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 Loreal 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 Loreal 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 you want to buy their products.
Is Loreal Cruelty-Free?
L’Oréal is not cruelty-free. L’Oréal states that they do not test on animals; however, they agree on & pay for third parties to test their products on animals.
Is L’Oréal Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
L’Oréal is not owned by a parent company that tests on animals.
L’Oréal states that they do not test on animals, which would make you think there isn’t a problem and you can happily buy from them. But wait! L’Oréal agrees on & pays for third parties to test their products on animals.
This policy makes them a company that still tests their products on animals, which is why L’Oréal isn’t considered cruelty-free.
Is L’Oréal Sold In China?
L’Oréal is sold in China. This is an important fact because, in China, animal testing is required by law. This means that if a brand sells its products in China, they’re not cruelty-free.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives
| Skincare Brands | Makeup Brands |
| Skinfix | Kosas** |
| Derma E | MERIT** |
| Fenty Skin | Rose Inc** |
See more cruelty-free makeup and skincare brands here.
Is L’Oréal Vegan?
L’Oréal is not entirely vegan. They might offer some vegan products, but they’re not 100% vegan, meaning that some of them contain animal-derived ingredients.
Non-Vegan 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 L’Oréal Considered Clean?
No, L’Oréal is not considered a clean beauty brand. They still use synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals in their 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 that are 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, there are 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 that you may want to avoid.
Is L’Oréal Fragrance-Free?
L’Oréal is not (synthetic) fragrance-free.
Is L’Oréal Paraben-Free?
L’Oréal is not paraben-free.
Is L’Oréal Sustainable?
L’Oréal is committed to sustainability. They claim that respect for biodiversity and the environment is an absolute priority for the L’Oréal group. They are committed to having 95% of bio-based ingredients in their formulas derived from abundant minerals or circular processes by 2030.
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 certifications 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 information about their 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
We found out the answer to the question “is Loreal cruelty-free?” and the answer is no, L’Oréal is not cruelty-free. L’Oréal states that they do not test on animals; however, they agree on & pay for third parties to test their products on animals. On top of that, L’Oréal is sold in China and is not vegan, not fragrance-free, or paraben-free.
Hi!
Thank you so much for this article. Is REALLY helpful.
I do have a question regarding L’Oreal. How can you tell that they pay for third parties to do animal testing? also, China doesn’t require animal testing anymore, so that shouldn’t be a reference.
(I don’t use L’Oreal, but I’ve read many people claiming that they’re actually cruelty-free. I don’t believe that either since they don’t have any certification; but I also haven’t been able to find information that proofs that they do).
Hi Ana! Most of the time, you can tell that they pay for third parties to do animal testing when their statement is something like, “we don’t test our products on animals. However, an exception can be made when required by law” – this basically means that they don’t do the testing themselves, but they know that if they want to sell their products in a country like China, they have to perform animal tests so they often pay third parties to do this.
You’re right when it comes to China, they’ve been slowly relaxing their animal policies and this is a huge breakthrough BUT sadly, animal testing is still possible in both the pre-and post-market environments in China. Leaping Bunny said: “Brands now have the possibility to enter China and avoid animal testing, but not every brand can qualify. Certain ingredients, products, and claims may still trigger animal tests during the registration process, and post-market testing involving animals, while rare, is still a possibility.”
We’ve come to a difficult point where it’s quite tough to know if a brand sold in China is cruelty-free or not. I personally don’t really trust brands that are being sold in stores in mainland China to be cruelty-free (yet) because of the Leaping Bunny statement. It does look like L’Oreal is working towards a better future, with no animal testing, by offering scientific research approaches etc. But we can’t just believe their words sadly. I can imagine that people are claiming them to be cruelty-free, because if you read their website, it sounds like they don’t perform animal tests. But they also state, “Certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China.” Very contradicting. It’s vague at this point honestly, but I’m still avoiding them to be sure.