I am looking into more companies that sell cosmetics free of animal testing. I get some stuff from Lush, a few items from Superdrugs with the leaping bunny on, but also checked Ives Rocher again as I can’t find the leaping bunny on the UK site. While surfing I stumbled across the following site clearing Ives Roche and some other names to be cruelty free here and outside Europe and also found a petition to sign.
I am still not 100% sure when it comes to Ives Rocher. Can anybody clear this up for me? The company does not seem to be listed with the Leaping Bunny. The Body Shop (now owned by L’Oreal) and Lush are not either. What list is out there that you can trust? Here a list where it says that they are definitely test which do include Rocher and Body Shop.
Don’t be fooled:
How To Interpret Cruelty-Free Claims
If you look at a product that makes no mention of animal testing – be suspicious. If a company can make a claim, no matter how meaningless, they usually will. It’s hard to believe but there are no laws to prevent companies from deliberately misleading consumers about their animal testing practises.
PZ Cussons makers of ‘Original Source’ products say:
“None of our products are tested on animals. We support the development and acceptance of alternative methods which reduce or replace the use of animals in product safety evaluation.”
Notice they mention product testing but not ingredients. Many cosmetic companies also add statements about how much they support and invest in the development of alternative methods of testing – which is a ploy to distract consumers from the fact that they also still test on animals.
Clarins say:
“In 1987, Clarins was the first French company to cease product testing on animals.”
Again no mention of ingredients.
Estee Lauder say:
“We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law.”
Avon say:
“Avon does not test products or ingredients on animals, nor do we request others to do so on our behalf. Avon will conduct animal testing only when required by law.”
Seemingly strongly worded statements like this are made by many companies – and it sounds very comprehensive. But they are not being completely honest because they do still buy and use ‘new to the world’ ingredients that have been tested on animals during their development. Any legal requirement to test on animals only arises because of the companies desire to use new chemicals in the hope of increasing their sales. Many companies also include rabbit logos on their packaging – but this is no guarantee that the item is genuinely cruelty-free either.
It’s not just cosmetics, many household cleaning products also contain animal tested ingredients.
See the list at the bottom for the biggest offenders and I am shocked to see Ecover there which I have been buying.
Where do you buy reasonable priced cosmetics and household products in the UK that are free from animal cruelty and are environmental friendly????????
Followup: Yves Rocher IS on the leaping bunny list. I just spelled it wrong. Woo Hoo!
Yves rocher is not on the leaping bunny list. Just go and check. It was removed. Thanks