Cruelty-free in the world of cosmetics
The vegan movement has taken hold in the beauty world. Hundreds and hundreds of new vegan cosmetics appear every day. A whole movement has also emerged under the "cruelty-free" umbrella.
But wait a minute… Isn’t it the same thing?
No. In reality, just because a product is vegan doesn't mean it has to be cruelty-free and vice versa .
In this article, we explain in more detail the differences between the two labels and the best way to ensure you're buying a pure, natural product that's 100% kind to every living being on Earth.
What is a cruelty-free product?
A cruelty-free product is one that has not been tested on animals. However, unlike vegan products, cruelty-free products may contain ingredients derived from animals.
There are various "not tested on animals" seals, some of which are internationally recognized. Let's review some of them to understand the guarantees they offer:
- PETA Cruelty Free : This logo was created by PETA, the international animal rights organization. To use it, companies must:
- pay fixed expenses,
- sign a declaration agreeing not to perform, commission, or pay for animal testing, either for ingredients or for the final product, either through their suppliers or in any country in the world.
The problem is that companies that adhere to this certification are not subject to any independent audit : all we can do is trust that they are telling the truth.
- Leaping Bunny: The second logo that can demonstrate a company's " cruelty-free " concept is the Leaping Bunny logo. In this case, a company pledges not to use ingredients tested on animals or to test them at any stage of the production process.
What makes this commitment even more effective and reliable is that companies can be subject to independent audits and must renew their promise annually.
What should we do if there is no stamp?
There are companies, such as small producers, that do not display any international seal, nor do they display “Not tested on animals” on the box (basically because they do not have the financial resources to acquire them).
If it's a product manufactured and marketed only in the European Union, we should remain somewhat vigilant, since, although the European Law on Animal Testing prohibits the sale of products and the use of ingredients tested on animals, they are not 100% prohibited.
A few exceptions are allowed:
- when alternative tests are not considered sufficient,
- when used in other categories (such as pharmaceutical or cleaning), where animal testing may be involved,
- when it has been tested outside Europe under a different legislative landscape.
In the United States or China, for example, animal testing is not banned. However, the European Parliament is leading a diplomatic initiative to end animal experiments worldwide .
Are there differences between vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics? Are cosmetics still tested on animals?
As we saw earlier, just because a product is vegan doesn't mean it's cruelty-free . A vegan product means it doesn't contain any ingredients derived from animals. But it does mean it has been tested on animals.
A good seal when it comes to guaranteeing the veganism and “cruelty-free” nature of a product is: V-LABEL of the European Vegetarian Union .
Another certification that certifies vegan and cruelty-free status is Vegan by The Vegan Society. In this case, products that present a high risk of contamination (from animal ingredients) during the manufacturing process can be audited.
You can also find less common ones such as VeganOK, PETA Cruelty Free and Vegan, Certified vegan (vegan.org) from the Vegan Awareness Foundation (in this case, companies even commit to taking measures to clean utensils, machinery, containers and surfaces used in the production process if they are also used to make non-vegan products).
And although vegan cosmetics are experiencing impressive growth, with investment expected to reach $20.8 billion by 2025 compared to $12.9 billion in 2017, it's important to always be careful and not be fooled by marketing.
Ideally, you should find products that are certified organic , vegan, and cruelty-free: this ensures that the ingredients come from nature, contain no animal derivatives, have not been tested on animals, and are environmentally friendly. For entrepreneurs just starting out, establishing a direct and honest dialogue will be key to ensuring the purity and quality of the cosmetic.
At Såper you can buy natural and organic cosmetics . They are certified, vegan and cruelty-free , contain the highest percentages of organic ingredients , and are made in our private laboratory , in an area free from air pollution.
We focus on quality, not quantity , on what is strictly natural, without excess and without artificiality, just as our ancestors did.
The skin breathes, recognizing everything we put on it to feed, hydrate, and nourish it with vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
This spirit is reflected in our Såper universe.
