Not Tested on Animals: 20 Cruelty-Free Companies

Ranked #1,420 in Pets & Animals, #37,848 overall | Donates to Humane Society of the United States

Can what you buy really make a difference?

Sure it can. By buying products that do not conduct unnecesary animal testing, you are voting with your dollar and encouraging ethical capitalism.

So the issue of animal testing is quite complex when it comes to pharmaceuticals and scenarios where the issue of testing could potentially improve the quality of human life -- but we're not addressing that here.

Clearly there are some very reputable companies who manufacture and successfully sell a variety of personal and household products, so why would you support a company who does test on animals when other trailblazers have shown there is no need?

John Paul de Joria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell products, demonstrated it best when consultants suggested he test on animals -- he put some Paul Mitchell shampoo right in his own eye!!! To this day this company does not test on animals and they lead by example.

Please take a look at the companies below and consider supporting them -- and read your labels for animal testing notes!

Cosmetics

These are all big-name brands you'll probably recognize.

Revlon -- You can find this in any grocery store or pharmacy.

MAC -- A more exclusive Estee Lauder brand, found in nicer shopping mall department stores, like Nordstrom's.

May Kay -- Sold by your friendly neighborhood Mary Kay representative -- watch for the pink cadillac!

Origins -- Found in most shopping mall department stores such as Macy's or Dillard's. They also have their own stores in outdoor retail areas.

Physicians Formula -- In most pharmacies and stores such as Target and Kmart.

Prescriptives -- Standard for many shopping mall department stores.

Wet 'n' Wild -- Found in nearly every grocery store and pharmacy.

The Grey Area of Animal Testing on Cosmetics

A makeup artist shares his views on cosmetics animal testing.

Unfortunately, many of the ingredients in makeup have been tested on animals, and the requirement for "no testing" only applies to the final product. I appreciate this artist's compassionate perspective and sharing his thoughts on what is not as black and white a subject as we would hope.
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Household Cleaners

Feel good about getting squeaky clean.

Method -- What a great line of fragrant products: from stainless steel cleaner to peppermint window wash. Always carried at Target.

Mrs. Meyers Clean Day -- Lemon Verbena is a pesonal favorite, although both the Rose Geranium and Lavendar are heavenly. Seriously, cleaning your place with Mrs. Meyers is like aromatherapy.

Seventh Generation -- The dishwashing powder is a personal favorite.

BioKleen -- Not only animal-friendly, but earth-friedly, too! All products are biodegradeable.

Dr. Bronner's -- These concentrated liquid and bar soaps are all natural -- be sure to try the peppermint on a hot day and the tea tree for a natural antibacterial effect.

Grocery Store Generic Brands

These generics are animal-friendly and cost less, too!

Whole Foods Markets -- They carry nearly everything you can think of with their 365 house brand.

Food Lion -- No Food Lions (or Tigers, or Bears) in this area. Someone please tell us what you think of their generic brand of goods!

Safeway -- They have even introduced a house brand of all organic products: "O Organics"

Personal Products

If something has so many chemicals it requires animal testing, do you really want it on your skin?

Avalon Organics -- Big fans of their lemon hand lotion and lavender eye gel.

Aveda -- These products are a little on they pricey side, but so worth it. Their hair care line works fantastically well, and their soothing tea (yes, tea), will have you wondering how the made this amazing soothing blend.

Bath & Body Works -- Favorite bath product indulgences: Warm Vanilla Sugar and Coconut Lime Verbena.

The Body Shop -- A vast selection of hair, makeup, bath, body, and aromatherapy products.

EO Products -- Lots of personal care products made with yummy essential oils.

Spread the Animal-Friendly Message

Be your own billboard by sharing your view on animal testing.

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Books of Interest: Animal Testing and Animal Rights

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  • NYC-Info Mar 12, 2012 @ 10:02 am | delete
    Great list. I know that Avalon is a fantastic company and makes great products. I definitely appreciate the work you put into this.

    I recommend everyone read the Singer and Regan books.
  • benzwm021 Dec 6, 2011 @ 6:59 pm | delete
    Love your lens from someone committed to the cruelty free lifestyle! Thank you for healping to spread the word about this important cause! Check mine out at http://www.squidoo.com/be-truly-cruelty-free. Let me know what you think!
  • mybeautybunny Nov 24, 2011 @ 4:48 pm | delete
    This is a great list! I don't think Mary Kay (and Avon for that matter) are cruelty free any more. Double check, but I believe MK is doing business in China now - where animal testing is mandated.
  • MoneyAngel Aug 30, 2011 @ 9:31 am | delete
    Great post but unfortunately Body Shop is now owned by L'Oreal who test on animals, so they need to be boycotted too!
  • GetFactsnotHype Mar 16, 2011 @ 8:22 am | delete
    I like this lens. Also there is a writer here on Squidoo that did a piece on organic pet bedding, which you might also want to check out. I added your page here to the discovery toolbar for related lenses. I have 4 lenses on green and environmental issues, so it was easy to slip you in the slot.
  • TheGreenerMe Nov 20, 2010 @ 9:48 pm | delete
    Thanks for providing this list!
  • ShamanicShift Sep 27, 2010 @ 2:24 am | delete
    Very interesting lists--surprising and question stirring.
  • jostarr Aug 30, 2010 @ 2:18 pm | delete
    If you care about the environment as well as animals, be aware that many of the products listed above are not eco-friendly. Do your research and look at www.safecosmetics.org. :) Before shopping, I always verify both. Incidentally, I have a hard time as to whether or not to trust the PETA list because they have been known to kill thousands of pets that people surrendered to them, believing that PETA would find a good home for them. Again, do your research!
  • LucyLiang Sep 23, 2010 @ 8:54 am | delete
    PETA euthanizes animals because the animals that are sent to them are: a) unadoptable b) hurt c) or too hurt to be found a good home and have a happy life. so they euthanize them.
  • Kaat1220 Jun 21, 2011 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    Lucy: PETA euthanizes cats for no other reason than they may get hit by a car or may contract a disease. They make the assumption that all cats that live outside are miserable and better off dead. These are not sick animals; these are healthy cats. Just because a cat is unadoptable does not mean it deserves to die; spay/neuter it and return it to its environment. A PETA representative confirmed via email the aforementioned reasons for euthanizing cats. I was shocked because it seems to go against their entire philosophy. Why don't we just go and kill all the homeless people because something bad MAY happen to them? Don't get me wrong, PETA does good work in other areas, but because of this, I will never give them one dime of my money. They seem to bend their views to suit their purpose.
  • stephanie Feb 9, 2009 @ 12:36 am | delete
    Thanks for putting together this list: Another mainstream hair company: Enjoy hair products are "tested on hairdressers not animals" as their packaging states.
  • RinchenChodron Jun 6, 2008 @ 12:15 pm | delete
    Thanks I love our freedom in America to express ourselves.
    I invite all lensmasters with Activist lenses to join
    my Activists Sound Off group
  • Sarah Apr 17, 2008 @ 3:08 pm | delete
    Body Shop does not test on animals but their parent company L'Oreal does. FYI.....
  • JJNW Apr 12, 2008 @ 2:48 am | delete
    Keep up the good work! I am trying to help animals with my Humane Society Fundraiser Lens. Please come visit!

    http://www.squidoo.com/humanesocietyfundraiser
  • UbiqWit Nov 2, 2007 @ 8:53 pm | delete
    If you have any product reviews that you'd like to share (which pertain to the companies listed, above, you can do that here!

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