The idea of living a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle has recently gained a lot of traction as more and more people become aware of animal suffering and the impact of animal products on the environment.
Consumers are increasingly looking for brands committed to animal welfare and the environment, creating a demand for cruelty-free and vegan products.
Many companies have responded to this demand by offering products that are free from animal testing and animal-derived ingredients. But how can you tell if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan?
And in this case, specifically, is First Aid Beauty cruelty-free? Let me help you find the answer.
The first step is to understand the difference between cruelty-free and vegan. Cruelty-free means that the products were not tested on animals, while vegan implies that the products do not contain any animal ingredients or byproducts.
Some companies claim to be both cruelty-free and vegan, while others may focus on one or the other.
In this article, I will share if First Aid Beauty is cruelty-free, vegan, and/or sustainable. But also if it’s clean, non-toxic, fragrance-free, and/or paraben-free. This way, you can easily decide whether to buy their products.
Is First Aid Beauty Cruelty-Free?
January 2023 Update: Starting in 2023, post-market animal testing is no longer a threat to beauty brands in China, so companies can now enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty.
First Aid Beauty does not engage in animal testing in mainland China, and their products are not tested on animals at any point during production or beyond.
First Aid Beauty is cruelty-free. The brand states that they’re 100% cruelty-free and certified by PETA. They also say that they do not conduct any testing of ingredients or finished products on animals and only work with business partners who comply with their policy.
PETA has verified that neither First Aid Beauty nor its ingredient suppliers or contract manufacturers conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products.
On top of that, with recent changes in pre-market and post-market policies in China, there is no more risk that either of them contains animal testing. Even though First Aid Beauty is sold in China, they’re still cruelty-free!
Is First Aid Beauty Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
First Aid Beauty is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is Procter & Gamble, and this is not a cruelty-free company. Procter & Gamble states that they do tests on animals where required by law. This policy makes them a company that still tests on animals.
The brand refuses to share more information about its animal testing policies. This makes it unclear whether the brand is cruelty-free or not. It’s better to avoid the brand if you don’t support its non-transparency attitude.
Is First Aid Beauty Sold In China?
First Aid Beauty is sold in China. With recent changes in pre-market and post-market policies in China, there is no more risk that either of them contains animal testing. Even though First Aid Beauty is sold in China, they’re still cruelty-free!
PETA has provided the following statement of support: “PETA is very pleased to have First Aid Beauty on our Cruelty-Free list, and we are happy to report that the brand will maintain its no-animal test status as it expands to China. We’ve worked with the company to ensure that the products as manufactured and sold will not require tests on animals under Chinese government regulations.”
Cruelty-Free Alternatives
| Skincare Brands | Makeup Brands |
| Skinfix | Kosas** |
| Derma E | MERIT** |
| Fenty Skin | Rose Inc** |
** also vegan and clean
See more cruelty-free makeup and skincare brands here.
Is First Aid Beauty Vegan?
First Aid Beauty is not entirely vegan. They might offer some vegan products, but they’re not 100% vegan, meaning some contain animal-derived ingredients.
Ingredients To Avoid
If you’re interested in going vegan regarding your beauty routine (or complete lifestyle), then I recommend checking the ingredients list on the following most well-known and frequently used animal-derived ingredients that you should avoid:
- Lanolin
- Beeswax
- Collagen
- Keratin
- Gelatin
- Carmine
- Guanine
- Honey
- Silk
- Squalene
- Animal fats/oils
Mind you; there are vegan versions of some of these ingredients. So, for example, if you spot Squalane on an ingredient list, it doesn’t have to be shark derived as it can be plant-derived too.
Vegan Ingredient Alternatives To Look For
There are many other vegan options for animal-derived ingredients. Squalene can be derived from plants such as olives, wheat germ, and amaranth, while collagen can be derived from sources such as seaweed and algae.
Carmine can be derived from vegetable sources such as beetroot and carrots. Lanolin can be replaced by vegetable oils, such as shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. Beeswax can be replaced with plant-based waxes, such as candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and vegan wax.
Keratin can be replaced with plant proteins such as soy, wheat, and oat. Gelatin can be replaced with agar agar, carrageenan, and guar gum. Guanine can be replaced with synthetic mica or bismuth oxychloride.
Honey can be replaced with vegan honey substitutes, such as maple syrup and agave syrup. Silk can be replaced with plant-based fabrics, such as bamboo and hemp. Animal fats and oils can be replaced with plant-based oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil.
Vegan Brand Alternatives
| Skincare Brands | Makeup Brands |
| Versed* | KVD Beauty* |
| Youth To The People* | Haus Labs* |
| Glow Recipe* | LYS Beauty* |
See more vegan makeup and skincare brands here.
Is First Aid Beauty Considered Clean?
Yes, First Aid Beauty is considered a clean beauty brand. They use safe ingredients and are committed to providing high-quality skincare products.
The term “clean beauty” is controversial because it isn’t regulated; this means that brands can slap ‘clean,’ ‘green,’ and ‘natural’ on their products whenever they want.
In broad terms, clean beauty products are those made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health (source: Goop) or the environment.
To me, clean beauty is defined by mindfully created products without any proven or suspected toxic ingredients. Clean beauty products include ingredients made with the health of our bodies, animals, and the environment in mind.
So to conclude: A clean beauty brand sells products that don’t contain harmful ingredients for humans, animals, and the environment. Keep in mind; It doesn’t mean a brand is vegan or cruelty-free.
Harmful Ingredients You Want To Avoid
Sadly, quite a few (actually… thousands) of harmful ingredients or ingredients that are suspected to be harmful to humans, animals, and/or the environment. Some examples of the ingredients that don’t make the cut in clean beauty products are sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, pesticides, petroleum derivatives, artificial coloring, and synthetic fragrances.
In the picture below, I share some of the most common harmful ingredients you may want to avoid and those you want to look for instead.
Is First Aid Beauty Fragrance-Free?
First Aid Beauty is (synthetic) fragrance-free.
Is First Aid Beauty Paraben-Free?
First Aid Beauty is paraben-free.
Is First Aid Beauty Sustainable?
First Aid Beauty is not committed to sustainability. Or at least they’re not sharing a statement or sustainable projects on their website.
Sustainable Alternatives
| Skincare Brands | Makeup Brands |
| rhode skin | ILIA Beauty |
| The Inkey List | bareMinerals |
| Supergoop | Tower 28 |
See more clean makeup and skincare brands here.
How To Find Out If A Brand Is Cruelty-Free And/Or Vegan Yourself?
The easiest way to tell if a brand is cruelty-free and vegan is to look for third-party certification. Several organizations, such as Leaping Bunny and PETA, offer cruelty-free certificates for companies that have agreed to adhere to their strict guidelines for animal testing.
Similarly, the Vegan Society provides a Vegan Trademark to companies that do not use any animal-derived ingredients in their products. Look for these certifications to sign that a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan.
It’s also essential to look beyond the label. Many companies may claim to be cruelty-free and vegan but may not actually adhere to those standards.
Check the company’s website for animal testing policies and ingredients. If a company does not have clear information about its policies, you may want to contact them directly to get more details.
Finally, look for reviews from other cruelty-free and vegan consumers. They may have had firsthand experience with the brand and can provide insight into the company’s actual practices. Additionally, they may be able to recommend alternative cruelty-free and vegan brands that meet your needs.
Following these steps, you can determine if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan. Check out this cruelty-free makeup and skincare guide if you want more information and tips. With more and more companies offering animal-friendly products, it’s easier than ever to find cruelty-free and vegan products that fit your lifestyle.
Conclusion
The answer to “is First Aid Beauty cruelty-free?” is yes, First Aid Beauty is cruelty-free. Starting in 2023, post-market animal testing is no longer a threat to beauty brands in China, so companies can now enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty.
First Aid Beauty does not engage in animal testing in mainland China, and their products are not tested on animals at any point during production or beyond.
