9 Ways To Ensure That You Purchase Cruelty-free Makeup

Buying makeup can be quite a task. Especially in a country as diverse as India where the average Indian skin tone is always under dispute. We consider the ingredients and check if they sit with the texture of our skin, the skin type, and if they are safe to use on your skin. But usually, the humane part is ignored at that moment. While many of us would rather go for the cheapest drugstore makeup brand that we can find, what we don’t realize is that many of our most beloved makeup brands test on innocent animals. And while some of us can live with that knowledge, there are many of us who would like to know whether we are buying products that have been tested on animals. If you are one of those people who want to be rest assured that you are buying cruelty-free makeup, look no further. Here are nine tips to ensure that you do not end up accidentally buying cosmetics that have been tested on animals:

1. Look For A Certified Bunny Logo On Packaging

Companies that are cruelty-free will have to license the common logos that are used to show that they are cruelty-free. You can find many online guides that will provide you with the necessary legal logos that are required to check if the brand truly is cruelty-free or if the brand is faking it. Use this method if you are already at the mall and wish to purchase makeup and you are unsure of the sales person’s claims that the brand is cruelty-free. It is certified by PETA and other organizations that advocate protecting animals.

2. Rely On An Online List Of Certified Cruelty-free Brands

There are plenty of websites online that are dedicated to those who want to switch to using cruelty-free makeup. You can simply google a list of cruelty-free brands and pick whichever brand you like based on your budget and preferences. Remember, cruelty-free might be more expensive but at least you can live with knowing that no animal was harmed in the making of your makeup.

3. Chemical Ingredients

The thing about chemical ingredients is that they are always manufactured in a laboratory. This makes the testing of them on animals highly likely. While we cannot completely avoid chemicals in our makeup products, it’s a smart idea to aim more towards organic brands and brands that take a more natural approach to their makeup. In India, many homegrown cruelty-free brands are now making the rounds which leave you with many options to choose from.

4. New Ingredients

If you’re regularly using a certain product from a brand for a while but notice sudden changes in their packaging or if you notice that they have added new ingredients that they had never used before, be wary. There could be a high chance that the product may have gone to animal testing to get the product out on the shelves quickly. Look up forums online and do a last-minute check on whether the brand is still cruelty-friendly before you buy it again. Sometimes, the ingredients are mentioned with their scientific names or written in a way that is hard for people to decipher (who are not familiar with the jargons). You can do a quick google search to find if the ingredients are really animal-free.

5. Read Through The Claims

Many cosmetics and makeup companies will use a trick where they fib a little bit under their claims. You need to be able to read through any claims that the product is making. Maybe they don’t test their makeup products on animals but actually, make use of certain ingredients that have been tested on animals before being added into the finished product. Sometimes, the packaging can skip important information like that. You can do further digging by finding research papers if you are a true and hardcore advocate of cruelty-free products.

6. Look To Other Countries

While many countries have certain laws when it comes to testing on animals, certain countries are a little more flexible with them. If you truly want to invest in the cruelty-free cosmetic lifestyle then you could check out makeup products from the European Union. The EU has completely banned animal testing so you can be guaranteed that a makeup or cosmetic product that you have purchased from one of those countries has most likely not been tested on animals. On the other hand, if you are purchasing a makeup product from a country that has flexible laws towards animal testing, you might actually be purchasing a brand that has tested on animals.

7. Vet The Company Yourself

If you are still not 100% convinced about whether a product you are interested in is cruelty-free, then we would advise you to simply vet the company yourself. Rather than waiting around for answers, it’s a good idea to call up the company and ask them if they are cruelty-free. If that is too much work, go through their reviews and recommendations and look out for anything that strikes you as strange. That way you will have a more clear and detailed understanding of what all these brands actually stand for. It will be easier to make informed decisions this way.

8. Use A Cruelty-free App

If vetting the company yourself or printing out a list of cruelty-free brands is too much of a hassle for you, you can simply download a cruelty-free makeup brand app or log onto a website that will email the list of brands directly into your inbox. There are even some apps that can let you scan the barcode of a product to see if it is tested on animals.

9. Join Online Social Network Groups

Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, etc; There are tons of social media sites that are filled with groups full of people who want to adopt a more cruelty-free lifestyle and approach. You can simply join a Facebook group full of people who share the same passion for living a more sustainable lifestyle and find the brands and cosmetic products that you require by just asking a question. Online communities are expanding day by day, and in these technologically advanced, globally united platforms, you can share thoughts, tips, and other ways to spread some good and positivity in this world.

Since the world is struggling with so many climatic issues and disasters, the tiniest contribution as a citizen of this world will go a long way. Not everyone will be aware of this, but word-of-mouth awareness can definitely make many people want to use pure and cruelty-free products, be it makeup, clothing, accessories, or food. Switching to using cruelty-free makeup and cosmetics is not rocket science. All that matters is that you ensure you do thorough research into the brand before you pick it up. It will not just be better for your conscience but better for our ecosystem as a whole. Do let us know if any of our tips were of help to you in the comments section below.

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Author

Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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