Beagles are often used in animal testing due to their trusting nature

Animal Testing in Cosmetics: The Parent Company Debate

I recently posted an Urban Decay haul. To my surprise, the post raised the issue of animal testing in the cosmetics industry.

Although Urban Decay does not test on animals, some people don’t consider them a “cruelty-free” brand.

Urban Decay logo

Why Not?

Urban Decay is certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny program and PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program.

The company website states:

Urban Decay is a cruelty-free brand and is committed to ending animal testing. We do not test our products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf. Additionally, we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals.

However, in a controversial move, the company was sold to cosmetic giants The L’Oréal Group in 2012.

L'Oreal Cosmetics Logo

L’Oréal has a huge market in China – a country where it is mandatory to test all cosmetic products on animals before they can be sold to the public.

L’Oréal’s website states:

The [L’Oréal] Group no longer tests on animal[s], anywhere in the world, and does not delegate this task to others.

An exception could be made if regulatory authorities require it for safety or regulatory purposes.

In other words, “We still test all products sold in China before they hit the shelves.”

After causing mass consumer outrage and having their “cruelty-free” status revoked, Urban Decay pulled plans to retail in China. This means that Urban Decay products are not subject to animal testing anywhere in the world.

What’s the Issue WITH PARENT COMPANIES?

So is Urban Decay still cruelty-free? They’re against animal testing and removed themselves from one of the largest consumer markets in the world in order to stay true to their cruelty-free ethos.

However, they still “sold out” to big, bad L’Oréal…

This situation isn’t exclusive to Urban Decay. There’s a long list of certified cruelty-free brands owned by animal-testing parent companies.

At time of publication, NYX Cosmetics is owned by L’Oréal, Aveda and Smashbox are owned by Estee Lauder, NARS and Bare Minerals are owned by Shiseido, and Burt’s Bees is owned by Clorox… Just to name a few.

Lipstick love heart

What Should Consumers Do?

So, is it okay for cruelty-free shoppers to buy from brands like Urban Decay?

That’s the ethical conundrum. And there’s two sides to the argument:

Side One: By buying products from cruelty-free brands owned by big corporations, you’re supporting the parent company that does test products on animals.

Your money may indirectly go towards animal testing even when the product you bought is certified cruelty-free.

Side Two: By buying products from cruelty-free brands owned by big corporations, you’re showing the big guys what consumers want.

Rather than boycotting these brands, you’re showing that people are choosing cruelty-free products over their animal testing counterparts; Urban Decay over Maybelline or Smashbox over MAC.

ANIMAL TESTING & PARENT COMPANIES – The Conclusion

Urban Decay may have “sold out”. However, the fact that they listened their consumers by refusing to sell in China – greatly reducing their global revenue – is pretty admirable.

Like Urban Decay, I’m not perfect. Far from it. Right now, my make-up bag is not 100% cruelty-free. However, I’m trying to educate myself and I’m gradually phasing out products from brands that don’t fit with my ideals.

Cruelty-free bunny logos for organisations against animal testing

I do own products from independent beauty brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics and benecos who have a clear stance on animal testing. But should I continue buying from brands like Urban Decay?

For now, the jury is still out.

For me, any movement towards a more ethical, animal-friendly lifestyle is a positive one. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Where do you stand in the cruelty-free cosmetics debate?

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Animal testing in cosmetics - The parent company debate

Published by

Sarah Dean // More Than Greens

Award-winning British-Australian blogger in London. I am passionate about vegan food, cruelty-free beauty, travel, nature, and wellbeing.

0 thoughts on “Animal Testing in Cosmetics: The Parent Company Debate

  1. This is such a great post! I’m worried that huge beauty brands like L’Orreal barley notice that sales are up on Urban Decay and slightly down on L’Orreal because so many people buy from L’Orreal and they get the profits anyway. It’s win – win for them either way. I wouldn’t judge anyone though for being in either side of a very grey line.

    1. Thank you! 🙂 I guess working in a sales industry (not beauty!) where we look at every possible statistic and comparison available, I hope that L’Oréal do take into account year-on-year sales of each brand in their range. So perhaps over time, the more people that switch, the bigger the changes that show. Just one way of looking at it, though and as you said, it’s a very grey line!

  2. This is a very interesting and well written article. I think people can just make the best decision that they possibly can in their circumstances. Voting with your money does seem to be the best way to get the corporate world to notice.

    1. Thanks so much! It was a topic I was really intrigued by as I can definitely see both sides to the debate. But I agree – it’s up to everyone to make their own decisions and draw their own moral lines. Hopefully one day, animal testing will be completely phased out and it will become a non-issue. 🙂

  3. How great that from you wrote this, smashbox have now gone cruelty free too. I’ve just started a blog on cruelty free beauty too so loving that I came across yours x

Let me know your thoughts!