What Cruelty-Free Actually Means
- Sami Hoeldtke
- Jan 17
- 4 min read
Have you ever noticed all of those claims and symbols on the back of cosmetic products? Cruelty-free, vegan, clean, etc., the list is seemingly endless. Animal testing is still commonplace among cosmetic products, and just like anything else, there are loopholes companies can use to put certain claims on their products. But what does cruelty-free actually mean? And how do we know whether a product really is cruelty-free?
What Does Cruelty Free Mean?
On paper, cruelty-free means that there is no animal testing or experimentation involved at any stage in a product's development and production. However, in the U.S., this term is not regulated by the government, leaving companies to their own devices to interpret or adhere to its meaning. This lends itself to companies defining "cruelty-free" in their own manner and using loopholes to enable them to still use the label if when animal testing may still be involved somewhere in the production line. Other countries, such as those falling within the UN, have outlawed the sale of animal-tested cosmetics since 2013.
What is Animal Testing?
According to Biomarker in Toxicology, "Animal testing is defined as the use of animals in scientific research, testing, and education to understand physiological and pathological conditions, particularly in drug discovery and related fields,"
Animal testing is used in an effort to make sure products are safe for human use; measuring both long and short-term effects of a product, such as if it causes skin irritation, hair loss, reactions, toxicity etc. This is especially common in the cosmetic industry, which often uses rodents, though the practice is slowly decreasing in popularity now that its impacts are becoming more widely known.
Within cosmetics, common animal-testing procedures include shaving an animal and applying the product to their exposed skin, holding their eyes open and putting products in contact with their eyes, and force-feeding them products. There are 2 methods specifically that have received much public backlash, but are still in use today: the Draize eye test and the LD50 test. The Draize eye test involves putting various amounts of a substance in the eye of a conscious rabbit and observing it for 72hours. The animals are then observed for 21 days. In cases where severe irritation or pain occurs, the animals are euthanized. The LD50 test involves exposing a group of animals to a product or substance until 50% of the group dies, to determine the lethal dose. The LD50 test is still used in the US, but is being discouraged by the EPA and FDA.
How to Know if A Brand is Actually Cruelty-Free
The lack of government regulation surrounding animal testing makes it difficult to discern which companies use animal-testing or not, and to make conscious decisions as a consumer. While there may not be strict laws regarding product labeling, there are still a few things you can look for.
Leaping Bunny Certified
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics created the Leaping Bunny Program and certification to make it easier for consumers to know which products in the US and Canada do not test on animals. It is a corporate standard that companies must meet in order to receive the certification. Companies apply and are then evaluated and must comply with the set standards in order to be approved. Once approved, companies are permitted to put the leaping bunny logo on their products. The symbol is shown below, and is the only internationally recognized symbol that guarantees no animal testing was used. The Leaping Bunny also maintains a list of companies that are certified; find it here.
*Beware of imposter symbols, as unfortunately, some companies use them.*
PETA Cruelty-Free Shopping List
PETA also maintains a list of cruelty-free products and companies through its own verification process. This list includes "...companies and brands that have verified that they and their ingredient suppliers don’t conduct, commission, pay for, or allow any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products anywhere in the world and won’t do so in the future." The logos associated with PETA's regulations are below. Companies are not required to place them on their packaging, but many opt to do so. Again, beware of imposters; the official logos from PETA's website are the ones below.
Conclusion
Cosmetic labeling regulations can be quite vague, making it difficult for consumers to make educated purchases should they choose to do so. The lack of legal framework reinforces this, as companies are left to their own devices to define "cruelty-free" and whether or not their products meet those guidelines. So, how do we know which brands are truly cruelty-free and do not participate in animal testing?
The best thing you can do as a consumer is to look for the leaping bunny logo on the item's packaging, followed by a logo from PETA. These organizations have implemented their own strict guidelines and definitions for what cruelty -free means, and companies that meet those standards recieve the stamp of approval. Additionally, you as the consumer can do your own research regarding the development and supply chain associated with the product and brand at hand, to be best informed.
While the public should be able to trust companies' claims, it is best to do your own research to ensure you are shopping in alignment with your values. Your choices matter, and can help facilitate positive change. For more information on how your actions add up, read our previous post here.
Comments