Is Maybelline Cruelty-Free? Here’s The Astounding Truth

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 Maybelline 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 Maybelline 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 Maybelline Cruelty-Free? 

Maybelline is not cruelty-free. They may test on animals, either through their suppliers or a third party.

Is Maybelline Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?

Maybelline is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is L’Oreal, and this is not a cruelty-free company.

L’Oreal states that they do not test on animals, making you think there isn’t a problem and you can happily buy from them. But wait! L’Oreal 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’Oreal isn’t considered cruelty-free.

Is Maybelline Sold In China?

Maybelline 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 Maybelline Vegan? 

Maybelline is not fully vegan. They might offer some vegan products, but they’re not 100% vegan, meaning that some of them 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:

1. Lanolin 
2. Beeswax 
3. Collagen 
4. Keratin 
5. Gelatin 
6. Carmine 
7. Guanine 
8. Honey 
9. Silk 
10. Squalene
11. 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 Maybelline Considered Clean? 

No, Maybelline 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 also vegan or cruelty-free.

What Are Harmful Ingredients You May 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.

Is Maybelline Fragrance-Free? 

Maybelline is not (synthetic) fragrance-free. 

Is Maybelline Paraben-Free? 

Maybelline is not paraben-free. 

Is Maybelline Sustainable? 

Maybelline 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 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. 

Questions

Does your brand test products or ingredients on animals?

Do the companies you get your supplies from, test on animals? How do you ensure they don’t?

Are there any other companies that test on animals for you?

Do you test on animals when the law says you have to?

In which countries can you find your products in physical stores (not counting online sales)?

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. 

Moreover, they may be able to recommend alternative cruelty-free and vegan brands that meet your needs. 

By following these steps, you can determine if a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan. If you would like more information and tips, check out this cruelty-free makeup and skincare guide. 

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 Maybelline cruelty-free?” and the answer is no, Maybelline is not cruelty-free. Maybelline is sold in China and is not entirely vegan, not fragrance-free, or paraben-free, and is not committed to making a change in sustainability.

FAQ