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 Urban Decay 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 Urban Decay 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 Urban Decay Cruelty-Free?
Urban Decay 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 Urban Decay Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Urban Decay 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, which would make 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, and this is the reason why L’Oreal isn’t considered cruelty-free
Even though the brand is cruelty-free, keep in mind that it’s owned by a company that is not cruelty-free. It depends on your preferences and values if you want to buy from them. Some people don’t mind the parent company, and others do. If you prefer avoiding brands owned by a company that tests on animals, it’s better to avoid this brand.
Is Urban Decay Sold In China?
Urban Decay 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 Urban Decay Vegan?
Urban Decay is not entirely vegan, meaning some products contain animal-derived ingredients. However, they do offer vegan options. If a product is vegan, it is mentioned on the product page. Urban Decay certifies that its products marked vegan do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
“We have an ongoing initiative with our laboratories to not only create shades (and entire product lines) that are vegan from the start, but also to identify which of our non-vegan products can be converted. In many situations, plant-derived or synthetic alternatives to animal-derived ingredients become available.
As long as we can deliver the same high-quality products with rich color and texture, we will convert that product to 100% vegan ingredients, so be on the lookout for new offerings.”
– Urban Decay
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 Urban Decay Considered Clean?
No, Urban Decay 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, 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 Urban Decay Fragrance-Free?
Urban Decay is not completely (synthetic) fragrance-free.
Is Urban Decay Paraben-Free?
Urban Decay is not entirely paraben-free. All the ingredients they use in a product are listed on the package or the label of the product itself.
Is Urban Decay Sustainable?
Urban Decay 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 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 as a sign that a brand is truly cruelty-free and vegan.
It’s also important 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 any 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 Urban Decay cruelty-free?” and the answer is yes, Urban Decay 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.
