Is The Ordinary 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 The Ordinary 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 The Ordinary 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 The Ordinary Cruelty-Free? 

The Ordinary is cruelty-free. They have confirmed that they don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do their suppliers or third parties. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law.

Is The Ordinary Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?

The Ordinary is owned by a cruelty-free parent company. The parent company is DECIEM, and they have confirmed they’re cruelty-free.

Is The Ordinary Sold In China?

The Ordinary is not sold in China or other countries where animal testing is required by law.

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 The Ordinary Vegan? 

The Ordinary is 100% vegan on top of being cruelty-free as well. This means that none of their products contain any 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:

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 The Ordinary Considered Clean? 

No, The Ordinary is not considered a clean beauty brand. You can still find ingredients like silicones, Cyclopentasiloxane, and PEG 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 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.

Is The Ordinary Fragrance-Free? 

The Ordinary is not completely (synthetic) fragrance-free. 

Is The Ordinary Paraben-Free? 

The Ordinary is paraben-free. 

Is The Ordinary Sustainable? 

The Ordinary is committed to sustainability. Even though they commit to not being perfect regarding sustainability, they’re working on several good initiatives.

DECIEM (the parent company) is working to give back to the Earth in five ways: through more responsible packaging, fighting climate change, better waste management, responsible sourcing and product lifecycle, and water conservation.

They explain every one of their goals on their website, so if you want to know more about their taken actions and goals for the future, please check them out here.

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 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 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 The Ordinary cruelty-free?” and the answer is yes, The Ordinary is cruelty-free. They have confirmed that they don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do their suppliers or third parties. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law.

FAQ