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 Sephora 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 Sephora 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 Sephora Cruelty-Free?
Sephora is not cruelty-free. Although Sephora as a brand does not test its finished products on animals, they nevertheless pay others to test its products on animals “where required by law.” This means that Sephora is not cruelty-free.
Sephora claims to be “a strong advocate for the development and implementation of alternative methods”; however, they willingly agree to have their products tested on animals. This makes Sephora not cruelty-free.
Is Sephora Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Sephora is owned by a parent company that tests on animals. The parent company is LVMH, and this is not a cruelty-free company. LVMH states that they do tests on animals where required by law.
This policy makes them a company that still tests their products on animals, and this is the reason why LVMH isn’t considered cruelty-free.
Is Sephora Sold In China?
Sephora is sold in China. This is an important fact because, in China, animal testing is required by law. If a brand sells its products in a physical store 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 Sephora Vegan?
Sephora is not entirely vegan. They might offer some vegan products but are not 100% vegan, meaning some 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 Sephora Considered Clean?
No, Sephora is not considered a clean beauty brand. They still use synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals in
their products. They have some “clean by Sephora” marked products, which don’t contain harsh ingredients.
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.
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.
Is Sephora Fragrance-Free?
Sephora is not (synthetic) fragrance-free.
Is Sephora Paraben-Free?
Sephora is not paraben-free.
Is Sephora Sustainable?
Sephora is committed to sustainability. All their stores, distribution centers, and headquarters are powered by 100% renewable energy, and they’ve been an EPA Green Power Partner for the last seven years. In addition, they have incorporated energy management systems (EMS) into all US and Canadian stores.
On top of that, they have the “Clean at Sephora” standards, which means that products marked as “Clean at Sephora” don’t include unwanted ingredients. In addition, Sephora actively works with brands to help update formulas to meet their criteria. Partnerships with organizations like Novi Connect and ChemForward help bring these goals to life.
By reducing waste in Sephora stores, they’re reducing waste in landfills, and in 2021 they diverted more than 1.6 million pounds. They also provide sustainability guidance and resources to their brand partners on safer alternatives, packaging, supplier responsibility, and more.
This includes external resources and partnerships with organizations such as Sustainable Packaging Coalition and How2Recycle. Sephora also partners with the Pact Collective on a pilot across 34 stores in the US and Canada.
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 Choose Cruelty-Free, 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 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 the answer to the question “is Sephora cruelty-free?” and the answer is no, Sephora is not cruelty-free. Although Sephora as a brand does not test its finished products on animals, they nevertheless pay others to test its products on animals “where required by law.” This means that Sephora is not cruelty-free.
