and the lovely comment
DeleteIts so tricky isn't it?! I have to say, I don't tend to look very often, I just grab what I can off the shelf however I am aware that I should be looking and I do understand the problems with trying to decipher what is actually cruelty-free and what isn't! Its also difficult to give up brands that you have previously loved!
ReplyDelete#sharewithme
It is and I know exactly what you mean. There were a few things that I was gutted to realise I wouldn't be able to buy again. (I know it's lipstick and no biggie, but ... :() Thank you for the lovely comment
DeleteThis has truly opened my eyes as I always took cruelty free to be just that. I didn't realise what was going on behind all of the disclaimers! I salute you in your cause. Thank you for sharing with #DreamTeam x
ReplyDeleteThank you for the salute and for hosting each week :)
DeleteThis is a real eye-opener. So glad to have read this post, will be more stringent with my standards now for sure. #globalblogging
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it useful. Good luck with the hunt for cruelty free alternatives
DeleteOoo it's difficult isn't it, I wear alot of makeup and didn't realise all the difficulty behind being cruelty free. Thanks for linking up lovely #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteNeither did I until I randomly read something. Alot of brands are really cagey about selling into China as they know some consumers will pick up on the cruelty-free angle and stop buying. A few of them are working hard on educating the Chinese authorities as well in the hope that eventually they'll realise animal testing isn't necessary.
DeleteDefinitely something we should all have on our radar at least. Thank you for the lesson! #GlobalBlogging
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I'm really glad you found it helpful
DeleteI have no idea which brands are free from animal testing. I wish their was a website that gave us this information. I truly would use it! #globalblogging
ReplyDeleteCruelty Free Kitty is the best resource for beauty products I've found: http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/ I haven't got a source for household goods yet. Happy browsing
DeleteJosh so tricky, really makes you stop and take notice! #mg
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard in a first world problem kind of way. I was really disappointed in the number of brands who used to be strong cruelty free advocates who'd quietly started selling into China.
DeleteI wish this was easier to find out - I went all out in my teens to avoid stuff and have lost the plot on it all really which is not good. Thanks for linking to #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteI did too, but a child, a job and a husband meant it was something I lost track off. I really wish it wasn't so complicated. I'd like to just buy stuff and not worry. Thank you for hosting each week :)
DeleteI have to admit, I don't look at labels very often, but it is something that concerns me. I didn't realise it was all quite so complicated! #BestAndWorst
ReplyDeleteI don't always and it would be much easier if it wasn't so confusing. I just want to pick up and go and not worry. Thank you for commenting
Delete